Set in 1950’s New Orleans, Out of the Easy has a little bit of everything: a murder mystery, some NOLA history, a touch of romance and a lot of gritty truths. It centres on Josie, an 18 year-old woman who dreams of moving to a place where people don’t know her name. Because in New Orleans, Josie is known as the daughter of a brothel prostitute - and to top it off, her mother is a total nightmare. While Josie dreams of university, her mother’s screwups pull her into a murder investigation and the crosshairs of the mob.

This story has so many layers, but there is one overarching theme that really stuck out for me: the importance of family (and not necessarily the one you have by blood). Josie’s chosen family is a motley crew, from Willie Woodley the grumpy brothel madam who is Josie’s anchor and unconventional mother-figure, to bookstore owner Charlie Marlowe - the father she never had, who gave her a room to live in above the shop when she was only 11. These relationships (and several others) are what make this book so special - Sepetys has created some very solid, relatable characters that will definitely pull your heartstrings. I’ll admit, I did get teary a couple of times; no spoilers, but have tissues handy!

The only thing I wish was a bit different was the ending. I like how it was resolved, but felt like it wrapped up too fast. There is an unexpected time jump at the end that could have used more of a lead-up - I found the effect to be a bit jarring. But this book is so good, it’s easy to overlook it.

4.5/5