Step into the spicy, suspenseful world of Tubby Dubonnet, where New Orleans’ vibrant streets serve up legal thrills with a side of shrimp po’boys! Tony Dunbar’s Tubby Dubonnet series is a delicious blend of hard-boiled mystery, witty humor, and Crescent City charm. Centered on a laid-back lawyer with a knack for trouble, these novels capture the soul of New Orleans while unraveling intricate crimes.
Tubby Dubonnet, a maverick attorney with a love for Old Fashioneds and off-track betting, navigates ethical dilemmas and dangerous cases with a grin. Whether dodging mobsters or savoring local cuisine, Tubby’s adventures are as flavorful as the city itself. Perfect for fans of legal thrillers with a humorous twist, this series is a love letter to New Orleans’ gritty, colorful spirit.
How Tubby Dubonnet Began
Tony Dunbar, a New Orleans attorney and civil rights advocate, created Tubby Dubonnet in 1994 with Crooked Man. Drawing on his legal practice and deep connection to the city, Dunbar crafted a protagonist who mirrors his own profession but dives into darker, more thrilling escapades. Inspired by noir masters like Dashiell Hammett and the vibrant chaos of New Orleans, Dunbar set out to write mysteries that pulse with local flavor and sly humor. His experiences, including the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, shaped the series’ gritty authenticity.
The Heart of Tubby Dubonnet
The series kicks off with Crooked Man, where Tubby takes on a client smuggling marijuana, only to get tangled in a million-dollar cash grab and a murder. City of Beads dives into the mysticism of Mardi Gras, with Tubby unraveling a casino scam amid parades and chaos. Trick Question sees him defending a janitor accused of a grisly crime in a medical lab, blending courtroom drama with suspense. Tubby Meets Katrina, a standout, throws Tubby into the lawless aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, protecting his daughter from a psychopath while rebuilding his city.
Recurring themes include corruption, loyalty, and the clash between personal ethics and New Orleans’ seedy underbelly. Dunbar’s vivid prose paints the city as a character—its music, menace, and mouth-watering cuisine (think crab étouffée) leap off the page. The series’ style is witty yet hard-boiled, balancing laugh-out-loud moments with noirish tension. Tubby’s eclectic clients, from transvestite entertainers to Mardi Gras float drivers, add quirky charm to each case.
Why Tubby Dubonnet Resonates
TheTubby Dubonnet series has earned Edgar and Anthony Award nominations for its clever plotting and authentic portrayal of New Orleans. Fans praise its ability to transport them to the French Quarter, where danger and humor collide. Dunbar’s insider perspective, especially in depicting post-Katrina struggles, lends emotional depth, making the series a cultural touchstone for mystery lovers. Its niche appeal lies in its unapologetic celebration of the Big Easy’s quirks, resonating with readers craving offbeat legal thrillers.
The series’ lasting charm is its blend of heart and grit. Tubby, a flawed yet decent everyman, fights for justice while juggling family drama and a love for life’s pleasures. This relatability, paired with Dunbar’s masterful storytelling, keeps readers hooked across ten books and counting.
- First Book: Crooked Man (1994)
- Number of Books: 10
- Awards: Nominated for Edgar and Anthony Awards
- Setting: New Orleans, Louisiana
Grab Crooked Man and dive into Tubby Dubonnet’s world of legal thrills, where every case comes with a dash of New Orleans magic!