In a city that takes on a life of its own, Wilder gives breathe to an edge-of-your seat tale full of plot twists, mystery, intricate characters, and romance in his novel City of Spirits.  Set in New Orleans during the infamous Mardi Gras, Wilder captures the uniqueness and the spirit of a city that has a rich and diverse culture in a way that makes readers feel as if they are actually there eating some gumbo and drinking a Dixie.  Through Wilder’s writing, the city comes alive for the reader in a way that few authors can achieve. 

While describing a city that is by no means perfect, yet better off for it, Wilder introduces the reader to an eclectic cast of characters, each with their own flaws and story lines.  Mixed with voodoo, mysticism, murder and a good ole curse or two, the reader follows each character on their journey as they navigate the mysteries that unfold.  Whether following Wyatt Thomas, the French quarter sleuth, as he strikes out to find the truth and fall madly in love, or N.O.P.D officer Tony, as he struggles through a personal crisis of his own as he chases a killer, there are times when you want to cheer for the characters and others where you wish they would get their act together.  The book’s ending, one that I would never have guessed, does a good job of closing this chapter but leaves many of the characters’ storylines unresolved, which leaves the reader wanting more.

Woven into the storyline are several real life topics, including the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, alcoholism, and the deep racism that can still be found in the South today.  It brings a deeper meaning to the text and makes it all the more honest for the reader.

As for the writing, there are several different story lines woven into this novel, yet Wilder does a great job of sealing them all together in the end.  There is truly a lot going on in the novel, with many characters and twists and turns, which forces the reader to be active in the story as they follow the ups and downs.  I found myself taking time with this book to keep up with the details, and I must admit I actually enjoyed the read better for that fact.  It’s a book that drags you in and makes you become emotionally and mentally invested in the city and in the characters.