Lady of Perdition (Benjamin January Mystery)

by Barbara Hambly

5 of 5 stars 1 rating • 1 review • 1 shelved
Book cover for Lady of Perdition

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"A stark and occasionally brutal story, and Hambly tells it superbly, in prose that is vivid and empathetic. For fans of this fine series, this is a must-read" - Booklist Starred Review

Benjamin January heads to the "Slaveholders' Republic" of Texas to locate a kidnapped girl and help a woman who saved him from the noose.


April, 1840.
Benjamin January knows no black person in their right mind would willingly go to the Republic of Texas but when his former pupil Selina Bellinger is kidnapped and enslaved, he has no choice. Once there he is saved from being hanged by Valentina Taggart, wife of the wealthy landowner of Rancho Perdition.

After Valentina is accused of the murder of her husband, she in turn calls on Benjamin for help. To do so, he must abandon the safe haven of New Orleans, where people know he's a free man, to return to the self-proclaimed "Slaveholders' Republic".

In a land still disputed between vengeful Comanche, disgruntled Mexican Tejanos, Americans who want to join the United States and those who want to keep Texas free, January must uncover what happened to Valentina's husband. Behind lies, betrayals and rising political tensions lies the answer . . . but finding it could cost Ben his life.

  • ISBN10 0727889095
  • ISBN13 9780727889096
  • Publish Date 30 September 2019
  • Publish Status Active
  • Publish Country GB
  • Publisher Canongate Books Ltd
  • Imprint Severn House
  • Edition Main
  • Format Hardcover
  • Pages 256
  • Language English