The Laced Chameleon was a standout in several ways: it included more than a casual dose of New Orleans atmosphere, it packed in some history I didn't know about, and it presented a strong female protagonist: all elements that make this more than your usual genre read.

The novel is set in 1862 New Orleans during the Civil War, when the Union Army occupied New Orleans, and delves into the social and racial structure of the city by presenting the life of a 'quadroon' (a person resulting…

I read so much in the area of mystery/detective/thriller novels, it's hard to pick a standout - but one of my more recent reads was Natalie's Art - and because it's a series title that truly stands alone, it's a fine recommendation.

To call Natalie's Art a 'mystery' would do it a disservice, though mystery is one element of its story. To call it a 'thriller' would be too vague, though there are many plot twists and plenty of intrigue that would appeal to fans of this…