“I leapt eagerly into books. The characters’ lives were so much more interesting than the lonely heartbeat of my own.”

Josie Moraine is the daughter of a prostitute. She wants out of New Orleans. When a girl comes into the bookshop she starts to dream of going across the country to an elite college. A murder in the Quarter leads Josie further into the criminal underworld and into the investigation.

Out of the Easy was a riveting read. I had very high expectations and this did not fall short of them. I really loved Josie and her ambitions and determinations. She cares for her mother despite what her mother had done to her and how she treats her. She is determined to get out of New Orleans to escape to college, and that determination is admirable even if she doesn't believe she can get it. Cokie was a character which I really enjoyed and he seemed to be a sort of father figure to Josie and their relationship was lovely to read. I also enjoyed her friendship with Patrick and her relationship with Jesse. Willie was another favourite character. She seems to be cold hearted but she really did care for all those in her care and especially for Josie and she acted more of a mother to Josie than her own mother.

The book focused more on Josie and her development than on the mystery of the murder, but I didn't mind as I didn't make me enjoy Out of the Easy any less. If you are a fan of historical fiction, and a fan of Sepetys other book, Between Shades of Gray then I do highly suggest that you pick this one up.