Welcome to Litsy!

2.75 - soft pick
Published in 1992, this first book in a series introduces the character of Blanche White, a black American working as a housekeeper in North Carolina.
A lot of setting the scene, also a lot of social/political commentary (at times repetitive), with the actual murder occurring only at half the book.
Loved the way the house is used in her writing.
Curious to read the second book to see how her storytelling evolves.

I am 2 chapters in, and surprised by the fairly scathing social commentary so far! Hard to believe that this was first published 30 years ago. Blanche was ahead of her time. #BlackLivesMatter

I had a very slow start to reading in 2021. This was my #1stbookin2021 and also my favorite of #January. #12booksof2021 @Andrew65

I love the #blitsyswap gifts I received from @sprainedbrain for Black History Month. Three books, bookmarks, tea from Kenya (not pictured), a 250-piece jigsaw puzzle, a book sleeve, and a nice letter. Absolutely great picks - love them all!

@Chelleo #bhms #tbr

You‘ve heard of the English cozy mystery? Well, this is my first southern cozy mystery. Miss Marple meets The Help. Except Marple is a middle aged black maid. Fun to have a protagonist with a different point of view and a realistic back-to-normal once all is solved and settled.

Crime novel with the black domestic worker Blanche as the main character. The story is very driven by dialogue and Blanche's inner monologue provides her assessment about society from her viewpoint.

The good: telling the mystery from the perspective of a black maid, the type of person who is underestimated by genteel white society. Exposes racism and black life in a way most crime fiction I've read does not.

The bad: I still don't understand how major parts of the conspiracy fit. More than one what, what, huh?

I'm about a quarter through this now. I generally prefer books to introduce the central conflict or situation early, and it doesn't feel like it's gotten to the point of the story yet. So this may not be my thing.

#TeamSlaughter #CozyMystery #Book5 @Clwojick

This was an enjoyable and easy read. However, Barbara Neely does not shy away from concersations of race and how they impact the main character. Excellent read and wonderful narrator for this story. Recomended for a easy mystery.

#BFCr4 #TeamSlaughter @Clwojick @wanderinglynn Read Chapters 4 - 8 and on to Chps 9 and 10. After I got a jump rope session in this morning.

A yoga session this morning to get physical. @wanderinglynn @4thhouseontheleft @Lucy_Anywhere #BFCr4 #BFC19

And now reading chaptera 4 - 8 of Blanche on the Lam and Work of course.

#TeamSlaughter This is my Cozy mystery for this month! Read up to chapter 3 today. Chapters 4 to 8 tomorrow!

Next Week The Nanny! Loving this #TeamSlaughter focused reading!

I really enjoyed reading the first book in this series about an African American woman thrust into the role of amateur sleuth. It had a lot of humor, but it had some serious social commentary regarding how people of color and people with disabilities are treated.

Yass #readathon is starting!🎉🙌 Here's my first read, a Black sleuth mystery for #DiverseDetectives. Have a great time everyone!

#diversebooks #mystery #crime

I really liked this book. It took until the 90 page to get to the ~mystery~ part, but Neely was just trying to introduce us to Blanche as well the family in the story. The twist was pretty great, and very unexpected. I put my hand to my mouth when we found out who was the murderer. That being said, I am excited to read more about Blanche. #diversedetectives

It's October, it's Diverse Detective Fiction Month!🙌 I'm ready with my TBR📚📚📚
#DiverseDetectives #booktober @RealLifeReading