Tubby Dubonnet books are lots of fun. I enjoyed this one also but probably not quite as much as the previous books. I liked the Daisy character but something was lacking in the story. That being said, I'll continue to work my way through the series. ( )

Crime Czar picks up right where the previous entry in the series, Shelter from the Storm, leaves off. Our favorite New Orleans lawyer of questionable ethics, Tubby Dubonnet, is determined to find out who the crime czar of New Orleans is--and do something about it before more of his friends end up getting hurt or worse. All the usual characters make at least a cameo appearance here, including my favorite, Monster Mudbug. The New Orleans atmosphere and description of the various places Tubby stops to eat never get old. Tubby's mission drives the story forward and it has lots of good scenes and a fairly satisfying ending, certainly better than Shelter from the Storm did. There are some loose ends, of course, ready I'm sure to be tackled in the next book. While I'm sure any of this series could be read by itself, it is by reading them in order that you come to appreciate the detail of the world Dunbar has created. Also, it really helps to have read the first book to understand the significance of the references to Tubby's former partner, Reggie. In each installment, Dunbar gives us a glimpse or two or a reference to something in the previous books, but it is never explained in any detail. You just have to be up on the story. If you aren't it probably doesn't detract from the reading, but if you are, it is what makes this series rise above the ordinary. As I've said before, Dunbar isn't the greatest at plotting. There are implausibilities and everything comes together too neatly sometimes, but as a reader this is one of the most fun series I have ever read, and I will probably devour the rest of it pretty soon. ( )

52 of 75 for 2015. I see that this is the 5th book in the Tubby Dubonnet series. I haven't yet read five, but this isn't my first turn at a Tony Dunbar mystery. I enjoy reading about Tubby's adventures and cases, and I love reading about New Orleans--a city I've visited a few times and always wish to revisit. In this well-named book, Tubby gets the chance to prove his contention that some big wig is behind the most of the crime in the Crescent City. In the meantime, he also gets to entertain various lady friends, and enjoy time with his daughters, if not his ex-wife. He even becomes a grandfather in the course of the story. Light, frivolous, yes, and highly recommended if you like that sort of thing. ( )