S.H. Baker Reviews

Added April 11, 2005

Death of a Dancer

A Dassas Cormier Mystery

Author: S.H. Baker
Publisher: Zumaya Publications
Available At: www.zumayapublications.com
Publishing Date: Available Now
Genre: Mystery
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $13.00
ISBN: 1-55410-126-3
Reviewer: Kathy Martin
Rating: 8 Gargoyles

Dassas Cormier had left New Orleans two years earlier to go back to Marshall's Bayou where his brother had his family. For some time, Dassas' nephew Frank had pestered his uncle to take him to the big city. Now that he was 15, Dassas decided Frank was old enough, and he himself was ready to go back.

The New Orleans he had left in 1923 had not changed. The city still carried that damp, enticingly musty smell. On his return, Dassas had to admit he had actually missed it. But something had changed in the city. Cherry Blossom, a stripper, had been murdered a week earlier. Dassas' old partner on the New Orleans P.D., Ty Fuller, told him they had a man in jail for the crime.

Cherry had been a special friend to Dassas. Pulling some strings at the old precinct, Dassas got in to talk to the man accused of killing Cherry. When he came out, Dassas was sure the man was innocent. He was also sure that he was going to find Cherry's killer - no matter where the search took him.

Death of a Dancer is a well-structured mystery that gives nothing away. I found the characters and the descriptions of the city to be fleshed out in a way I felt I was right there with them through every page.

What I liked best was that this story was written in first person through Dassas' eyes. S.H. Baker kept clues a secret until Dassas finds them. For me this kept the tension and my attention, very high. This would be a great book to read at the beach, or to stay busy during long bus or train commutes. I myself look forward to reading the other Dassas Cormier mystery Baker has written.

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