Baltimore Blues is the 1st book in the Tess Monaghan thriller series by Laura Lippman. There are 12 books in this series.
Tess Monaghan is a smart, witty, wise-ass pot-smoking reporter-turned-private investigator. Her best friend Darryl “Rock” Paxton hires her to follow his girlfriend, Ava—a stuck-up lawyer addicted to shoplifting who’s been acting strange and distant lately.
When Ava’s boss, attorney Michael Abramowitz is found murdered, Rock becomes the prime suspect. Tess feels caught in the middle, so she devises numerous schemes to nab the true killer and clear her best friend’s name.
Baltimore Blues is the perfect fit for mystery lovers who enjoy both the cozy and crime procedural sub-genres. This novel has a very contemporary feel that will please both crowds. Tess has so much charisma, and Rock’s character is just as enjoyable. It’s easy to see why this series is so popular.
My only gripe about Baltimore Blues is that the story feels a bit choppy. But Tess’ character is just so magnetic and brings so much life to the novel.
There are lots of laugh-out-loud parts in this book—most of it comes from Tess’ inner monologue. Here’s one of my favorite quotes, when Tess is meeting with Ava at her apartment:
“Right. I strangled and beat a man about twice my size.” Ava laughed, a high-pitched girl’s laugh learned in grade school and sharpened by years of ridiculing others.
I thought that quote was really funny for some reason.
I’ve read several literary fiction novels by this author, and reviewed What the Dead Know (2007) for this website. Everything she writes is pretty good! I’d recommend them all.
Other books by Laura Lippman include:
- Lady in the Lake (2019)
- Dream Girl (2021)
- Prom Mom (2023)
What did you think about Baltimore Blues, or other books by Laura Lippman?
Last Updated on January 20, 2026 by Sarah Ann
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