Novel Nerd Blog - Book Reviews by Smitha

  MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW The humid, vibrant streets of 1831 New Orleans pulse with secrets, and in "Lafitte Lives," author Christi masterfully unearths one that has lain dormant for years. This captivating novel, subtitled "Secrets can’t stay buried forever—but maybe some should," is a compelling blend of historical mystery and deeply human drama, weaving together the legend of the infamous Jean Lafitte with the poignant journey of a grieving couple. The story centers on Tobias Whitney, the meticulous sexton of St. Louis Cemetery No. 2. His quiet, ordered world is dramatically disrupted when he discovers a hidden journal within the tomb of Dominique You, a celebrated war hero and half-brother to the notorious pirate Jean Lafitte. Convinced this document holds the key to Lafitte's fabled lost treasure, Tobias enlists the help of his intelligent and spirited wife, Mary Catherine. It's through her sharp mind and fluency in French that the journal's cry...

  MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW Carly Bennett is introduced as a polished and successful English professor—respected, composed, and seemingly in control. However, her inner thoughts reveal anxiety, depression, and unresolved bad experiences from her past. We get glimpses of her childhood: a sudden fall from her reputed state of being and when she was accused of making harsh allegations against her stepfamily. She was sent away to boarding school, rejected by the very people she trusted—especially her mother. The emotional twists: Carly insists she never made those claims against her stepfamily. The cold case reopens driven by the possibility that her mother didn’t abandon her, Carly begins investigating her mother’s death. She starts reviewing old records, news reports, and faint memories. Inconsistencies emerge—details that were overlooked or dismissed. For the first time, Carly considers that her mother’s death may not have been an incident that was merely to be forgotten. My favor...