This is the first book in a great series about a Pullman Porter who solves Crime. I have only read the first one midnight sleeper and OMG if it is not just the best ever! It starts with a Bo LaHood Who is one of the best Pullman porters and because of this has to work the Chicago limited over Christmas something his wife is not happy about. They have five children and one on the way. Befor Bo leaves Mississippi however he wants to stop and see his best friend Lindsay who is in jail for killing one of the prevet boys and in 1920 Mississippi Bo knows how this will end. After seeing his friend he also stops to see Mr. Al Knockin Lindsey‘s lawyer and a friend to the LaHood family he’s also one of the only non-racist in Bo’s part of Mississippi so when Mr. Na can ask him to look out for the real murderer a man name Mr. cob in a cousin to the Prevett clan he is the reason Lindsay will be acquitted but he is also on the run. It seems he was stalking shall be prevent and although bow agrees to look out for him his job is made even worse when going to catch the train he sees none other than Shelby Privett also going to New York on the 117pm train. She is the youngest daughter and is looking for adventure and will start her search on the train to New York. Although her and Bo’s friendship start Rocky due to her own racism it seems when she is in need of a porter only he will do. This isn’t the end of his woes however A few months before a young college student drink would varnish a.k.a. illegal alcohol and claims Bo was the one who sold it to him on the train. Can he find the murderer keep Miss Privett safe from her self and others and clear his name? This was such a great book and although I found some of the racism a bit hard to take a nauseating I found Bo’s responses which were supposed to be submissive come off as insulting in the racist were too stupid to catch on that made me laugh and then de me to the book even more although the summary I wrote is nowhere near the whole story just know this is a great mystery with lots of twists and turns in one I highly recommend I absolutely loved the story and can’t wait to read the next book in the theories. I want to thank the publisher a NetGalley for my free art copy Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Midnight Sleeper by Raeder Lomax
Midnight Sleeper Series #1

1925 Mississippi was nearly a century ago and much as and has not changed since then. I found myself immersed in a world of bigotry, misogyny, and misery for many with the focus on one Mississippi town, its inhabitants, and some who got on the train from that town ~ and what happened next.

The story begins with Beau being called to work the holidays, his wife wanting him to stay home to spend time with the growing family, and his need to provide taking him to work as First Porter on a steam engine. On his way to work he sees an old friend in jail before the trial and what happens to the friend shadows the rest of the story.

I hated the way black people were treated, referred to, and spoken to. It was a story that left me wishing things had been different and coming away wondering if any character in the book would have been one to admire, spend time with, or befriend.

Was it true to the times? I don’t’ know.
Did it make me feel? Yes
Did I want to quit before the end? Yes, because I was angry within the first pages of the story

There were references to the past and slavery, to prohibition, to rape, murder, lynching, bigamy, and more. I have mixed feelings about the book but will say it made me think and definitely made me happy I live now and not a century ago.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hudson Square Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

Midnight Sleeper is the first book in a historical mystery series by Raeder Lomax. Released 3rd July 2023, it's 356 pages and is available in ebook format. Other editions are available in paperback. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats.

This is an engaging and well written historical mystery set during prohibition in the US. It's often quite unflinching and I found it difficult to read at some points, given the undeniably historically accurate but nevertheless quite painful, racism, sexism, governmental corruption, and violence.

The language and vernacular are unvarnished and sometimes quite unsettling to read. There are multiple uses of the "n-word" and mentions of sexual abuse and racism/sexism.

For all that, it's well written, with a tight, action driven plot, and three dimensional characters.

Four stars (with the aforementioned issues).

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

I was unable to find any information on this writer,nor can I comprehend why three volumes of his books will be published at the same time.
In the beginning I enjoyed the novel a great deal. The language used and the depiction of racism in the work was the most explicit and harrowing I have ever read. But then all of a sudden the plot changes gears as it deals with prohibition,and alcohol smuggling,and the story of a rich woman living in New York City. The inclusion of Robert Benchley in the book, a true author will probably be meaningless to anyone who isn’t a long-time fan of the magazine he write for.
Overall I became confused and disappointed with this book. I couldn’t follow the characters and I couldn’t keep up with the direction it was going in. Perhaps if the author had stuck to the harsh reality of life for black people in Mississippi, I would have been more engaged with the book. But the whirlwind of unsympathetic characters caused me to lose interest in the book.

This novel is rich in historical detail and has vivid characters that you wont soon forget. Great start to a new series.
Many thanks to Hudson Square Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a very fast paced story set in the Roaring Twenties. As I was reading, I thought it too fast paced, but as I mull it over I find I am enjoying replaying the story in my mind. Isn't that the purpose of a good book? That it should should cause reflection.

Midnight Sleeper: Visions of the Jazz Age - Book 1 by Raeder Lomax

356 Pages
Publisher: Hudson Square Press HSP
Release Date: June 30 2023

Fiction, Historical Fiction, Multicultural, 1920s, Prohibition, Mississippi, Mystery, Thriller

Beau LaHood lives in Clarkswood, Mississippi with his wife Clementine and their five children. He is a Pullman Porter on the New York Central Railroad’s 20th Century Limited train that runs between New York and Chicago. It is the just before New Year’s Eve 1925 and he is called in to work. On his way to the station, he stopped by the police station to see his friend Lindsay Coleman. Lindsay is accused of killing a field supervisor, but he was acquitted by an all-white jury. As he was leaving the courthouse, he is shot and killed on the steps. The alleged murder, Marston Cobb, is believed to be on the Yellow Dog train heading to New York. The local police ask Beau LaHood to keep an eye open for him.

The story has a fast pace, the characters are developed, and it is written in the third person point of view. Because of the era, there are derogatory names and racial slurs. If you like the jazz era, prohibition, bootleggers, and/or trains, you will enjoy reading this book.

There were way too many characters and meandering plot lines that didn’t make for a consistent or interesting story. There was an inordinate amount of fluff, and the climax and falling action were treated like minor details and not given great attention. Had to start skimming at times.
I read a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I had no idea what was going on for most of the story. I found the writing tricky to parse, and the pace seemed insanely quick for a book where nothing in particular happened. Maybe if you’re into that kinda thing you’d like this, but I just found it unintelligible for the most part.

So. I am OBSESSED with this era and I always love finding books that take place during this time period. (Flappers! Prohibition! Mobsters! It's madness and I love it.) So. I absolutely JUMPED at the chance to read this. And y'all. This book did not disappoint!!!

I really enjoyed this story. I think it captured the time period nicely, especially since it's just between the end of slavery and before the Civil Rights movement. So having a Black main character was just the perfect way to tell this story.

I'm also really obsessed with trains so yet another thing I loved about this. And I love that this was inspired by a real story. This just had so many layers of history woven into the story. I enjoyed it so, so much!!!

And it's a series?!? Yes please!! Sign me up for the rest of the books!! I will gladly continue with these characters. Historical fiction with a dash of mystery and set during the roaring twenties? This was excellent in every way!! Could not recommend more highly!

And thank you to NetGalley and Hudson Square Press for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review!

It is not often I read a book that I think would be a great movie but Midnight Sleeper by Raeder Lomax is one I could picture clearly on the big screen. The roaring twenties, jazz, prohibition, violence and the sad history of our country, everything needed for a great story.

Thank you to Hudson Square Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

In 1925, Prohibition is in full force. But so are lynchings and mob justice. Pullman Porter Beua LaHood finds himself in the midst of both social issues. And he's determined to get justice for his dead friend as he protects and provides for his family.
I enjoyed the look at life in the 1920s. Also, most of the characters have a light and shadow side, which blurred the lines between good and evil.
The mystery was interesting, too, especially with the intersections of multiple characters. While I appreciated the writing style that kept my attention, ending almost every chapter with ellipses was annoying.
I would probably read more books in this series just for the historical aspect.

Midnight Sleeper 1
By Raeder Lomax

This book covers a lot of ground. It covers the post-Civil War south with its reconstructed society. It covers prohibition and the selling of illegal substances during the jazz age. And it covers the famous railroads of the period, which were considered the height of luxury trail at the time. Murder and mayhem abound.

It is the story of a savvy young southern socialite and a black train porter who form a partnership to get around the law. The descriptions of what goes on – from the lynching of an innocent black man to the death and destruction caused by bootleg liquor – are very realistic and graphic. The author doesn't sugarcoat these happenings.

Beau LaHood and Shelby Prevette make a great team. I look forward to whatever they get up to next.

This was a pleasant surprise as it's a well written, powerful, and gripping portrait of the USA during the Roaring Twenties.
An intriguing and gripping historical fiction that I loved and kept me hooked.
Cant' wait to read other books by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

A magnificent fictional portrait of America during the Roaring Twenties, superbly written, cunningly plotted, gorgeously choreographed and blessed with a terrific cast of exquisitely drawn characters.

Midnight sleeper is very addictive and it deserves to be discovered and enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever!

Many thanks to Hudson Square and Netgalley for this fabulous ARC

Midnight Sleeper is the story of how Prohibition, flappers, liquor running, Jim Crow Laws, and the railroad system come together during the Jazz Age. An interesting premise with several characters playing a major role in developing the story. Beau’s role as the black porter on the train, Shelby as the sheltered young woman taking on the role whiskey runner, and Marsten, a white man who is evil and after Shelby. I like the descriptions and several of the characters, but the overall plot was just too contrived and confusing. There were several characters who were introduced, but not really a part of the story. It read like it had been not been edited well.
Looking at the title page, it appears that the book was initially published in 2016 and a second edition is in 2021. This led to me researching a little background information on the title. The first edition was 358 pages where this one is only 267. Perhaps this copy of Midnight Sleeper is the third edition? That would explain why sections were confusing. It would also explain how the editing was done poorly for clarity and was just cutting parts to shorten the storyline.
While I enjoyed several parts of the story, I put it down often and nearly did not finish. Because the descriptions on the train and the sequences of trying to stop Marsten, I gave this book a 3.

With thanks to NetGalley, the publisher ( Hudson Square Press), and author, Raeder Lomax, for the opportunity to read Midnight Sleeper. All opinions are my own.

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This story had a lot of promise - drama on a Pullman train during the turbulent time of Prohibition during the Roaring Twenties. Many of the characters had promise too - a Black man working on the train trying to make money for his family and not get pulled into the drama of the train's passengers, a young girl who was sexually assaulted and on the run from the man who did it, all while trying to get rich as a bootlegger.

Sounds like a bit much, huh? And therein is the problem. This book tries to do too much in too little time. There are way too many characters and so many subplots, I wasn't even sure what was supposed to be the main plot. Any one of these subplots on its own would have made for a great book, but the wide scope of the book detracted from the characters. I didn't really feel like I got to know any of them, and because of that, it made it harder to root for them.

Another complaints is that there was too much of the storyline told after the fact. For example, the rapist is found out to have had a wife and child in New York before he married the would-be bootlegger's sister. I'M FINDING THIS OUT NOW? HUH? I understand that this is the first in a series, but I felt like I was thrown in right in the middle.

Overall, the book and characters both get a 7 out of 10. I didn't dislike anything, but I felt like I wasn't given a chance to really like it either. Tighten up the storyline and focus on one plot at a time, and I think it will be a good read. I give it a C-.

So this book caught my eye big time. Loved what the blurb said. Cover looked instering. Was extremely happy to see the full series here on netgalley.
Kept me pulled into it
Couldn't put it down
Didn't take long to read this book and once I finished it I immediately went into book 2. Abostly loved this book.. Amazing start to the series. Highly recommend it 5 star book and I already told a few people that they need to read this book

Wow! Just WOW! What a gripping read. Took place during the 20’s step behind the scenes of speakeasies. Whether in New York or on. The locomotive. Takes place during prohibition and the gritty part of bootlegging life.Characters are so well developed, you can’t help but root for them to succeed with their naughty deeds. This includes porter Beau LaHood, a Jim Crowe era guy trying to make a living to support his family. Not that he ever has time to spend with his family, but he supports them nonetheless. He helps his childhood friend pass off her homemade whiskey, whose very wealthy family did at one time own slaves. The side stories enter twine seamlessly. I would highly recommend reading. Thanks to the follow for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
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Pub Date: 14 April 2023