Out of The Easy

Starred review from December 24, 2012
Sepetys follows her debut, Between Shades of Gray, with another taut and charged historical novel, though the setting—the French Quarter of New Orleans in 1950—is a world apart from that of her previous book. Living and working in a bookshop, 17-year-old Josie Moraine dreams of attending college—anything to get away from her mother, a prostitute with Hollywood dreams and a knack for getting involved with the worst men. When Josie becomes involved in a high-profile murder investigation, she becomes even more entrenched in her circumstances. The sensual yet rigidly class-based setting is a real standout, and Sepetys has also built a stellar cast, which includes Willie, a strident but generous madam; Charlie Marlowe, the bookshop’s owner; and a pair of potential love interests for Josie. Readers will find Josie irresistible from the get-go (“The only reason I’d lift my skirt is to pull out my pistol and plug you,” she tells a guy early on) and will devour the sultry mix of mystery, historical detail, and romance. Ages 14–up. Agent: Writers House. (Feb.)■

Teenager Josie Moraine, portrayed perfectly by narrator Lauren Fortgang, is typical in so many ways that you forget about the dire and dangerous circumstances of her life. Fortgang affects a teenager's edge of anger and shame as she describes the brothel where Josie has grown up and the plaintive yearning of her dream to attend an Ivy League college, worlds away from New Orleans. Tension grows in Fortgang's performance as Josie become entangled in a murder investigation that threatens her escape plan. Listeners who enjoyed Sepetys's previous bestseller, BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY, will find the same quality of writing and characters to root for, enhanced by the superb performance of Fortgang. R.O. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine