The smart & sassy first novel in the ground-breaking Blanche White series by Barbara Neely, the 2020 Mystery Writers of America Grandmaster. Winner of the Agatha and Macavity Awards.“One of the best fictional detectives conjured up in years,” Library JournalBlanche White is a plump, feisty, middle-aged African-American housekeeper working for the genteel rich in North Carolina. But when an … in North Carolina. But when an employer stiffs her, and her checks bounce, she goes on the lam, hiding out as a maid for a wealthy family at their summer home. That plan goes awry when there’s a murder and Blanche becomes the prime suspect. So she’s forced to use her savvy, her sharp wit, and her old-girl network of domestic workers to discover the truth and save her own skin. Along the way, she lays bare the quirks of southern society with humor, irony, and a biting commentary that makes her one of the most memorable and original characters ever to appear in mystery fiction.
“Blanche not only solves the crime, but exhibits familiar foibles and strengths, believes in kitchen-table wisdom, and possesses a wicked sense of humor,” Ms. Magazine
“A quirky mystery debut that pits Blanche against a Faulknerian cast of oddballs who may be trying to kill each other off to claim a southern fortune,” Kirkus Reviews
“Endlessly entertaining,” Publisher’s Weekly
“The uproarious Blanche White, the Southern housekeeper who knows her own mind, opened doors to the nuances of black life for readers and writers alike. Barbara Neely is a trailblazer,” Naomi Hirahara, Edgar Award-winning author
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Blanche is one of those literary characters that is hard to forget. A magnet for trouble, due to just scraping by and trying to stretch a dollar she hasn’t gotten yet, Blanch sets off to give herself time to collect herself (without the free room and board that the government wants to offer). She winds up tending house for a crazy bunch of rich …
Funny, yet it points up the reality of “invisible” members of America. Happy comeuppance abounds on many levels!
Too mixed up. Lost interest.
This was a thought provoking book. Definitely not your typical murder mystery. The main character, Blanche, is a black woman working as a domestic in the South. The author describes how Blanche is often made to feel invisible as a both a minority and as the household help. It works to her benefit as she tries to solve the mystery within the …
4.5 stars
When four of her employers go out of town without paying her or informing her, sassy domestic worker, Blanche White, is forced to write a few bad checks that land her in hot water. She might be headed off to prison. Fortunately, a commotion surrounding an unfortunate event involving the county commissioner enables Blanche to make her …
A great view into the world of a domestic worker and the black experience in America. I grieve for one person treating another one badly due to color of skin. Very good read!
Blanche White, an African American maid who solve crimes.
This time, she is on the run for passing bad checks. She is working as a maid in a household with secrets and mysteries.
In addition to this, she’s a Mom who is supporting her children.
It’s entertaining. Great characters. Great story.
Tried twice to read this and just didn’t like it. I wanted to, but characters/plot seemed too ridiculous.
A fun, mystery. Keeps you turning by pages.
I chose it for fun, but realized it was a serious take how how many housekeepers are not respected, white black or brown.
Fun and original. Great characters and settings. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
Light reading; entertaining
Thought provoking, insightful,
Couldn’t get into it
The main character “Blanche” didn’t appeal to me. She was too focused on being Black and any perceived racial slights. I don’t like bigots whether they are White or Black or Brown. It made it difficult to really care about her struggles.
I found it an informative point of view as well as a good mystery
Good, fast read, funny with surprising ending.
Easy to read. Interesting characters
I did not finish this book. I did not relate to Blanche at all. I felt she needed to grow up and be a responsible adult instead of being a woman child.
Didn’t appreciate the language so did not make it through the first chapter. Too much swearing.