My husband and I have bought all the Skip Langdon novels because we love to reminisce about New Orleans. However, with this book, Smith's negative stereotyping of African Americans has gone too far. Smith's African American characters are caricatures. Their deepest relationships are shallow, grossly sexual, and clownish. In this book, Smith informs the reader that macho Italian men do not date African American women. My husband is Italian, and I am an African American woman. I've known at least six African American women who agreed to become involved with at least one of the Italian men who pursued them. Too bad Smith does not stick to writing about Euro-American (white) emotional and criminal interactions, which she seems more willing to develop beyond stereotyping. It's a disappointing end to a promising series.

This was my first Skip Langdon novel. I love to visit New Orleans and found the many references to places I know and love to be intriguing. The connection between the amateur private dectective and the police was very loosely woven and kept my interest to put those pieces together. This book kept me guessing until the very last page. I am anxious to read some of Smith's earlier novels.

I read "Louisiana Hotshot" before I read "82 Desire" and I was pleasantly surprised to find the exotic poet/detective, Talba Wallis, introduced in this book. I can't agree with the other reviewers that this was not her best. I thought it was just as fast-paced, thought-provoking and intriguing as all of the other books in the Skip Langdon series. Like the other books, it kept me guessing until the end. If you love New Orleans and you love quirky, unique characters, then you'll ADORE this book. I promise you, you won't be disappointed!!!