Michael A. Ross to present his book on a notorious New Orleans kidnapping case July 22

Historian and author Michael A. Ross will present a lecture on his excellent book The Great New Orleans Kidnapping Case: Race, Law, and Justice in the Reconstruction Era, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, at the Historic New Orleans Collection (533 Royal St.).

Ross, who enthralled the audience at last spring’s Tennessee Williams Festival, will break down details involved in a kidnapping case that transfixed the nation in Reconstruction-era New Orleans. The case, writes Jennifer Schuessler for the New York Times, included “psychic consultations, a shadowy ‘House of Secret Obstetrics’ and the derring-do of a crack Afro-Creole police detective versed in the latest ‘French’ techniques—seemingly the first black detective in the United States to take part in a case that received national attention.”

Ross will sit for a Q&A and sign books after his lecture. This event is free and open to the public.