Books set in New Orleans

March 18th, 2015 Kimberly Feature 82 Comments

18th Mar

With my planned trip to New Orleans, I thought I would share some books set in the famous city. To me NOLA is a mecca for all things paranormal and mysterious. I have picked up books solely because they are set in this wonderfully rich historical city known as one of the most haunted cities in the world. A mix of wonderful cultures and religious beliefs have made this resilient city a popular tourist destination.

Cafferty and Quinn series

Royal StreetFor those who like mystery, a dash of romance with a touch of paranormal woo-woo Heather Graham offers up the best of New Orleans in her Cafferty and Quinn series.

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The Cafferty and Quinn series takes place right in the heart of New Orleans and features an antique shop that collects unique artifacts and objects. Each book offers a wonderful mystery, a little history and unique characters. She also offers other books with her Flynn Brothers series and Harrison Investigation series.

Jackson Square New Orleans

Sentinels of New Orleans

Author Susanne Johnson has a fantastic Urban Fantasy series the Sentinels of New Orleans

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I adore this series from the characters to the authenticity Johnson brings to New Orleans and its history. The supernatural elements never cease to amaze me. It is filled with danger, wicked banter, snark and a subtle romance.

New-Orleans Fog

Midnight Bayou

Midnight Bayou

Set on the outskirts of New Orleans Nora Robert offers up a paranormal romantic suspense in a dilapidated old mansion known as Manet Hall.

The Feast of Saints

Anne Rice was born and raised in New Orleans and this has shown in many of her works particularity the Vampire Chronicles.

The Feast of All Saints

Set in New Orleans before the Civil War, Anne Rice takes us on a historical journey with paranormal elements. It shares the story of Free people who where half black and half white, including Voodoo queen Marie Laveau.

Ashes in the Wind

Ashes in the Wind

Kathleen E. Woodiwiss shares a historical romance that takes place during the civil War and a large majority of the story takes place in New Orleans.

Looking for More? Check out these titles

Disguised as a boy, our heroine flees from Yankee troops and ends in this engaging and vivid depiction of the south.

klaus-hot
Klaus..yum The Originals one of my favorite vampire shows is set in the heart of NOLA. You can read books based on the series beginning with The Originals: The Rise by Julie Plec

What books have you read with a New Orleans setting?

 

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

82 Responses to “Books set in New Orleans”

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Oh you must fix that..Jennifer Armentrout’s Wicked is in NOLA.

  2. Michelle

    So jealous! I want to go to NOLA so badly, but I haven’t been able to. I have a few of these on my TBR already. Feast of All Saints is one of the few Anne Rice books I haven’t read yet, and I need to fix that.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I try to read books set there and cannot wait to stroll the streets, get a gris-gris bag and look for ghosts..LOL

  3. Lorna

    I have read a few of the ones you mention. I just read a novella and book by Michelle Mankin, Strange Magic 1 and 2. Also Jennifer Armentrout’s Wicked, So many more. If I see New Orleans and Paranormal, I am probably going to try and read it!

  4. Bookworm Brandee

    I’ll have to check out some of these titles, Kim. I love books set in NOLA…and I plan to travel there one day! 😉 I’m thinking I may have read Ashes in the Wind eons ago. *ha* Recently, I’ve read Michelle Mankin’s Strange Magic, which was set in NOLA. There’s another story read in the last year that was set there as well, but I can’t come up with the title off the top of my head. Thanks for sharing these titles!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Hmm, I wonder if I have Strange Magic in my tbr pile ..I will check!

  5. Cyn

    Ah, so jealous that you’ll be heading to New Orleans! That’s hopefully my next destination to the states, whenever that’ll be, ahah.

    Might have to try out a few of the books! I know I’ve read a few set in New Orleans, but nothing comes to mind at the moment. My brain is solely focused on wanting to watch Princess and the Frog, haha.

    Hope you have an awesome trip! And take lots of pictures!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I am beyond excited to go Cyn..and hope you make it there as well

  6. sarah c.

    Thanks for sharing!! I in love with anything New Orleans and I’ll be checking out some of these books!!!

  7. Rebecca N. Caudill

    The Heather Graham and Susanne Johnson books sound like ones that I would really enjoy. Off to check them out on Amazon so thanks for the recommendation.

    I noticed that you included Anne Rice’s Feast of All Saints in your list. It’s a good one, definitely, but I would also add The Witching Hour from Rice to the list as well. Not only is it one of my favorite books set in New Orleans, it’s one of my favorite books period.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yes..everyone is mentioning The Witching Hour. I love Graham and Johnson

  8. Candace

    I too love books set in New Orleans! I think some of the first I read were Anne Rice and V.C. Andrews. I love so many things about it. The spooky setting, the atmosphere, the accents… I love it all! There are several on your list I want to read!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Oh yes Andrews..oh lord that has been years and years ago

  9. Sarah

    Don’t forget Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Night Embrace 🙂 I loved Nora Roberts Midnight Bayou and always enjoy a good read set in New Orleans.. so jealous you get to go!! Take lots of pictures for us 😀

    • kimbacaffeinate

      It is on my list Sarah 🙂 you rock and yep I loved Roberts’ book too

  10. Lauren

    I love a good NOLA setting! It always makes me think of paranormal, magic, and spooky deeds. 🙂 I know Kresley Cole has her Immortals After Dark series in NOLA pretty often, so that was always fun to read about if you like the city. I still need to read Sentinels series. I hope you have fun on your trip and get to see some of your bookish spots come to life!

  11. Lanie

    I know a couple of Rose Wynters books take place there, specially her newest one. Hmm, Josetta Reuels book “Finding The Dragon” takes place there, as does some of the “Sookie Stackhouse” stories. I even think Jaye Wells “Sabina Kane” an Rachel Vincents “Pride” series take a detour there as well.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Oh now we’ve been to New England and explored all of the town’s and major cities. We were both born and raised in NJ so we have explored there extensively. It is the meddling of cultures, religions etc that have attracted me to NOLA, it lends itself to the paranormal world and i love that vibe

  15. Sophia Rose

    I’ve only read GWTW, Anne Rice and John Grisham on your list, but I’ve read a ton of others set there: some of Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark, some of Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress, one of Abigail Roux’s Cut & Run books, Sylvia McDaniel’s Curvier Widows, and yeesh so many more.

    Have fun on your trip!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I’ve read almost all of Night Huntress, and have Cole’s books on my list. Hmm, will check out the others

  16. Melissa (Books and Things)

    Oh pick me up on the way, K? 😉 I haven’t been back for a long time. I just went through the place for a day and didn’t stay. I think Ann Rice had the biggest impact on me wanting to visit in the first place. 🙂 Love the list!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      LOL, my hubby won’t even let our son come..it is a romantic getaway. Tell ya what we will plan a girls trip and get ourselves in trouble in NOLA 🙂

  17. Katherine

    The Dead Play On is coming up on my reading schedule and I’m really looking forward to it. I love Heather Graham and I love New Orleans settings. I spent so much time in the city as a child and in college but haven’t been back since Katrina. I do miss it. It’s an amazing place. Great list!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Oh luck you..I am excited we are doing everything from ghost tours to horse rides.

  18. Heidi

    I love books set in New Orleans, I think it started for me with Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles and Mayfair Witches and my love has grown from there. I also love the Sentinels of New Orleans and there are many other books that I have read set there. I hope you have a fabulous time. I want to go there so badly.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I have too Heidi my list would have been crazy..but I need to add the Mayfair Witches.

  19. Trish

    I just love New Orleans settings and I have my eye on quite a few on your list. One that I loved that isn’t on your list was Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys. So good!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I am not much of a traveler either…but I have wanted to visit forever.

  21. Lily

    oh Kim I really hope you enjoy your trip to New Orleans! I’ve never been, and i don’t think i’ve read anything set there but i am a fan of The Originals *cough* and Klaus *cough* haah!

  22. Kathy

    I love books set in NOLA am definitely swayed by the setting. I’ve visited there many times and love it more each time. The Charlotte LaRue series (cozy mystery) by Barbara Colley are also set in New Orleans, along with Villere House by C.D. Hussey and Leslie Fear. Enjoy your adventures!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Thanks for the recommendations Kathy..I will look them up. I am excited to finally visit.

  23. Chrystina

    I think Anne Rice started by love of New Orleans with a couple of her series, I’ve never been but feel like I know it well 🙂 I also seek out books set there, hopefully I get to go there someday soon! I’ve read some of these, but I’ll have to check out the Heather Graham books.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I haven’t either but surprised both myself and my husband with how much I knew just from book and shows.

  24. Nick

    *sigh*
    I haven’t read any of these! But New Orleans does seem to be a popular setting for a lot of UF/PNR book.
    I hope you’ll have a great trip there, Kim! I expect pictures on your return! 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      What? Christy and I haven’t convinced you to read Sentinels of New Orleans? We must be slacking

  25. Laurel-Rain Snow

    I also love books (and movies) set in New Orleans. The Big Easy, anyone? How did I miss that Nora Roberts book. Off to check it out.

    Thanks for sharing…and have fun!

  26. Braine Talk Supe

    Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches & most of her Vampire Chronicles are set in NOLA too. It’ll be so much fun to revisit the sights she mentioned in the books. I intend to visit her old house as I am a HUGE fan of the Vampire Queen!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I am hoping to see it Braine, her VC series was mentioned above but will look at Mayfair Witches.

      • Braine

        Oh! I saw Kenyon was mentioned by Adria. I know you read YA, Chronicles of Nick is set there too. Funny also coZ Nick’s mom is supposedly a fan of Rice & that’s why they moved there.

    • Rebecca N. Caudill

      The Witching Hour is one of my favorite books ever! The first time I visited NOLA I may have squealed when I saw Deidre’s porch in person.

  27. Ramona

    Ah, Klaus. Sigh. He sure can turn a phrase… I’m super excited for you and your trip, Kimba! Do take lots of pictures and then post a few… Let me live vicariously though you 😀

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yes Klaus curls my toes for sure. I will take lots of pictures. If you have Instagram follow me 🙂 for up to minute pics. I will do a post when I get back as well. I leave late next week

  28. Jennifer

    Sentinels Of New Orleans
    Crescent City series by Kristen Painter
    Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole (some of them are set in NOLA and GREAT on audio!)
    Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter (also great on audio)

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Cole is on my list. I will check out Painter and you already know I adore Sentinels of NOLA

  29. kindlemom1

    I was so hoping the Sentinels of New Orleans would be on your list, I love that series and its setting is the sole purpose that I picked it up as well! I am so excited that you are going there, you are going to have so much fun! And yay for the Originals, I love that series! I love Klaus but I really love Elijah as well. 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Well I adore Suzanne and her books. I like Elijah, but Klaus has my heart 🙂 he is so misunderstood.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I love many books set in different parts of LA Sarah..I will look it up 🙂

  31. Silvia

    I would truly LOVE to visit New Orleans one day! I always sigh a lot every time I watch The Originals, thinking about the city… Ok, Klaus may very well have to do with the sighing, too 😛
    Thanks for the lovely post, Kimberly!

  32. Red Iza

    I’ve visited the “old” Orléans, but never the new 😉 You’re so lucky to go there, hope you’ll enjoy your visit (and bring us back plenty pictures) ! For once, I’ve already read 3 of the books you suggested 😉

    • kimbacaffeinate

      If you have Instagram I will post often there and then make a post up once I return. I leave late next week 🙂

  34. Renee

    I really love Ashes in the Wind, and Christine Feehan has a couple books that take place in New Orleans as well, and I believe Sherrilyn Kenyon has books that take place in New Orleans as well. Definitely going to add a few of these to my wishlist, I just love reading stories that take place in this city. So much rich culture and myths that authors can work with.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I will research those Renee..thanks for mentioning some

  35. Diamond

    I never finished Feast of All Saints, not because I didn’t like it, I just have to get back to it 😀 I love New Orleans… I want to go there because I was young when I went 🙂
    I also really wanna read that Nora Roberts book and Heather Graham — i have her books, a few of them from different series but i haven’t started yet.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I hope you get to visit, if not you can explore these books.

  36. Adria

    I’m re-reading Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series so that I can make sure I understand that last installment. Most of them take place in New Orleans. They’re the reason I want to visit one day.

  37. Melliane

    Oh yes I always so love books in NOLA! I think it’s a really intriguing place and I would love to visit one day! thanks for sharing!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I am glad you love the setting/place too Melliane. I am excited to finally be visiting

  39. Christy

    Ah, yes, I’ve decided to read books just because of the NOLA setting too. You know to expect a certain vibe, even with just normal contemporaries. Post lots of pictures while you’re there!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I agree, even the ones in LA not set in NOLA per se have a cool vibe to them.