Publisher: Berkley Trade Paperback
Series: The Canary Club Mystery #2
Genre: Historical Mystery
Synopsis
As Mixed-race jazz singer Lena Aldridge arrives in New York she thought she left the seedy underworld of jazz clubs behind in London, but secrets and murder seem to have followed her across the Atlantic. After a chaotic journey at sea aboard the Queen Mary, Lena is happy to be back on dry land and eager to spend some time in the city with Will, her new flame, before returning to London.
But the prospect of love isn’t the only reason Lena decides to stay in New York—revelations from her time aboard the Queen Mary imbue Lena with a newfound curiosity for her late father’s American roots. As she explores the city, and her new relationship with Will, Lena learns Harlem’s music scene may be the key to uncovering more about her father’s past. And soon enough, Lena even finds herself singing at the Apollo Theater!
But Harlem is a tight knit community, both welcoming and wary of newcomers (especially on the arms of the beloved Will Goodman). As Lena digs up more questions than answers regarding her father, she’s pulled deeper into Will’s circle and learns she may be falling fast for a man with secrets of his own. When a body tumbles from a townhouse window in Harlem, and it eerily resembles Lena, she realizes some secrets might be better left buried.
My Thoughts
The story has a dramatic beginning when a body falls from a window of a New York apartment. It then jumps back a few days to when mixed-race singer, Lena Aldridge, after an eventful ship board crossing of the Atlantic arrives in New York. Lena is still coming to terms with what happened and the discovery she made about her family connections.
With her hopes dashed of a lead role in a Broadway musical, the primary reason for Lena's trip to America, she decides to spend the time before her return voyage to England delving into her late father's past. Alfie Aldridge was a black pianist who left New York over twenty years ago and never returned or spoke of his life back then. He raised Lena as a single parent and the bond between the two was very strong. Alfie's story is presented in flashbacks.
Lena also takes the time she has left in New York to further her relationship with Will Goodman, the black musician she met on the ship. He introduces her to his family: half-sister Bel who, like Lena, is also light skinned and could pass as white, and his ten-year-old niece, Joey. Lena also meets Will's friends, Claudette and Louis, who offer Lena a room in their apartment for the duration of her stay.
At first things run smoothly, but Will and Bel's relationship is not as cordial as it first seemed and soon the fledgling friendship between Lena and Bel also turns sour. When Will is accused of murder, Lena finds herself on the outer of a once welcoming community. Nevertheless, she is determined to prove Will's innocence, but is totally unprepared for the reaction when she confronts the true culprit.
I really enjoyed the first book in the Canary Club series, Miss Aldridge Regrets (my review), and eagerly awaited this sequel.
While touted as a mystery, the opening teaser is side-lined until much further into the book. Not that this is bad as there are a number of other elements that make this a very interesting and compelling read: the historical setting of the 1930s and early 20th century; the complex relationships between the characters and the secrets they keep; Lena's discoveries about her family; and the racisim that continues to influence their lives.
Most of the action takes place in Harlem in 1936, towards the end of a period termed the Harlem Renaissance. At this time, African American culture flourished, especially in the arts which included the music scene that Will and Lena are a part of.
Lena, because of the colour of her skin, straddles two cultures, not fitting into either. However, the warm welcome she receives from the tight-knit black community of Harlem has her considering what life would be like should she remain in New York. Sadly, she has to rethink her situation when she becomes the target of jealousy and, with Will's arrest for murder and despite her relationship with him, she is still regarded as an outsider.
The murder mystery element is not the strong point of this novel as it was easy to deduce who was responsible. What makes this a novel I would recommend are the well-developed characters, the historical setting and the evocation of the jazz era and night club scene that form the backdrop to this entertaing novel.
The ending suggests that Lena's story isn't done yet. I certainly hope so.
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