As a fan of James Burke and D.J. Donaldson, i was excited to learn of Michael Rigg's new Jonathan Gray mystery series set in New Orleans. The story opens just before Christmas when Dr. Gray is called to the scene of his boss' death. Robby O'Malley, the much-loved coroner of Orleans Parish has died alone in his home under mysterious circumstances. Over just a few short days, Gray encounters a potential rape, human trafficking, patricide, bombings, etc. Can they all be connected? Maybe. It's up to Gray to help the overworked and exhausted NOPD solve these cases - all while improving the medicolegal system. This was a fast read with a satisfying ending. I cannot wait for Rigg to publish the next title in this series!

"Voices of Elysian Field" by Michael Rigg is a real page-turner.
The mystery is layered with some seriously clever twists that kept me guessing throughout.
The characters are well-developed, which added to the tension and suspense. The pacing is well-handled, and the payoff at the end was satisfying.

To be honest, the writing style wasn't exactly my cup of tea, but that's not to say it's not well-written - it is. Despite that, I found the book to be thoroughly entertaining and engaging. If you're a fan of crime fiction, I'd definitely recommend giving it a shot. The storytelling and plot more than make up for any stylistic differences you might have.

Thank you Michael Rigg, NetGalley and Level Best Books for the opportunity to read and review this Advanced Release Copy.

Set in New Orleans, we move into a more rarefied atmosphere of people of importance and power in the city. Johnathan Grays mentor of forty years has died unexpectedly, and in somewhat suspicious circumstances. Following this the apparent murder suicide of an elderly rich, well established couple seems too much of a coincidence.

Coupled with his Coroner skills, Johnathan moves into the world of detection, working closely with detectives to uncover a web of unexplained disappearances of young women, coupled with murder of a young man within the same family and attempted murder of several other people connected to the enquiry.

Full of proper police procedural and step by step detecting, trying to bring differing stories and people together, set against a city that is vibrant and one which bounced back after Katrina. The story was well thought out and it all came together very nicely at the end.

This well written and thought out crime mystery follows Jonathan Gray, the Coroner of Orleans Parish. As a Louisiana native and frequent visitor to New Orleans, I love the setting and how familiar it is. The book delves into the procedural aspects of crimes, exploring the intricacies of Gray’s job as he conducts autopsies. However, it also takes a thrilling turn into a whodunit filled with prominent characters and politics. I really enjoyed the characters within this, and Jonathan Gray is an outstanding main character with a lot of integrity. If you’re a fan of crime mysteries or the procedural side of crimes, I recommend this!

Dr. Johnathan Gray is one of the best developed characters I’ve seen in a while. I felt an instant connection to him and his cause. I loved his commitment and drive, not only to his work but also to his personal life.

The plot of this book was well thought out and executed. There certainly was enough plot twists to keep you interested and invested. There’s a lot of mystery and well as a desperate need to find out what happened to these characters.

I loved how the author brought all the loose ends together and the ending was tied in a nice bow.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommend? Yes
Finished: April 10, 2025
Format: Advanced Digital; thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC
Read this if you like: political intrigue, off-beat heroes, strong relationships, military personnel representation, police representation
Triggers: sexual assault (referenced, off page), child death (off page), firearm use (explicit, on page)

Dr. Jonathan Gray is wildly happy in his marriage & fulfilled by his job as Chief Deputy Coroner for New Orleans; but with his mentor/boss’ mysterious death, he is plunged into a world of political corruption, murder, harassment and a full-on trafficking ring. Will Dr. Grey be able to exonerate his oldest friend & still fulfill his duty to uncovering the truth of the hidden files left behind?

This was an enjoyable read, well-written & structured, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Some of the most fun in a mystery is when you think you’ve figured out the twist long before the protagonist & you are waiting for them to catch up, yelling at the page as though they could hear your hunches. But in this “Jonathan Gray” novel, I have to admit I only got it 50% right & that makes me insanely happy. The ending was wrapped up nicely, but left little storylines unfinished that I hope to find out more about in the next installment.