Glory Daze by Daniele Arceneaux

(33. - 1276.) Glory Daze by Danielle Arceneaux - Glory Beverly Broussard is a bookie in Lafayette, Louisiana. She is doing well with NFL playoff games underway. Her work, church and the Red Hat Society of Acadiana occupy her time.

Her contentment is upset when Valerie LeBlanc asks Glory to help find her missing husband, Sterling, who is Gloria’s unlamented, repeatedly unfaithful ex. Glory snaps out her refusal and Valerie says she hopes Glory will help for the sake of Delphine, the daughter of Glory and Sterling.

A fuming Glory finds Sterling at his private hideaway. He is dead with a knife sticking from his chest.

Delphine, a lawyer, flies home from New York City. Delphine and Sylvia convince Glory to find Sterling’s killer. Glory has achieved local fame for solving a murder a few months ago.

Glory is a methodical woman with a talent for numbers. She makes a comfortable living as an independent bookie because of her ability to analyze football and prepare her own betting lines.

Glory would prefer to investigate alone but reluctantly accepts the participation of Valerie and Delphine. It pains her when Valerie proves helpful.

The women of Glory Daze are vivid characters. The men are interesting but the women drive the story.

The investigation takes Glory to the casino where Sterling was working when he died. Most of her conversations are with women who work there in lower paying positions such as blackjack dealer and cashier.

Glory is a woman who speaks her mind including talking directly to God. A staunch member of St. Agnes parish she frankly states what is on her mind to the Lord. At least in the book it is a one way conversation.

While a staunch Catholic Glory has a a 6’7” associate who assists with collections when necessary.

Amidst the investigation Glory is also caught up in the demanding preparations for Mardi Gras. The Red Hat Ladies of Arcadiana take their role in the celebration very seriously. As Mardi Gras nears their preparations intensify. They are so determined to be perfect that on a Sunday before Mardi Gras they skip Mass to ensure everything is in order.

Most members of the Lafayette Police Department resent Glory for having previously solved a murder they had deemed a suicide. She will not be intimidated. 

There is a great scene where Glory, Delphine and Justice visit a world famous chef knife maker:

A pit of fire was the first thing that Glory noticed. Orange flames leap like trained gymnasts inside a shoulder-height cauldron …. Dozens of knives clung to a magnetic wall …. Some had handles of ebony or rosewood. Others, mahogany. Each had carvings of his signature celestial designs, though no design was exactly the same.

I love Glory. What a remarkable woman and sleuth. She is Black and proud to be Black.