What do You think about Days Of The Dead (2004)?
I really enjoy the Benjamin January books by Barbara Hambly and I think Benjamin himself is a well rounded and interesting enought character to support this series. However, Days of the Dead was one of my least favorite of this series. While Hambly writes with her usual attention to historical detail, there are some problems with this book. Ben, his wife Rose, and friend Hannibal seem a little lost out of Louisiana and plopped down in this plot that takes place in Mexico, where many of the characters come and go with such regularity that the reader is constantly trying to remember who they were and how they are related to the other characters. Fiddler, Hannibal Sefton, plays a bigger part in this plot than he has in the others, and I did get tired of him endlessly quoting great works of literature. Hopefully the next book will find everyone back in New Orleans where they belong, and all of the Dons and Donas of Mexico long forgotten.
—Goose
I hadn't read any books from this series for some time and was pleased to see it available on ebook from the library. Unlike previous books in this series, this one was set in and around Mexico City, where January and his wife go to help their friend Hannibal Sefton, who has been accused of murder. The mystery of who actually killed the son of a mad Mexican nobleman is involving and has a rather surprising conclusion, but what I especially liked was the historical Mexican background during the 1830s when Santa Anna was about to go to war with Texas. I have visited Mexico quite a few times, but really haven't known much of its history except for its conquest by Spain and something about its ancient inhabitants.
—Bonnie
This is the seventh Benjamin January mystery, and follows the excellent Wet Grave. This entry follows the adventures of free-man-of-color Benjamin January as he and his new wife, Rose, travel to Mexico in an attempt to rescue their old friend Hannibal, who has been accused of murder. In the course of the book, we learn a lot about Mexico of the 1830's and the cultural clashes within. It's a period rich in drama and the author mines it beautifully to provide a dense backdrop to the smaller story she relates. I will say that the pacing had issues. Sometimes the historical details threatened to overwhelm the plot. In tone, this felt more like Die Upon a Kiss, and as such I would not recommend it as a starting point for this series. Of course, you wouldn't want to begin a series anywhere except at the beginning anyway, right? Right? Readers who are already fans of Ben, Rose, and Hannibal will be happy to see their old friends again and more patient with a sometimes meandering story-line. I'm looking forward to picking up the next in the series soon! (I purchase Kindle editions.)
—MonsterAteMy
