What Happened on Beale Street

Nicki and Nate Price, private investigators and cousins, follow up on a suspicious call from Danny, an old school friend and part-time saxophonist on Memphis’s Beale Street. When Danny is found dead, his sister, Isabella, urges the two PIs to investigate alongside the official police case. Nicki’s zealous enthusiasm earns her the censure of the local police, leaving Nate to do most of the work—which conveniently allows him to explore his attraction to Isabella. Emotionally fragile Isabelle, struggling with her own feelings for Nate, must also attempt to placate a disgruntled former suitor. In the meantime, Nicki uncovers a decades-old mystery involving heiresses and jewelry at the luxury hotel where they are staying. The two mysteries develop side by side, but somehow never overlap—a curious plotting strategy for veteran author Ellis (Midnight on the Mississippi). Each investigation, however, does showcase both the complex, well-developed personalities of the main characters as well as the world of jazz and blues that makes Memphis famous. This newest whodunit proves a worthy addition to the Secrets of the South Mysteries series. Agent: Mary Sue Seymour, The Seymour Agency (Apr.)