Synopses & Reviews
“Delicious and addictive.”—Salon.com
“The book is beautifully written in a tight, quirky style that distinguishes Gran as one of the more original writers working today.”—Bruce DeSilva, Associated Press
“Reads . . . as if David Lynch directed a Raymond Chandler novel.”—CNN
“What would you get if that punkish dragon girl Lisbeth Salander met up with Jim Salliss Lew Griffin walking the back streets of New Orleans? Or Sue Graftons Kinsey Millhone transformed herself into a tattooed magnolia driving a 4x4? Clare DeWitt, thats what youd get . . . DeWitts mesmerizing character and memorable voice take your breath away.”—New Orleans Times-Picayune
Claire DeWitt believes she is the worlds greatest PI, even if few agree with her. A one-time teen detective in Brooklyn, she is a follower of the esoteric French detective Jacques Silette, whose mysterious handbook Détection inspired Claires unusual practices. Claire also has deep roots in New Orleans, where she was mentored by Silettes student the brilliant Constance Darling—until Darling was murdered. When a respected DA goes missing she returns to the hurricane-ravaged city to find out why. Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead is a knockout start to a bracingly original new series.
“The hard-living, wisecracking titular detective bounces around post-Katrina New Orleans trying to track down a missing prosecutor in this auspicious debut of a new mystery series—and the Big Easy is every bit her equal in sass and flavor.”—Elle
“Reminds me why I fell in love with the genre.”—Laura Lippman
"I love this book!" -- Sue Grafton
Review
"Just when I begin to despair that the PI novel has worn out its welcome, a writer with a fresh take reminds me why I fell in love with the genre. Sara Gran has long specialized in shaking up and revitalizing other corners of the genre world, so its no surprise that she performs this same magic in
Claire DeWitt. "--Laura Lippman "Terrific. I love this book! Absolutely love it. This is the first fresh literary voice I've heard in years. Sara Gran recombines all the elements of good, solid story-telling and lifts something original from a well-loved form."--Sue Grafton
"Suppose Nancy Drew had been raised by indifferent parents on the mean streets of Brooklyn, liked getting stoned, got seduced by the occult and was haunted by her failure to solve the childhood disappearance of a close friend. She might have grown up to be a lot like Claire DeWitt, self-proclaimed world's greatest detective. . . The book is beautifully written in a tight, quirky style that distinguishes Gran as one of the more original writers working today."--Bruce DeSilva, Associated Press
"[Claire DeWitt is] a supremely confident detective who reads the clues she finds in dreams, the I Ching and scraps of garbage that float up from the street. Called back to New Orleans, where she trained under and even more bizarre psychic sleuth, to find a beloved local character who disappeared in the aftermath of the hurricane, Claire prowls the darkest corners of the city . . . Claire is a charmer." -- New York Times Book Review
"With Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead, Gran elevates the detective story as literature and brings together a sophisticated mystery, a witty, antagonistic private eye, and a city she knows too well." - Atlantic.com "Not your mother's girl detective, Claire DeWitt is a cool blend of Nancy Drew and Sid Vicious. With Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead, Sara Gran has pulled the traditional female sleuth into the twenty-first century with a novel that's smart and hip, dark and funny. I can't wait for the next one." - Alafair Burke, author of Long Gone "Delicious and addictive." -- Salon "The first in a quirky, smart mystery series." -- Daily Candy "The title character is the summer's most original new detective: part Lisbeth Salander, part Veronica Mars." -- Hollywood Reporter "I just burned through Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead, and it's the first truly fantastic book I've read this year. Gran's evocation of the exposed wounds of New Orleans - before and after the storm - is a master-class in descriptive and emotive writing, and Claire is one of the most exciting new characters in years; a Raymond Chandler heroine with just enough of an off-beat vibe to tilt the whole thing enticingly off-kilter. Everything here - from the smallest touches to the grander mythology setting the tone of the series - just sings."--Drew Williams, Little Professor Book Center "As brash and bold as Sherlock Holmes himself, Claire DeWitt arrives in still-chaotic New Orleans 18 months after Katrina. She's been hired to investigate the disappearance of Vic Willing, a local prosecutor, who's not been heard from since the hurricane. Claire surprises the local gangtsa set with her unique bravado. One of them, Andray, is compelled to help her tap into the darkness of Katrina's aftermath. From there, Claire finds her answers. Mentored and deeply inspired by a famous French detective, the I Ching, and profoundly illuminating dreams, a complex Claire leads us into her own nightmares as well. VERDICT This is not to be missed-Claire is a moody, hip, and meticulous investigator. Gran (Dope; Come Closer) builds an addictive sense of anticipation with a fantastical frame. Alternately gritty and dreamy, this would appeal to those who liked Colson Whitehead's The Intuitionist and readers of Charlie Huston (e.g., The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death). Highly recommended." --Library Journal STARRED
"Captivating"--Publishers Weekly, STARRED "If there isnt yet a subgenre called funky noir, this wacky PI novel could be a fragrant first...lots of fun."--Booklist
Review
"Just when I begin to despair that the PI novel has worn out its welcome, a writer with a fresh take reminds me why I fell in love with the genre. Sara Gran has long specialized in shaking up and revitalizing other corners of the genre world, so its no surprise that she performs this same magic in
Claire DeWitt.." --Laura Lippman “The book is beautifully written in a tight, quirky style that distinguishes Gran as one of the more original writers working today. -- Bruce DeSilva, Associated Press
“The hard-living, wisecracking titular detective bounces around post-Katrina New Orleans trying to track down a missing prosecutor in this auspicious debut of a new mystery series—and the Big Easy is every bit her equal in sass and flavor." --Elle “One of the genres most original characters in years, reads . . . as if David Lynch directed a Raymond Chandler novel." -- CNN
"Delicious and addictive." -- Salon.com
"The title character is the summer's most original new detective: part Lisbeth Salander, part Veronica Mars."--Hollywood Reporter "With Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead, Gran elevates the detective story as literature and brings together a sophisticated mystery, a witty, antagonistic private eye, and a city she knows too well." - The Atlantic Monthly "Terrific. I love this book! Absolutely love it. This is the first fresh literary voice I've heard in years. Sara Gran recombines all the elements of good, solid story-telling and lifts something original from a well-loved form." --Sue Grafton "Critics are already labeling this one - the first of a projected series - a book 'not to be missed.' "--Christian Science Monitor "Claire is a charmer."- New York Times Book Review "The first in a quirky, smart mystery series." -- Daily Candy "What would you get if that punkish dragon girl Lisbeth Salander met up with Jim Sallis's Lew Griffin walking the back streets of New Orleans? Or Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone tranformed herself into a tattooed magnolia driving a 4x4? Claire DeWitt . . . .DeWitt's mesmerizing character and memorable voice take your breath away." -- New Orleans Times-Picayune "Not your mother's girl detective, Claire DeWitt is a cool blend of Nancy Drew and Sid Vicious. With Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead, Sara Gran has pulled the traditional female sleuth into the twenty-first century with a novel that's smart and hip, dark and funny.." - Alafair Burke, author of LONG GONE "This is not just a mystery novel but also a novel about mysteries; Claire DeWitt is a detective less by choice than by calling. With City of the Dead, Sara Gran has written something truly splendid and unique, and if were all very lucky, there will be more." -- Craig Clevenger, author of The Contortionists Handbook "This is not to be missed -- Claire is a moody, hip, and meticulous investigator. Gran (Dope; Come Closer) builds an addictive sense of anticipation with a fantastical frame. Alternately gritty and dreamy, this would appeal to those who liked Colson Whitehead's The Intuitionist and readers of Charlie Huston (e.g., The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death). Highly recommended." --Library Journal (starred) "Captivating."--Publishers Weekly (starred)
Review
"Just when I begin to despair that the PI novel has worn out its welcome, a writer with a fresh take reminds me why I fell in love with the genre. Sara Gran has long specialized in shaking up and revitalizing other corners of the genre world, so its no surprise that she performs this same magic in CLAIRE DEWITT AND THE CITY OF THE DEAD. And while I confess to having very little objectivity about New Orleans and no credentials to judge its literary portrayal, this is a valuable addition to the (way too small) body of post-storm novels."--Laura Lippman "Terrific. I love this book! Absolutely love it. This is the first fresh literary voice I've heard in years. Sara Gran recombines all the elements of good, solid story-telling and lifts something original from a well-loved form."--Sue Grafton
"I just burned through Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead, and it's the first truly fantastic book I've read this year. Gran's evocation of the exposed wounds of New Orleans - before and after the storm - is a master-class in descriptive and emotive writing, and Claire is one of the most exciting new characters in years; a Raymond Chandler heroine with just enough of an off-beat vibe to tilt the whole thing enticingly off-kilter. Everything here - from the smallest touches to the grander mythology setting the tone of the series - just sings."--Drew Williams, Little Professor Book Center "Not your mother's girl detective, Claire DeWitt is a cool blend of Nancy Drew and Sid Vicious. With Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead, Sara Gran has pulled the traditional female sleuth into the twenty-first century with a novel that's smart and hip, dark and funny. I can't wait for the next one." - Alafair Burke, author of LONG GONE "Gran (Dope, 2006, etc.) provides...a comically self-important detective and a searing portrait of post-Katrina New Orleans."--Kirkus Reviews
"As brash and bold as Sherlock Holmes himself, Claire DeWitt arrives in still-chaotic New Orleans 18 months after Katrina. She's been hired to investigate the disappearance of Vic Willing, a local prosecutor, who's not been heard from since the hurricane. Claire surprises the local gangtsa set with her unique bravado. One of them, Andray, is compelled to help her tap into the darkness of Katrina's aftermath. From there, Claire finds her answers. Mentored and deeply inspired by a famous French detective, the I Ching, and profoundly illuminating dreams, a complex Claire leads us into her own nightmares as well. VERDICT This is not to be missed-Claire is a moody, hip, and meticulous investigator. Gran (Dope; Come Closer) builds an addictive sense of anticipation with a fantastical frame. Alternately gritty and dreamy, this would appeal to those who liked Colson Whitehead's The Intuitionist and readers of Charlie Huston (e.g., The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death). Highly recommended." --Library Journal STARRED
"Captivating"--Publishers Weekly, STARRED "If there isnt yet a subgenre called funky noir, this wacky PI novel could be a fragrant first...lots of fun."--Booklist PRAISE FROM BOOKSELLERS (PRE-PUB TOUR) "Thanks again for such a wonderful experience last week. I love how HMH and Algonquin are bringing writers to the booksellers ahead of publication date because it makes such a difference having that personal knowledge of the author. And when the authors are *awesome* like Sara is, it makes their books stand out more in my mind, and thus makes me more likely to try to handsell their books. Sure, we all try to sell the books we like and we think a customer will like, but when there's a personal connection with the author, it feels more like we're introducing new readers to not just a book, but a friend."--Emily Crowe, Odyssey Book Shop "Sara Gran is awesome. Dont let her small, bespectacled frame deceive you; shes a firecracker with fascinating stories to tell, and she has an obvious, passionate love of her craft. I could have talked to her for hours. And I love her book so far; its terrifically different from so many other mysteries Ive read. And with regard to New Orleans: she really knows her stuff. I DO very much like the pre-publicity dinners, and not just because of the free booze. It encourages me to read books I might not ordinarily pick up (*Saras being an exception, as its right up my alley), and talking at length with the author about why they wrote the book, their background, etc. all helps me to sell their book." --Hilary Emerson Lay, Spirit of '76 Bookstore "We had a blast with you, Carla and Sara. I think these sorts of pre-pub events are very worth it. I do believe they help generate enthusiasm for a book and an author which helps generate sales. Of course, Sara is an author that it's easy to be enthusiastic about. She's genuine, smart, fun and quick to forge connections. That is, we like her very much. Being a former bookseller, she's kin and you can feel that. In a good way. Like when you meet a cousin you barely know but like instantly. She's our cousin who has made good and we're sorry we don't get to see her more because she lives on the wrong side of the country."--Stan Hynds, Northshire Bookstore "The novel, Gran's fourth, is difficult to categorize, offering a strangely appealing mix of the mystical and the hard-boiled. The book is beautifully written in a tight, quirky style that distinguishes Gran as one of the more original writers working today."--Bruce DeSilva, Associated Press
Synopsis
In the first of a new mystery series featuring quirky private investigator Claire DeWitt, Claire investigates the disappearance of a top prosecutor in post-Katrina New Orleans.
Synopsis
-Delicious and addictive.---Salon.com
-Reads . . . as if David Lynch directed a Raymond Chandler novel.---CNN
-What would you get if that punkish dragon girl Lisbeth Salander met up with Jim Sallis's Lew Griffin walking the back streets of New Orleans? Or Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone transformed herself into a tattooed magnolia driving a 4x4? Clare DeWitt, that's what you'd get . . . DeWitt's mesmerizing character and memorable voice take your breath away.---New Orleans Times-Picayune
This knock-out start to a bracingly original new series features Claire DeWitt, the world's greatest PI--at least, that's what she calls herself. A one-time teen detective in Brooklyn, she is a follower of the esoteric French detective Jacques Silette, whose mysterious handbook Detection inspired Claire's unusual practices. Claire also has deep roots in New Orleans, where she was mentored by Silette's student the brilliant Constance Darling--until Darling was murdered. When a respected DA goes missing she returns to the hurricane-ravaged city to find out why.
-The hard-living, wisecracking titular detective bounces around post-Katrina New Orleans trying to track down a missing prosecutor in this auspicious debut of a new mystery series--and the Big Easy is every bit her equal in sass and flavor.---Elle
-Reminds me why I fell in love with the genre.---Laura Lippman
-I love this book - -- Sue Grafton
Synopsis
Claire DeWitt is not your average private investigator. She has brilliant deductive skills and is an ace at discovering evidence. But Claire also uses her dreams, omens, and mind-expanding herbs to help her solve mysteries, and relies on
Détection — the only book published by the late, great, and mysterious French detective Jacques Silette.
The tattooed, pot-smoking Claire has just arrived in post-Katrina New Orleans, the city shes avoided since her mentor, Silettes student Constance Darling, was murdered there. Claire is investigating the disappearance of Vic Willing, a prosecutor known for winning convictions in a homicide- plagued city. Has an angry criminal enacted revenge on Vic? Or did he use the storm as a means to disappear? Claire follows the clues, finding old friends and making new enemies — foremost among them Andray Fairview, a young gang member who just might hold the key to the mystery.
Littered with memories of Claires years as a girl detective in 1980s Brooklyn, Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead is a knockout start to a bracingly original new series.
Synopsis
Hailed as “delicious and addictive” (
Salon), and a book “not to be missed” (
Christian Science Monitor),
Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead was universally praised as a knockout start to a bracingly original new series.
The tattooed, pot-smoking Claire has just arrived in post-Katrina New Orleans, the city shes avoided since her mentor, Constance Darling, was murdered there. Claire is investigating the disappearance of Vic Willing, a prosecutor known for winning convictions in a homicide-plagued city. Has an angry criminal enacted revenge on Vic? Or did he use the hurricane as a means to disappear? In the vein of Laura Lippmans Tess Monaghan and Sue Graftons Kinsey Millhone, Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead introduces a heroine who will surely delight readers for years to come.
Synopsis
Claire DeWitt is the worlds greatest PI, a one-time teen detective in Brooklyn and follower of the enigmatic French detective Jacques Silette, whose mysterious handbook Détection has led Claire to use the I-Ching, omens, prophetic dreams, and mind-expanding drugs.
Claire also has deep roots in New Orleans, where she was mentored by the brilliant Constance Darling—until Darling was murdered. When a respected New Orleans DA goes missing during Hurricane Katrina, she returns to her newly wrecked former city to find out why. The clues lead her to Andray Fairview, a young man who had nothing to lose before the storm and has less now. Finding old friends and making new enemies, Claire solves the case, but shes haunted by others gone missing: her best friend and partner in detection, who disappeared from a New York City subway station in 1986, and Jacques Silettes daughter, Belle, stolen from a hotel room and never heard from again.
Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead is a knockout start to a bracingly original new series.
Synopsis
Follow the clues. Believe nothing. Question everything.
“I love this book! Absolutely love it. This is the first fresh literary voice I’ve heard in years. Sara Gran recombines all the elements of good, solid storytelling and lifts something original from a well-loved form.”—Sue Grafton
“Not your mother’s girl detective, Claire DeWitt is a cool blend of Nancy Drew and Sid Vicious. Sara Gran has pulled the traditional female sleuth into the twenty-first century with a novel that’s smart and hip, dark and funny. I can’t wait for the next one.”—Alafair Burke, author of Long Gone
“This is deeply intelligent fiction that cuts deep and captures a city’s soul. Claire DeWitt’s power will sneak up on you.”—Attica Locke, author of Black Water Rising
“This is not just a mystery novel but also a novel about mysteries; Claire DeWitt is a detective less by choice than by calling. Sara Gran has written something truly splendid and unique, and if we’re all very lucky, there will be more.”
—Craig Clevenger, author of The Contortionist’s Handbook
About the Author
Sara Gran is the author of five critically acclaimed novels, including Come Closer, Dope, and the Claire DeWitt series. She also writes for film and TV and has published in the New York Times, the New Orleans Times-Picayune, and USA Today.