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Lyrics of a Blackbird: A Jazz Age Mystery Paperback – December 9, 2020

by Persia Walker (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 90 ratings
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Old loves, festering hatreds, and buried family secrets: A man returns from the dead in this sweeping tale of Jazz Age New York.Civil rights attorney David McKay disappeared years ago while investigating a lynching down South. Now, he's back, very much alive and very determined to unearth the truth about his sister’s brutal death. His search rips back the curtain on the glittering world of the Harlem Renaissance to reveal a world of lies, hypocrisy, and tragic betrayal. Each day he spends in town brings him closer to the truth—and closer to ruin. How soon before time runs out? How soon before his enemies find out what he's been doing all these years? Before they uncover his own bitter and shameful secret—the sin that could destroy him?Lyrics of a Blackbird is an absorbing and powerful standalone in Persia Walker's series of 1920s noir mysteries. If you want a late-night page-turner full of romantic suspense, then grab Lyrics of a Blackbird.(Previously titled: Harlem Redux)
Previous page
  1. Print length
    466 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    December 9, 2020
  4. Dimensions
    5.25 x 1.17 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0979253861
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0979253867
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blood Vintage Press (December 9, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 466 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0979253861
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0979253867
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.17 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 1.17 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 90 ratings

About the author

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Persia Walker

Persia Walker

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Persia is the author of acclaimed historical crime novels and short stories. Perennial book club favorites, her books are fast-moving, sometimes dark, and always surprising. Readers of her 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 written for The Associated Press in Arkansas; Washington, DC; and New York. She has also written for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Inc., (RFE) in Munich, worked as a freelance book editor, and done cultural reporting and voice work for European publications.

For more information, contact her via PersiaWalker.com or Facebook.com/AuthorPersiaWalker.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
90 global ratings
Midwest Lady
5 Stars
Midwest Lady
I readd this story years ago and I just love the complexity and richness of it so I'm going to order it again. The more things change the more things stay the same.
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Top reviews from the United States

Bonnie Malouf
5.0 out of 5 stars Swept me right into the heart of Harlem in the '20s and never let me go!
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2023
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An incredible tale of intrigue, love and violence set in the middle of a turbulent period of the secret and not so secret conflicts within the wealthy and poor residents of Harlem, a story of Civil Rights activism, brutal politics and family power plays. Through it all, a relentless quest for truth by a flawed but determined man, who leaves the reader breathless with the depth of his emotions and courage. An excellent story.
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Jana L.Perskie
4.0 out of 5 stars A Compelling Historical Mystery
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2005
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David McKay returns to his family home, a neo-Renaissance mansion on Harlem's elite Strivers' Row, after a four year absence. He received a shocking telegram at his law office in Philadelphia informing him of his sister's death by suicide and summoning him to New York. The year is 1926 and David, a handsome, well dressed, well educated professional, reflects the breeding and refinement Harlem's elite society demands of members of its inner circle.

McKay discovers that his deceased sister Lilian, a writer and intellectual, had married a man she barely knew and, oddly, never confided her change in civil status to him, her own brother. The husband, James Sweet, also an attorney, now has claim to the family estate. After questioning the family's longtime housekeeper, Annie Williams, as well as Mr. Sweet, and many of Lilian's friends, David is not able to accept that his little sister killed herself. He knew her too well, and does not believe that such an extreme act of self destruction was in her nature - no matter what the evidence revealed. He is sure foul play is involved.

As he investigates the events leading up to Lilian's death, including the sudden return of her glamorous twin sister Gem from Paris, McKay discovers a dark world of secrets, lies and betrayal by those he trusted most. He cannot throw stones, however, as he himself is carrying the burden of a secret life, the consequence of a terrible tragedy which occurred four years before.

Although this page-turner has flaws, I must admit that I was riveted by the storyline and the mysterious figure of Lilian McKay Sweet. Persia Walker's meticulous research, her attention to historic detail, the fascinating period and setting she documents, 1920's Harlem, are compelling reasons to read "Harlem Redux," in and of themselves. I live in New York City, and learned an amazing amount about uptown in my hometown from the book. Ms. Walker incorporates anecdotes from places and celebrities like, Langston Hughes, W.E.B. Dubois, The Cotton Club, etc., and also adds commentary on important social issues of the day which enrich the plot considerably.

On the downside, I found the narrative to be extremely awkward at times, and very melodramatic. Although it suits the period, I occasionally felt I was reading the screenplay for "Perils of Pauline," the Hollywood silent film episodic serial. Apart from David, some of the characters seem stereotypical, especially Gem. Although the conclusion is startling, the novel's pace slows in the middle, but even though I was tempted to put the book down, I could not do so. I was hooked! I definitely think the author has talent and would certainly read more of her work.

Recommended!

JANA
3 people found this helpful
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busylady
5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ!
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2002
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Lately I have had the pleasure of reading so many good mysteries that I have been in reader's heaven and I certainly count Harlem Redux among the best of them.
David McKay, the prodigal son, returns home after a 4 year self imposed exile. His sister Lillian is dead and the authorities are convinced it is suicide. David knows better and suspects foul play. So much has happened in his absence, his other sister, Lillian's twin, Gem, has disappeared; Lillian was living a life she never disclosed to him in their clandestine correspondences , and old friends have potentially devastating secrets.
Harlem Redux has so may twists, turns and elaborate subplots it reminds you of an old Alfred Hitchcock thriller. It is like a house of cards; each secret you unravel brings you one step closer to solving the mystery and bringing down the house.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the historical look at Harlem in the early twenties and thirties. When reading time pieces or historical accounts of the early 1900's I am always amazed at how little people and their attitudes change. Technology gets bigger and maybe better, our lives become complicated and more stressful but when you get right down to it, people really do not change a whole lot, and Harlem Redux reminds us of this. The very same ideas and beliefs that shape so many of the characters in this novel and cause their unraveling are very prevalent today and are just as destructive. Our ideas about love, acceptance and tolerance govern us and in many ways direct the path our lives take.
I strongly recommend this one even if you are not a big fan of Mysteries.
Reviewed by Ruby
APOOO Book Club
8 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond exceptional!
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2014
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I've never heard of this lady. Than obviously haven't read anything written by Ms Walker. Having read this book, I can only say that I will be reading anything and everything she has written and will write.

This is a fabulous book written about a time none of us are able to recall. It's honest, heartfelt, insightful, simply wonderfully written! Having just taken a chance on reading this amazing effort I must say it's one of the most riveting stories I've read in years.

I was totally captivated, couldn't lay it down, read it in two nights. It would have been only one but these weary eyes were becoming painful. Still I read on. A surprise on every page. Masterful! If you don't read this don't bother reading anything else. It will only pale in comparison. Write on, Ms Walker! I'm tremendous grateful for allowing me and thousands of others to share your work.
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RHR in Oregon
4.0 out of 5 stars Totally absorbing...
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2020
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I love finding a book that's hard to put down. Glad to have found this one. Lots of twists, turns and secrets. Strong characters, great setting, pain and peace, rolled together with superb writing. A recipe for a great book. Bravo!
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Steve sudjatmiko
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a pleasure read
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2019
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This is the first time I read a novel from the 20s. The stories revealed slowly, with a leisure pace. I can see what happens as if watching a movie with the characters revealing themselves very clearly.
Until one by one things happen way beyond our expectations. And then at the last few pages, we discovered who the criminal is.
It is a must read.
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Top reviews from other countries

Daniel Weston
5.0 out of 5 stars You won't regret reading this
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 28, 2020
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book, from the first chapter onwards I just knew I was going to love reading this story. Persia Walker colourfully depicts life as a black person in 1920's Harlem- the prejudices, obsessions and biases that permeated that era. I found myself drawn into that time period and was fascinated to see not just the abject racism of that time, but also the differences between black life in Harlem/New York and more southern states of America, and even the splits between rich and poor, Afro American and Caribbean black cultures.

The story itself is deeply intriguing and will keep you guessing right up until the last moment. The author has intertwined so many hidden secrets throughout the book; every character seems to have something to hide and the words of one of the characters that 'Ain't everything as it seems' rings true throughout the book.

One of the best parts about this mystery novel for me was that the story keeps making you think that you've worked out who the killer is, only to end up second guessing yourself a few chapters later. I think Persia Walker has done a masterful job of leaving clues throughout the book that keep you engaged and thinking what the answer is, but subtle enough to surprise you as each new discovery unfolds.

All in all, I found this book a joy to read and would eagerly read another entry featuring the character David McKay.
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