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A review by mhinnen
Do What Godmother Says by L.S. Stratton
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
This was a chilling book with half of the story told in current day by Sharice, an unreliable narrator who suffers from paranoia. She inherits a painting that was given to her great grandmother. In researching the artist, begins down a deadly road of mystery, romance, and murder, wrapped up in superstition and the occult. What is real? What is imagined? Is the artist herself reliable?
The book explores the story of the artist, Essie, in a dual timeline. Her story takes place during the Harlem Renaissance, a black artist whose white patron, Maude, is known as “Godmother.” In the author’s note, we learn that “Godmother” is loosely based on a real person who tried to access and control “primitive spirituality” by supporting Black and Native American artists during the Harlem Renaissance.
“Do What Grandmother Says” is creepy and disturbing. I couldn’t put it down. I loved the determination of the protagonists. Stratton does a great job pulling together past and present, incorporating the role of the ancestors, and drawing parallels between evil legacies and generational trauma. Parts of the book were predictable if you pay attention to the clues but overall the twists and turns were quite a ride with a satisfying ending.
I appreciate the ARC from Netgalley.
The book explores the story of the artist, Essie, in a dual timeline. Her story takes place during the Harlem Renaissance, a black artist whose white patron, Maude, is known as “Godmother.” In the author’s note, we learn that “Godmother” is loosely based on a real person who tried to access and control “primitive spirituality” by supporting Black and Native American artists during the Harlem Renaissance.
“Do What Grandmother Says” is creepy and disturbing. I couldn’t put it down. I loved the determination of the protagonists. Stratton does a great job pulling together past and present, incorporating the role of the ancestors, and drawing parallels between evil legacies and generational trauma. Parts of the book were predictable if you pay attention to the clues but overall the twists and turns were quite a ride with a satisfying ending.
I appreciate the ARC from Netgalley.