Ray Celestin is a novelist and screenwriter based in London. His debut novel, The Axeman's Jazz, won the CWA New Blood Dagger for best debut crime novel of the year, and was featured on numerous `Books of the Year' lists. His follow-up, Dead Man's Blues, won the Historia Historical Thriller of the Year Award, and was shortlisted for a number of other awards, including the CWA Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year. The novels are part of a series - the City Blues Quartet - which charts the twin histories of jazz and the Mob through the middle fifty years of the twentieth century. The Mobster's Lament is the third instalment in this series.
The best debut I've read this year -- Scotsman (on <i>The Axeman's Jazz</i>) Both a fascinating portrait of a vibrant and volatile city and a riveting read -- <i>Guardian </i>(on <i>The Axeman's Jazz</i>) His first book was one of the best crime novels of its year and this sequel is even better. VERDICT: 5/5 -- <i>Sunday Express</i> (on<i> Dead Man's Blues</i>) Celestin's promise of two further instalments of this lively, jazz-based series can only be cause for celebration -- <i>Sunday Times</i> (on<i> Dead Man's Blues</i>)