Murder in the Trembling Lands
Murder in the Trembling Lands by Barbara Hambly is a historical mystery published by Severn House in July 2025. Set during Carnival season in February 1841, the story follows Benjamin January, a free man of color and musician, who becomes embroiled in a shocking crime while performing at a lavish masked ball in New Orleans. When a duel results in a death that reveals deeper layers of intrigue, January must navigate the complexities of a society where his involvement in the investigation could have dire consequences.
Readers will find a richly woven narrative that explores themes of race and societal norms through the lens of mystery and suspense. As January grapples with the implications of the murder and the limitations placed upon him, the story delves into the dynamics of the historical setting, featuring elements such as amateur sleuthing and the challenges faced by individuals in a divided society. This edition, comprising 272 pages in English, continues the acclaimed series centered on Benjamin January, offering a blend of mystery and historical context that invites exploration of the past.
Official synopsis Publisher
Masked balls, duels and murder: musician, sleuth and free man of color Benjamin January is caught up in a shocking crime in this gripping nineteenth-century mystery set in New Orleans.
February, 1841. It’s Carnival season in New Orleans. Free man of color Benjamin January – a surgeon turned piano player, with a talent for attracting trouble – is playing at an opulent masked ball when, little to his surprise, a quarrel breaks out between two guests, and his services are requested at a duel. Young planter Bastien Damoreau has accused a recent arrival to town of passing himself off as white – an insult not to be borne.
The duel results in the stranger’s death. But when January examines the body, he’s disturbed to realise that young Damoreau couldn’t possibly be the killer, as the dead man was shot from behind . . .
January knows it’s murder, but this is white people’s business, and calling attention to himself is not a risk he can afford to take. So when Detective Abishag Shaw asks if he’ll investigate, he declines – a decision he will later come to regret.
Murder in the Trembling Lands by NYT-bestselling author Barbara Hambly is the latest instalment of the critically-acclaimed historical mystery series featuring “winning character” Benjamin January, who “nimbly mov[es] through parts of history we should all know better” (The New York Times)
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