Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.
This week’s Can’t-Wait offering – Death and Hard Cider – Book 19 of the Benjamin January series by Barbara Hambly – release date – 7th June, 2022
#historical murder mystery #troubled hero
BLURB: September, 1840. A giant rally is being planned in New Orleans to stir up support for presidential candidate William Henry Harrison: the Indian-killing, hard-cider-drinking, wannabe “people’s president”. Trained surgeon turned piano-player Benjamin January has little use for politicians. But the run-up to the rally is packed with balls and dinner parties, and the meagre pay is sorely needed.
Soon, however, January has more to worry about than keeping his beloved family fed and safe. During an elegant reception thrown by New Orleans’ local Whig notables, the son of a prominent politician gets into a fist-fight with a rival over beautiful young flirt Marie-Joyeuse Maginot – and, the day after the rally is over, Marie-Joyeuse turns up dead. The only black person amongst the initial suspects is arrested immediately: January’s dear friend, Catherine Clisson.
With Catherine’s life on the line, January is determined to uncover the truth and prove her innocence. But his adversaries are powerful politicians, and the clock is ticking . . .
Yes… another series I’m crashing into without having read any of the other books! But I liked the look of the cover and the sound of the blurb, which I managed to read without noticing that it is the nineteenth in the series. However it is a murder mystery – so I should be able to still enjoy the story.
Brainfluff 
Wow, it must be doing well to have 19 books! I also love the cover, hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to read it.
Thank you, Cindy:)). I’m certainly looking forward to it.
The combination of historical period and murder mystery sounds intriguing! 🙂
I thought so too! Especially as it’s a period of history I don’t know very much about:).
Sarah, crashing into a series, surely not. I look forward to reading your thoughts.
Lynn 😀
Lol… I know! What a vice for a respectable reader:)).
This sounds so good! I love the time period and the setting. William Henry Harrison isn’t a president I see much about I historical fiction so that makes it extra interesting.
I know! I’ve fallen behind somewhat, so haven’t yet had the pleasure to tucking into it. But the time period was certainly a draw for me:).
That is a time period and U.S. President that I don’t know much about so I’m quite intrigued by this mystery. I hope not reading the earlier books in the series doesn’t impact your enjoyment of this one.
Thank you, Suzanne – I’m crossing my fingers that crashing midway into the series won’t affect my enjoyment, too:)).
I couldn’t help thinking about my own experiences when I read “Hard Cider” in the title, because when I moved over to the US, I was confronted with the idea that “cider” is just another name for apple juice, while “hard cider” is the actual alcoholic drink that everyone in Europe calls “cider”.
As a side note 😉 – I hope the book will meet your expectations!
Lol… yes – there’s no doubt about it, the US and the Brits do talk a different language:). And yes – I’ve just finished reading this one and was very impressed:).