Review: Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman

Baltimore Blues

by Laura Lippman

Publisher: William Morrow

Pages: 336

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  In a city where someone is murdered almost every day, attorney Michael Abramowitz's death should be just another statistic. But the slain lawyer's notoriety—and his taste for illicit midday trysts—makes the case front-page news in every local paper except the Star, which crashed and burned before Abramowitz did.

A former Star reporter who knows every inch of this town—from historic Fort McHenry to the crumbling projects of Cherry Hill—now-unemployed journalist Tess Monaghan also knows the primary suspect: cuckolded fiancé Darryl "Rock" Paxton. The time is ripe for a career move, so when rowing buddy Rock wants to hire her to do some unorthodox snooping to help clear his name, Tess agrees. But there are lethal secrets hiding in the Charm City shadows. And Tess's own name could end up on the ever-expanding list of Baltimore dead. 


Kritters Thoughts:  The first in the Tess Monaghan series and I actually had read only one other Tess Monaghan, so I was excited to start back at the beginning.  Tess is a little lost and not sure if journalism is her future or really what is the future.  In the middle of her search she has a friend who is accused of something that she swears he didn't do and she has to help exonerate him. 

I loved that this book was obviously a who dun it, but still contained moments where the reader gets to know Tess and the other characters that would be present in the series.  It reminded me of a CSI show with a who dun it mystery to solve, but character development on the side.  I was glad that the mystery to solve was close to home for her, it started the series on a good foot.

Living close to Baltimore and having visited a few times, I loved reading this book because I could picture the neighborhoods and it makes it an even better read when I feel even more connected to the book and story.  As a reader I could completely tell that not only Lippman lived but also loved Baltimore.


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel (there are a few already!)

Ebook 2015 Challenge: 6 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.