I just didn’t like this story. I didn’t care about the murder victim or if it was ever solved and the characters are what I like to call “running around like chickens with their heads cut off” – sorry for the visual but that is the best way to describe it. The problem with this is the author purposefully has two characters with all the information who don’t reveal any of it until the end. So 70% of the book is the antics of the other characters that have no impact on the mystery or lead to any resolution and the reader will not be able to figure out the motive because of this. Notice I wrote “motive” and not bad guy because the bad guy is quite obvious due to his lack of continual interaction or reasoning for his actions. Which is odd considering the main male characters accuse just about everyone else of the crime in this book with barely any reasoning.

As someone from Texas, I learned through this narrator that someone with a strong Southern accent can still be monotone. The narrator’s voice did not change or have any inflection for any of the characters whether they were screaming or angry or happy. Even I know someone from Alabama does not sound like someone from New Orleans yet the characters all sound the same except for Lena.
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Well written fun story with a boatload of quirky characters who quickly become real to the reader. The characters truly make the book both interesting and memorable. Nothing wrong with the plot, I just focused more on the characters.
It also felt like a nice visit back to NOLA because of the clear descriptions of the area.
I was fortunate to be able to listen/read, and I feel that Lee Ann Howlett did a fine job as narrator. Some might quibble about her minimal southern accent, but I feel that it is an blessing for those of us whose ears cannot entangle a deep drawl unless facing the speaker.
I was gifted with this book at my request in exchange for an honest review via AudioBookBOOM. ( )

It's kind of an odd book, really, but I enjoyed it. The author's fondness for the characters really shows through in the book, and I like that. There's nothing hardboiled here, but there are a lot of funny chase scenes and arguments as it goes along. The mystery structure is simple but effective -- I didn't guess the murderer.

My favorite part of the book is the characters, but that's also my least favorite part, because I kept wanting a deeper connection to them. I loved Jackson and Billy and they seemed really sweet together, and of course I love the dog, but I wish we'd gotten into their heads a little more. We don't really get to see their thoughts beyond who they suspect at any given time. I wish I'd been able to hear their thoughts and emotions. So, that's part of what made the book odd to me... I really wanted more of a connection, but it's because I already loved the characters!

Expanded review: https://hannahgivens.wordpress.com/2015/03/02/review-imogene-in-new-orleans-by-h... ( )