"It’s
actually hard to believe this is the author’s first novel, because plot, prose and characterization are all clean and well executed, and New Orleans is made
vividly alive under Westmoreland’s hand. "
- Audrey
Homan in Crime Factory Magazine (page 187)
Click here to read the entire review.
"Kent Westmoreland’s BARONNE STREET is a bold first
effort. Wit and spunk prevail. Detective Burleigh Drummond is high society and low emotion, materialistic yet generous, sure
of himself and well paid for it all. The City of New Orleans is Drummond’s “Hawaii 5-0” meets “Miami
Vice” on “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”
- Dionne Charlet in Where Y'at Magazine
"BARONNE STREET by Kent Westmoreland is a fast-past,
action packed thriller that takes the reader deep into New Orleans. Not only does Westmoreland give the reader and intimate
feel for life in New Orleans he also creates extraordinary characters, vivid and eclectic enough to entertain any reader."
- Jennifer Higgins at Rundpinne Book Reviews
Click here to read the entire review.
"BARONNE STREET is a stunning debut. Indeed, Westmoreland writes
with the confidence and polish of someone well into their career, not a first time author. The New Orleans setting and compelling
lead in Burleigh are ripe for further adventures, and I for one certainly hope to see Burleigh Drummond blossom into a long-lived
series. "
- Elizabeth White in the Savannah Morning News
Click here to read the entire review.
"This first
novel by Kent Westmoreland introduces Burleigh ["Burr"]Drummond, and takes the reader on a wild ride down BARONNE STREET,
home to, in less than equal parts, sleaze, beautiful women, horny men, free-flowing liquor, old money, drugs, prostitutes
and corruption of all kinds. Shocking, to find all that in N'Awleens, right? A place where, among the tantalizing smells emanating
from the wonderful restaurants, it takes "a little longer to identify the sickly sweet odor of unearned wealth."
Now a private investigator for three years, twenty-eight-year-old Drummond is hired
by a beautiful, moneyed woman to find out why her husband is suddenly behaving in a 'peculiar' manner, paying him very handsomely
for the privilege. The ensuing investigation turns up much more than either the client or Drummond bargained for, much of
it very, very personal to the detective.
He is assisted in his endeavors,
as usual, by Morgan Cross, 35 years old and 'the coolest guy' he'd ever known, reputed to be many things [among them mercenary,
hit man, and spy], and indispensable to Drummond. The latter has his own "special talent," to wit, to "manipulate delicate
situations discreetly and keep the consequences quiet." A tall order in this case, as it turns out.
This was a delightful read, with believable characters and terrific setting and dialogue, and one I
highly recommend. I can't wait to see what's in store for Burr Drummond and his New Orleans in the next book, one I certainly
hope is in the pipeline."
“BARONNE STREET is an exhilarating novel, a formula-one ride along
the bumpy streets of New Orleans.
Burleigh Drummond is as cool as the icy gin he guzzles, as hot as the cars he drives, as provocative as the women he knows
(some in the Biblical sense).“
- O’Neil De Noux – author of The LaStanza series of police novels, Slick Time, New Orleans Confidential, Mafia Aphrodite and New Orleans Nocturnal
“BARONNE STREET reads like early Chandler, but with modern sensibilities. Kent Westmoreland's Burleigh Drummond is an outsider
who looks corrupt New
Orleans society
square in the face. He knows how to play the games, but in the end, retains his own brand of integrity. The prose
is immensely readable, and the characters beautifully drawn. BARONNE STREET is a winner!”
- Ellen Hart - author of the Jane Lawless novels The Mirror Mask and Sweet
Poison
"Kent Westmoreland is bringing some mad-wicked, kick-ass skills to the
table with BARONNE
STREET. The
debut of the year, a magnificent read. What the hell are you waiting for? Get this novel right now!"
- Victor Gischler, author of Gun Monkeys and
Go-Go Girls of the Apocalypse
“BARONNE STREET is a nice tight piece of work with believable characters and a storyline with carefully planted
surprises.”
- Ed Gorman - author of Ticket
to Ride and Death Ground
"Kent Westmoreland brings a fresh perspective to New Orleans in self-styled detective Burleigh Drummond. BARONNE STREET is a terrific first novel. Westmoreland is
a helluva writer."
- Wendi Lee - author
of the Angela Matelli novels He Who Dies and Deadbeat
"In BARONNE STREET, Kent Westmoreland shows an admirable control of character and
dialogue and tells a story with the kind of sure-footedness that makes you remember the days when Peter Gunn and the guys
at 77 Sunset Strip knocked off wisecracks and wise guys without mussing their hair. If this is his first novel, I can't
wait for number 2."
- Robert Skinner - author
of Blood to Drink and Daddy's Gone A'Hunting
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