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9th out of 40 books
—
75 voters
Black Orchid Blues (The Lanie Price Mystery Novels)
by
Persia Walker (Goodreads Author)
"Walker's exuberant third Harlem Renaissance mystery [is a] dark, sexy novel."
-- Publishers Weekly
"[T]he tale is strengthened by plenty of period detail and a fine feel for both the gay underworld of Harlem in the 1920s and the sociopsychological dynamics of her characters. Best of all, [protagonist] Lanie has the makings of a strong series heroine. Walter Mosely fans, in...more
-- Publishers Weekly
"[T]he tale is strengthened by plenty of period detail and a fine feel for both the gay underworld of Harlem in the 1920s and the sociopsychological dynamics of her characters. Best of all, [protagonist] Lanie has the makings of a strong series heroine. Walter Mosely fans, in...more
Paperback, 320 pages
Published
March 22nd 2011
by Akashic Books
(first published February 9th 2011)
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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 (a...more
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 (a...more
I just purchased this novel yesterday because a friend referred it. Am reading it on my PC -- this is a first for me, I usually prefer a book in my hand. But I must keep up with the times. Looking forward to getting into the story. The friend who referred it is a book reviewer so I trust her opinion when she says a book is a good.
I'm sooo sorry that I bought this book from eBook Kindle to be read on my computer. (I don't have an eReader, a new computer comes first, when I get the money). I have...more
I'm sooo sorry that I bought this book from eBook Kindle to be read on my computer. (I don't have an eReader, a new computer comes first, when I get the money). I have...more
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I must admit that the cover was a total turn off. It reeked of go-girl crossover fiction. Nevertheless, I read the jacket and am a total sucker for historical fiction. The story started off slow - yet pretty good with little cussing - another turn of mine - call me a prude - no problem -- I own it! I believe it was around page 60-70 something - where it clicked. A fast-paced drama - with all the right - whodunit - and chocolate love story in the midst of 1920s Harlem - one of the blackest places...more
1 like · like · see review
Was blown away by this book..This was totally out of my comfort zone as it dealt with the Harlem Renaissance.. and while I truly love, admire and respect ALL the authors that come out of this tumultous period I rarely read their work--shame on me I know but after reading a few Langston Hughes poems, a Countee Cullen novel, Phyllis Wheatley you know major African American classics I find them awfully depressing, real and emotional yes but terribly sad.. sorry but seriously--okay so this book has...more
BLACK ORCHID BLUES
Persia Walker
This is the third book in a series and it is a wonderful historical and gritty mystery about the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920’s. The atmosphere and haunting mood of the era almost becomes a character as it is so well done. The heroine of the book is Lanie Price, the Harlem Chronicle’, society columnist who is a fiercely independent women who doesn’t often listen to her editor or the police.
Queenie Lovetree, the six foot three drag queen who is billed as The Blac...more
Persia Walker
This is the third book in a series and it is a wonderful historical and gritty mystery about the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920’s. The atmosphere and haunting mood of the era almost becomes a character as it is so well done. The heroine of the book is Lanie Price, the Harlem Chronicle’, society columnist who is a fiercely independent women who doesn’t often listen to her editor or the police.
Queenie Lovetree, the six foot three drag queen who is billed as The Blac...more
This was the first piece of fictional mystery that I read by author Persia Walker, and I was not a bit disappointed by it. Black Orchid Blues took the form of a historical, fictional mystery, in that Walker based the novel during the time period of the 1920’s in Harlem, New York. She also included well known Harlem figures during that era, including A’Lelia Walker, who is the daughter of the legendary Madam C.J Walker. Embarrassingly, this was only the second African American author who I’ve rea...more
It's an interesting look at Harlem in the 1920s. The main character is a society columnist for a Black newspaper who witnesses the brutal abduction of a night club singer that she was planning to feature in her column. Naturally she decides to investigate and we are given a view of the nightlife of Harlem that took me by surprise. It reminds me of a Hitchcock movie with plot twists and shocking revelations.
I'm interviewing the author, Persia Walker, for my show KAZI Book Review. The interview w...more
I'm interviewing the author, Persia Walker, for my show KAZI Book Review. The interview w...more
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) takin...more
Smoky clubs, slow jazz and Harlem in the Roaring 20s.
I don't tend to give an synopsis with my reviews. I will say that I couldn't wait to get back into this book after I had to put it down for various Real Life obligations (like, well, sleep). Lanie's voice keeps us at the center of the action. Surprises are many. At least, they were surprises for me.
There is an incident, when you read it, that I bet you'll guess what really happened but Lanie won't - at least, not as quickly, anyway. There's r...more
I don't tend to give an synopsis with my reviews. I will say that I couldn't wait to get back into this book after I had to put it down for various Real Life obligations (like, well, sleep). Lanie's voice keeps us at the center of the action. Surprises are many. At least, they were surprises for me.
There is an incident, when you read it, that I bet you'll guess what really happened but Lanie won't - at least, not as quickly, anyway. There's r...more
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 P...more
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...more
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...more
(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com]. I am the original author of this essay, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted illegally.)
It's true that I've been disappointed lately in a whole string of titles from the usually excellent Akashic Books, not exactly bad reads but just not up to their usual exacting standards; but I'm glad to say that the latest by them, Persia Walker's Black Orchid Blues, is a great return to form, I suspect b...more
It's true that I've been disappointed lately in a whole string of titles from the usually excellent Akashic Books, not exactly bad reads but just not up to their usual exacting standards; but I'm glad to say that the latest by them, Persia Walker's Black Orchid Blues, is a great return to form, I suspect b...more
This is a murder mystery with a twist...a rather fascinating one at that. It's set in 1920's Harlem and reveals some remarkable history on famous blacks during that time. I can usually guess the ending but this one had me on the edge of my set waiting for the next thing to happen. There are several bloody scenes described and undertones of homosexual activity. A few slow areas peppered the book but not enough to deter me from recommending this one.
I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads first-reads program. I can't wait to read this book, it looks so good. Best part about getting this book is it will open me up to a book I don't think I would have normally read. I love reading and reviewing books that not everyone has read or books that are super popular at the time. Everyone has different opinions and I like sharing mine and reading others.
What can I say? It's my book. I truly enjoyed writing it. It's the second in the Lanie Price series. Lanie witnesses the brutal kidnapping of a night club singer and soon finds herself up to her neck in trouble. It's a fun ride for the reader, but not so much for Lanie as she unravels a dark and twisting story.
Mar 01, 2012
Amiee
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
where-are-you-reading-challenge,
2012
Yes! A new Lanie Price book! In the latest of the Lanie Price series, a local 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 was deliberate.
Black Orchid Blue has twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages...and its hard to stop reading!
Overall, it was a great read; worth checking out.
Black Orchid Blue has twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages...and its hard to stop reading!
Overall, it was a great read; worth checking out.
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.
I really enjoy the book. It's a mystery, so i am reading and thinking this is a kind of funny then you come to that point in the book when you think did i miss something so you go back and read over a couple pages and then you think oh! no he didn't is he crazy.
First time I ever picked up a book by this author and the cover spoke to me when I tried to pass it by at the library. Yet, once I opened the book, I was en-captivated by the author's style of writing and voice in the literature is timeless. I love it and want to read the other books; yet, I did not know it was a series/installments. I hope to find out what is book 1 and so forth.
The descriptions are splendid and delightful to read, some say it may be an overkill but as a writer myself, I enjoy...more
The descriptions are splendid and delightful to read, some say it may be an overkill but as a writer myself, I enjoy...more
I am looking for more to read by this author.
Set during the Harlem Renaissance, this story deals love, deceit, lies, secrets, incest, murder, mystery, and soo much more. I could not put it down. I can't wait to read the next one.
Set during the Harlem Renaissance, this story deals love, deceit, lies, secrets, incest, murder, mystery, and soo much more. I could not put it down. I can't wait to read the next one.
I have a new faaaaaavorite! All things a historical mystery should be: historical? check! mysterious? check! Combining solid suspense with perfect period details, Walkerrevived my interest in the Harlem Renaissance. But best of all, it was really a great, ripping read.
70% historical mystery, 30% historical thriller. Tightly written, no cheating w/the clues, characters compelling, lots of little twists and turns that make it unexpected. Most of the time I was as uptight and confused about the situation as Lanie Price. Best book yet by Persia Walker.
"BLACK ORCHID BLUES" BY PERSIA WALKER (REVIEW)
Persia Walker writes the kind of mystery-thriller that draws you so far in you cannot stop reading until the end and even then you don't want it to stop. With her ability to plunge you into the past and weave a reality of that time period so thickly around you, she leaves you no room to wiggle your way out.
"Black Orchid Blues," is the kind of mystery that leaves you breathless and amazed. You will never suspect the truth behind "Queenie and Lanie" th...more
Persia Walker writes the kind of mystery-thriller that draws you so far in you cannot stop reading until the end and even then you don't want it to stop. With her ability to plunge you into the past and weave a reality of that time period so thickly around you, she leaves you no room to wiggle your way out.
"Black Orchid Blues," is the kind of mystery that leaves you breathless and amazed. You will never suspect the truth behind "Queenie and Lanie" th...more
Great descriptions of Harlem in the 1920's and interesting twisty ending and I liked the main character, just got a bit boring in the middle and almost gave up on it.
I thought it was gonna be good but after the first couple pages, I put it down.
This was a really good historical mystery set in the 1920's of Harlem. It was very fast paced i had a hard time putting this on down.
Got this book from a Goodreads Giveaway. Couldn't put it down. I loved the history mixed with mystery and intrigue. Plot development was great and had lots of unexpected twists which I personally love in a good read. Loved the characters, especially Queenie! Was great for a fun read.
I love this book and wished it wouldn't end!
I won this book through the goodreads give away and I must say it was a extremely surprise. Normally I enjoy neither novels in historical settings nor mysteries but the story really takes the reader there. Instead of looking in on the story, the reader is apart of it. It's captivating and intriguing and nicely paced. There is very little in terms of dull moments. Persia Walker's diction and tone tell the story on such a engaging level and make it descriptive and poetic. The dialogue is real. Sim...more
It was okay. Not very original.
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Readers of Persia's 1920s novels know they're in for a fast-paced trip through one of the most fascinating periods in U.S. history, the Jazz Age. In designing her stories, and developing her characters, Persia draws upon her theatrical training as well as her journalistic experience.
She has worked for The Associated Press and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. She lived in Europe for many years and...more
More about Persia Walker...
She has worked for The Associated Press and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. She lived in Europe for many years and...more
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