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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Having bounced a check when her employer stiffs her, Blanche is sentenced to 30 days, but goes on the lam instead, ending up a domestic servant to a family of faded Southern gentry where all is not as it seems. A great mystery/thriller refracted through the prisms of race, class and the love of money. I'll be reading the rest of the series, if I can find them in print.
Neely's attention to detail drew me into the narrative. I, too, had a run in with the law and remember a cross roads moment about whether I run or not; I cleaned houses in order to get my foot in the door to do other work like maintenance, carpentry, painting. Neely's prose and imagery is a delightful exercise in mindfulness by someone who makes the time to observe, and not just one thing at a time. I kept saying to myself, "WHY has this not made into a film?" Then, the climax of action stormed in and I nodded, "yeah, white cinema has not been ready for this." The intersectionality was refreshing and revealing. WRITE says bell hooks, women need to write and this is a clear example of why and what it brings to us. I had guessed the first issue of intrigue but none of the rest! The ending was just as a cross roads moment as the beginning! Fun an authentic listening to it being told by a mature voice, it felt so first person, very real. Storytelling with a storyteller included. Fiction helping us see how a woman with some cards stacked against her makes her life unfold in a most courageous interesting manner. Not so far from the truth.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Pretty easy to figure out. Not a lot of characters to pick from. But I did jump around on who I thought it was
Love Blanche and the use of smarts and language. Similar to James
1st in series
Love Blanche and the use of smarts and language. Similar to James
1st in series
Fun read that still manages to be powerfully political. The ending was wrapped up a bit neatly but that was fine. I like Blanche a lot. She’s quirky and very well aware of the world around her. I think I might read some more of the series!
Well that was a fascinating read. A murder mystery but told from the point of view of a Black housekeeper on the run. What a great combination of storytelling elements.
There are twists and turns and you will not see that third act coming.
What I really liked about Neely’s writing is that she does not hold back in describing Blanche’s indignation about the plight of Black people in America. Blanche is rightfully incensed and all of her musings make perfect sense. And they elevate this book from being just another murder mystery.
I think structurally the first act of the book needed to lean into the urgency of Blanche’s situation. But instead there is a calmness that doesn’t fit the terror that she must obviously have been feeling.
What a gripping and unique read. Glad there’s a few more titles in this series.
There are twists and turns and you will not see that third act coming.
What I really liked about Neely’s writing is that she does not hold back in describing Blanche’s indignation about the plight of Black people in America. Blanche is rightfully incensed and all of her musings make perfect sense. And they elevate this book from being just another murder mystery.
I think structurally the first act of the book needed to lean into the urgency of Blanche’s situation. But instead there is a calmness that doesn’t fit the terror that she must obviously have been feeling.
What a gripping and unique read. Glad there’s a few more titles in this series.
I really love Blanche. She's smart, self-aware, and a little crusty. Neely does a really nice job of bringing up some of the social justice issues that Blanche would face without compromising the character's strength.
I loved the sharp writing and the cast of characters in this book. Very immersive!
I first read this as an undergrad in the class, Women and Gender in Detective Fiction (or something like that). I decided to revisit it recently and Barbara Neely did not disappoint. This is an entertaining and thought provoking novel with lots of social commentary. Written in 1997, the issues Blanche face are as relevant today.
The story is super predictable, but Blanche is a treasure. Looking forward to reading the rest.