I jumped at the chance to find out what Tubby Dubonnet, New Orleans lawyer of somewhat questionable methods, has been up to. Here, he is involved with some even bloodier goings on than usual. But plotting is not Dunbar's strength, or maybe at this point in the series, it isn't that important. This short book doesn't have room for a lot of plot, anyway, in between Tubby's drinking, eating, and musings about life, death, the weather, and his own role in events that took part in a previous book. Just as things might get more complicated in another book, Tubby rounds everyone up for one of these typical whodunit scenes.

This is definitely recommended for fans of the series. If you're joining this series in mid-stream, however, you are likely to be mystified. But, if you are willing to go back and read it in order, you'll find it to be consistently fun and engaging, and occasionally a bit more than that. I hope Dunbar won't take so long before honoring us with Book 11. ( )