Scan barcode
suzemo's review against another edition
3.0
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads, and I am very happy that I did. I nearly always enjoy the chance to read a book that I don't think I would have normally picked up.
This book was a complete joy to read. The story is engaging, the storytelling is smooth and wonderfully well paced. The book follows Lanie Price, a society column writer, and her journey through a mystery that begins with the kidnapping of a local singer in 1920's Harlem. Ms Price uses fantastic detailing (although not so many descriptions/details that it becomes overbearing) of the time period to entice your mind into the era so that you feel you are there within the story. The mystery has a few twists, as any good mystery should, but some twists are definitely unexpected and all are gratifying - never cheap. Although it does cover some dark subject matter, the story manages to use these dark elements well so even when the plot is shocking it is satisfying at the same time.
I really look forward to more Lanie Price stories, and I enjoyed this book enough to buy the first Lanie Price book [b:Darkness and the Devil Behind Me|2334042|Darkness and the Devil Behind Me|Persia Walker|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266739532s/2334042.jpg|2340617].
This book was a complete joy to read. The story is engaging, the storytelling is smooth and wonderfully well paced. The book follows Lanie Price, a society column writer, and her journey through a mystery that begins with the kidnapping of a local singer in 1920's Harlem. Ms Price uses fantastic detailing (although not so many descriptions/details that it becomes overbearing) of the time period to entice your mind into the era so that you feel you are there within the story. The mystery has a few twists, as any good mystery should, but some twists are definitely unexpected and all are gratifying - never cheap. Although it does cover some dark subject matter, the story manages to use these dark elements well so even when the plot is shocking it is satisfying at the same time.
I really look forward to more Lanie Price stories, and I enjoyed this book enough to buy the first Lanie Price book [b:Darkness and the Devil Behind Me|2334042|Darkness and the Devil Behind Me|Persia Walker|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266739532s/2334042.jpg|2340617].
mellabella's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Black Orchid Blues. Set in Harlem during the Renaissance, there were a few plot twists and a lot of referencing names of great Black singers, actors, activists, and authors that were alive during the time.
brooke_city's review against another edition
Read via audiobook.
It started off a very strong 4 for me. I love the Harlem Renaissance time period, which is why I selected it. The queer characters were a bonus.
I wasn't expecting the plot twist, but thought, okay let's see where this goes. Unfortunately, that's where it dropped a star for me. The subject matter, while a very interesting topic, seemed to be handled messily. Or maybe that was the point? Life is messy?
By the time I got to the end, I was just glad it was over. Perhaps this just wasn't the book for me.
3 stars for the historical references though!
It started off a very strong 4 for me. I love the Harlem Renaissance time period, which is why I selected it. The queer characters were a bonus.
I wasn't expecting the plot twist, but thought, okay let's see where this goes. Unfortunately, that's where it dropped a star for me. The subject matter, while a very interesting topic, seemed to be handled messily. Or maybe that was the point? Life is messy?
By the time I got to the end, I was just glad it was over. Perhaps this just wasn't the book for me.
3 stars for the historical references though!
locpressedbooks_'s review against another edition
4.0
Okay, so Black Orchid Blues is definitely not the mystery that I thought it was going to be. And in saying that I can hardly give you a detailed synopsis without giving too much away, but I'll try. In this story we met the very famous Lanie Price a crime reporter for the Harlem Tribune who is out for the night at the local hip nightclub where the even more famous and desired Queenie Lovetree aka the Black Orchid is preforming. While out getting a one and one interview with the famous Black Orchid a masked man comes into the nightclub, tommy gun blasting kidnapping the Black Orchid and leaving several bodies in his wake. Now being a crime reporter, this is just what Lanie Price has been waiting for ever since she changed from crime to society, but little does she know she's being dragged into this kidnapping way more than she should have been. And the mystery continues from there. Now the past of the Black Orchid is being investigated and her involvement in the kidnapping is now involving the most notorious gangster in town Stax Murphy. Can she save her friend without getting killed in the process? Will she be able to get the truth to the papers? I guess you have to read it to find out.
I liked meeting Lanie Price. She's a widow who's husband died of a heart attack, living by herself in the house that they brought. She's strong willed and courageous, always digging for the truth. Even if that puts her life in danger. There's a small romance in the book, which doesn't get in the way of the story, but it helps us see our heroine as a human, if that makes sense.
What I liked about this mystery is the fact that it is definitely the first that has some serious LGBT main characters, LGBT themes (famous parties and such) and LGBT 1920s culture. I was happy to see that cause I don't think I've ever read a book that has had these elements in so strongly. There were moments where I thought the wrong pronoun was being used, but I thought that was just the main characters ignorance but when they weren't corrected I thought that might be seen as problematic. Other than that I thought the mystery has some intrigue and depth. Another thing that I really liked about this book was the history of the places talked about. Names clearly associated with the 1920s like the Cotton Club, Madame CJ Walker, Langston Hughes, Claud McKay and so forth were not so named dropped but used in a way that it was like a reporter recalling the backdrop of the stories they write.
Overall I thought it was a very fast pace mystery at about the 1/2 way mark. It was kinda slow to start, like it was just getting all the pieces together, but after that... it gets going. The way this mystery twists and turns in the end was so crazy! I really enjoyed it. A great 4 star book. Now I have got to read the other book in this series. I think it is best to just go onto this blind it adds to the greatness.
glassesgirl79's review against another edition
4.0
“Black Orchids Blues” is an interesting novel of 1920’s Harlem and revolves around reporter Lanie Price and the kidnapping of prominent nightclub singer Queenie Lovetree. Trigger warning: child sexual abuse discussed in graphic detail further in the book.
Lanie is a society reporter for the Harlem Chronicle newspaper and is surprised when Queenie approaches her to write a story about her. Although Lanie initially avoids Queenie, she eventually goes to see her perform at the Cinnamon Club. When Lanie witnesses the brutal kidnapping of Queenie from the Cinnamon Club, Lanie makes it her mission to find out who kidnapped her.
As the book progresses, Lanie search for Queenie’s kidnapper, she discovers a web of lies, abuse, and treachery. This book tackles issues of fame, loss, sexual orientation, self identity with sensitivity and dignity. By the end of the book, Lanie services the ordeal but is left shaken but wise.
This book was entertaining story that takes the reader deep into the public and private regions of 1920's New York. The author does a good job of creating an engaging story with memorable characters as well as unexpected plot twists. Overall, I enjoyed the author’s gift of vibrant storytelling technique. I absolutely loved this introduction into black noir and will seek out similar books in the future.
Lanie is a society reporter for the Harlem Chronicle newspaper and is surprised when Queenie approaches her to write a story about her. Although Lanie initially avoids Queenie, she eventually goes to see her perform at the Cinnamon Club. When Lanie witnesses the brutal kidnapping of Queenie from the Cinnamon Club, Lanie makes it her mission to find out who kidnapped her.
As the book progresses, Lanie search for Queenie’s kidnapper, she discovers a web of lies, abuse, and treachery. This book tackles issues of fame, loss, sexual orientation, self identity with sensitivity and dignity. By the end of the book, Lanie services the ordeal but is left shaken but wise.
This book was entertaining story that takes the reader deep into the public and private regions of 1920's New York. The author does a good job of creating an engaging story with memorable characters as well as unexpected plot twists. Overall, I enjoyed the author’s gift of vibrant storytelling technique. I absolutely loved this introduction into black noir and will seek out similar books in the future.
ckegoddess_'s review against another edition
Popsugar Challenge 2020 Prompt #45: A Book Set in the 1920s.
mochagirl's review against another edition
5.0
Having been a fan of Persia Walker since the debut of Harlem Redux, I waited quite a while for her second release which introduced the world to 1920s Harlem society columnist, Lanie Price, in Darkness and the Devil Behind Me. In her third novel, Black Orchid Blues, Lanie returns to visit the Cinnamon Club upon invitation from the infamous Black Orchid aka Queenie Lovetree, a statuesque drag queen and overnight sensation who has just recently appeared on the scene (seemingly out of nowhere) taking Harlem by storm. Unfortunately, after an outstanding performance, Lanie is forced at gunpoint to participate in the bloody kidnapping of Queenie; what is left in its wake is heartbreaking in that both her friends and innocent bystanders are left dead in what seemed like excessive use of force. Lanie, seeking answers to Queenie's whereabouts and justice for the victims, transforms from "gossip" columnist to investigative reporter much against her editor (who is also her lover) and police's protests. Thus at the onset in the quest for Queenie's true identity, readers should fasten their seat belts for a bumpy ride to the darker sides of Renaissance Harlem where the seedy underworld of hardened gangsters are glimpsed, dalliances at extravagant balls and private parties celebrating alternate (and very decadent) lifestyles unfold in vibrant and not-so-pretty colors, and the dirty secrets of high society are eventually revealed with a few ugly twists and turns.
Walkers's talents shine in in this genre - which is somewhat of a challenge to explain because it blends elements of historical fiction, mystery-suspense, and dare I say "chick lit" and it works well for the offering. She excels with well-rounded, highly intelligent, yet wonderfully wounded and vulnerable characters. Her research into the era's language, politics, and issues is on point. Her pacing is well timed and the plot sequences were well done and led to a satisfying, yet unexpected conclusion. I loved how the reader discovered clues and processed evidence along with Lanie in this sordid adventure. Normally, in similar stories, there is usually a nagging nit left undone or a poorly conceived clue thrown in to move the plot; however, the one coincidence in the story was minor enough for me to overlook. I enjoyed the novel and look forward to the next Lanie Price adventure.
Walkers's talents shine in in this genre - which is somewhat of a challenge to explain because it blends elements of historical fiction, mystery-suspense, and dare I say "chick lit" and it works well for the offering. She excels with well-rounded, highly intelligent, yet wonderfully wounded and vulnerable characters. Her research into the era's language, politics, and issues is on point. Her pacing is well timed and the plot sequences were well done and led to a satisfying, yet unexpected conclusion. I loved how the reader discovered clues and processed evidence along with Lanie in this sordid adventure. Normally, in similar stories, there is usually a nagging nit left undone or a poorly conceived clue thrown in to move the plot; however, the one coincidence in the story was minor enough for me to overlook. I enjoyed the novel and look forward to the next Lanie Price adventure.
arisbookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
I did not like that the author provided very little background on the characters, it's all about the mystery. I wanted to know more about Lanie Price's family; was she Harlem born-and-bred? Or did she move from the South? The North? How did she get the job she did? I had too many questions about the main character which is probably apt for a mystery novel but I didn't like it. To be fair, I just realized (while I was researching some info for this review) that this is the 2nd book in the Lanie Price Mystery series so perhaps if I had read the first book, Darkness and the Devil Behind Me I would not be so clueless about all the characters mentioned. The beginning held my attention and the ending was spectacular but the middle lagged and was the only thing that prevented me from finishing the book within a few days.
Black Orchid Blues is an excellent homage to the Harlem Renaissance and detective noir (not that I read a lot of them but I've seen a few of the films). While I was not able to connect to any of the characters, I was thoroughly engaged in the mystery. It is clear that the author loves this time period and I absolutely ADORE this time period as well so I really appreciated that. I was pleasantly surprised by how deep the author delved into Harlem society, especially GLBT Harlem society. People were out and proud during this time and Harlem accepted them, in fact one of the biggest events in the book is the Fa**ts Ball. A party where the GLBT and straight community mingle in outrageous costumes. Lanie Price has an attitude but she (and the author) really understand people."I'd worked as a crime reporter, interviewing victims and thugs, cops and dirty judges. Then I'd moved to society reporting, where I wrote about cotillions and teas, parties and premieres. It seemed like a different crowd, but the one constant was the mendacity. People lied. Sometimes for no apparent reason, they obfuscated ,omitted or outright obliterated the truth. And often the first sign of an intention to lie was an unsolicited promise to tell the truth" (pg.11). Lanie is able to probe enough to discover what makes people tick and she does this in the case of the kidnapper whose identity and story were so unexpected that I automatically loved the ending, although the background of the kidnapper was horrifically heartbreaking. This book was also surprisingly gruesome, simple warning to those who don't like much detail about violent deaths. I very much enjoyed this book with its fast-pace, wonderful attention to historical detail and lesser-known facts cleverly interwoven into the text. I am eager to read the first book in the series and even more eager for the next book.
Black Orchid Blues is an excellent homage to the Harlem Renaissance and detective noir (not that I read a lot of them but I've seen a few of the films). While I was not able to connect to any of the characters, I was thoroughly engaged in the mystery. It is clear that the author loves this time period and I absolutely ADORE this time period as well so I really appreciated that. I was pleasantly surprised by how deep the author delved into Harlem society, especially GLBT Harlem society. People were out and proud during this time and Harlem accepted them, in fact one of the biggest events in the book is the Fa**ts Ball. A party where the GLBT and straight community mingle in outrageous costumes. Lanie Price has an attitude but she (and the author) really understand people."I'd worked as a crime reporter, interviewing victims and thugs, cops and dirty judges. Then I'd moved to society reporting, where I wrote about cotillions and teas, parties and premieres. It seemed like a different crowd, but the one constant was the mendacity. People lied. Sometimes for no apparent reason, they obfuscated ,omitted or outright obliterated the truth. And often the first sign of an intention to lie was an unsolicited promise to tell the truth" (pg.11). Lanie is able to probe enough to discover what makes people tick and she does this in the case of the kidnapper whose identity and story were so unexpected that I automatically loved the ending, although the background of the kidnapper was horrifically heartbreaking. This book was also surprisingly gruesome, simple warning to those who don't like much detail about violent deaths. I very much enjoyed this book with its fast-pace, wonderful attention to historical detail and lesser-known facts cleverly interwoven into the text. I am eager to read the first book in the series and even more eager for the next book.
readingstewardess's review
4.0
Synopsis:
In 1920s New York, Lanie Price, the society columnist for Harlem, finds herself in the midst of an interview with the beautiful and mysterious singer, the Black Orchid, when a gunman enters the club shooting at innocent bystanders as he demands the Black Orchid go with him. Having witnessed the brutal kidnapping, Lanie is surprised when a ransom demand doesn't immediately surface.
As days pass by, Lanie finds herself brought further into the kidnapping as she attempts to help in tracking down the Black Orchid after having received a mysterious box meant for her well to do neighbors. What ensues is a race against the clock to solve the mystery and uncover all the secrets which surround the situation before Lanie is silenced for good.
Review
This was a book which had long been on my to read list. I'm so glad I finally picked it up for I was pleasantly surprised by the intriguing story Ms. Walker wrote. The book jacket description doesn't even begin to do this book justice, for as I found while reading, there was much more going on than just the story of a songbird being kidnapped. 1920s Harlem and gay society are brought to life through the vivid descriptions; but for me the moat intriguing aspect of the book was the psychological development of the characters and delving into the psyche of the Black Orchid and questioning just how much his upbringing truly affected him and his treatment from his family.
Fans of pyschological thrillers will more than likely enjoy this read as will mystery fans.
In 1920s New York, Lanie Price, the society columnist for Harlem, finds herself in the midst of an interview with the beautiful and mysterious singer, the Black Orchid, when a gunman enters the club shooting at innocent bystanders as he demands the Black Orchid go with him. Having witnessed the brutal kidnapping, Lanie is surprised when a ransom demand doesn't immediately surface.
As days pass by, Lanie finds herself brought further into the kidnapping as she attempts to help in tracking down the Black Orchid after having received a mysterious box meant for her well to do neighbors. What ensues is a race against the clock to solve the mystery and uncover all the secrets which surround the situation before Lanie is silenced for good.
Review
This was a book which had long been on my to read list. I'm so glad I finally picked it up for I was pleasantly surprised by the intriguing story Ms. Walker wrote. The book jacket description doesn't even begin to do this book justice, for as I found while reading, there was much more going on than just the story of a songbird being kidnapped. 1920s Harlem and gay society are brought to life through the vivid descriptions; but for me the moat intriguing aspect of the book was the psychological development of the characters and delving into the psyche of the Black Orchid and questioning just how much his upbringing truly affected him and his treatment from his family.
Fans of pyschological thrillers will more than likely enjoy this read as will mystery fans.
bigbooklife's review
4.0
In this latest installment of the Lanie Price series, a budding star is kidnapped in a crowded nightclub and Lanie is one of the main witnesses. As she begins to work the case, she soon learns that her involvement is not accidental. Black Orchid Blue has numerous twists and turns that you often don't see coming. Overall, it was a good read; worth checking out.