About Persia
Persia Walker discovered her passion for storytelling through the gritty allure of 1940s noir films—smoky bars, enigmatic characters, shadows thick with secrets. These cinematic gems set her on the path to becoming an author of historical crime fiction.
She is the granddaughter of Virginia sharecroppers and the only child of a determined single mother with a ninth-grade education. Walker grew up in New York City as a latchkey kid who often missed school because of asthma. A voracious reader, she went on to study at the original High School of Performing Arts and earned degrees from Swarthmore College and Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism.
She worked as a news writer for The Associated Press in Washington DC and then for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Munich, where she resided for fifteen years. After returning to the United States, Walker joined the U.S. State Department in her mid-fifties and became a diplomat, serving in Brazil, Poland, and Washington, D.C. She is a breast cancer survivor. Her languages include French and German.
She is a member of Crime Writers of Color, Mystery Writers of America, and the UK's Crime Writers' Association.
THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE MYSTERIES
CROSSWORD PUZZLES: The Clues Are There. Can You See Them?
SHADOW & SMOKE: For the Noir-Inspired Life
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Buy eBooks Directly from the Author
Head on over to my ebook store, where you can grab your crime fiction fix straight from the source—me. Skip the middleman and get stories with more twists than a crooked card game. Every purchase helps keep the typewriter humming, the lights on, and the noir alive. Thanks, buddy!
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T-Shirts & Other Fine Apparel
The Shadow and Smoke collection brings noir-inspired style to life with bold designs and moody graphics that echo the intrigue of a classic mystery. From sleek apparel to striking accessories, every piece captures the essence of suspense and storytelling. Wear the allure of the unknown.
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Puzzles & Apparel
Shadow and Smoke delivers intrigue at every turn with the addition of beautiful unique puzzles and more noir-inspired apparel. Whether you're solving mysteries on your coffee table or making a bold statement with moody designs, this collection lets you embrace the thrill of the unknown.
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African American Vintage Stock Photos
Step back in time with rare, evocative images of African-Americans from the 1800s to the 1940s. Discover a visual narrative often left untold. Visit my Wirestock.io page and immerse yourself in history like never before.