This was an enjoyable mystery. New Orleans itself is a character. Always enjoy hearing about its traditions. The main cop Niki is a force to reckon with. Great wit. One of my fav quotes is when she is describing her older neighbor. "He's my wine buddy". We all need one of those. Would love a second book with her abd Keith but with a new mystery.

I love this Author but this one is not my favourite but still good.
Set in New Orleans and a police procedural.
Detective Nikki Mayeaux takes matters into her own hands when a serial killer goes free but she is to late because someone beat her to it and slit his throat. Emma who was one of his victims the last one did she do it??
I have never read any of his co workers work.

3.5 stars

We Don't Talk About Emma by J.D. Barker and E.J. Findorff is a thriller about the death of a serial killer, and someone out for revenge.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Hampton Creek Press and of course the author (who sent me a widget), for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
 

My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Detective Nikki Mayeaux is fed up and decides to take matters into her own hands.  Herman Napleton has been released from jail because of missing evidence.  The man is a serial rapist, and Nikki has had enough.  She will kill him herself.  She has it all planned out, and arrives just after he pulls into his garage.  But someone beats her to it.  Although she doesn't see the killer's face, she is sure who it is.  She leaves the scene.

Nikki starts searching for the 16 year old girl who was raped by this man and others.  But Napleton will not be the only one with a target on his back.  Nikki must find Emma.



My Opinions:
I was thrilled to read another book by one of my favorite authors.  I just wish he would stop collaborating with others.  Yes, this was good, but it lacked something.  I think it was the creepiness and horror that I associate (and love) from a JD Barker book.  This was just a run-of-the-mill mystery.  And a little slow.

However, the overall story was really good.  Great plot, and excellent characters.  I loved the storyline between Nikki and Keith.   I also loved the setting of New Orleans around Mardi Gras.

So, I will continue to read Barker's books....and hope the next will be a solo writing.

This book has a great opening scene. It's not often that someone beats you to murder. A powerful man, aquitted of raping 16-year old Emma, is found dead in his car. New Orleans Detective Nikki Mayeaux investigates the case with her ex-boyfriend Keith Teague.

This is a gripping psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. The authors masterfully create a dark and tense atmosphere as they unravel the mystery surrounding Emma's disappearance. The city of New Orleans is a character in this book, thaks to the second author E.J. Findorff.

EXCERPT: As the dancing subsided, outside the gate most of the crowd hung back, not allowed to enter. The carriage parked as close as it could for the body to be carried inside where the caretakers would slide Napleton onto a shelf in the family tomb for a year and a day, after which the bones of the decomposed body would be swept into an opening in the floor. Leaving room for the next in line.

ABOUT 'WE DON'T TALK ABOUT EMMA': When is cold-blooded murder justified?

New Orleans Detective Nikki Mayeaux has decided it’s when a technicality sets a serial rapist free.

Jaded and frustrated, this latest injustice brings her to a boiling point. She arrives at the monster’s home intending to end his reign of terror, only to find someone else got there first. His throat slit, his lifeless body left in the front seat of his car.

Only one person wanted him dead more than her - his final victim - a girl of only sixteen who has vanished in the seedy underbelly of the French Quarter where residents will go to great lengths to protect their own, even when their own is a killer.

When is cold-blooded murder justified?

MY THOUGHTS: I got lost at the beginning of this book. I felt like I had missed something important. Something I needed to know to make sense of it. I went back and reread the opening pages but, no, I hadn't missed anything, and I was still confused.

At 28%, I was seriously considering abandoning We Don't Talk About Emma. I was feeling no love for it and was becoming frustrated. The writing was unwieldy. I was having trouble keeping track of the characters, who was who and where they fitted in. But just after 30%, it all began to gel. Things became clearer, even if not crystal clear. I began to enjoy what I was reading and devoured the following 50% eagerly. But then, towards the end, it all became messy again and my frustration mounted. I was glad to finally close the cover on this read.

The saving grace in this read are the two detectives, Nikki Mayeaux and Keith Teague. They were the only characters I could relate to, the only ones I liked and, I have to admit, I would like to see more of them as long as the plot and writing is tidier than it was here.

Why, Mr Barker, just why are you collaborating with other writers? I love the books you write on your own. I enjoy the books you write with James Patterson. But your other collaborations have left me disappointed and disgruntled. I wanted to love this, I really did. But in the end, I barely liked it.

⭐⭐⭐

#WeDontTalkAboutEmma #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: J.D. Barker is the New York Times and international best-selling author of numerous novels and resides in coastal New Hampshire with his wife, Dayna, and their daughter, Ember.

E.J. Findorf: I had no idea that growing up in New Orleans was a unique experience.

Didn't all kids get Monday through Wednesday off for Mardi Gras?​

Didn't all kids eat Gumbo, Jambalaya, and Alligator Sausage?​

Didn't all kids go crawfishing, crabbing and knee-boarding in the bayou?​

I developed my love of writing after moving to Chicago and decided to become serious about it. I hope you enjoy my novels as much as I loved writing them. Never have I ever considered writing a chore. The day I stop looking forward to writing is the day I quit.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Hampton Creek Press via NetGalley for providing a digital e-ARC of We Don't Talk About Emma by J.D. Barker and E.J. Findorf for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

This is a collaboration between one of my favourite authors - JD Barker - and someone who, prior to this book, is someone I have never read before. And as with most of the collaborations I have read, both involving this author, and others, it all appears seamless.
So... set in New Orleans, we start with Det Nikki Mayeaux arriving at the home of a "serial rapist who got off his latest charge on a technicality" basically to "end his reign of terror by any means necessary" only to find out that someone has beaten her to it. She sneaks away, only to get the call out that she is to be the SIO of the murder case. If this wasn't a hard enough kick in the teeth, she is allocated her ex as her second in command. Things go even more south when it appears that initial fingers are pointing to a 16 year old girl, the monster's last victim, Emma. But she herself has vanished... And so begins a very complex and convoluted story that had me, along with the rest of the cast, running around chasing my tail as I desperately tried to figure out what in the heck was going on... With very mixed results...
One thing I did love was the setting. New Orleans is such a strong and vibrant place that, especially herein, could be a character in its own right. I am not at all familiar with it outside of tv, film, and book, but it is one of the few places in the US I would really love to visit.
The story was a bit hit and miss for me I am afraid, as was its pacing. It rushed some elements that I thought could be expanded on more, and was a bit draggy and repetitive in others. I say all this but, despite these things, it did compel me to keep reading, and I never at any time contemplated sacking it off or skipping bits. Mainly cos I wanted to know if my guess was right? Conclusion to that was yes and no!
What I did really like was the relationship between Mayeaux and Teague and the curve-balls thrown into that along the way. I'm not going to spoil things but they do have a bit of a bumpy ride.
But, all in all, I was rewarded for my persistence with an ending that when it got there, did satisfy me. Maybe if you are struggling, you could hold onto this thought before giving up... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

We Don’t Talk About Emma is a police procedural set in New Orleans. Nikki is a detective that finds herself too close to a case involving a 16 year old girl, Emma. There are bad men that are being killed and Emma is the prime suspect. And who could blame her with what they put her through?

This felt like it was part of a series. The reader is introduced to Nikki and there is already baggage with Emma and Nikki’s ex, Keith. This made the characters feel more realistic and more of a snapshot in time. I feel JD Barker collaborations always seem to be clear on who the main writer is. In this case I think it’s written mostly by EJ Findorff, who sets his books in New Orleans. If you’re looking for a stronger JD Barker read, this isn’t it, but it was still entertaining and a good read.

Thank you NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for this ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.

Pub Date Feb 04 2025

I think we should talk about Emma, or at least write a view about her book. This is dual author mystery crime novel by JD Barker and E. J. Findorff. I admit that Findorff is an entirely new author to me but I've love most of Barker's books in the past, with the exception of his previous two. I'm glad to say that this one really worked for me.

The setting is New Orleans, there are multiple characters, most of whom are shady as hell and as corrupt as I know New Orleans to be. From the first to the last there are so many red herrings and twists that, at times, it was difficult to follow - and that's the sole reason I didn't give it 5 stars. I like complex plot lines just not to the point where I get a migraine and have to make lists to keep it all straight. Having said all of that - it WAS a really terrific crime novel. I love Barker's dry wit and it was back in this book. I've another of his books waiting for me to read and I'm looking forward to it. It's been a while since I truly could say that. HURRAY.

I pick up every book J.D. Barker writes, so I was happy to see this one. He is such a great writer and I really enjoy his books. This one is co-authored with E.J. Findorf. It is not my favorite, but it's good.

Description:
When is cold-blooded murder justified?
New Orleans Detective Nikki Mayeaux has decided it’s when a technicality sets a serial rapist free.

Jaded and frustrated, this latest injustice brings her to a boiling point. She arrives at the monster’s home intending to end his reign of terror, only to find someone else got there first. His throat slit, his lifeless body left in the front seat of his car.

Only one person wanted him dead more than her - his final victim - a girl of only sixteen who has vanished in the seedy underbelly of the French Quarter where residents will go to great lengths to protect their own, even when their own is a killer.

When is cold-blooded murder justified?

End a killer.
End a cop.
Sometimes, both.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed the New Orleans setting of the story and felt the book conveyed the feel of the area. The story was complex and sometimes I was confused. I felt really bad for Emma - she had so much to overcome. My favorite character was Nikki, but most of the characters I didn't like very much. It took me awhile to read this one - I had to keep putting the book down to think about things and get them straight in my mind. The second half of the book was the best part, and I did like the ending.

Thanks to Hampton Creek Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.

A dark, unflinching thriller set in the shadowy depths of New Orleans’ French Quarter. When Detective Nikki Mayeaux sees a serial rapist walk free, she’s ready to take justice into her own hands—until she discovers someone else got there first. The prime suspect? His last victim, a missing sixteen-year-old girl.

Barker and Findorff craft a gripping, morally complex story that blurs the line between justice and revenge. With relentless pacing, vivid atmosphere, and characters haunted by their own demons, this is a thriller that lingers long after the final page.

Perfect for fans of dark, thought-provoking crime fiction.

Read more at Chapter And Charm: VanessaKeck.com

Thank you to Hampton Creek Press for the advance copy via NetGalley.

#WeDontTalkAboutEmma #NetGalley

Oof this was a tough one to finish. If J.D Barker’s name wasn’t on the cover I would Not have finished this one. As an avid thriller reader this one felt like a veryyy slow dragged out burn. Too many characters and side stories to follow. At no point was I really captivated by the plot.

We Don't Talk About Emma, by JD Barker and EJ Findorff, is a bit of a mixed bag for me. Nothing really stood out, positively or negatively.

It seemed to progress slowly for most of the first half, but I became more invested and interested in turning the pages the last half. Enjoyed, but not overly, the dynamics between the detectives but would have liked more fleshing out of the gritty characters rather than cliches repeated and cardboard characters. I didn't have to like any of them, but I would have liked to have felt they were humans and not props.

I was disappointed in another recent (in my world that means the last several years) Barker book, so I guess I am going to have to quit automatically getting them when they're available.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

Thankyou to NetGalley and the authors for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of We Don't Talk About Emma in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I have read everything that JD Barker has written and can certainly say I have not been able to put his books down until the final page. This is the first time I have read E J Findorff.
I did enjoy reading this book but I felt it lacked the usual pace of a Barker novel. Don't get me wrong, it was a good read with plenty of twists and where are we going with this storyline moments, but it lacked the usual pace I usually experience. In my honest opinion, it was the only let down to this book.
Would definitely recommend this book.

The authors have delivered a fast paced and deliciously wicked tale. The characters are well rounded and come across as believable, whether you love them or hate them. Full of twists and turns, it will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page, trying to anticipate where this story will go.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

We Don't Talk About Emma is a great crime thriller. We are immediately introduced to New Orleans detective Nikki, who is about to take the law into her own hands when a young rape victim does not get justice due to key evidence going missing. However, just as Nikki approaches the rapist, someone kills him first, with Nikki as a witness.

The book has a good pace as we meet all the players - detectives investigating the crime, the young "gutter rats" that take care of their own, Emma the rape victim, and the rich and powerful men and women that hold their own secrets. No one wants to rat each other out, yet it's still every man for themselves. We learn of many injustices that occur when the rich, white men have indecent desires and those around them are hungry to be in their good graces, and to rise on the power ladder. As Nikki continues to investigate, it's unclear who is a friend and who is an enemy as she seeks out Emma to find out the truth.

I enjoyed reading this book and the many twists and turns. Thanks to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for the advanced copy.

New Orleans Noir

It’s 2 am with pouring rain and cold. New Orleans Detective Mayeaux is parked behind a public restroom at a picnic rest area. An untraceable gun is in her ankle holster. The claustrophobic car is upsetting her stomach. She opens the door and vomits. Finally, she leaves the vehicle, walks over a levee, and enters a residential neighborhood. She is in the backyard of Herman Napleton's home. As she is caught in his headlights, she stands still as a tree while he pulls into the driveway. The garage door opens. This is perfect. She enters the garage for the kill, but he is dead. From this twist, the novel proceeds.

The main storyline consists of four subthreads. The primary thread is the investigation. There is a thread for the criminal elements, another for the suspect, and another for the person who is playing both sides. There is an impressive list of difficulties Detectives Mayeaux and Teague are facing. While in the Special Victims Unit, she led an investigation into the Napleton, but the case had to be dropped due to missing evidence. She was so much affected that she had to transfer out of SVU. Since she had investigated Napleton before, she has the lead in investigating his murder. She had a romantic relationship with her new partner that ended three years earlier under terrible circumstances. Now, they have just a frigid relationship. Her partner is being blackmailed to interfere with the investigation. Actual attempts follow the death threats. Two of the criminal elements and the suspect live with and move around with a large group of young homeless adults who actively protect them. The chapters are short and quick, but this pace, with the multiple threads, did not create any confusion in following the flow of the novel. This novel starts with a significant twist. More twists, misdirections, and red herrings continue throughout the novel. To keep the suspense high, the men in the criminal element keep being killed with a countdown number put on their foreheads. Needless to say, my interest was quickly piqued and kept to the end of the novel.

This novel contains aspects that can cause some readers to stop reading. There are no intimate scenes, but there are scenes just before and after. A very noticeable amount of vulgar and rude language appears in the novel. While not extensive, impious language is also at a noticeable level. Both were situational-appropriate, but they could still be offensive to some readers. As for violence, its description starts with the first scene in the novel. On the positive side, this novel is a standalone, so there are no previous novels about which to worry.

This genre of novels includes obstacles that the protagonists must overcome. The two detectives' flawed natures raised questions since they did not seem to suffer any consequences. Because of this, I was ambivalent about the ending. The detectives’ flaws were needed to support the storyline. I did like how the main storyline was complex but easy to follow. The co-author is one of my Must-Read authors. I have read nine previous novels by him as the author or co-author. I am currently reading another prepublication e-book he has co-authored. I enjoyed reading this novel. With my issues with the novel, it is not a five star, but it is closer to a five than a four star for me. Therefore, I rate this novel with five stars.

I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Hampton Creek Press. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Hampton Creek Press, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

☆ARC REVIEW☆
Publication date: February 4, 2025

The title is what pulled me in... so intriguing.
However, this felt like a poorly written law & order episode but extremely long. Too long. It was very repetitive, especially when using the term "gutter punks".... felt like it was in every other sentence, unnecessarily.

Thank you NetGalley, the authors and Hampton Creek Press for an advanced copy in exchange for a review.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the Arc in exchange for a honest review.

This book is a very fast paced thriller into a crime that leads to a syndicate.

Pros: fast paced, intricate backstory

Cons: chapters are too short. Not much character development.

I enjoyed this story, but it took me a while to get into it. The characters are mostly unlikeable and hard to root for. The twists ramped up my excitement enough to continue. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy thrillers. I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

This story explored the deep, dark side of New Orleans and all the wrongdoings of the wealthy, powerful people in the city. It also wove this together with the seedy, unlawful young people in the city. This created a complex story with many moving parts and types of characters.

I enjoyed the story but nothing really stood out for me. There were a lot of characters to keep track of along with their stories and situations, and there was too much dialogue in my opinion. I think that hindered the flow and pace quite a bit. Nothing about the story was very surprising or exciting and I was pretty underwhelmed with the big “reveal/twist” at the end.

Overall, it was fine but it took me a long time to get through because I just wasn’t super invested in the story or the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.