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Baltimore Blues: The First Tess Monaghan Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 3,340 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In a city where someone is murdered almost every day, attorney Michael Abramowitz’s death should be just another statistic. But the slain lawyer’s notoriety—and his taste for illicit midday trysts—make the case front-page news in every local paper except the Star, which crashed and burned before Abramowitz did. A former Star reporter who knows every inch of this town—from historic Fort McHenry to the crumbling projects of Cherry Hill—now-unemployed journalist Tess Monaghan also knows the guy the cops like for the killing: cuckolded fiance Darryl “Rock” Paxton. The time is ripe for a career move—anything to pay the rent—so when rowing buddy Rock wants to hire her to do some unorthodox snooping to help clear his name, Tess agrees. But there are lethal secrets hiding in the Charm City shadows, and Tess’ own name could end up on that ever-expanding list of Baltimore dead.
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"Really enjoyed the book - felt like I should have episodes of 'The Wire' on in the background just to add atmosphere. Doesn't deal with East Side/West Side drug wars, but does mention a lot of places whose names are now familiar because of the show."
— Kt (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Deborah Hazlett backs Lippman’s success vocally. She shows Tess as resourceful, emotionally steady, feisty, and clear thinking as the unemployed reporter investigates the murder of a controversial defense lawyer. Other characters, as well as the portrayal of the city of Baltimore, enrich the plot and, in most cases, the audio version.”
— AudioFile -
“Laura Lippman deserves to be a big star.”
— Julie Smith, author of House of Blues
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
Baltimore Blues Listener Reviews
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Deborah, 7/31/2020
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" Tess is an unemployed newspaper reporter and takes a job for a friend checking into the background of his girlfriend. But a murder gets in the way. First in the Tess Monaghan series. (I grew up with Utz potato chips and only learned here that there are crab flavored chips. I will be on the lookout when again in York County, Pa. where Utz chips can be found!) "
— Annthelibrarian, 2/20/2014 -
" Meh. Was introduced to this author by one of the Best Mysteries of ____ books and was excited to read more. This was ok, better than most mystery series, but I'm not dying to read more. Maybe I'll check out some of her stand alones. "
— Cathi, 1/24/2014 -
" Not to my taste. I had to flip back to remember who the murderer was after the big reveal. I just couldn't make myself care about anyone in this book, and the mystery just didn't grab me at all. "
— Mollie, 1/19/2014 -
" A pleasure after all the stupid books I seem to be finding. Good even if I weren't comparing it to all these stupid books. "
— Lois, 1/16/2014 -
" This is a decent start to what looks like a long series, but I was not totally impressed with Tess Monaghan, the main character. She was whiny, self-indulgent and her sense of entitlement set me on edge. She relies on her family and friends to support her and seems to take them all for granted. That said, I didn't hate her and I can see that there is room for major growth for her character. I plan on reading more in this series. "
— Andrea, 1/9/2014 -
" BN had this book for 99 cents so I tried it. I've read severl other of her. Like Tess character. Will keep reading this author. "
— Sharon, 12/28/2013 -
" 4 stars only because I read it while in Baltimore! "
— Cynthia, 12/22/2013 -
" Good mystery -- quick read "
— Freeda, 10/27/2013 -
" 3 1/2 stars. A very solid mystery. "
— Jessica, 10/18/2013 -
" What fun! I discovered a new (to me) mystery series. Tess Monaghan is a terrific main character. The puzzle was twisty and the characters were compelling. I already downloaded the next one and I can't wait to start it! "
— Kathleen, 9/7/2013 -
" I found these simliar in nature to Sue Grafton's books. A good read but not as funny as Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books. "
— Robin, 8/28/2013 -
" Good book;, but seems to drag some. "
— Penny, 8/23/2013 -
" Enjoyable whodunit about life in Baltimore. "
— Pat, 5/25/2013 -
" Great heroine, good story, great city references. I will definitely read more of this series. "
— Sarah, 3/19/2013 -
" I began this series set in Baltimore because I love the genre, cozy mysteries, with strong female protagoinists. I know a little about Baltimore, but wanted to know more. This book began my quest of Tess in Baltimore!! "
— Janice, 12/24/2012 -
" An auspicious debut with an interesting and twisty mystery. Lippman draws a lot of atmosphere and character from her setting. "
— Jessica, 11/24/2012 -
" eh. i heard really good things about this author. while the character she created is interesting and her loyalty to baltimore is admirable, the plot was simply too convoluted. And I didn't feel any chemistry with Tess. "
— Ray, 11/21/2012 -
" This was a good book; not great, though "
— Amanda, 10/28/2012 -
" This book is what I call a fluff read. I enjoyed the story and didn't have to think too hard. "
— Teresa, 3/5/2012 -
" This was a fun (and funny) read. It was kind of cool to read a just-slightly-dated mystery written when VCRs where the thing and computer searches are THE BOMB. "
— Marty, 1/25/2012 -
" JUst ok. Not much meat to it, in my opinion. "
— Sharon, 5/17/2011 -
" Enjoyable introduction to the series; looking forward to catching up with the series. "
— Joanna, 5/11/2011 -
" I loved this book. Lots of fun. Quick read. Kind of reminds me of Sue Grafton books with a different perspective. I look forward to reading more by this author. "
— Caroljohnson2, 5/7/2011 -
" like an adult Nancy Drew story...so of course i have a few in her series. "
— Toni, 5/6/2011 -
" Just ok. Read because it is first in her series and she is David Simon's wife..ok airport book. "
— Linda, 5/6/2011 -
" A pleasant "cozy"-ish mystery, enjoyable reading, forgettable as soon as it ended. Something about Baltimore...and rowing...with a plucky female protagonist, as the reluctant but resourceful detective. "
— Elizabeth, 4/23/2011 -
" another fluff book. I am giving it two stars because of the sex in it. I had gotten most of the way through when it showed up. "
— Jessica, 4/15/2011 -
" Being from Baltimore really enjoyed. Looking forward to next book. "
— Dena, 4/14/2011 -
" Ok mystery, especially when you consider that it is a debut novel. I would almost give it three stars, but her other books are better. "
— Lacy, 4/11/2011 -
" A good light read. I live in Baltimore so it was nice to read a story that takes place locally. I will probably read the next one too. "
— Neil, 4/7/2011 -
" Not bad...not great- but kept my interest. A few good twists and turns- but needed more character development. We knew who people were by name- but not what they thought. Maybe when I ready book #2 that will happen. Also helped that it was a 99 cent special on my I-Pad nook. "
— Chris, 4/5/2011 -
" Good char and plot, will look for more "
— Helen, 3/31/2011
About Laura Lippman
Laura Lippman is a New York Times bestselling novelist who has won more than twenty awards for her fiction, including the Edgar Award—and been nominated for thirty more. Since her debut in 1997, she has published almost two dozen novels, a novella, a children’s book, and a collection of short stories. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages. Laura lives in Baltimore with her husband, David Simon, and their daughter.
About Deborah Hazlett
Deborah Hazlett’s audiobook narrations include Phillip Margolin’s Lost Lake and Laura Lippman’s Baltimore Blues. She is a classically trained actor whose favorite roles include the title roles in Hedda Gabler and Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune. She earned her MFA from the University of South Carolina and lives and works in New York City.