Voices of the Elysian Fields Released on April 8, 2025
Level Best Books announced the April 8, 2025 release of Voices of the Elysian Fields, debut novel of author Michael Rigg.
Two days before Christmas, Jonathan Gray, M. D., Chief Deputy Coroner for Orleans Parish, receives shocking news. Robby O’Malley—Jonathan’s mentor for nearly forty years—has died under mysterious circumstances. Within hours after Robby’s death, Gray takes the oath of office as Coroner and participates in autopsies of an elderly couple murdered in their Garden District home. After mass on Christmas morning, Archbishop Phillip Fontenot asks Gray to investigate the sexual assault of one of his parishioners, as well as the disappearance of her sister—without involving the police. As Jonathan winds his way through what appear to be separate incidents, he uncovers connections and secrets that members of the city’s power elite would just as soon remain hidden.
Michael Rigg, an attorney for more than four decades, writes mysteries and thrillers set in two very different locations:Virginia Beach (where he lives) and New Orleans (which he visits as often as possible “for research,” includingparticipation in three Mardi Gras Krewes). He is a retired Navy Judge Advocate and a retired civilian governmentattorney, formerly working for the Department of the Navy Office of the General Counsel. He is a member ofInternational Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and both the Sisters in Crime national organization and itsSoutheastern Virginia Chapter—Mystery by the Sea.
Relevant publication information follows:
Publication Date: April 08, 2025 (PB & EB) from Level Best Books
ISBN: 978-1-68512-924-8 (PB 362 pgs 6” x 9” trim) $18.95 USD
978-1-68512-925-5 (EB) $5.99Fiction
Mystery (Trade)
Distributed by Ingram
fully discounted and returnableMedia/Review/Publisher
Contact: Shawn Reilly Simmons; ShawnLevelBestBooks@gmail.com; 301.730.1675
Level Best Books: 18100 Windsor Drive, Olney, MD 20832
(Release Updated 4/7/2025)
Michael Rigg Signs with Level Best Books
On February 24, 2024, Michael Rigg signed a contract with Level Best Books, Maryland for the March 2025 release of his New Orleans-set novel, Voices of the Elysian Fields. Verena Rose at Level Best Books is the primary editor involved.
Two days before Christmas, Jonathan Gray, M. D., Chief Deputy Coroner for Orleans Parish, receives shocking news. Robby O’Malley—Jonathan’s mentor for nearly forty years—has died under mysterious circumstances. Within hours after Robby’s death, Gray takes the oath of office as Coroner and participates in autopsies of an elderly couple murdered in their Garden District home. After mass on Christmas morning, Archbishop Phillip Fontenot asks Gray to investigate the sexual assault of one of his parishioners, as well as the disappearance of her sister—without involving the police. As Jonathan winds his way through what appear to be separate incidents, he uncovers connections and secrets that members of the city’s power elite would just as soon remain hidden.
Following Voices of the Elysian Fields will be two additional novels, currently scheduled for release in May 2026 and May 2027, respectively.
(Release Updated 2/1/2025)