Here's a sneak peek at the Library Journal review of "The Sound of Building Coffins" that should appear in the December 15 issue:

"One has to write with considerable authenticity to pull off a story steeped in magic and swamp water that examines race and class, death and rebirth, Haitian voodoo, and the beginnings of jazz in 1891 New Orleans. Maistros's gritty debut novel follows the interconnected lives of the Morningstar siblings - all lovingly named by their father after diseases-as they wrestle with a powerful demon, con outsiders, kill and die, die and are reborn. The plot is complex and magical, grounded in the history of the city, without being overly sentimental. There is a comfort with death as a part of life in this work that reveals deep feeling for the city and its past. Of course, every novel about New Orleans must have a good hurricane. Like the one in Zora Neale Hurston's classic Their Eyes Were Watching God, this hurricane destroys the city while making hope possible. Highly recommended for all fiction collections, especially where there is an interest in jazz." – Library Journal

The review was written by Gwen Vredevoogd, Marymount Univ., Arlington, VA 

All I can say is the usual: Wow. Who? Me? Really?

And don't forget, "The Sound of Building Coffins" comes out in February 2009, and is now available for pre-order at Amazon.

Pimpity-pimp-dee-pimp say I.