The Queen City Detective Agency by Snowden Wright is a thrilling Southern noir that deftly explores the underbelly of 1980s Mississippi through the eyes of a jaded, determined private investigator. Set in Meridian, a city once known as the "Queen City" but now marred by economic decline and corruption, this riveting novel uncovers the deep-seated greed, racism, and power struggles that define the American South.

The story follows Clementine "Clem" Baldwin, an ex-cop turned private investigator, as she is hired to solve the mysterious death of Lewis "Turnip" Coogan, a Dixie Mafia affiliate who claims to have been hired to kill a real-estate mogul, Randall Hubbard. As Clem delves deeper into the case, she navigates a maze of lies, dangerous alliances, and secrets that threaten to unravel her own understanding of her past—and put her life at risk.

Wright’s writing is razor-sharp and evocative, capturing the complex, fractured nature of Southern life in the 1980s. The novel’s setting is a character in itself, as Meridian’s faded grandeur and the lingering shadow of the Dixie Mafia provide the perfect backdrop for a story about corruption, privilege, and the lengths people will go to protect their power. Clem, as a strong yet vulnerable protagonist, is incredibly compelling—her personal struggles and moral dilemmas add depth to the narrative, making her journey both poignant and thrilling.

The novel’s intricate plot, combined with a memorable cast of characters, keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Wright expertly weaves in themes of race, class, and justice, painting a vivid picture of the South during a time of shifting social dynamics. As Clem digs deeper into the case, the stakes rise, and the tension escalates into a gripping, high-stakes confrontation that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.

The Queen City Detective Agency is a masterful blend of mystery, crime, and social commentary, and will appeal to fans of gritty, character-driven thrillers. With its haunting atmosphere and sharp critique of the systems that perpetuate inequality, Snowden Wright’s debut is a standout in Southern noir fiction—perfect for readers who enjoy complex plots, morally gray characters, and an unflinching look at the darker side of the American Dream.

The Queen City Detective Agency by Snowden Wright is a gripping Southern noir that expertly weaves together a strong female protagonist, a richly atmospheric setting, and a tightly crafted plot full of intrigue and danger. Set in 1980s Meridian, Mississippi—once the state’s "Queen City" but now a faded, corrupt town—the novel follows ex-cop turned private investigator Clementine Baldwin as she is hired to investigate the suspicious death of a Dixie Mafia affiliate, Lewis “Turnip” Coogan. Wright does an excellent job of capturing the decay of a once-prominent town while exploring the powerful forces that cling to the old Southern order. Clementine is a tough, nuanced character, grappling with her own personal demons and the weight of growing up in a place where change is resisted at every turn. The setting of 1980s Mississippi adds a rich layer of authenticity, and Wright’s sharp prose perfectly complements the tension and noir sensibility of the plot. Though the story moves through some dark, morally murky waters, Clementine’s resolve and resourcefulness make for an engaging read. Overall, The Queen City Detective Agency is a compelling, fast-paced mystery with a strong sense of place, a memorable cast of characters, and a protagonist you’ll root for from start to finish.

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<i>Molly imagined her mother-in-law over the years, living with a brutal husband, raising a son without help, her tools the same ones Molly herself had acquired in her journey through the world of men: a cunning charade of ignorance, a guileful pretense of naiveté. Some doormats lay on top of trapdoors.</i>

Clem is the owner of the Queen City Detective Agency and she has one employee, a cheerful Vietnam vet who takes her seriously when she points out the casual racism around them. As a Black woman in 1985 in Mississippi working primarily for white people, she finds plenty of examples. But as she takes the job of finding out who poisoned a prison inmate, she spends her time trying to stay alive as she and Dixon find that Turnip Coogan's death has ties to local real estate moguls and to the shadowy Dixie Mafia, a criminal gang whose tentacles reach out in every direction.

The plot is elaborate, the criminals plentiful, and the detective hard-nosed and determined. It's a fun ride, sometimes held back by Snowden Wright's tendency to over-write and over-explain. The plot rushes along and the story, with its many characters and digressions, nonetheless is tight and well thought out. I had to skim a bit of the cock-fighting scenes, they are so vividly rendered, but all of that is part of painting an unapologetic portrait of this forgotten corner of the Deep South.

This atmospheric 'who-dun-it' follows female detective Clementine and her partner Dixon. They are investigating the death of 'Turnip". Clementine is a strong character. The plot is complex, well written, but does not have much of a 'wow factor'. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mystery novel with an uneven plot line. It is set in the 1980's, but has some details that seem more current. I liked the author's previous book American Pop a lot better.

"*The Queen City Detective Agency* has all the makings of a quirky, fun mystery, but it left me feeling a bit dizzy! The writing is witty, and the characters are colorful, but the plot jumps around so much that it was hard to keep up with what was going on. Just when I started to get into one storyline, we’d jump to another, and it became a bit of a guessing game to figure out how it all tied together.

That said, there are definitely moments that sparkle, with clever dialogue and amusing twists. If you're a fan of chaotic, off-the-wall mysteries, this might just be your jam! But for me, the constant hopping around made it harder to enjoy the full experience. Fun, but a bit too frenetic!"

Solid Southern Noir PI story set in the 1980s.
A Black female PI is hired to look into the death of a "suicide" victim. Snappy narration and plenty of twists and turns! A great pick for those who love procedurals, historical mysteries and strong female characters!

The Queen City Detective Agency is a well written gritty American PI noir novel by Snowden Wright. Released 13th Aug 2024 by HarperCollins on their William Morrow imprint, it's 272 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is an atmospheric and solid read featuring a black female protagonist who is flawed, loyal, tough as nails, and dogged. It's set in the 1980s in Mississippi and the prose is evocative and rich. The author is adept at characterization and even the more minor secondary characters are three dimensional (often unlikable and quirky, but very well rendered).

There's a surprising amount of sarcastic cynical humor around a novel populated by villains, cheats, and thieves; where even the "good guys" are exhausted and wryly misanthropic. Although it's not as over the top or as full of no-holds-barred violence, it will appeal to fans of Joe R. Lansdale and James Lee Burke; not derivative at all, but definitely in the same headspace.

Four and a half stars. Atmospheric, enjoyable, *very* well written (even though it's usually more difficult to recommend a book with a protagonist written by an author who is nowhere near the same demographic (she's black and female, the author is white and male) he really nailed Clem's internal drive and motivations). It would be a great choice for public library acquisition, home use, or a good mystery book club reading selection or buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I love a tightly-knit, fast-paced mystery, and Snowden Wright has done an excellent job creating one with "The Queen City Detective Agency." Clem and Dixon are a thoroughly-likeable pair of sleuths, their banter is delightful and the affection between them palpable, and both stand in square defiance of the stereotypes that the rest of their 1980s Meridian, Mississippi contemporaries want to be able to force them into. The sense of time and place is so well-written, and yet, it is - regrettably - also so reflective of the world we live in here in 2024. This was a great, quick read, and I'll be looking both into Wright's back catalogue and also forward to more adventures with Clem and Dixon.

Thank you, NetGalley and HTP, for allowing me to read this eARC. The book is excellent, and I enjoyed it. It's a good who-dun-it, and the characters are outstanding. The pacing was a little slow, but the story was really good. This book would be a good read for the fall or book club. I recommend for lovers of crime and mystery books.

Clem is a PI, hired by a criminal’s mother to prove he was murdered. Set in 1980s Mississippi against the backdrop of Reagan’s inauguration, the author uses Clem’s investigation to directly address racism, sexism, and classism. Gritty and dark, the story exposes how deeply the KKK/Dixie Mafia have permeated and corrupted local government.

I enjoyed the cadence and wit in the writing, but it was at times a smidge pretentious in terms of the vocabulary words. The author gives a good amount of background on several characters, even some of the more minor ones, which helped to humanize them, even when they were on the side of the villains. I loved that Clem had a true partner, friend and ally in Dixon. I had a little bit of a hard time keeping track of who was connected to who, but this gets mostly summed up towards the end.

There was one loose end that I was waiting for a resolution to, regarding Clem’s friend Sam. In the absence of an explanation, I’ll chalk it up to a coincidence.

3.75 stars

Interesting series debut featuring the unlikely investigative combo of Clementine Baldwin, a female Black ex-cop, and her White partner Dixon Hicks, a Vietnam vet. The Meridian, Mississippi Reagan-era setting is masterfully portrayed.

Clem is a complex character. She has experienced just about every kind of sexist and racist behavior in her hometown and considers herself a pragmatist, with the help of a little bourbon to ease her way. The partners' relationship is nicely drawn and doesn't fall into any trite or expected lines.

They are hired to investigate the death of local Turnip Coogan, who fell off the roof of the jail where he was residing after an arrest for murder of a local real estate tycoon. Allegedly he was hired by the wife, then called off. The novel is populated with all kinds of local characters of various ethnicities and demographics.

The author is sometimes wordy but personally I enjoyed his descriptions and use of language. I would gladly spend some more time with Clem and Dixon. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Set in the South, 1980s, we are following the investigation lead by a woman of color, our FMC. As she solves this case, we dive into some important issues such as racism and femininity, and how those judgements and notions effect our FMC.
I did not enjoy this writing style at all. There were some odd comparisons and sentence structuring that left me questioning what the story was indicating. With that said, some people may enjoy this type of writing.

Overall, the story lacked excitement and thrills that I look for to keep me hooked. I did DNF this about halfway in so I do not have an opinion on the end of the story.

Set in 1980s Mississippi, Snowden Wright's “The Queen City Detective Agency” is a razor-sharp Southern noir that invites readers into a world where greed, corruption, and racism simmer beneath the surface.

Meridian, Mississippi - once known as the Queen City - now grapples with decline. Enter a murder mystery: real-estate developer Randall Hubbard lies dead, and the Dixie Mafia’s shadow looms. Lewis “Turnip” Coogan, an affiliate of the Dixie Mafia, claims that he was hired by Hubbard’s wife for the hit. Later, Coogan is found dead under suspicious circumstances while in custody for the murder. Coogan's grieving mother hires cop-turned-private investigator Clementine "Clem" Baldwin to find her son’s killer. As Clem’s investigation peels back layers, long-buried secrets are revealed.

Clem is no cookie-cutter detective. Her history, scars, and determination make her relatable and we are given glimpses into her past throughout the story, which makes for a poignant exploration of identity and redemption.

While the story moves languidly, the plot offers many twists that are sure to keep readers engaged. Suspects multiply, alliances shift, and Clem finds herself on the edge of danger. The Dixie Mafia’s reach spans far and wide, and every revelation adds tension and intrigue to the plot.

Overall, “The Queen City Detective Agency” is an enjoyable slow burn mystery. Wright’s evocative prose immerses us in a Mississippi where secrets fester and justice is elusive. For readers craving an atmospheric noir with a dash of Southern charm, this novel truly delivers.

Set in the still racially charged 1980s Mississippi, this book follows a Black private investigator and her white partner as they get embroiled in a tricky case involving murder, potential suicide, and the shadowy Dixie Mafia. It's an excellent Southern crime novel.

After Dixie Mafia member Lewis "Turnip" Coogan falls or jumps to his death from the roof of the Meridian, Mississippi courthouse, Clementine Baldwin and partner Dixon Hicks are hired by Coogan's widow, who is convinced he was murdered, to find his killer. Turnip was accused of killing prominent real estate developer Randall Hubbard. Still, as Clem and Dixon begin digging into Turnip's death, they begin to untangle a web of shady characters, all of whom could be involved with the deaths. It falls to Clem and Dixon to follow the strands of the web to uncover the truth.

This is an atmospheric book with interesting characters and a complex plot. It illuminates what it means to be Black in the South, including the subtle and not-so-subtle digs and racist attitudes. Clem is a strong character who deftly tap dances her way through the societal layers and political intrigue to solve the deaths of the two men. Written with wit and compassion, it takes a magnifying glass to the 1980s South. 4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is August 13, 2024.

I love Clementine Baldwin so much I wish she was starring in a movie or TV show! She was so well written and I enjoyed the entire cast of characters in this town. I was waiting for the twist and it didn't disappoint. I hope this book begets a series and if you like police procedural/crime thrillers, you will like this one! Give this a try!

The Queen City Detective Agency comes out next week on August 13, 2024, and you can purchase HERE!

From Clem's beat-down, soft-top Jeep, which she'd inherited after her father took on crop shares at Parchman Farm and which she now drove, Clem told herself, out of spite more than sentiment, Clem watched stock footage of her past life. It still hurt to see the police department on Twenty-Second Avenue, where, during her rookie year and maybe three of the five subsequent ones, she'd genuinely believed the boys in blue could be man enough to accept a woman. It hurt worse to see Highland Park, site of her career-making and, ultimately, career-ending collar, a serial killer the papers relished calling the Dentzel Carousel Strangler.

Fans of strong female characters will want to make the acquaintance of Clementine Baldwin. Owner and principal investigator of the Queen City Detective Agency, Baldwin is a native of Meridian, Mississippi, and knows most of its secrets. The daughter of a white man and a black woman, she has a love-hate relationship with her home town. Never quite fitting into either black society or white social circles, she has learned to navigate along the edges of both.

Set in January 1985, against the backdrop of the approaching inauguration of Ronald Reagan for his second term as president, Baldwin is retained by the mother of a man convicted of shooting a local real estate developer. Mrs. Coogan is convinced that her son was murdered despite plenteous evidence to the contrary.

The local authorities found the death of Coogan convenient and the resolution of the death of an unpopular real estate developer along with it, so they were increasingly forceful with their attempts to discourage Baldwin from asking awkward questions. Some of the best parts of the book is watching their attempts backfire, sometimes spectacularly. Lurking in the shadows of Baldwin’s investigation is the Dixie Mafia, that organized crime mob headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi, operating throughout the South with ties to the Ku Klux Klan and the white male hierarchy.

Unexpectedly dark in places and just as unexpectedly funny in others, this book is a strong piece of Southern noir, highlighting as it does the push to bring new ways to the South and the resistance offered by the long-time power structure, unwilling to loosen its iron grip on the status quo. Followers of Ace Atkins’s Quinn Colson books set not far away in northeastern Mississippi will want to read this one, as will those interested in stories about people of color pushing to force change from within the South.

Starred review from Booklist.

I had read and enjoyed the author's prior novel and enjoyed it, but this one was a little lackluster for me. The characters felt very one-dimensional.

4.5 stars.

Taking place in 1985, The Queen City Detective Agency by Snowden Wright is an engrossing mystery set in Meridian, Mississippi.

Private Investigator Clementine “Clem” Baldwin has a complicated past and present. She and her partner, Dixon Hicks, work on variety of cases but their current one goes in very unexpected directions. Their client, Lenora Coogan, wants to know exactly what happened to her son Lewis aka Turnip. As Clem and Dixon quickly discover, nothing is as it seems as they investigate Turnip’s death.

Clem is highly intelligent with excellent instincts. Dixon is a Vietnam vet who is well suited to working for Clem. Although she sometimes takes unnecessary risks on her own, Clem tries to be more careful when Dixon is with her. Although the two are good friends, Clem is not always forthcoming with personal information.

The investigation into Turnip’s death leads back to the murder he is accused of committing. Local builder Randall Hubbard’s murder is rather complicated and Clem knows there is more to his death than meets the eye. As she attempts to figure out who murdered him, Clem and Dixon find themselves tangled up with the legendary Dixie Mafia. Despite the danger surrounding their investigation, Clem is determined to unearth the truth about what has been going on her hometown.

Despite an air of nostalgia, The Queen City Detective Agency is a timeless mystery with a complex storyline. Clem is an intriguing character with a fascinating past. Dixon is often the voice of reason throughout their investigation. The investigation takes many twists and turns that are absolutely stunning. With an eclectic cast of characters and well-drawn setting, Snowden Wright easily sweeps readers into this clever mystery that is fast-paced, entertaining, and educating.

I review a lot of books at a given time, so when people write to me to ask me a question about something I’ve read — which happens quite a bit due to my e-mail address being at the bottom of my review work here — the answer usually is, “I don’t know.” The reason is that I read in such a volume that I don’t remember much about what I’ve looked at after a particular review has been filed. This is not the case with American novelist Snowden Wright. I distinctly remember reading his first novel, American Pop, with great clarity. I even vaguely remember how it ends, which is the most striking thing about the book. (Which is not a criticism. I recall that American Pop was a mostly enjoyable read throughout.) Five years later, Wright has dropped his latest novel, The Queen City Detective Agency, which aims to marry two distinct genres: the Southern Gothic and the hard-boiled detective yarn. Though the work is not without its faults, this is an almost-as-enjoyable piece of fiction that has an explosive ending. By its final pages, the book is hard to put down. Despite its genre tropes, the book is also a work of literary fiction. It begs the question, was the Reagan years of the American presidency just as bad as the Trump years? It also asks if anything has changed.

Set in January 1985 in Meridian, Mississippi, the story centers on a biracial and somewhat alcoholic private eye named Clementine or Clem, who runs the titular detective agency with her white partner Dixon. They are hired to investigate a possible murder that has been dressed as the suicide of an inmate awaiting trial for another murder: that of a real-estate mogul. However, the wife of the mogul also hires out the detectives to see who murdered her husband as well. Life insurance money is usually involved in these investigations. In any event, as is the case for the hard-boiled genre, there are crosses and double-crosses and multiple assassination attempts (things get crazy down there in the southern U.S., it seems). By the end, numerous people are involved in setting up various crimes, all against the backdrop of the second inauguration of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. As people like to say, the plot thickens by the end of this tumultuous novel.

I like Snowden Wright’s singular voice. The tone of American Pop and this novel is similar. When he has a few more novels under his belt, I’ll bet that we’ll talk about him as a prominent American novelist of subjects of note to the southern United States. Wright has talent and drive and knows how to weave together complex plot lines. The Queen City Detective Agency is a slow burn of a novel, gradually and slowly turning up the heat until we get to multiple climaxes: one of them is set in a cockfighting tournament. Fans of many genres may find much to be charmed by here. But do I have complaints? Well, yes, but they are the same ones I have about the mystery genre: there’s too much complexity for something of this nature to be pulled off in real life. To that end, Wright succeeds wildly with this novel as he has written the prototypical hard-boiled book. However, the story’s start is hard to read because the characters and their motivations are introduced before the detectives run into them and start questioning them. You’ll have to stick with this novel to receive its rewards. But, before I forget, Wright has a good sense of humor, too, so some of this will lead you to smirk as you read, which may mitigate some of the novel’s complexities.

The book’s mid-section does lag as Wright tries his hand at character development for major and minor characters. Thus, much is crammed into these pages; some could have been pruned back. However, this is all minor quibbling because The Queen City Detective Agency has one of the best endings for this type of novel I can recall (which isn’t always easy for me, given how many books of note I read). So, while the pacing could be smoother, the book’s conclusion more than makes up for it. So, stick with this one if you need help with it first. Chances are you’ll be charmed by this one as it goes along.

All in all, while I may be more partial to the literariness of American Pop, The Queen City Detective Agency is no slouch either. It’s an excellent mid-summer beach read that tries to move beyond the usual tropes of the detective genre. This comes highly recommended, as this is a book I won’t forget any time soon. The book is masterful and colorful, and, if my prediction comes to pass, Snowden Wright is a writer of some renown that we’ll be talking an awful lot about based on the sheer quality of his craft. This one is a keeper. Please go out and buy this one and put it on your bookshelf. Trust me on this.