New Orleans native Mademoiselle Francesca Dumas is a kept woman. At age eighteen in the second year of the American Civil War, she is the concubine of a rich New Orleans banker, Joachim Buisson. Born a quadroon, Francesca leads a sheltered life of elegant jewels, gowns, lace, and lavish balls—until a bullet shatters her dream world. An assassin murders “her man” as Francesca stood beside him among a throng gathered atop a Mississippi River levee on April 25, 1862. Bowed by Joachim’s body, rain-soaked and blood-spattered, she vows revenge. Francesca’s passionate desire for retribution drives her into a new life as a sleuth.
Accolades
Rogers’ impressive nonfiction cast, […] includes New Orleans political, military, and religious figures, various artists, and entrepreneurs of that era, are surrounded by a host of fictional characters. – San Francisco Book Review But it’s not just a historical novel, though its setting is firmly rooted in historical fact – it’s a mystery, as well. It’s rare to find a historical mystery so well-grounded in the flavors and atmosphere of the antebellum South, and one which so thoroughly injects New Orleans atmosphere into every chapter. — Donovan’s Bookshelf, an affiliate of the Midwest Book Review And while I know the author has many more historical stories to tell us, I am hoping that this would be the beginning of a Francesca mystery series. I recommend this book to readers of historical fiction who enjoy a mysterious unscrambling of history. – B. JacksonI could not put [the book] down as often I should have. I cannot wait to discuss it in my Literary Club, and it would be fantastic to see a movie made of it. – Dr. L. Fox
The author brings history to life through his incorporation of actual events with the characters of his stories. He writes with strong descriptions. – BJRJ
Bob Rogers has penned a nail-biter murder mystery that builds in intensity as it takes the reader through the glitter of lavish ballroom affairs of wealthy white New Orleans society and Francesca’s double life as a secret agent employed in espionage against the Confederacy. – B.H. Settles, Author of Smoke for Breakfast
The third dimension of this work is the tremendous detail and richness of the character development and scene descriptions created by the author. You can easily discern that this work has been carefully researched, and that, if one has ever been to New Orleans, the places are real and the experiences opulently described. – J. Donahue
Rogers does an excellent job with the historical setting, reminding the reader of Louisiana’s role in the Civil War as well as its own unique customs i.e. quadroon balls and arranged relationships. He even included references to establishments that many a New Orleans visitor has frequented such as Antoine’s, Jackson Square, and Cafe du Monde. – A. Battiste
This book did not disappoint! I like stories that are set during the Civil War and found it to be a very enjoyable read without being overpowered with war details. The most interesting aspect of reading this book was that I learned about plaçage, quadroons, and octoroons. Before reading this book, I did not know plaçage existed. I highly recommend [The Laced Chameleon]. – M. Sues
The Laced Chameleon is an intriguing story [that brings…history…] to life during the Civil War. Author Bob Rogers is a master at weaving historical figures with fictional characters. [His] characters felt like old friends I would want to know. I loved learning about this era in history through events and the lovely setting of New Orleans. The mystery and plot will make this book hard to put down for anyone. I loved it. – Susan Wilson, Mystery and Suspense Author
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Murder on the Mississippi
Chapter 2: New Orleans Police
Chapter 3: Class Climbing
Chapter 4: Plaçage
Chapter 5: Missing!
Chapter 6: Beginning the Search
Chapter 7: Rookie Detective
Chapter 8: The Veteran
Chapter 9: “Am I a Suspect?”
Chapter 10: Foreclosure
Chapter 11: Gumshoe Work
Chapter 12: The Actress and The General
Chapter 13: The Potted Plant
Chapter 14: Enter the Spy
Chapter 15: Detective or Spy?
Chapter 16: “A body can’t tell…”
Chapter 17: Another Murder
Chapter 18: A New Orleans Ball
Chapter 19: French Allies
Chapter 20: “I’m Lost…”
Chapter 21: “I was Manumitted…”
Chapter 22: Belle Chasse Plantation
Chapter 23: “I’m in Love!”
Chapter 24: A Date with a Gentleman
Chapter 25: Mother Henriette
Chapter 26: A Mission and A Motive
Chapter 27: Warning and Escape
Chapter 28: “I Have a Suspect!”
Chapter 29: “A Perfect Plan…”
Chapter 30: The Rescue
Chapter 31: Auld Lang Sine
Chapter 32: Trapped
Epilogue
Partial List of Nonfiction Characters Appearing in The Laced Chameleon
Partial List of Fiction Characters appearing in The Laced Chameleon
Narrator Becky Parker
Becky Parker, based in Portland, OR, is a veteran audiobook narrator and professional stage actor with a Master of Fine Arts degree. She taught me all I know about narrating. Becky recently completed her work as the voice of “Francesca” and all the characters in my novel, The Laced Chameleon. I was bowled over when Becky surprised me by singing lines from the songs I included in the book. I expected Becky to merely read the lines. I was lucky that a person as talented as Becky said yes to my request for her services. Beautifully done. A+. I am very pleased.
Bob Rogers
