It took a long time form me to read this book, There was so much information to take in. It was a bir confusing at times because of all the different topics. I feel like the actual crime takes a very small part of the book,
It was well written, it just wasn't what I expected.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Empire of Sin re-creates the remarkable story of New Orleans' thirty-years war against itself, pitting the city's elite “better half” against its powerful and long-entrenched underworld of vice, perversity, and crime. This early-20th-century battle centers on one man: Tom Anderson, the undisputed czar of the city's Storyville vice district, who fights desperately to keep his empire intact as it faces onslaughts from all sides. Surrounding him are the stories of flamboyant prostitutes, crusading moral reformers, dissolute jazzmen, ruthless Mafiosi, venal politicians, and one extremely violent serial killer, all battling for primacy in a wild and wicked city unlike any other in the world.

*3.5 stars*

I have to say that I am a little disappointed in this book. Sure, there was lots to love about it but the one thing that drew me to the book in the first place - the murder aspect - seemed to get lost in the mix...it was almost as if the author could have written three different books, rather than trying to jam three different topics into one book.

What did I like? The social and political history of New Orleans. From the race relations, the reputation of being a city of vice and sin, the development of jazz, and the political history of the city had me enthralled at different times. So much information for me to take in, I was really like a sponge, soaking in all that atmosphere and history. I took away a pretty clear picture of the city as it developed over time.

What didn't I like? As previously stated, I was drawn to this book for the murder angle of this book and, aside from some small sections of the book, it was pretty much ignored. I felt let down there. Also, trying to pull all the different aspects of this book into one narrative just really didn't work for me. The only relation that these historical events seem to have in common were that they happened at the same time. Maybe just fixing on the murders OR the history would have been more beneficial...

Overall, though, this is still worth a read, if for nothing more than the history of New Orleans. That alone is worth the price of admission.


Paul
ARH

A great narrative true crime book, Empire of Sin covers a series of murders in New Orleans in the late 1800s. Spanning a handful of decades and the numerous ups and down of the investigations, the book plays with various theories as to who the murderer was and shows how the string of killings affected the history of the city of Jazz. If you like this, The Axeman's Jazz is a novelised retelling of the beginning of these events and is a great read as well!