A Free Man of Color - Barbara Hambly [0]
A Free Man of Color
“A smashing debut novel. In lush detail Hambly recreates the world of the demimonde and the Mardi Gras balls, the plight of slaves, and the intricate social structure of a city that for generations has strictly adhered to rules unique to New Orleans. Ben is a wonderful character, strong and tempered by personal grief, smart and courageous.… A rich story with well-drawn characters, memorable action scenes, and a sense of place so strongly rendered that it surrounds the reader.”—Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
“A vivid depiction of an exotic bygone time.”
—The Sunday Oregonian, Portland
“Magically rich and poignant … In scene after scene researched in impressive depth and presented in the cool, clear colors of photography, Hambly creates an exotic but recognizable environment for January’s search for justice.”—Chicago Tribune
“A richly detailed, telling portrait of an intricately structured racial hierarchy, which was to leave its mark on everyone.”—Booklist
“A smashing debut novel. This is a rich, exciting story with both substance and spice that is sure to please any palate.”—Star Tribune, Minneapolis
“A fascinating look at a fascinating city in a fascinating time in our history.”—The Purloined Letter
“Barbara Hambly has crafted a most sparkling gem.… Readers are transported back to a distinctive time and place and introduced to a most unusual protagonist.… New Orleans vivdly comes alive.… January is a fascinating hero, one who should be heard from soon again.”
—KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
“Subtly planting clues along the way, Hambly crafts a tale of intrigue set against a class-conscious Louisiana society and the many different definitions of ‘black.’ ”
—The Detroit News
“A Free Man of Color, Hambly’s first mystery, will add substantially to her acclaim.… This book is very good, indeed.”—The Washington Times
“An astonishing tour de force. Hambly’s re-creation of pre-Civil War New Orleans has the ring of eyewitness testimony. This tense and absorbing drama is full of clever twists, chilling dangers, and unexpected acts of redeeming grace. If you read only one historical mystery this year, let it be this one.”
—MARGARET MARON
“Hambly weds her vivid imagination with her gift for accurate and telling period detail. The result is a jewel-like novel that glitters with multiple facets.… Unique.”—BookPage
“A wonderful glimpse of history with an intriguing mystery at its center … Fascinating.”
—The Montgomery Advertising & Alabama Journal
Also by Barbara Hambly
Fever Season
Graveyard Dust
Sold Down the River
Die Upon a Kiss
Wet Grave
Days of the Dead
Dead Water
All available from Bantam Books
This edition contains the complete text
of the original hardcover edition.
NOT ONE WORD HAS BEEN OMITTED.
A FREE MAN OF COLOR
A Bantam Book
PUBLISHING HISTORY
Bantam hardcover edition published July 1997
Bantam paperback edition / June 1998
All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1997 by Barbara Hambly.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 96-44942.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information address: Bantam Books.
eISBN: 978-0-307-78527-5
Bantam Books are published by Bantam Books, a division of Random House, Inc. Its trademark, consisting of the words “Bantam Books” and the portrayal of a rooster, is Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. Marca Registrada. Bantam Books, New York, New York.
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Contents
Cover
Other Books by This Author
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Author’s Note
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen