82 Desire (Skip Langdon Novels) [Mass Market Paperback]

Julie Smith (Author)

Book Description

Series: Skip Langdon Novels | Publication Date: June 28, 1999

Councilwoman Bebe Fortier has misplaced her equally prominent husband. Across town, part-time detective-poet Talba Wallis has a simple wish--to find out what Russell Fortier's disappearance has to do with her. But the private investigator who hired Talba to spy on Fortier can't help her out. He's lying in his office with a bullet in his chest. At first, Police Detective Skip Langdon thinks it's just a small case with some big names--until she senses something huge starting to unfold. Something rooted in corruption, resulting in violence--and motivated by that old demon . . . desire.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

New Orleans police detective Skip Langdon is a tall, slightly overweight but still tough and resourceful cop who readers have come to know and love ever since New Orleans Mourning won an Edgar as Best First Mystery. The first time she meets Talba Wallis, Langdon has this impression: "A young, pretty African-American woman with gorgeous hair, large of butt and bust, stuffed into black jeans and a white T-shirt." But Talba is a lot more than meets the eye; she's a gifted poet known as the Baroness de Pontalba and a computer expert who gets involved in a couple of cases on which Skip is working. In particular, the disappearance of Russell Fortier, an oil company executive and husband of a city councilwoman. Talba did some computer searching in Fortier's office for a suddenly deceased private eye, and she may have a scoop on the case. But reporter Jane Storey, back in print after an unhappy foray into television news, is also in the Fortier investigation. In fact, she's being fed facts about Fortier by a mysterious source.

In a city exploding with mystery series, Smith can still find something fresh to say, as in this comment about the cottage Talba shares with her mother: "They lived in the Ninth Ward between Desire and Piety, a metaphor she couldn't figure out how to use." Other Skip Langdon books available in paperback: The Axeman's Jazz, Crescent City Kill, House of Blues, Jazz Funeral, Kindness of Strangers, New Orleans Beat. --Dick Adler --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

The latest in Smith's series of Skip Langdon mysteries (following Crescent City Kill, 1997) gets a fresh infusion of life from a richly realized and memorable character, a young African American woman named Talba Willis, who is a poet and aspiring PI. Skip is a policewoman who had been assigned to Homicide in lushly described New Orleans, but the squad has been broken up and assigned to the city's various districts. Skip is working in a fairly upscale neighborhood when she is sent to investigate a missing persons case. Russell Fortier, an executive at United Oil Company and the husband of city councilwoman Bebe Fortier, has vanished. He may have just walked away from his marriage. Or he could have been kidnapped, even killed. Also hot on the case are Jane Storey, a reporter for the New Orleans Times-Picayune, and Talba, otherwise known as The Baroness de Pontalba. Skip, Talba and Jane are caught up in an investigation that is being choreographed by a mysterious tipster who is feeding them information. But what is the tipster's own agenda? The probe into Russell's disappearance heats up even more when Talba's employer, PI Gene Allred, is found dead. Smith crams a full cast and plenty of plot twists into her complicated story, in which the New Orleans atmosphere and Talba, with her fierce wise poetry, shine brightest. The Baroness could have her own series any time.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Ivy Books (June 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804116997
• ISBN-13: 978-0804116992
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #901,281 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Author of the Skip Langdon and Talba Wallis mystery series; Edgar-winner; New Orleans resident.

Also founder of www.booksBnimble.com, an electronic publishing start-up, and author of the YA paranormal adventure, CURSEBUSTERS!

Latest adventure:
I've reworked my writing class as an ebook called WRITING YOUR WAY (http://amzn.to/o6XN3T), with special emphasis on first chapters and marketing. You can see The Prose Nazi video below for an idea of my approach--i.e. flexible; designed to find YOUR best writing method, not force mine on you. We also have outtakes for your amusement. The third video, which I'll call GTFA, is a trailer for a fun parody book booksBnimble couldn't resist doing one rainy afternoon. Check out my websites, www.cursebustersbook.com, www.booksBnimble,com (where I also blog) and www.casamysterioso.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Skip this Skip Langdon Novel, December 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 82 Desire (Skip Langdon Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

Although I am a fan of Smith's work, I found this one to be a bit contrived and convoluted. There were too many sub-plots that demanded more attention than Smith could give in a light mystery novel. The character of the baroness is exciting, though and as always, New Orleans is romantic and seedy all at the same time. Read the earlier books in the Langdon series to get a better example of Smith's work.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Light and fluffy..., February 13, 2004

By 

Cynthia K. Robertson (beverly, new jersey USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 82 Desire (Skip Langdon Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

After reading several heavy duty histories, I needed something light, fast and entertaining and Julie Smith's 82 Desire fit the bill. This was my first Skip Langdon mystery, and I was very charmed with this book. Yes, there are much better mysteries, but I love New Orleans and it was fun to read a story set in this unique city. The characters could have been developed a little better, but perhaps they are in earlier books from this series. I especially liked the Baroness Pontalba. This will definitely not be my last Julie Smith.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, October 26, 2001

By 

Marion "[e-mail]" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: 82 Desire (Skip Langdon Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

I read "Louisiana Hotshot" before I read "82 Desire" and I was pleasantly surprised to find the exotic poet/detective, Talba Wallis, introduced in this book. I can't agree with the other reviewers that this was not her best. I thought it was just as fast-paced, thought-provoking and intriguing as all of the other books in the Skip Langdon series. Like the other books, it kept me guessing until the end. If you love New Orleans and you love quirky, unique characters, then you'll ADORE this book. I promise you, you won't be disappointed!!!