A killer is stalking the Sporting Women of Storyville in the spring of 1907, and the only clue left behind at each murder is a single black rose.

Storyville, the "special district" set aside in New Orleans for legalized prostitution by ordinance in 1897, is the domain of politically powerful Tom Anderson, whose influence stretches far beyond the city limits. At first, Anderson isn't concerned. But, as the murders increase, he wants it fixed before it becomes a bigger threat to business in the district.

Anderson puts the job in the capable hands of his employee, Creole detective Valentin St. Cyr. As a Creole of color, St. Cyr already faces obstacles as the investigation will require him to violate the strict caste system of the time. He also must deal with police Lt. J. Picot, who resents his interference in the case and does all he can to block the detective's access to crime scenes.

But St. Cyr is a man of intelligence and experience and he walks the mean streets armed with a pearl-handled Iver Johnson revolver, a whale bone sap in his back pocket and a stiletto in a sheath at his ankle.

It isn't long before suspicion focuses on Buddy Bolden, a key figure in the development of a radical new style of music called "jass." Buddy and St. Cyr were boyhood friends and the detective finds it difficult to believe the musician capable of the murders, though Bolden is determined to have been at or near the scene of each crime.

As he gets closer to the killer, St. Cyr finds his job in jeopardy and danger creeps closer to the woman he loves.

I thoroughly enjoyed this suspenseful historical mystery. Author David Fulmer's lyrical and evocative prose puts the reader on those humid streets with St. Cyr. It's a haunting story with a host of colorful characters, plenty of twists and turns as well as a bit of musical history.

Fulmer makes good use of a number of historical figures, including Anderson, Bolden (sadly, his career ended with his admission to a mental institution), Jelly Roll Morton and others.

This is the first in the St. Cyr mystery series, which now comprises seven novels. More are on my reading list.

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