So let’s talk a bit about Barbara Neely’s second book in her Blanche White series, Blanche Among the Talented Tenth, for just a hot second. Jumping from her first murder investigation; amateur sleuth and black domestic worker, Blanche White, finds herself in Maine this time. She's invited to an all-black resort, by a wealthy black couple introduced in her previous adventure. It's both a work/play situation for Blanche. Still, the resort is a place where Blanche spends her time tucking her feet in sand, while chatting with a slew of uppity black folk’. And of the likes she's never seen! Yet, in response to her reception, Blanche will also find the opportunity to teach her pseudo-adopted niece and nephew about race and inner discrimination. Otherwise, involving herself in solving a local murder and suicide takes presidence to all her troubles.
While conscientious–but highly unafraid–of those side-eyeing her in the resort as she snoops, there’s some romance swirling in the mix of Blanche’s vacation. And it's a romance that may or may not have a tie to the death of an antagonistic resort guest, who found herself dead after a live stereo slipped into her bath. But who knows? Right? With a wealth of secrets abound, Blanche will get to the bottom of everything with whatever trick and connection she has available to pump information from.
Now Let's Talk a Little
While the mystery aspect of the book suffers, I have to reiterate how much I appreciate black female authors writing in this genre. Rarely will you find an honest, sincere character such as Blanche. If that alone. And no other place will you find an author using her character’s voice to not only solve murders, but also give conversation to issues forever stuck in the black community. In Blanche Among the Talented Tenth, such conversations involved black colorism and inner prejudices. Particularly prejudices understood in those who uphold the “one drop” phrase as a source of privilege.