Step into the gritty, vibrant world of Maureen Coughlin, where the sultry streets of New Orleans pulse with crime, corruption, and one woman’s fierce journey of self-discovery! Bill Loehfelm’s Maureen Coughlin series is a standout in contemporary crime fiction, blending raw emotion, complex characters, and a vivid sense of place. This isn’t your typical police procedural—Maureen, a former Staten Island waitress turned rookie cop, navigates a treacherous landscape of moral dilemmas and personal demons, making her a hero you’ll root for through every twist.
With critical acclaim from authors like Megan Abbott and comparisons to James Lee Burke’s iconic Dave Robicheaux, the series captures the heart of post-Katrina New Orleans. Ready to dive into a world where justice is never black-and-white? Let’s explore Maureen’s story!
How Maureen Coughlin Began
Bill Loehfelm, a Staten Island native who relocated to New Orleans in 1997, crafted Maureen Coughlin from his deep love for his adopted city and its complex culture. Inspired by the city’s resilience and flaws, Loehfelm introduced Maureen in The Devil She Knows (2011), where she’s a cocktail waitress entangled in a dangerous incident that propels her to reinvent herself as a cop. His background—working in New Orleans’ bars and teaching—infuses the series with authenticity, capturing the city’s gritty charm and the challenges of law enforcement in a place where corruption lingers like humidity.
The Heart of Maureen Coughlin
The series spans five novels, each a chapter in Maureen’s evolution. The Devil She Knows sets the stage, with Maureen fleeing her troubled past after witnessing a crime. In The Devil in Her Way (2013), she’s a rookie cop in New Orleans, grappling with street violence and her own impulsiveness while chasing a mysterious criminal. Doing the Devil’s Work (2015) deepens her struggle, as a corpse discovery and a botched traffic stop expose her to the NOPD’s dysfunction. Let the Devil Out (2016) finds her on suspension, wrestling with vigilante urges, while The Devil’s Muse (2017) throws her into the chaos of her first Mardi Gras, battling crime amid revelry.
Loehfelm’s storytelling shines through themes of corruption, redemption, and identity. Maureen isn’t a flawless hero—she’s flawed, temperamental, and haunted by trauma, making her relatable and compelling. New Orleans itself is a character, its jazz-soaked bars, dilapidated neighborhoods, and post-Katrina scars vividly rendered. The series’ gritty realism, lyrical prose, and focus on Maureen’s inner growth set it apart, earning praise for its nuanced take on crime fiction.
Why Maureen Coughlin Resonates
The Maureen Coughlin series has carved a niche in crime fiction for its authentic portrayal of a female cop navigating a male-dominated world. Fans and critics, including Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews, laud Loehfelm’s ability to blend atmospheric storytelling with a protagonist who’s equal parts tough and vulnerable. Maureen’s journey resonates with readers who crave complex characters and stories that don’t shy away from moral ambiguity. The series’ love letter to New Orleans also draws readers to its unique setting, making it a must-read for fans of place-driven narratives.
Though not as widely known as some genre giants, the series’ critical acclaim and devoted fanbase highlight its lasting impact. It’s a testament to Loehfelm’s skill that Maureen feels like a real person, one you’d want to share a gumbo with at a French Quarter diner.
- Publication Years: 2011–2017
- Number of Books: 5
- Notable Award: Let the Devil Out named a Boston Globe Best Book of 2016
- Setting: Post-Katrina New Orleans
Grab The Devil She Knows and dive into Maureen Coughlin’s thrilling, heart-pounding world of crime and redemption!