Louise Hare

This is a murder mystery set in the 1930s by English author Georgina Campbell. Lena Aldridge is a mixed race singer playing in a tacky nightclub in Soho. After the death of her friend’s husband, the club manager, she is offered a dream job on Broadway and travels aboard the HMS Mary Queen to get to New York. On board she becomes drawn into the wealthy Abernethy family circle, intrigued by their interactions and dazzled by the glamour, until another body is discovered. Afraid fingers will point at her, she carefully tries to get to the truth, unveiling many secrets and surprises along the way.

This was an enjoyable read with a great setting, but not as dazzling as the blurb might suggest.… (mere)

Lena Aldridge has fetched up in New York. After the horrible events on the Queen Mary, Lena is pleased to have found romance with Will Goodman and he helps her find a place to stay with his friends. As their relationship blossoms Lena tries to find out more about her family but also discovers a lot more about Will's history. After a sudden death, Lena must decide where her future lies.
This is the third book in Hare's story about Lena Aldridge, a bi-racial singer in the 1930s. Here the focus is New York and the uneasy relations between black and white and levels of society. I loved the setting in Harlem and places such as The Apollo and the Cotton Club. However at it's heart this is a story about family ties and revenge. Sometimes the plot feels a lott too contrived but I genuinely love the journey.… (mere)