BLACK ORCHID BLUES
“The best kind of historical mystery: great history, great mystery, all wrapped up in a voice so authentic you feel it has come out of the past to whisper in your ear.”
Lanie Price, a 1920s Harlem society columnist, witnesses the brutal nightclub kidnapping of the “Black Orchid,” a sultry, seductive singer with a mysterious past. When hours pass without word from the kidnapper, puzzlement grows as to his motive. Then a gruesome package arrives at Price’s doorstep, and the questions change. Just what does this kidnapper want—and how many people is he willing to kill in order to get it?
Evil hides behind the genteel façades of affluent Strivers’ Row and stalks the ballroom of one of Harlem’s most famous gay parties. Black Orchid Blues explores the depths of human depravity and the desperation of its victims. This 1920s historical mystery will keep you tied to the page. Get your copy today.
What People Are Saying
“Remarkable … Imagine the richly provocative atmosphere of Walter Mosley or James Ellroy’s best period work, and a savvy, truly likable heroine, and you have Black Orchid Blues.”
— Jason Starr
“Black Orchid Blues is that rare mystery novel: both a smart and sophisticated take on the Harlem Renaissance and an unblinking exploration into its sometimes violent and often tragic underbelly. Walker hits all the right notes in this dark blues riff.”
— Reed Farrel Coleman
“Black Orchid Blues is a terrific read. Persia Walker has written a smart and soulful historical mystery brimming with memorable characters and plot twists. Readers will find her book a journey back in time they won’t want to end.”
— Gar Anthony Haywood
"I fell in love with this book when I saw the cover. The gorgeous black dame with the gat in her hand harks back to the best of pulp fiction, but Black Orchid Blues, a historical novel set in 1920s Harlem, is better than any pulp I ever read. This is the (second) in the series starring journalist/society reporter Lanie Price and it's simply terrific."
— The Globe and Mail
“Black Orchid Blues is a terrific trip through 1920s Harlem, including some of its more extraordinary underworlds. But it’s not sociology, or travelogue. It’s a gripping crime novel with characters who’ll stick with you long after the story ends.”
— SJ Rozan
[Walker] blends taut prose, memorable characters and a strong creation of setting to craft a terrific historical mystery. I want to hear more from Walker and her winning lead, Lanie Price,
— Alafair Burke
THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE MYSTERIES
MINI-MYSTERIES: Got the Grit to Crack the Case?
CROSSWORD PUZZLES: The Clues Are There. Can You See Them?
SHADOW & SMOKE: For the Noir-Inspired Life
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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.