A small diamond encrusted chip on her shoulder.

The dapper antiques dealer, Armand Fontenot, who became first friend then partner of the New Orleans private detective Moses, has a mystery of his own. Following the murder of Byron Jazzwell, a paperweight is found which reminds him of a piece of jewelry his grandmother had, given to her by a woman, Lucretia, who had been nanny in the household but who later burned down the family mansion and was hanged for it. Curious, the pair recover a box which had belonged to the grandmother which contains not only the jewelry piece but also a journal and things become even more strange. Why had the nanny done what she did? Why did she seem to go through mood swings after visiting New Orleans. And who were the men Lucretia warned the grandmother about when she left her the jewelry the day she died?
As Moses and Armand look into it, they find that someone wants this kept a secret an hundred years after the event as other deaths occur and their lives are targeted.

Full of atmosphere, humour and great characterisation as well as an intriguing mystery, this new series starring the delightful Armand is off to an excellent start. Not so much voodoo but plenty of mahem. And Mose is his usual bombastic self. And this time the curious couple really do not have any idea of what it's all about.
Nicholas Patrella again narrates with passion, seamlessly incorporating the French and Italian phrases into his reading. Occasionally overlong pauses are sometimes a slight distraction but Patrella is so deeply ingrained as the reader of these books, his voice a fine reflection of the stories, it is hard to imagine anyone else taking the part. Add to this his distinctive voicings of all of the other protagonists and it adds up to a memorable performance.

I requested a copy of Blood and Discord having previously enjoyed other Moses books by Mr.Ricardo Fleshman and was fortunate to be sent a complimentary copy by the rights holder, via Audiobook Boom. Many thanks. This is a series I will continue to follow with great pleasure. This review is given entirely voluntarily.

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