Scan barcode
shelleyanderson4127's review
3.0
Harlem, 1920s. Black society reporter Lanie Price investigates the double murder of a popular photographer and a talented Cotton Club dancer. The police have jailed the photographer's jealous wife as the murderer, but Lanie has her doubts.
This is a very competently put together mystery, with an interesting setting and an exciting ending. There are two previous Lanie Price novels, and another about a 1920s Harlem lawyer. A fast, easy read and an enjoyable one.
This is a very competently put together mystery, with an interesting setting and an exciting ending. There are two previous Lanie Price novels, and another about a 1920s Harlem lawyer. A fast, easy read and an enjoyable one.
mgr_classy's review
4.0
Lanie Price is a “colored” female society reporter during the 1920’s. She she is called to the murder scene of Andrew King, a well liked photographer and Brandy Sullivan, a beautiful dancer. When she arrives, the wife of the deceased photographer is heard crying “I’m so sorry baby. Please, forgive me. Please” which immediately sounds like a confession, but Lanie feels differently after visiting Mama King. This murder is personal to Lanie because she knew Andrew and she was totally vested in helping to find the truth.
I found myself intrigued with the nostalgia of the 1920’s, and the roles of colored people during this period. Walker writes Lanie as a strong character who knows her stuff and backs down to no one. Although she is a society reporter, she is an amateur sleuth at heart. Lanie goes that extra mile in this story not because Andrew is someone she knows, but because she has seen how the colored community has been treated and how crimes rushed to be solved with delving into all possible suspects and motives.
The pacing of the good was easy and not rushed. Walker takes her time developing the atmosphere and world of Harlem Renaissance. Ms. Walker also does a good job giving us insight into the personalities of the main characters and glimpses of the secondary characters without taking away from the plot. This kept me guessing who could have possibly killed Andrew and Brandy up until some key elements were revealed.
I loved the relationship Lanie had in her community and with Detective a John Blackie. I look forward to reading another book in the Lanie Price series.
I found myself intrigued with the nostalgia of the 1920’s, and the roles of colored people during this period. Walker writes Lanie as a strong character who knows her stuff and backs down to no one. Although she is a society reporter, she is an amateur sleuth at heart. Lanie goes that extra mile in this story not because Andrew is someone she knows, but because she has seen how the colored community has been treated and how crimes rushed to be solved with delving into all possible suspects and motives.
The pacing of the good was easy and not rushed. Walker takes her time developing the atmosphere and world of Harlem Renaissance. Ms. Walker also does a good job giving us insight into the personalities of the main characters and glimpses of the secondary characters without taking away from the plot. This kept me guessing who could have possibly killed Andrew and Brandy up until some key elements were revealed.
I loved the relationship Lanie had in her community and with Detective a John Blackie. I look forward to reading another book in the Lanie Price series.
More...