Cold Steel Rain

Danny Chaisson #1

by Kenneth Abel

Kenneth Abel's first mystery, Bait , was hailed by kings of the genre. "One of the finest crime novels I've ever read," said James Lee Burke. "A gripper all the way," praised Elmore Leonard. Robert B. Parker summed it up in a "Brilliant!" Now, Abel makes good on the promise of that debut with a mystery set against the murky world of New Orleans politics, where debts may be postponed but not forgotten, and old loyalties can be unexpectedly betrayed.Danny Chaisson is an up-and-coming prosecutor until his longtime benefactor, a Louisiana political boss, calls in his chit. Chaisson performs as commanded, but resigns from the D.A.'s office to preempt additional collisions of conscience and politics. He stoops to running small-time errands for the politico as a second career, until he narrowly misses being present for a lethal hit at a local restaurant. When it looks like he'll be sacrificed as the fall guy in a complex game of public culpability and political spin, Danny goes on the run. He soon allies himself-first professionally, then romantically-with Mickie Vega, a woman from ATF who's also been set up as a scapegoat. The stakes are high and his odds poor, but Danny has a few tricks left to play before he'll be dealt out.Combining pitch-perfect dialogue with plot twists reminiscent of L.A. Confidential , Abel has delivered a crime novel tour de force.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime

416 pages, Paperback

First published September 11, 2000

About the author

Pseudonym of Sergei Lobanov-Rostovsky.
Sergei Lobanov-Rostovsky has taught at Kenyon since 1993. He teaches courses on Shakespeare, Renaissance poetry, film, and fiction writing. His research centers on the politics of spectacle in early modern drama, and he has also published a series of crime novels under the pseudonym Kenneth Abel. In 2001, he received the Junior Trustee Award for Teaching Excellence.
He lives in Columbus, Ohio.

Series:
* Danny Chaisson

Reviews

[Asghar Abbas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid thriller.

Actually, it is more than that.

I love how her knees hurt in the Rain.

[Steven Houchin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danny Chaisson is a seriously flawed person, who everyone assumes is corrupt. But, he's trying to do the right thing after he barely escapes a gruesome mass murder. The author does a great job drawing the reader into New Orleans slimy politics, corruption, gangs, and even the weather. A great read well worth the time.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Abel's recent book featuring Danny Chaisson, Down in the Flood, I decided to go back to the beginning and read all the books in this intriguing series. An interesting blend of political misdeeds and murder set in New Orleans, Cold Steel Rain is reminiscent of James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux and equally compelling.

[Sam Reaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard-nosed, atmospheric crime novel set in New Orleans. Lawyer Danny Chaisson compromises his principles in the go-along, get-along political culture of the Big Easy, until the consequences are brought home by a horrific crime. If they ever clean up New Orleans, crime writers will be deprived of a priceless setting. Abel knows the territory and has the voice, jaded and seductive.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good. It had lots of nice twists and likeable characters and an interesting little backstory going on. The downside is that there is probably a little too much going on, and to me it seemed a couple of things weren't resolved.

[Kirk Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux series you'll probably like this one as well. Although not quite a match for Burke's prose, Abel's Danny Chaisson is another down-on-his-luck Louisiana detective trying to outwit tough odds and the bill collectors.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of a dark tale of graft, and corruption in New Orleans government. Do the good guys win?
I will definitely read more of this series.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Solid but unspectacular crime novel set in New Orleans politics.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

great

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down. Thanks, RB.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Over-written but entertaining.