Part of Dave Robicheaux, book 25
First published 2026
A disfigured man in a cloak deposits a dead woman in a garbage bag on Dave Robicheaux's property. The Louisiana detective knows this grisly delivery will upend his family's peace. Robicheaux partners with Valerie Benoit, a new detective at the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Department who faces racist and sexist abuse from fellow officers. His longtime ally Clete Purcel joins the investigation despite his unpredictable nature. The case draws them into escalating danger as they encounter a mysterious handyman who leaves puzzling messages about bayou ghosts. New Orleans gangsters and northern crime figures target the investigators. The threats extend beyond Robicheaux to endanger both Valerie and his daughter Alafair. Set in Louisiana at the dawn of the 20th century, the investigation forces Robicheaux to battle corruption and violence that span generations. His relentless pursuit of justice becomes a fight for survival.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family, investigation
Setting: Iberia Parish, Louisiana, New Orleans
Period: 20th Century, Dawn of the 20th Century
400 pages · Hardcover · Atlantic Crime
Content warnings: violence