by Gary Krist
First published 2014
Tom Anderson rules New Orleans' Storyville district with absolute authority. His empire of brothels, gambling houses, and criminal enterprises has thrived for decades in the Crescent City's most notorious neighborhood. But the early twentieth century brings new threats from every direction. Moral reformers launch crusades to shut down his operations. Politicians who once took his money now turn against him. The Mafia muscles in on his territory. A serial killer stalks the streets, bringing unwanted attention to Storyville. Anderson must navigate this treacherous landscape while managing a colorful cast of allies and enemies: ambitious prostitutes, corrupt officials, jazz musicians, and violent criminals. As the battle for New Orleans intensifies, Anderson discovers that his thirty-year reign faces its greatest challenge. The city's respectable citizens want to destroy everything he has built. This is the story of one man's desperate fight to preserve his criminal kingdom against overwhelming odds.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, mystery, crime
Vibes: dark, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, power-struggle
Setting: New Orleans, Storyville
Period: Early 20th Century
432 pages · ebook · Broadway Books
Content warnings: violence