Right to Sing the Blues [Hardcover]

John Lutz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1986

An Alo Nudger Mystery. New Orlcans is off Alo Nudger's beaten path; the St. Louis private detective likes the comforts of home. But he also loves jazz and when he's given a round-trip ticket to the Crescent City by legendary clarinetist Fat Jack McGee, who needs to talk to him, Nudger is willing to take a flyer. Fat Jack has a problem, maybe two: a singer named Ineida, whose father is a very important man in New Orlcans, and a pianist named Hollister. Hollister plays the blues just fine, but there's something about him that disturbs Fat Jack. In fact, now that Hollister and the girl are an item, Fat Jack's scared. It doesn't take long before Nudger is, too...

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Suspenseful, and written with a lively sense of timing".

-- Seattle Times Post-Intelligencer --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 175 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1st edition (January 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312682352
• ISBN-13: 978-0312682354
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,774,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Proficient and well crafted private eye novel, December 21, 2004

By 

F. J. Harvey "Cricket ,country music and a go... (Birmingham England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Right To Sing The Blues (An Alo Nudger Mystery) (Paperback)

This is an entry in the established and long -running private eye series featuring "Aloysius(Alo)Nudger " an operative based in St Louis .This time around he is away from his normal stamping grounds and working a case in New Orleans .

A prominent jazz musician and nightclub owner "Fat Jack McGee" hires Nudger to do some checking on a brilliant young pianist ,Wille Hollister who is showing an interest in an singer at his club ,one Ineida Mann ,who just happens to be the daughter of THE local crime boss and McGee is anxious not to run any risks of trouble

It looks as if his fears are well founded as Alo uncovers the disturbing news that a woman -usually a singer -has vanished in each of the last towns that Hollister has played .Indeed, we are told explicitly that Hollister is a killer and are privy to his thoughts and how an abusive childhood has warped his feelings towards women

The tale expertly winds towards its unexpected conclusion as Nudger faces threats from Ineida's father and his enforcers not to mention a corrupt policeman in that worthy's pay

Nudger is a likeable protagonist -an ex cop with a nervous stomach who is constantly swallowing antacid tablets ,and a man perennially on the edge economically what with business being slow and having a rapacious ex wife to contend with .

The New Orleans atmosphere is well evoked and the author's love of jazz -reflected in the taste of his compassionate and humane protagonist -comes across strongly

This breaks no new ground for the private eye genre but its a treat for those who like the genre .Give it a go

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Witty, relaxing and suspenseful, July 16, 2010

By 

E. hansen "jasmine" (Santa Barbara, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Right To Sing The Blues (An Alo Nudger Mystery) (Paperback)

This was my first book by this author and it will not be my last. I enjoyed the witticism of Nudger immensely. I recommend this book as an antidote to the drudgery of daily life. I found it to be a page turner !