The Nubian’s Curse

Recommending series books is always difficult because in manyu cases the reader should have read the earlier entries in the series. One of the things I have admired about Barbara Hambly’s Benjamin January series is that you can dip in and out of it but still thoroughly enjoy the story at hand. Hambly’s writing is evocative and her plotting exceptional, always.

The story here picks up some characters from Benjamin’s past in France, reminding him of some terrible times. As usualy, he is swept up into helping someone, leading to all sorts of adventures. Hambly blends Benjamin’s personal life with the “mystery” in each story, making his adventures totally part of his every-day life.

Recommended for fans of this series, but also for readers who enjoy historical mysteries featuring smart, strong Black men and women.

So nice to read about Benjamin January again! It's been awhile (for me) but it all came back. Great plot, as always, though sometimes hard to read for the intended) creepiness factor.

Barbara Hambly is an amazing storytelling. This book is #20 in the Benjamin January series. I had read a story of hers years ago and took a chance on this book.
The book plunges you into New Orleans society celebrations. Benjamin January, the main character, is a musician (and sleuth and has medical knowledge). I felt immersed in the culture of New Orleans, the good and bad. An old friend from Paris requests January's assistance when she sees him at a party. Together, they seek to find persons involved in a haunted house and mysterious death from their time in France. The danger arises again.
I loved the depth of the story. I always enjoy the history. I learned a lot about New Orleans society, the slave trade, and a little bit of voodoo. The characters were engaging and multifaceted. However, I was a little lost at times by the number of characters and how they connected to the story. I will definitely read previous books from this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for an ARC copy of the book.

I have read Barbara Hambly’s Fantasy books before (dragons) and really enjoyed her stories so I recognized her as an author.

I have not heard of this series before but boy am I glad I read this book. This is book 20 in a long going series which I fully intend to go back and read all 19 predecessors.

This is about Benjamin January is a Creole in 1850s New Orleans. He is a classically trained musician and trained in medicine.

Benjamin is enjoying his life in New Orleans when people from his past arrive in New Orleans bringing troubles from the past.

He had gone ghost hunting with them in Egypt and France. Mysterious death happens which remains unsolved.

The niece of his benefactor is part of the group that has arrived bringing with them memories Benjamin would rather forget.

There is savant character wrongfully enslaved, prince’s, plantations, voodoo and ancient Egyptian curses.

It all evolves into a complex and intriguing mystery of who killed the gross Crise who is a very bad man trying all kinds of tricks to steal artifacts and money while being horrible to women.

I really enjoyed this mystery. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.