Jazz and Blood

Jazz and Blood: The Axeman of New Orleans

In the sultry streets of New Orleans, where jazz was born and secrets lurk in every shadow, a killer known only as the Axeman once held an entire city in the grip of terror. Now, in "Jazz and Blood: The Axeman of New Orleans," historian Dr. James Pennington peels back the layers of one of America's most baffling and chilling cold cases.

From 1918 to 1919, as the world emerged from the horrors of World War I and New Orleans pulsed with the rhythms of a new musical era, an elusive murderer stalked the night. His weapon of choice: an axe. His victims: primarily Italian-Americans. His calling card: a love for jazz so profound he promised to spare those who played it.

Blackwood's meticulous research brings this haunting tale to life, going beyond the gruesome details to explore the social, cultural, and historical context that made the Axeman's reign of terror possible. Drawing from police reports, newspaper archives, and firsthand accounts, she reconstructs not just the crimes, but the vibrant and volatile world of Jazz Age New Orleans.

Readers will:

Delve into the gritty details of each attack, from the first shocking murder to the killer's mysterious disappearance

Explore the cutting-edge forensic techniques of the early 20th century and how they compare to modern methods

Uncover the racial and ethnic tensions that complicated the investigation

Experience the panic that gripped the city, culminating in a surreal night when the entire population turned to jazz for protection

Examine the prime suspects and tantalizing theories about the Axeman's true identity

But "Jazz and Blood" is more than just a true crime narrative. It's a journey into the heart of New Orleans during a transformative era, where race, music, and violence intersected in ways that would shape the city's identity for generations to come.

Blackwood's vivid prose and keen historical insight bring to life a cast of colorful characters, from hardboiled detectives and terrified residents to the jazz pioneers whose music became an unlikely weapon against fear.

As much a gripping mystery as it is a love letter to one of America's most unique cities, "Jazz and Blood" will appeal to true crime aficionados, history buffs, and anyone fascinated by the legends and lore of New Orleans.

Step back in time to a city where danger lurked in every shadow and salvation might be found in a jazz tune. The Axeman is waiting.