A unique story The copy that I have of this book, is a pre-owned used copy but it's in relatively good condition, since it was very cheap and I was lucky to find a copy of it.
This book is inspired and loosely based on the graphic novel The Crow by James O'Barr.
I haven't read any books by this author before but I was pleasantly surprised, I really like the way the book was written the characters and the plot of the book.
I really liked the graphic detail that described what it would be like to be dead but then brought back to life for a particular purpose.
There were also references to authors and a particular style of music and goth characters in the book that I appreciated.
This book is about twin brother and sister Benjamin and Lucrese Dubois and their relationship with the main character Jared Poe who is an S&M photographer. There is a serial killer on the hunt in New Orleans where the boom is based and his victims are transgender or transsexual people that are male and female.
He believes that they are an abomination and should be wiped off the face of the earth (I don't share this belief and I don't hate or discriminate anyone just for their sexuality)
Jordan the Ripper slayer of New Orleans, likes to do experiments on his victims and then murders them once he is finished.
However, on one particular evening Jared wakes up to find Benjamin has been murdered and he is covered in his blood, Benjamin was slaughtered and the only suspect is Jared, eventually he pays for this crime with his life. While the murders are occurring detective Frank Gray is investigating the case and following the crimes until it leads him to the real murderer Jordan.This is a short book, and you could read it in one day, I really enjoyed reading this book, I like the pace of the plot and characters were interesting and it was well written.
I liked how the focus shifts between the characters in the book and how they are all intertwined and eventually all the loose ends are tied and you reach the conclusion.
If you liked The Crow graphic novel by James O'Barr then you'll like this book as well.
This is the first crow novel based on James O'Barr's work that I have read but it was really good. ( )

Although it's one of "The Crow" series, Poppy Z Brite's own voice, language and style really come through in the novel, taking just the essential idea of the crow books. A nice addition to the early horror influenced works from Poppy, but perhaps not as strong as some of the others. ( )

he Eternal One At our human limits, when we've gone asfor as flesh and imagination can take us, wemeet the Eternal One. The Crow. Immemorially old, and inconsolable, he is there only for those who seek both revengeand love, and are willing to go alI theway--and beyond. The Lazarus Heart Five, four, three, two ... Jared Poe counts thedays on Louisiana's Death Row. The controversialS&M photographer has been condemned to diefor killing his lover. He doesn't know who did it.Only that he didn't. Can he clear his name and find the realkiller in time? No. For this is no ordinary thriller. We are in thedark realm of The Crow, and Jared must feel thecold shudder of Death; must hear the beating ofblack wings; must prowl the shadowy gothnetherworld of New Orleans, to prove he was nokiller when he died. And find out what kind of killer he has become.

This book is a great example of what I miss about Poppy's old writings. I love this book, finished in one sitting and immediately wanted more. ( )

Poppy Z. Brite’s inspiration for her novel, The Crow: Lazarus Heart, was James O’Barr’s graphic novel, The Crow. However, the only real similarity is the story’s premise. With her unique style Brite takes the story in a whole new direction. Jared Poe is accused of murdering his lover Benjamin DuBois and sentenced to death. As in O’Barr’s graphic novel Jared is resurrected by a crow to hunt down Benny’s true killer and exact his revenge. Though I did like this novel and I was extremely excited to read it I don’t think it is up to Brite’s usual level of greatness. I enjoyed reading The Crow: Lazarus Heart but, as was said in a previous comment, Brite seems to do a much better job when she uses her own story lines. I was expecting the novel to be dark and bloody—which it was—but it felt very rushed and a bit jumbled. I did love that fact that Brite added her own distinct style and her usual homosexual twist. I would recommend this book to Poppy Z. Brite fans! ( )