Smoke in the Cypress is a well-researched, immersive historical novel set in the months leading up to the Battle of New Orleans in 1814. It follows Marcel Moreau, a wounded veteran of Napoleon’s Grand Armée, who travels to the Louisiana Territory to locate a missing French noblewoman. What begins as a mission driven by desperation—Moreau needs the reward money to pay off a dangerous debt—quickly becomes entangled in a volatile mix of politics, warfare, cultural collision, and moral complexity.

The author excels at setting the scene. You can almost feel the heat and humidity of New Orleans, the tension in the air, and the weight of history pressing in from every side. The backdrop of early 19th-century Louisiana is richly rendered: the Creole elite, enslaved communities on the brink of rebellion, Barataria pirates under Jean Lafitte, and the looming threat of a British invasion. It’s all woven together with careful detail and a clear command of the era.

Historical figures like General Andrew Jackson and Jean Lafitte play significant roles, but the heart of the novel remains fictional—Moreau’s journey through the city’s treacherous political and physical terrain. As a former soldier, he’s quickly recruited to help train the city’s militia in preparation for the battle to come, adding another layer of tension and urgency.

What works especially well here is the blend of history and suspense. The author builds momentum steadily, and a final twist adds a punch of intrigue at just the right moment. The novel balances multiple subplots—hidden agendas, resistance movements, stolen jewels, voodoo rituals—with confidence. It’s the kind of book that might leave you googling the Battle of New Orleans just to see how much of it was real.

So why wasn’t this a perfect fit for me? It comes down to emphasis. While I admire the storytelling and execution, the book leans heavily into military detail—tactical maneuvering, weaponry, combat scenes, and strategic positioning. For readers fascinated by military history, this is a major plus. For someone like me, who prefers historical fiction that’s more character-driven or emotionally layered, the military emphasis occasionally overwhelmed the narrative. At times, I felt distanced from the story by the sheer volume of battlefield logistics and soldier interactions.

That’s not to say the book lacks humanity. There are powerful scenes of fear, loyalty, sacrifice, and injustice. But the pacing and energy often return to military matters, which pulled me out of the story rather than drawing me in. It’s a stylistic preference, not a flaw—this is a book that knows exactly what it’s doing, even if I wasn’t always the ideal audience for it.

In the end, Smoke in the Cypress is a strong, thoughtful, and well-executed historical novel. I gave it four stars on Goodreads for its craft and historical accuracy. My personal takeaway, though, leans closer to three stars—not because it’s poorly done, but because its strengths didn’t fully align with what I look for in historical fiction. Still, I’m glad I read it, and I suspect readers with a stronger interest in military history or early American warfare will find it deeply rewarding.

Liked it . Due to health issues cannot not but will write a proper review at a later time
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Due to health issues cannot not but will write a proper review at a later time

New Orleans, during the two months leading up to the War of 1812’s decisive Battle of New Orleans. Soldiers, privateers, military history. An aristocratic French family has hired Moreau to find their missing daughter, Celeste de Beaumais.. The premise was good, the story rich in history, yet not much for my liking or appreciation. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

SMOKE IN THE CYPRESS: A Napoleonic Officer in New Orleans is a well-written historical novel – ending with a surprising and suspenseful plot twist – about New Orleans, during the two months leading up to the War of 1812’s decisive Battle of New Orleans. I imagine many readers with more interest in military history, who better tolerate brutality and murder will inhale this novel. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t a good match for me. Awarded four stars on Goodreads because of the author’s execution, but my personal rating reflecting my own experience would more likely be three stars.

The story centers around the fictional character of Marcel Moreau (NOT the Belgian writer), a Frenchman wounded during the Napoleonic Wars who now finds himself headed to New Orleans on a time-sensitive mission. A aristocratic French family has hired Moreau to find their missing daughter, Celeste de Beaumais, who wanted to escape the violent aftermath of the French Revolution for a new life across the ocean. The time sensitive pressure comes from the fact that Moreau owes a former employer a lot of money and finding Celeste will earn him enough to pay off those debts. Otherwise, he’ll be murdered.

When Moreau reaches New Orleans he finds a world of uncertainty and drama. Soldiers representing different factions struggle to work cooperatively to win a war. Brutalized enslaved people are terrified by slave masters and slave hunters. There are lawless pirates based in nearby Barataria Bay, under the leadership of the famous Jean Lafitte (1780-1823). Not to mention alligator-infested swamps, strange fevers, stolen jewels, women held hostage, angry plantation owners, mysterious Creole culture and, of course, voodoo. And all of these people are facing the imminent arrival of a much larger English fleet.

Many of the characters are taken from history, most notably General Andrew Jackson (the future president on the 20-dollar bill) who’s running the military show. You may find you’ll want to read up on the Battle of New Orleans after finishing this book, to learn more about who did what to whom.

So then how come, with a promising plot and a reader who’s a lifelong fan of historical fiction, was I not enthralled? I think it was too MALE for me! Soldiers and officers threatening one another and posturing to prove their worth. Men choosing violence and murder to solve every problem. And way too much military-related information about way too many knives, guns and skirmishes. And, while I readily admit I have a keen interest in both world wars, I confess I do not have much in the War of 1812.

I hope I’ve provided enough information so that you can decide whether you’re one who’s likely to enjoy SMOKE IN THE CYPRESS. Or, like me, one who will now happily move on.