Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead: A Mystery

Sara Gran

May 2011 · Claire DeWitt Novels Book 1 · HarperCollins

About this ebook

From an acclaimed author who “made her bones writing urban noir” a “charmer” of a female sleuth searches for a missing person in post-Katrina New Orleans (New York Times).

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 follower of the esoteric French detective Jacques Silette, whose mysterious handbook Détection inspired Claire’s unusual investigation practices, Claire 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 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, she returns to the hurricane-ravaged city to find out why—and find herself prowling deep in the city’s criminal underbelly.

“What would you get if . . . 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

“[An] auspicious debut of a new mystery series.” —Elle

“Reminds me why I fell in love with the genre.” —Laura Lippman, New York Times bestselling author of Prom Mom

“I love this book!” —Sue Grafton, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Kinsey Milhone series

“Reads . . . as if David Lynch directed a Raymond Chandler novel.” —CNN

“Delicious and addictive.” —Salon.com

“Not your mother’s girl detective.” —Alafair Burke, New York Times–bestselling author of Long Gone

“Captivating.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Ratings and reviews

This book is one of the best I have ever read (fiction). I didn't know what to expect, but the title was quirky, so I bought it. The character is one of my favorites ever. She just rules. The story is not that riveting, but you fall in love with her and just can't help but smile when you think about how she thinks. Incredible read. Really enjoyable. Just a modern marvel in my mind.

Didn't even read it. I'm completely turned off by the fact that they need to advertise that she is tattooed and a pot smoker. Watch out folks! She's clearly edgy as stated from her life choices

I absolutely loved it!!!

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.