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jadapnj's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A historical fiction inspired by Sherlock. 3.5 stars
This historical mystery novel centers on Annalee, a Black professor turned unofficial detective on a quest to unlock the secrets and deception behind her fathers untimely demise. With a young white orphan in tow, Annalee navigates 1920's Denver Colorado's well-to-do community, the spirit of her faith, and the KKK.
This was a fun story that did not hold back on unveiling some unglamorous topics, but in doing so, maintained a softness to it that kept the story from dipping into the "gruesomeness" that you see on the thriller side the sub-genre. This book is recommended for historical mystery buffs, that want to delve into a story about race, identity, and faith OUTSIDE of the South or the North East.
This historical mystery novel centers on Annalee, a Black professor turned unofficial detective on a quest to unlock the secrets and deception behind her fathers untimely demise. With a young white orphan in tow, Annalee navigates 1920's Denver Colorado's well-to-do community, the spirit of her faith, and the KKK.
This was a fun story that did not hold back on unveiling some unglamorous topics, but in doing so, maintained a softness to it that kept the story from dipping into the "gruesomeness" that you see on the thriller side the sub-genre. This book is recommended for historical mystery buffs, that want to delve into a story about race, identity, and faith OUTSIDE of the South or the North East.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
It seems that I'm rediscovering my old favorites. My love for well written Christian fiction. My love for detectives. My love for historical fiction. When I saw this book on Netgalley I was intrigued right away and knew I had to request it. Not only because it's a Christian Historical Detective, more because the book seemed to have a unique setting. As a white European girl it felt like a piece of history I had to learn more about.
This book gives a great impression of the time period. It's not pretty, it's downright scary and really sickening, but Raybon really manages to make me feel that fear, to make me feel how messed up this view on the world is, to make me wonder how people can be like this, even though I know very well that there are still people like this. The book also showed how far spread these ideas were and how much influence these people managed to get.
The atmosphere works so well, because our leading lady, Annalee, is an amazing character. She is determined, she's willing to fight for things, she dares to take risks, but she's also vulnerable at times. She doesn't always know exactly what she's doing, she's doubting herself and wondering why she's doing all this, sometimes she pulls people into situations far from safe. Her anger, her fear, her sadness are however so relatable, that it's not hard to understand why she does all this.
And while we're learning a lot about the dangers of that time (and this time) and while we're experiencing the world through the eyes of a bright black woman, we're also discovering everything that's going on beyond the surface. Not everything is linked to the case, the murder of her father, but it's quite clear that this is a town filled with secrets, dirty laundry and things people wanna keep buried. I will certainly check out the next books in the series when they release!
This book gives a great impression of the time period. It's not pretty, it's downright scary and really sickening, but Raybon really manages to make me feel that fear, to make me feel how messed up this view on the world is, to make me wonder how people can be like this, even though I know very well that there are still people like this. The book also showed how far spread these ideas were and how much influence these people managed to get.
The atmosphere works so well, because our leading lady, Annalee, is an amazing character. She is determined, she's willing to fight for things, she dares to take risks, but she's also vulnerable at times. She doesn't always know exactly what she's doing, she's doubting herself and wondering why she's doing all this, sometimes she pulls people into situations far from safe. Her anger, her fear, her sadness are however so relatable, that it's not hard to understand why she does all this.
And while we're learning a lot about the dangers of that time (and this time) and while we're experiencing the world through the eyes of a bright black woman, we're also discovering everything that's going on beyond the surface. Not everything is linked to the case, the murder of her father, but it's quite clear that this is a town filled with secrets, dirty laundry and things people wanna keep buried. I will certainly check out the next books in the series when they release!
elothwen's review against another edition
DNF @ 20%... I skimmed ahead and I can tell I won't like this one any more at all. It had all the details I like—1920s, mystery, set in Denver—but the insane stream of consciousness writing was just way too much for me. It was like someone was telling me this story secondhand and forgot 40% of the details.
libwinnie's review against another edition
3.0
Things I appreciated about this book: Denver history and locations, especially from the viewpoint of a woman of color, and the story was quite compelling. Things that were not my cup of tea: the writing was a bit clunky, Cheesman Park was misspelled Chessman at least twice that I noticed and there was more focus on religion than I care for.
rmarcin's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first book in a new mystery series set in the 1920s featuring Annalee Spain, a young Black professor at a Bible College, who resigns her position to investigate her father's murder. He was thrown from a train traveling from Denver to Chicago to visit her. The day before, he had found a dead baby on the ranch where he worked. Annalee travels to Denver to seek answers. She is accompanied by a young white boy who is searching for his father.
When they arrive, they are met with danger. A pastor, Jack, tries to help them. What they find is a corrupt town run by the KKK, dirty money, and secrets.
A good look at life in the 1920s, where racial tensions and corrupt money ruled the day.
When they arrive, they are met with danger. A pastor, Jack, tries to help them. What they find is a corrupt town run by the KKK, dirty money, and secrets.
A good look at life in the 1920s, where racial tensions and corrupt money ruled the day.
stefgibmc's review against another edition
2.0
My husband gifted me a signed copy of this book and I was excited to jump in. As a Colorado native, I appreciated many of the historical elements. This isn’t a historical mystery though, it’s a romance novel with unnecessary and improbable mystery elements sprinkled though out. The real story is that our MC, who didn’t pray or believe in love, begins to pray again and finds love. She’s a decent eves-dropper too. But really, nothing felt fluid and it was difficult to immerse myself.
heydebigale's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
CW: murder, abandonment and death of a baby, racism, gun violence, racial slurs
This historical mystery is set in 1920s Denver, CO and centers on a Black theology professor, Annalee Spain, who is investigating the mysterious murder of her father.
The historical backdrop is FASCINATING and I want to read more books set during this time. The book is primarily set in the the Five Points neighborhood, which was a Black neighborhood that boomed during the jazz age & was nicknamed the Harlem of the West.
The five points landmark hotel The Rossonian was host to Black jazz musicians who were rejected lodging in downtown Denver such as Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington
There is a huge resurgence of the KKK in Denver during the 1920s and the KKK had infiltrated the entire political landscape in Colorado.
The mystery in this book was super interesting. I really liked that Annalee was a big fan of mystery books but she herself wasn’t amazing at deductive reasoning and relied on folks around her to solve the mystery.
I will definitely read more books by this author!
Also, I did a mix of audio on hoopla and a print copy and the audio was well-done.
Notes: takes place in Denver Colorado. Annalee is a Black woman.
This historical mystery is set in 1920s Denver, CO and centers on a Black theology professor, Annalee Spain, who is investigating the mysterious murder of her father.
The historical backdrop is FASCINATING and I want to read more books set during this time. The book is primarily set in the the Five Points neighborhood, which was a Black neighborhood that boomed during the jazz age & was nicknamed the Harlem of the West.
The five points landmark hotel The Rossonian was host to Black jazz musicians who were rejected lodging in downtown Denver such as Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington
There is a huge resurgence of the KKK in Denver during the 1920s and the KKK had infiltrated the entire political landscape in Colorado.
The mystery in this book was super interesting. I really liked that Annalee was a big fan of mystery books but she herself wasn’t amazing at deductive reasoning and relied on folks around her to solve the mystery.
I will definitely read more books by this author!
Also, I did a mix of audio on hoopla and a print copy and the audio was well-done.
Notes: takes place in Denver Colorado. Annalee is a Black woman.
gtgirl1's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75