Blanche Among the Talented Tenth

Blanche White Series, Book 2

By: Barbara Neely

Narrated by: Lisa Reneé Pitts

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

The second, ground-breaking mystery featuring African-American maid and amateur sleuth Blanche White by Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Award-winning author Barbara Neely.  

When Blanche White moved north to Boston, she believed it would be a better place to raise her kids, especially after she got them into an elite private school. But now her children are becoming elitist and judgmental, acquiring more attitude than education. So when she and her kids are invited to Amber Cove, an exclusive resort in Maine for wealthy blacks, Blanche jumps at the chance to see how the other half lives and maybe stop her kids turning into people she doesn't want to know. When one of the guests kills himself, and another is electrocuted in her bathtub, Blanche becomes an accidental detective once again, using her sharp wit and keen social insight to peel back some disturbing color and class distinctions within the black community that may have driven someone to murder.

©2014 Barbara Neely (P)2019 Tantor

Thoughtful portrayal of racial inequity among blacks

This book is entertaining and an educational story involving intrigue and inequity. I started listening to it before the nation’s recent civil unrest and have now listened twice. Highly recommended by this white middle class woman.

lots of cultural insights

Having grown up in Oakland, CA where I loved easedropping on the conversations of older black women on my bus ride, I thoroughly enjoyed this book especially the exchanges between Blanche and best friend, lots of wisdom with interesting metaphors of shit on one's shoes etc.... !!! As an working class Asian-Latina person of color, I could relate to much of the narrative perspective of Blanche. Nice to nestle in a book whose perspective is familiar. Bravo, so glad I discovered this author!!!

Good Exploration of color barriers within African American community

Well narrated. Great story. It was a mystery but also an exploration of exclusive groups, status through color, parental expectation, and women wanting to be loved by men but also wanting to be sovereign over their own lives... in a world still defined and run by men.

Good Read

I gave 4 stars overall, but there were times when I was lost,especially with keeping up with the characters. Also, some of the plot was a little strange and I came away with a lot of questions. But the book was still entertaining and I will read more in the series.