The Queen City Detective Agency: A Novel BY Snowden Wright

Following an unforgettable cast of characters and a jaded female P.I. enmeshed in a criminal conspiracy in 1980s Mississippi, The Queen City Detective Agency is a riveting, razor-sharp Southern noir that unravels the greed, corruption, and racism at the heart of the American Dream.

By 1985, Meridian, Mississippi—once known as the Queen City for its prominence—has lost much of its former glory. Outshone by cities like New Orleans and Atlanta, Meridian has become a haven for dubious businesses and the notorious Dixie Mafia. The city’s elite, wealthy white Southerners, resist any changes to their entrenched privilege.

When real-estate developer Randall Hubbard is gunned down in his office, it’s suspected that Dixie Mafia affiliate Lewis “Turnip” Coogan was hired by Hubbard’s wife to carry out the hit. But Turnip dies under suspicious circumstances while in custody, leaving a tangled web of intrigue.

Ex-cop turned private investigator Clementine Baldwin is hired by Turnip’s grieving mother to uncover the truth behind her son’s death. Clem, who has her own complicated history with Mississippi, navigates the dangerous streets of Meridian, digging into a case that exposes deep-seated corruption and crime. As she delves further, Clem finds herself targeted by powerful figures who manipulate the law to protect their secrets and will go to deadly lengths to silence anyone who threatens their empire.

The Queen City Detective Agency is a gripping exploration of a city’s dark underbelly, revealing the perilous intersection of power, racism, and justice.