Works-in-Progress
Voices of the Elysian Fields
Jonathan Gray, M. D. is Chief Deputy Coroner for Orleans Parish. Two days before Christmas, Robby O’Malley—Jonathan’s mentor for nearly forty years—dies from an apparent stroke. Robby’s death thrusts Jonathan into the political intrigue of New Orleans but also provides him an opportunity to fix systemic failures that led to his nine-year-old daughter’s death in a school shooting several years before. But first, he must establish himself in his new position and meet several investigative challenges.
Within hours of taking the oath of office as Coroner, Jonathan participates in autopsies of William and Margaret Haldeman, an elderly couple murdered in their Garden District home. After mass on Christmas morning, Archbishop Phillip Fontenot asks Jonathan to investigate the sexual assault of a Guatemalan immigrant—Josefina Diaz—a domestic worker at Mayor Max Jamerson’s house, as well as the disappearance of her sister—Esperanza Morales—without involving the police. Jonathan agrees.
Voices of the Elysian Fields follows Jonathan during his first days as Coroner, as he winds his way through what appear to be separate incidents, while also working on legislation to address gaps in the Louisiana Coroner system that allow individuals without medical training to serve as Coroners.
Voices of the Elysian Fields has been accepted by Level Best Books, with a March 25, 2025 scheduled release date.
