Julie Smith

Julie Smith is an American mystery writer best known for her crime fiction series featuring female protagonists Skip Langdon and Talba Wallis, set in New Orleans. She began her career as a journalist before transitioning to crime fiction writing in the 1980s. Her Skip Langdon series, beginning with "New Orleans Mourning" (1990), won the Edgar Award for Best Novel and established Smith as a notable voice in the police procedural genre. The series follows Skip Langdon, a socially awkward but determined female police detective navigating the complex social and criminal landscape of New Orleans. Smith later created the Talba Wallis series, featuring an African-American private detective and poet who works alongside veteran investigator Eddie Valentino. These novels, including "Louisiana Hotshot" and "Louisiana Bigshot," further explore New Orleans culture while addressing themes of race, class, and social justice. Beyond her series work, Smith has written standalone novels and launched an independent digital publishing company, booksBnimble, focused on publishing both her own work and that of other mystery writers. She continues to write and publish, maintaining her connection to New Orleans through her detailed portrayal of the city's unique character and culture.

Readers praise Smith's authentic portrayal of New Orleans, with many highlighting her ability to capture the city's culture, atmosphere, and social dynamics. Mystery fans note the complex character development of Skip Langdon and appreciate the detailed police procedural elements. Liked: - Accurate local references and neighborhood descriptions - Strong female protagonists - Integration of New Orleans social hierarchy and politics - Realistic police work details Disliked: - Some readers find the pacing slow in early chapters - Later books in series received criticism for repetitive plot elements - Occasional complaints about complex social commentary overshadowing mystery plots Ratings: - Goodreads: "New Orleans Mourning" averages 3.8/5 from 3,200+ ratings - Amazon: Skip Langdon series averages 4.2/5 - Talba Wallis series averages 4.0/5 "The details about New Orleans make you feel like you're there," notes one Amazon reviewer. Another Goodreads reader comments: "Skip Langdon is refreshingly real - not a superwoman, just a good cop dealing with personal and professional challenges."

Skip Langdon Series: New Orleans Mourning - A New Orleans police detective investigates a Mardi Gras parade murder where a society queen is killed by a masked figure.

The Axeman's Jazz - Skip Langdon pursues a serial killer who appears to be mimicking New Orleans' historical Axeman murderer.

Jazz Funeral - The death of a young computer genius leads Skip through the dark corners of New Orleans' music scene.

House of Blues - Skip investigates the murder of a controversial televangelist in the midst of a media frenzy.

The Kindness of Strangers - A politician's murder during Mardi Gras draws Skip into a web of political corruption.

Crescent City Kill - Skip faces a vigilante killer targeting criminals who've escaped justice through legal technicalities.

82 Desire - The disappearance of a city councilwoman leads Skip into an investigation of politics and privilege.

Talba Wallis Series: Louisiana Hotshot - Poet and private eye Talba Wallis takes on her first case involving a suspicious suicide in New Orleans.

Louisiana Bigshot - Talba investigates a murder connected to an old civil rights era crime.

Mean Woman Blues - Talba and her mentor Eddie Valentino track a killer who's targeting their detective agency.

Louisiana Lament - A supposedly accidental death leads Talba into the world of New Orleans' social elite.

Rebecca Schwartz Series: Death Turns a Trick - A San Francisco lawyer gets entangled in a case involving stolen Civil War artifacts and murder.

The Sourdough Wars - Rebecca investigates a murder centered around a famous sourdough bread recipe.

Tourist Trap - A camping trip turns deadly when Rebecca's friend disappears in the wilderness.

Other Works: Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? - A clinical psychologist shares tools for managing mental health and emotional well-being.

Sue Grafton Her Kinsey Millhone series follows a female private investigator in California dealing with complex cases and personal challenges. The novels share Smith's focus on a strong female protagonist working in law enforcement and navigating professional relationships.

Laura Lippman Her Tess Monaghan series features a former journalist turned private investigator in Baltimore, exploring the city's social dynamics and criminal underbelly. Lippman's work parallels Smith's emphasis on city-specific culture and female detectives operating in complex urban environments.

Barbara Neely Her Blanche White mystery series centers on an African-American domestic worker who solves crimes while confronting social and racial issues. The series addresses similar themes of race and class that appear in Smith's Talba Wallis novels.

Linda Barnes Her Carlotta Carlyle series follows a Boston taxi driver turned private investigator who tackles cases involving social issues and city politics. Barnes creates detailed urban settings and strong female characters comparable to Smith's New Orleans-based protagonists.

Nevada Barr Her Anna Pigeon series features a female park ranger solving crimes in various national parks across the United States. Barr's focus on regional settings and law enforcement procedures mirrors Smith's attention to location and procedural detail.