It has been awhile since I looked at the impressive output of John Lutz (1939-2021). He was a powerhouse in the world of crime fiction, publishing more than 50 novels and about 250 short stories. He was repeatedly shortlisted for major awards and received an Edgar Award, two Shamus Awards, the Private Eye Writers’ of America lifetime-achievement award, and the Short Mystery Fiction Society’s Golden Derringer for lifetime achievement. Two of his books were adapted for film. He created the characters of private investigators Alo Nudger in Saint Louis, Fred Carver in coastal Florida, espionage agent Thomas Lake, and Frank Quinn in New York City.
In The Right to Sing the Blues (Saint Martin’s Press, 1986), Alo Nudger’s third case, he’s invited to New Orleans by Fat Jack McGee, a famous jazz clarinet player and night club owner. Nudger loves jazz and he is glad to leave Saint Louis for awhile; his rent is due, his alimony is late, and his bank account is depressingly empty. McGee is anxious about a young singer on his payroll, whom he hired as a favor to powerful businessman and part-owner of the club Dan Collins. The naïve young lady has become entranced with a talented pianist whose behavior is sending warning signs to the knowledgeable McGee.
Nudger is constitutionally unfit for the work of a private investigator, as his chronic stomach problems leave him slightly sick at almost all hours. But he watches the pianist for awhile and agrees something does not add up about the man so he investigates his background while irritating the singer, a married business man who also has his eye on the songstress, and the local police.
Set in the French Quarter of New Orleans, where a jazz club sits on every other block, Nudger finds himself in music lovers’ heaven. He manages to get crosswise with a few thugs, though, getting the stuffing beat out of him, which seems to be standard for the PI of the late 20th century.
Polished prose, a crisp narrative, and a completely unexpected ending made this a worthwhile read.
Kirkus Reviews wasn’t impressed by it at the time of publication (https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/a/john-lutz-3/the-right-to-sing-the-blues/) but Publishers Weekly (https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780312682354) and Steve Lewis of Mystery*File liked it, https://mysteryfile.com/blog/?p=83559