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The Lanie Price Mystery Novels #3
Backdrop to Murder: A Lanie Price Mystery
For 1920's society reporter Lanie Price, the photographer found shot through the eye in the back of his studio isn't just another story. It's personal.On a dank night in September, Lanie is called to the scene of a grisly double murder. The victims: a popular photographer and a Cotton Club beauty. The suspect: the dead man's jealous wife. Found weeping over his body, her wails of grief and regret condemn her on the spot. The cops say the wife did it and an outraged community believes it. Moved to help the families of the victims, Lanie delves deeper into the case. She finds her leads evaporating and her eyes opened to the possibility of a serial killer at work. Backdrop to Murder is the latest book in the Lanie Price mystery series. If you like suspense combined with nostalgia, then you'll love this 1920's noir mystery. Pick up Backdrop to Murder to discover this exciting series today.
234 pages, Paperback
Published December 23, 2020
20 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Persia Walker
25 books184 followersReaders 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 has lived in Germany, Brazil and Poland.
She has worked for The Associated Press and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. She has lived in Germany, Brazil and Poland.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 22, 2023
An Absorbing Whodunit
The author does not disappoint when it comes to writing a gripping murder mystery in the 1920s. My favorite dynamic, audacious character, Lanie Price, a writer for the Harlem Chronicle, is back tackling the murder of two well-known Harlemnites, respectively, a photographer and a nightclub dancer. Still, things are not what they appear to be when Tessie King, a peculiar character is accused of killing them. A few memorable characters from Book 1 are back, and then you have some shady players, adding more mystery to the plot, revealing surprises, mob connections, secrets and lies, envy, and unsolved killings. The blending of famous persons, businesses, clubs, restaurants, and printed tabloids, shows that Harlem in the 1920s was so much more than meets the eye. The story will keep you guessing from start to finish, leading up to an ending, which I never saw coming.
The author does not disappoint when it comes to writing a gripping murder mystery in the 1920s. My favorite dynamic, audacious character, Lanie Price, a writer for the Harlem Chronicle, is back tackling the murder of two well-known Harlemnites, respectively, a photographer and a nightclub dancer. Still, things are not what they appear to be when Tessie King, a peculiar character is accused of killing them. A few memorable characters from Book 1 are back, and then you have some shady players, adding more mystery to the plot, revealing surprises, mob connections, secrets and lies, envy, and unsolved killings. The blending of famous persons, businesses, clubs, restaurants, and printed tabloids, shows that Harlem in the 1920s was so much more than meets the eye. The story will keep you guessing from start to finish, leading up to an ending, which I never saw coming.
October 19, 2021
All the New York coppers know Lanie Price. She not only writes great crime articles, there is also her willingness to get out on the street and investigate a murder, dirty sports and kidnappings.
Along the way, there are facts about the Big Apple in the Twenties. Racism is definitely walking the streets, or it running the streets? After a double murder of two lovers, there is horrible new knowledge. Innocence is plundered and torn apart like the streets after a gang war or a race riot. The type of innocence that should never become endangered in any way is touched. In the end, there are many questions. One is how many of these blameless ones are never searched for within a city, and how many bikes are ignored? Remember what is precious to you is precious to me.
Along the way, there are facts about the Big Apple in the Twenties. Racism is definitely walking the streets, or it running the streets? After a double murder of two lovers, there is horrible new knowledge. Innocence is plundered and torn apart like the streets after a gang war or a race riot. The type of innocence that should never become endangered in any way is touched. In the end, there are many questions. One is how many of these blameless ones are never searched for within a city, and how many bikes are ignored? Remember what is precious to you is precious to me.
July 14, 2021
Harlem, 1920s. Black society reporter Lanie Price investigates the double murder of a popular photographer and a talented Cotton Club dancer. The police have jailed the photographer's jealous wife as the murderer, but Lanie has her doubts.
This is a very competently put together mystery, with an interesting setting and an exciting ending. There are two previous Lanie Price novels, and another about a 1920s Harlem lawyer. A fast, easy read and an enjoyable one.
This is a very competently put together mystery, with an interesting setting and an exciting ending. There are two previous Lanie Price novels, and another about a 1920s Harlem lawyer. A fast, easy read and an enjoyable one.
May 29, 2023
Backdrop to Murder is the third book in a Laine Price mystery series written by Persia Walker. This is another excellent read written by Walker, as are all of her previous books. This is a great series, very intriguing, I didn't want the story to end. I love strong female role model characters. Great plot with lots of twists and turns to keep you enticed till the very end. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 28, 2021
Perfect mystery
Excellent read, as are all of her books. Excellent series, I didn't want the story to end. Very good writer.
Excellent read, as are all of her books. Excellent series, I didn't want the story to end. Very good writer.
January 18, 2021
Lanie Price is a “colored” female society reporter during the 1920’s. She she is called to the murder scene of Andrew King, a well liked photographer and Brandy Sullivan, a beautiful dancer. When she arrives, the wife of the deceased photographer is heard crying “I’m so sorry baby. Please, forgive me. Please” which immediately sounds like a confession, but Lanie feels differently after visiting Mama King. This murder is personal to Lanie because she knew Andrew and she was totally vested in helping to find the truth.
I found myself intrigued with the nostalgia of the 1920’s, and the roles of colored people during this period. Walker writes Lanie as a strong character who knows her stuff and backs down to no one. Although she is a society reporter, she is an amateur sleuth at heart. Lanie goes that extra mile in this story not because Andrew is someone she knows, but because she has seen how the colored community has been treated and how crimes rushed to be solved with delving into all possible suspects and motives.
The pacing of the good was easy and not rushed. Walker takes her time developing the atmosphere and world of Harlem Renaissance. Ms. Walker also does a good job giving us insight into the personalities of the main characters and glimpses of the secondary characters without taking away from the plot. This kept me guessing who could have possibly killed Andrew and Brandy up until some key elements were revealed.
I loved the relationship Lanie had in her community and with Detective a John Blackie. I look forward to reading another book in the Lanie Price series.
I found myself intrigued with the nostalgia of the 1920’s, and the roles of colored people during this period. Walker writes Lanie as a strong character who knows her stuff and backs down to no one. Although she is a society reporter, she is an amateur sleuth at heart. Lanie goes that extra mile in this story not because Andrew is someone she knows, but because she has seen how the colored community has been treated and how crimes rushed to be solved with delving into all possible suspects and motives.
The pacing of the good was easy and not rushed. Walker takes her time developing the atmosphere and world of Harlem Renaissance. Ms. Walker also does a good job giving us insight into the personalities of the main characters and glimpses of the secondary characters without taking away from the plot. This kept me guessing who could have possibly killed Andrew and Brandy up until some key elements were revealed.
I loved the relationship Lanie had in her community and with Detective a John Blackie. I look forward to reading another book in the Lanie Price series.
February 8, 2021
I was disappointed by this book, but entirely because the ending let it down! Prior to the end, the story is well-written. pacey, funny and everything a noir-period Harlem murder mystery should be. There's a double murder of a young man and woman which throws into question whether they were having an affair, and Lanie (a young journalist) decides to investigate in order to prove the innocence of the suspected perpetrator, the wife of the male victim. There are red herrings galore, and a great look into the mob world of 20s Harlem but the ending TOTALLY lets it down as it is just so distressing. Ultimately, the murderer was a man who had been caught by the victim abducting and abusing young girls, which I felt was unnecessary.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews