Glory Be

A Glory Broussard Mystery

Danielle Arceneaux

The first in a vivid and charming crime series set in the Louisiana bayou, introducing the hilariously uncensored amateur sleuth Glory Broussard. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club.

*A New York Times Book Review Best Crime Novel of the Year*

*A Washington Post Best Mystery Novel of the Year*

It’s a hot and sticky Sunday in Lafayette, Louisiana, and Glory has settled into her usual after-church routine, meeting gamblers at the local coffee shop, where she works as a small-time bookie. Sitting at her corner table, Glory hears that her best friend—a nun beloved by the community—has been found dead in her apartment.

When police declare the mysterious death a suicide, Glory is convinced that there must be more to the story. With her reluctant daughter—who has troubles of her own—in tow, Glory launches a shadow investigation into Lafayette’s oil tycoons, church gossips, a rumored voodoo priestess, nosey neighbors, and longtime ne'er-do wells.

As a Black woman of a certain age who grew up in a segregated Louisiana, Glory is used to being minimized and overlooked. But she’s determined to make her presence known as the case leads her deep into a web of intrigue she never realized Lafayette could harbor.

Danielle Arcenaux’s riveting debut brings forth an unforgettable character that will charm and delight crime fans everywhere and leave them hungry for her next adventure.

Danielle Arceneaux is a public relations veteran that lives in Brooklyn, NY with her border terrier, Birdie, and an ungovernable cat. When not writing, she enjoys traveling around the world to fly fish. For more information, visit www.daniellearceneaux.com 

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Endorsements & Reviews

"Up for a small-town Southern church lady amateur sleuth that kicks ass? After reading Danielle Arceneaux’s cozy-defying debut, my answer is yes! I admire Arceneaux for crafting Glory as a complicated, hilarious, and surprising character—in other words, a stellar protagonist who is utterly and truly unique. And there’s more. The bayou setting, Glory’s coffee shop hangout, local criminals, and small-town gossipy intrigue all meld into a steamy, irresistible plot I couldn’t get enough of." Rob Osler, author of Devil's Chew Toy

"Highly entertaining. Glory is immensely likable, the kind of character readers will root for and look forward to more of her adventures. The briskly plotted Glory Be should be the beginning of a long-running series." Oline Cogdill, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel

“Glory Broussard, the star of Danielle Arceneaux’s fabulous debut mystery differs from most of the other Black women in Lafayette, La. When Glory learns that her lifelong friend Amity has died, she’s immediately suspicious. Glory is up for the challenge, and she is a character for the ages.” Sarah Weinman, New York Times Book Review

"Glory, living in Lafayette, La., loves her daughter, the Red Hat Society and taking other people’s bets on Sunday mornings instead of attending church. What she doesn’t love is being written off, especially when her best friend dies in suspicious circumstances. [Arceneaux has] great fun interrogating the detective form...I’m all in." Sarah Weinman, The New York Times Book Review, "The Best Crime Novels of 2023"

"Glory Broussard is the unforgettable heroine of this cozy, feel-good crime novel set in Lafayette, Louisiana. The relatable Glory ferrets out the truth, clearing all obstacles in her way with her witty banter and the cloak of invisibility that she’s afforded because she’s a Black woman of a certain age. The first book in a delightful new series." Oprah Daily

"A remarkable debut novel that blends a character study with a tightly woven mystery that delves into dark corners of racism and corruption." The Washington Post

“A delightful debut. One Sunday, while Glory is crunching numbers at her usual table in CC’s Coffeehouse, she strikes up a conversation with police officer Beau Landry, whom she used to babysit. In the middle of their chat, he’s called to a crime scene at the home of Amity Gay, an activist nun and Glory’s best friend. Arceneaux successfully avoids a mountain of cozy clichés—and works in potent critiques into her well-oiled plot. Readers will be eager to spend more time with Glory in future installments.” Publishers Weekly, starred review

"I needed a palate cleanser, recently—you know, a book that’s smart, funny, and just hooks you from first page to last. Glory Be was that title. Unfiltered, unstoppable, and unconvinced the police know what they’re doing, Glory Broussard ropes her daughter Delphine into an off-the-books investigation ('like some kind of Black Murder She Wrote,' Delphine charges), overturning some pretty scary rocks in their bayou town. I can’t wait for Glory’s next adventure." Vannessa Cronin, Amazon Books

“Glory Be is a hilarious and thrill-filled ride through the bayous of small-town Louisiana and is filled with rich descriptions of place and superb characterization. Glory Broussard grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. I can’t wait to find out what Glory and her daughter Delphine will get up to in their next set of adventures.” Harini Nagendra, author of The Bangalore Detectives Club, a New York Times Notable Book of 2022