Harlem Redux by Persia Walker

Rating:   PENS!!!!

Secrets, whispers, and lies

The McKay family is at the epicenter of a drama-filled plot of murder, intrigue, and animosity in Persia Walker’s novel, Harlem Redux. David McKay becomes the sole heir to the McKay estate in Harlem’s upper echelon Striver’s Row neighborhood upon the untimely suicide death of one of his twin sisters, Lilian. This is uncharacteristic of Lilian as her devotedly Christian and demure personality doesn’t “jive” with this type of action. True to her greedy, selfish nature, the other twin, Gem, wastes no time exiting New York for the safety of Europe immediately after Lilian’s death. Or so it seems to the untrained eye.

David’s return to Striver’s Row from Philadelphia to attend Lilian’s funeral is only the last straw in his façade of being the ideal upstanding black male of the Renaissance era. Two chapters into the novel, the reader is made aware of the fact that even he isn’t what he appears to be. As I read further and began to get lost deeper and deeper in the dynamic characters of this work of fiction, I found myself propelled to figure out what caused the sudden change in Lilian’s attitude during the last few months of her life and why did her husband treat her so unkindly in private?

One common element that seemed to run like a current through all of the characters was the flaw of secrecy. From Lilian’s mysteriously dark and charismatic husband, Jameson Sweet, to the maid, Annie, and even on down to the people of “less consequence,” like Rachel, who lived in squalor less than a block away from the McKay’s massive house, keeping secrets from one another throughout the course of many years has taken its toll on the close circle of family and friends. Will David be able to get to root of all of these lies by omission in order to give his conscience a rest? A tale of what he is sure is murder leads David on a trail to the truth.

If you’re a reader looking for a true novel, with excellent character development, complete with a Renaissance mystery twist, this book will be a perfect addition to your personal library. Kudos to Walker for creating a story that vibrates with the jazz, issues of intra-racism, and black artistic development in all arenas during this explosive time period in American history.

Anna

R.E.A.L. Reviewers

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