JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
T.R. Heinan, author of L’immortalite: Madame Lalaurie and the Voodoo Queen
(Nonius LLC)

“L’immortalité: Madame Lalaurie and the Voodoo Queen” is based on the true story of the wealthy and powerful New Orleans socialite Delphine Lalaurie and the horrific treatment of her slaves. Set in the French Quarter’s early 19th century Creole community, “L’immortalité” begins when Philippe Bertrand, the sacristan at St. Louis Cathedra is drawn against his will to the Lalaurie Mansion. There he meets Delphine’s physician husband, Louis, and a young slave named Elise.

When a child slave dies under horrific circumstances, Elise escapes and runs to Philippe, who hides her at the bayou cabin of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau and teaches her to read. Things get complicated when Philippe tries to discover what really goes on at the mansion. During a gala Easter Week ball, the Lalaurie cook sets herself, and the mansion, on fire and Philippe discovers that the Lalauries have been conducting macabre medical experiments in the attic.

As Delphine, Louis Elise and Philippe each seek immortality in very different ways, their paths converge at the haunted mansion on Royal Street. Marie Laveau helps Philippe break the chains of his own grief and conflicted spirituality so that he can break the chains of the Lalaurie’s slaves. “L’immortalité” ends as the Voodoo Queen grants Madame Lalaurie’s wish a way she never expected.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “L’immortalite: Madame Lalaurie and the Voodoo Queen”?

T.R. Heinan: I was inspired to write “L’immortalité: Madame Lalaurie and the Voodoo Queen” when I took a walking “haunted tour” in the French Quarter Continue reading 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… T.R. Heinan, author of L’immortalite: Madame Lalaurie and the Voodoo Queen →