LAFITTE LIVES
by Christi Sumich
March 23 – May 1, 2026 Virtual Book Tour
Synopsis:
Secrets can’t stay buried forever—but maybe some should.
In bustling, multicultural 1831 New Orleans, Tobias Whitney, the sexton of St. Louis Cemetery No. 2, uncovers a journal sealed inside the tomb of Dominique You—war hero of the Battle of New Orleans, privateer, and half-brother of the notorious pirate Jean Lafitte. Convinced that the journal holds the key to Lafitte’s lost treasure, Tobias turns to his sharp-witted and outspoken wife, Mary Catherine, to translate its cryptic French passages.
Tobias and Mary Catherine discover secrets they could not have imagined—secrets that could change their lives forever. But is it really the truth? As the journal warns, Never trust a pirate!
Lafitte Lives blends meticulous historical research with a page-turning mystery, bringing the legend of Jean Lafitte to life while telling the redemptive story of Tobias’s grief and Mary Catherine’s quest to help him overcome it.
Praise for Lafitte Lives:
“Lafitte Lives is an incredible, unforgettable adventure from start to finish. Christi Keating Sumich brings history and mystery vividly to life in this expertly crafted novel. A true treasure for any reader.”
~ Nicole Beauchamp, author of Haunted French Quarter Hotels
“In August 1831, Tobias Whitney, Sexton—caretaker—of St. Louis Cemetery No. 2 in New Orleans, makes a startling discovery. Hidden in a hollow space in a mausoleum is the diary of Dominique You—half-brother of Jean Lafitte. The diary offers a first-hand account of Lafitte’s life after his reported death in 1823. As the title implies, Lafitte Lives. Find a comfortable seat, grab your favorite beverage, and let your imagination loose as Christi Keating Sumich delivers an engaging tale of the infamous pirate and patriot who may—or may not—have faded into the swamps and bayous of south Louisiana.”
~ Michael Rigg, Author of the New Orleans-based medicolegal thriller, Voices of the Elysian Fields
“Lafitte Lives is a ripping good pirate yarn surrounded by a touching story of family heartbreak and healing, all wrapped up in a tantalizing mystery. Steeped in rich period detail, it’s a tale filled with secrets and surprises readers won’t see coming. After all, never trust a pirate!”
~ J.R. Sanders, author of the Shamus Award winning Nate Ross series
Book Details:
Genre: Historical Mystery
Published by: Level Best Books
Publication Date: February 24, 2026
Number of Pages: 320
Author Bio:
Christi Keating Sumich holds a PhD in history from Tulane University and a master’s degree in English. Her research field is seventeenth-century disease and healing.
Christi’s writing combines her fascination with history with her love of the mystery genre. Her debut novel, Lafitte Lives (Level Best Books, February 2026), is a historical mystery centered on her ancestor, the notorious pirate Jean Lafitte. She is also the author of the Old New Orleans Bookshop Series, mysteries featuring characters from Lafitte Lives. The Swamp Ghost is the first book in the series (Level Best Books, September 2026).
Christi is also part of a writing team with her mother, Sharon Keating. They are the co-authors of Hauntingly Good Spirits: New Orleans Cocktails to Die For (Wellfleet Press, 2024) and The Brandy Milk Punch (Louisiana State University Press, 2025), part of the Iconic New Orleans Cocktail Series.
Catch Up With Christi Sumich:
ChristiSumich.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub
Instagram – @casumich
Facebook – @christi.keating.sumich.author
Tour Participants:
Tour Host Info:
Book Formats: ePub, Print
Hosting Options: Review, Interview, Guest Post, Showcase
Giveaway: There will be a tour-wide PICT Giveaway
More: According to the author LAFITTE LIVES is considered to be PG-level content or less. Readers may still encounter potentially sensitive material. If you have specific trigger or content concerns, please contact Partners in Crime Tours directly for more detailed information.
