Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
A Free Man of Color
- The Benjamin January Mysteries, Book 1
- Narrated by: Ron Butler
- Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.00 for first 30 days
A Free Man of Color
Buy Now for £17.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
This lush and haunting novel tells of a city steeped in decadent pleasures and of a man, proud and defiant, caught in a web of murder and betrayal.
It is 1833. In the midst of Mardi Gras, Benjamin January, a Creole physician and music teacher, is playing piano at the Salle d'Orleans when the evening's festivities are interrupted - by murder.
The ravishing Angelique Crozat, a notorious octoroon who travels in the city's finest company, has been strangled to death. With the authorities reluctant to become involved, Ben begins his own inquiry, which will take him through the seamy haunts of riverboatmen and into the huts of voodoo-worshipping slaves.
But soon the eyes of suspicion turn toward Ben - for, black as the slave who fathered him, this free man of color is still seen as the perfect scapegoat.
Listeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about A Free Man of Color
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amelie Tedeschi
- 14-08-24
Nicely woven mystery
I really enjoyed how the 1830 New Orleans was depicted and the mystery solved. History has not been nice to colored people, but there are nuances of acceptance that is really well depicted.
I really enjoyed the narrator as well. Loved it all.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lisa Garrard
- 29-06-22
Excellent
A great story, brilliantly told a real insight into the ways and thinking of the era. Would definitely recommend.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Colin
- 02-11-21
A Really Good Read
I admit to.knowing very little about this period of history in America so found the story fascinating, particularly how society worked at all levels, prior to and during the Americanisation of the area. Book is beautifully written exposing the prejudices of the times from the victim's position and at times bewildering discrimination amongst races, and within races. The reading was superb and brought the characters to life. An intelligent read which manages to thought provoking and entertaining. Highly recommend.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- The Curator
- 20-03-21
Fascinating community
I vaguely knew that there were different levels of mixed race in 19th century America but I had no idea how these related to New Orleans or how it was perpetuated by people of colour. It all makes for a fascinating backdrop for a solid murder mystery.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Agnes Kitto
- 26-09-23
Very enjoyable
Excellent introduction to the series look forward to hearing more about Benjamin January and early nineteenth century New Orleans
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story2 out of 5 stars
- BeeBopTallulah
- 08-11-22
deadly dull
3 chapters in and still nothing of interest has happened. Being knowledgeable on the subject, there was way too much exposition on how 19th Century new Orleans society worked. Gave up before I died of boredom.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful