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Canary Club Mystery #2
Harlem After Midnight
1936, September 17th, 1am…
In the middle of Harlem, in the dead of night, a woman falls from a second storey window. In her hand, she holds a passport and the name written on it is Lena Aldridge…
Nine days earlier…
Lena arrived in Harlem less than two weeks ago, full of hope for her burgeoning romance with Will Goodman, the handsome musician she met on board the Queen Mary. Will has arranged for Lena to stay with friends of his, and this will give her the chance to find out if their relationship is going anywhere. But there is another reason she's in Harlem – to find out what happened in 1908 to make her father flee to London.
As Lena's investigations progress, not only does she realise her father lied to her, but the man she’s falling too fast and too hard for has secrets of his own. And those secrets have put Lena in terrible danger…
In the middle of Harlem, in the dead of night, a woman falls from a second storey window. In her hand, she holds a passport and the name written on it is Lena Aldridge…
Nine days earlier…
Lena arrived in Harlem less than two weeks ago, full of hope for her burgeoning romance with Will Goodman, the handsome musician she met on board the Queen Mary. Will has arranged for Lena to stay with friends of his, and this will give her the chance to find out if their relationship is going anywhere. But there is another reason she's in Harlem – to find out what happened in 1908 to make her father flee to London.
As Lena's investigations progress, not only does she realise her father lied to her, but the man she’s falling too fast and too hard for has secrets of his own. And those secrets have put Lena in terrible danger…
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First published August 29, 2023
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About the author
Louise Hare
7 books297 followersLouise Hare is a London-based writer and has an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck, University of London. Originally from Warrington, the capital is the inspiration for much of her work, including This Lovely City, which began life after a trip into the deep level shelter below Clapham Common.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
December 9, 2024
Those last 50 pages were INTENSE 😮💨
Take note: THIS is how you do a historical murder mystery!
I have somehow found myself in a historical fiction era which is weird because I am generally very fussy about the historical fiction books I read. Maybe I have just got lucky but this book was certainly a pleasure to read! It was a library blind-pick (is that even a thing? Idk 🤷♀️). In all honesty, I saw this after the library and fell in love with the cover and the title. I have never read any of Louise’s books before, nor had I even heard of this book but something was drawing me in. Thankfully, my gut instinct was correct and I am DELIGHTED that I picked up this book…
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
There was no messing around with this story. The plot kicked off with a bang 💥 17th September, 1936, 1am - Woman found splatted on the pavement, by newbie Patrolman, James Freeman. The woman in question had fallen from the window of a 2 story building, in Harlem. Passport found on her person with the name: Lena Aldridge.
Lena Aldridge grew up in a cramped corner of London, hearing stories of the bright lights of Broadway. She always imagined that when she finally went to New York City, she'd be there with her father. But now he's dead, and she's newly arrived and alone, chasing a dream that has quickly dried up.
We then take a trip back in time to 9 days previous…this is where the real story begins. Lena arrived, via the Queen Mary, full of hope and optimism. Onboard she met and fell for the charming musician, Will Goodman, who happened to find her a place to stay. Eager to see where this new romance would take her, she happily accepted the offer. However, Will isn’t her only reason for staying in Harlem…as Lena discovers the stories her father once told her were missing giant pieces of information, she also starts to realize the man she's falling too fast and too hard for has secrets of his own.
Throughout the course of the book, we are also taken further back in time to 1908 to find out what happened that caused her father, Alfie, to flee Harlem and head for London. Lena discovers long lost relatives and many secrets along the way.
The characters were brilliant. I particularly like Lena and Bel’s characters. I was fascinated by their relationship and how it changed through the book. I also loved Claud; she was the anchor holding the whole storyline together. She was the sister, friend, mother, daughter you’d always wanted. She had a deep understanding of people without any words being spoken. Furthermore, she was crucial to this story of misunderstandings, homeless and family-less people. But overall, Lena was definitely my favourite - she wasn’t perfect, but she was very likeable.
Throughout the course of the book, Lena drops subtle hints of mystery; as if she has done something, committed a crime, that she hasn’t owned up to yet…it is all very mysterious and definitely leaves you wanting more. Louise’s great storytelling makes for a very engaging and captivating read. 🤐
This mystery is full of twists and turns that keeps you guessing. But moreover, it is full of charm and the romanticised life of musicians in the 1900s NYC. This book definitely gives off a unique vibe that isn’t found in many books and I absolutely LOVED it. 🥰
Mystery, romance, historical fiction. This book has it all, and delivers it in an entertaining, modern and unique way. The last 50 pages was were this book really held it’s own. I found myself hanging on every word and it did take a bit of concentration to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. It was an intense rollercoaster of emotions and incredibly engaging! I am so glad I picked up this book and can’t wait to see what Louise’s other books have to offer. EASY 5 🌟
‘People make mistakes, but I wasn’t entirely sure that we weren’t meant to. Our lives were formed from those errors of judgement. Even the bad times sometimes begat the good.’
Take note: THIS is how you do a historical murder mystery!
I have somehow found myself in a historical fiction era which is weird because I am generally very fussy about the historical fiction books I read. Maybe I have just got lucky but this book was certainly a pleasure to read! It was a library blind-pick (is that even a thing? Idk 🤷♀️). In all honesty, I saw this after the library and fell in love with the cover and the title. I have never read any of Louise’s books before, nor had I even heard of this book but something was drawing me in. Thankfully, my gut instinct was correct and I am DELIGHTED that I picked up this book…
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
There was no messing around with this story. The plot kicked off with a bang 💥 17th September, 1936, 1am - Woman found splatted on the pavement, by newbie Patrolman, James Freeman. The woman in question had fallen from the window of a 2 story building, in Harlem. Passport found on her person with the name: Lena Aldridge.
Lena Aldridge grew up in a cramped corner of London, hearing stories of the bright lights of Broadway. She always imagined that when she finally went to New York City, she'd be there with her father. But now he's dead, and she's newly arrived and alone, chasing a dream that has quickly dried up.
We then take a trip back in time to 9 days previous…this is where the real story begins. Lena arrived, via the Queen Mary, full of hope and optimism. Onboard she met and fell for the charming musician, Will Goodman, who happened to find her a place to stay. Eager to see where this new romance would take her, she happily accepted the offer. However, Will isn’t her only reason for staying in Harlem…as Lena discovers the stories her father once told her were missing giant pieces of information, she also starts to realize the man she's falling too fast and too hard for has secrets of his own.
Throughout the course of the book, we are also taken further back in time to 1908 to find out what happened that caused her father, Alfie, to flee Harlem and head for London. Lena discovers long lost relatives and many secrets along the way.
The characters were brilliant. I particularly like Lena and Bel’s characters. I was fascinated by their relationship and how it changed through the book. I also loved Claud; she was the anchor holding the whole storyline together. She was the sister, friend, mother, daughter you’d always wanted. She had a deep understanding of people without any words being spoken. Furthermore, she was crucial to this story of misunderstandings, homeless and family-less people. But overall, Lena was definitely my favourite - she wasn’t perfect, but she was very likeable.
Throughout the course of the book, Lena drops subtle hints of mystery; as if she has done something, committed a crime, that she hasn’t owned up to yet…it is all very mysterious and definitely leaves you wanting more. Louise’s great storytelling makes for a very engaging and captivating read. 🤐
This mystery is full of twists and turns that keeps you guessing. But moreover, it is full of charm and the romanticised life of musicians in the 1900s NYC. This book definitely gives off a unique vibe that isn’t found in many books and I absolutely LOVED it. 🥰
Mystery, romance, historical fiction. This book has it all, and delivers it in an entertaining, modern and unique way. The last 50 pages was were this book really held it’s own. I found myself hanging on every word and it did take a bit of concentration to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. It was an intense rollercoaster of emotions and incredibly engaging! I am so glad I picked up this book and can’t wait to see what Louise’s other books have to offer. EASY 5 🌟
‘People make mistakes, but I wasn’t entirely sure that we weren’t meant to. Our lives were formed from those errors of judgement. Even the bad times sometimes begat the good.’
September 18, 2023
Lena was born in London to an African American father and a White mother. After the recent death of her father, she has sailed to New York to take a new job. Her boyfriend Will l finds her a place to stay with some of his Harlem friends. The voyage to New York, and the start of Lena’s romance with Will, was covered in the first book in this series, “Miss Aldridge Regrets”.
Set in 1936, this book begins with the discovery of the body of a woman who had fallen out of a Harlem window. I was expecting a mystery, but this book is primarily about some extremely messy relationships. The death happens at the end of the book. Most of the book involves the Lena/Will romance, Lena’s attempt to trace her father’s history, and Will’s relationship with his half sister Bel. The author seems to have done a lot of research on early 20th century New York. Everyone in the book has a lot of secrets, and they seem incapable of telling the complete truth about anything.
Unfortunately, I did not read the first book, and this sequel can’t really be read as a standalone. Don’t bother with this book without reading book one first. You need a spreadsheet to keep track of all the relationships. This second book just provides glimpses of the convoluted goings-on that occurred in the first book. I did gather that Lena’s presence seems to coincide with a lot of deaths. The story is still unfinished at the end of book two, so I assume that there will be a third book. I don’t care enough about the characters to read book one, and I won’t be continuing with the series. However, the writing wasn’t bad, so if you like historical relationship drama you might like the series. 3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
Set in 1936, this book begins with the discovery of the body of a woman who had fallen out of a Harlem window. I was expecting a mystery, but this book is primarily about some extremely messy relationships. The death happens at the end of the book. Most of the book involves the Lena/Will romance, Lena’s attempt to trace her father’s history, and Will’s relationship with his half sister Bel. The author seems to have done a lot of research on early 20th century New York. Everyone in the book has a lot of secrets, and they seem incapable of telling the complete truth about anything.
Unfortunately, I did not read the first book, and this sequel can’t really be read as a standalone. Don’t bother with this book without reading book one first. You need a spreadsheet to keep track of all the relationships. This second book just provides glimpses of the convoluted goings-on that occurred in the first book. I did gather that Lena’s presence seems to coincide with a lot of deaths. The story is still unfinished at the end of book two, so I assume that there will be a third book. I don’t care enough about the characters to read book one, and I won’t be continuing with the series. However, the writing wasn’t bad, so if you like historical relationship drama you might like the series. 3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
August 29, 2023
Happy release day~
Thanks to Berkley via Netgalley for an ARC of this to review. It'll be out August 29th.
If you really like mysteries, this is a more diverse historical one to add to your shelf - Lena Aldridge is a Black singer in 1936 Harlem in this installment, and flashbacks to her father's life show more of the early 20th century Black experience too.
I just...don't find the voice compelling, at all. I skimmed through the first book as an audiobook since I didn't realize Berkley sent me another sequel within a series, and I was dismayed at how dull that was too - I love ship mysteries! This sequel had an intriguing opening scene. With a little more flavorful writing it could be a really engaging whodunnit, and I love mysteries, so it gives me no pleasure to rate this on the lower end. I think committed whodunnit fans may find they enjoy this, but I'm picky with mine.
Thanks to Berkley via Netgalley for an ARC of this to review. It'll be out August 29th.
If you really like mysteries, this is a more diverse historical one to add to your shelf - Lena Aldridge is a Black singer in 1936 Harlem in this installment, and flashbacks to her father's life show more of the early 20th century Black experience too.
I just...don't find the voice compelling, at all. I skimmed through the first book as an audiobook since I didn't realize Berkley sent me another sequel within a series, and I was dismayed at how dull that was too - I love ship mysteries! This sequel had an intriguing opening scene. With a little more flavorful writing it could be a really engaging whodunnit, and I love mysteries, so it gives me no pleasure to rate this on the lower end. I think committed whodunnit fans may find they enjoy this, but I'm picky with mine.
August 6, 2023
A really great mystery and exceptional storyline. I felt that all the characters were fleshed out rather nicely in the end and was very satisfied by the time I finished the last page. There was a mild bit of tension from beginning to end. All the loose ends were tied up - some neatly and others with a glorious touch of messiness. Prior to this, I was unfamiliar with the author Louise Hare but will eagerly seek out anything else she has written. "Harlem After Midnight " is definitely 4.5 stars, and I would happily recommend it to anyone. Although there is some sexual content and violence, nothing is graphic.
February 11, 2025
2.5 Stars
What is this series, and why does it exist?
Lena is murder magnet. Everywhere she goes, someone is going to get murdered. Lena is the only likable character in this whole series. Everyone is trash or unbelievably stupid. The character motivations make no sense at all.
I have the first book 3 stars... with reservations. I had expected to have a better understanding of this series after reading book 2....and yet I don't.
If there is a book 3, I'm uncertain if I will read it. This series just really baffles me. I feel like I should enjoy this series more than I do. The pacing is not good. For wide swaths of this book, nothing much is happening, and then in the last 40 pages, suddenly, we are running to the finish.
On the positive side, this series has me craving more Historical Fiction.
No recommendation
What is this series, and why does it exist?
Lena is murder magnet. Everywhere she goes, someone is going to get murdered. Lena is the only likable character in this whole series. Everyone is trash or unbelievably stupid. The character motivations make no sense at all.
I have the first book 3 stars... with reservations. I had expected to have a better understanding of this series after reading book 2....and yet I don't.
If there is a book 3, I'm uncertain if I will read it. This series just really baffles me. I feel like I should enjoy this series more than I do. The pacing is not good. For wide swaths of this book, nothing much is happening, and then in the last 40 pages, suddenly, we are running to the finish.
On the positive side, this series has me craving more Historical Fiction.
No recommendation
September 15, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, more so than the first instalment, and I think this was helped by the fact that there were fewer characters and a less claustrophobic setting. I liked seeing the glamour of New York in the 1930s, mixed in with the social divides that still existed. In this story, Hare really brings the historical element alive.
This story continues just after the first book and I definitely recommend reading this series in order. It helps to get an understanding of Lena’s past life and what happened before she left for America. Some familiar faces make an appearance, otherwise the rest of the story is about Lena trying to find a mysterious Aunt that she believes she has… as well as readers finding out who was murdered at the beginning of the story.
Not only this, the book becomes a dual-timeline with flashbacks to Lena’s father. I enjoyed this part of the story because it made this character more realistic and I felt like I understood more about Lena’s motives. Furthermore, the racial divisions and how society treated people differently were more prevalent; I felt this helped inform the modern setting of the 1930s.
Some may consider this quite a slow book but I thought it was like a pan set to boil: it bubbles over time until it simmers to an intensity. I found the last quarter of the book to be most immersive as answers are revealed with both timelines. I enjoyed how the plot concluded and wonder if there is opportunity for Hare to continue this beyond a two-parter.
This was an interesting mystery but not of the cosy variety because it has some deeper topics. I liked this element of the story because I thought it added layers to the narrative and I enjoyed seeing how Lena adapts to her new environment – not just adjusting to life in New York after such a turbulent sea-crossing, but learning more about Will and the people she is living with. Finding about her past was just as intriguing but it was the opening scene that really grabbed me the most, wondering how and why there was a body with Lena’s passport in their hands.
Definitely more enjoyable than the first, this was a historical mystery set in the 1930s in a tough climate. The racial differences are still palpable in both timelines and I found myself rooting for Lena to learn more about her family.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This story continues just after the first book and I definitely recommend reading this series in order. It helps to get an understanding of Lena’s past life and what happened before she left for America. Some familiar faces make an appearance, otherwise the rest of the story is about Lena trying to find a mysterious Aunt that she believes she has… as well as readers finding out who was murdered at the beginning of the story.
Not only this, the book becomes a dual-timeline with flashbacks to Lena’s father. I enjoyed this part of the story because it made this character more realistic and I felt like I understood more about Lena’s motives. Furthermore, the racial divisions and how society treated people differently were more prevalent; I felt this helped inform the modern setting of the 1930s.
Some may consider this quite a slow book but I thought it was like a pan set to boil: it bubbles over time until it simmers to an intensity. I found the last quarter of the book to be most immersive as answers are revealed with both timelines. I enjoyed how the plot concluded and wonder if there is opportunity for Hare to continue this beyond a two-parter.
This was an interesting mystery but not of the cosy variety because it has some deeper topics. I liked this element of the story because I thought it added layers to the narrative and I enjoyed seeing how Lena adapts to her new environment – not just adjusting to life in New York after such a turbulent sea-crossing, but learning more about Will and the people she is living with. Finding about her past was just as intriguing but it was the opening scene that really grabbed me the most, wondering how and why there was a body with Lena’s passport in their hands.
Definitely more enjoyable than the first, this was a historical mystery set in the 1930s in a tough climate. The racial differences are still palpable in both timelines and I found myself rooting for Lena to learn more about her family.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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September 26, 2023From “Miss Aldridge Regrets” which I read last year: After a murder at the club where she worked in London mixed race Lena has fled London on the Queen Mary having accepted an offer from a man she didn’t know to appear in a show on Broadway. During the voyage two wealthy passengers are murdered and it’s looking like somebody is out to get Lena.
“Harlem After Midnight” begins with a woman falling from a building.
Lena has arrived in NYC. She had a fling with a band member on the Queen Mary and he has offered her accommodations in NY with friends of his.
The first book seemingly it didn’t make enough of an impression on me and I lost interest in this book.
Even though I read the first book I felt no connection to Lena in this one and after about 80 pages decided to give it a pass.
“Harlem After Midnight” begins with a woman falling from a building.
Lena has arrived in NYC. She had a fling with a band member on the Queen Mary and he has offered her accommodations in NY with friends of his.
The first book seemingly it didn’t make enough of an impression on me and I lost interest in this book.
Even though I read the first book I felt no connection to Lena in this one and after about 80 pages decided to give it a pass.
September 20, 2023
Thank you to Library Journal for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title!
The second 1930s-set "Canary Club Mystery" from Hare continues to build on Lena Aldridge's story, including how her parents met and the struggles her father faced as a Black musician trying to make it big. After her harrowing journey across the Atlantic on the Queen Mary (chronicled in Miss Aldridge Regrets), English-born Lena feels lonelier than she expected. She has no one and nowhere to go. Luckily, the intriguing musician she met on the ship, Will Goodman, has offered her a place to stay in Harlem. Soon Lena is welcomed into the fold of Will's family and friends and begins to feel like she belongs. But when a body of a woman who looks just like Lena falls from a window, it seems like death has other plans. As a multiracial woman, who is often perceived as white, Lena is able to blend in more but still can relate to her father's trials. Lena is a likable, brave straight talker with whom readers will empathize. The changing POVs keep the mystery alive until the climax, which falls a bit short. VERDICT Recommended for fans of the series and those who enjoy whodunits.—Carmen Clark Copyright 2023 Library Journal.
The second 1930s-set "Canary Club Mystery" from Hare continues to build on Lena Aldridge's story, including how her parents met and the struggles her father faced as a Black musician trying to make it big. After her harrowing journey across the Atlantic on the Queen Mary (chronicled in Miss Aldridge Regrets), English-born Lena feels lonelier than she expected. She has no one and nowhere to go. Luckily, the intriguing musician she met on the ship, Will Goodman, has offered her a place to stay in Harlem. Soon Lena is welcomed into the fold of Will's family and friends and begins to feel like she belongs. But when a body of a woman who looks just like Lena falls from a window, it seems like death has other plans. As a multiracial woman, who is often perceived as white, Lena is able to blend in more but still can relate to her father's trials. Lena is a likable, brave straight talker with whom readers will empathize. The changing POVs keep the mystery alive until the climax, which falls a bit short. VERDICT Recommended for fans of the series and those who enjoy whodunits.—Carmen Clark Copyright 2023 Library Journal.
June 27, 2023
I’m so glad I got to continue this journey with Lena right dab smack into the tail end of the Harlem Renaissance. This book captures the same themes and ideas found in most of the books of that time while keeping a modern writing structure and plot. The book opens with basically the end of Passing which I see as an homage to Nella Larsson and her amazing works, but it is also a good jumping point for a modern murder mystery. At this point the reader has traveled across the ocean on the Queen Mary with Lena and lived to tell of the harrowing journey. With a budding relationship formed on board Lena agrees to stay in Harlem with Will to see if there is more to their love affair, while also searching for more information about her father, Alfie. In true Harlem Renaissance fashion readers are taken to rent parties, the Apollo and invited into the world of arts and culture booming in the black communities of New York. The story is told from multiple timelines and although the mystery starts at the beginning of the book the reader is taken back in time to a week prior to get firsthand knowledge as to how it got to that point, all while getting small doses of Alfie’s life in New York interjected in between. At this point I’m invested in Lena, and I hope that there is a third book. This book ends with a soft cliffhanger, meaning everything is wrapped up, but there is still the lingering problem of the D.I./ Maggie and Will. I mean this isn’t how it all ends, or at least I hope it isn’t.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the chance to read this book. Thank you to Louise Hare for taking the time to write this book, I have enjoyed my time with Lena and I hope there is more to come (but no pressure or anything). This book is now available so stop by your local independent bookshop to pick up a copy today.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the chance to read this book. Thank you to Louise Hare for taking the time to write this book, I have enjoyed my time with Lena and I hope there is more to come (but no pressure or anything). This book is now available so stop by your local independent bookshop to pick up a copy today.
July 7, 2023
Lena grew up in London hearing of Broadway in New York – America. She dreams of making it to New York City with her father, but by the time she is able to go he has passed away. She meets a hansom musician during her crossing from England and luckily for her he offers her a place to stay in Harlem. She has nowhere else to go, and she wouldn’t mind getting to know him more. His friends welcome her with open arms, but she quickly learns that the man is harboring secrets of his own. Will the secrets he’s hiding put a target on her back?
This book drops you right into the story and I can appreciate that. I struggled with the rapid shifts in time with this one. I really had to pay close attention to know what was going on – more so than normal. It was a little tiring, and this book took me a few sittings to get through as a result. However, it was a very compelling and interesting story. The mystery that is interwoven within the book is engaging and thought provoking. I was trying to figure it out the whole time. I really became invested in the characters, especially Lena. I hope that the next book in the series focuses on her and her journey.
If you are looking for an interesting historical fiction with a mystery interwoven in its pages, then check this one out.
Many thanks to the publisher, Berkley Publishing, @BerkleyPub, and Netgalley, @Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Additional links will be added once posted.
This book drops you right into the story and I can appreciate that. I struggled with the rapid shifts in time with this one. I really had to pay close attention to know what was going on – more so than normal. It was a little tiring, and this book took me a few sittings to get through as a result. However, it was a very compelling and interesting story. The mystery that is interwoven within the book is engaging and thought provoking. I was trying to figure it out the whole time. I really became invested in the characters, especially Lena. I hope that the next book in the series focuses on her and her journey.
If you are looking for an interesting historical fiction with a mystery interwoven in its pages, then check this one out.
Many thanks to the publisher, Berkley Publishing, @BerkleyPub, and Netgalley, @Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Additional links will be added once posted.
August 29, 2023
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my complimentary eARC and to PRHAUDIO for my complimentary audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Harlem after Midnight is the second book in the Canary Club Mysteries. The story picks up just after the ending of book one. While it would be helpful to read the books in order, it’s not necessary. I had a feeling I had cracked the case and was pleasantly surprised to find out I was correct.
I enjoyed all the historical aspects of this cozy mystery. Our story is set in Harlem in the late 1930’s. I enjoyed how the different points of view helped set the scene for the murder.
I paired the audiobook and enjoyed the character voices. Leonie Elliott has a wonderful voice and it was easy to differentiate between characters.
I am looking forward to more books in this series.
Harlem after Midnight is the second book in the Canary Club Mysteries. The story picks up just after the ending of book one. While it would be helpful to read the books in order, it’s not necessary. I had a feeling I had cracked the case and was pleasantly surprised to find out I was correct.
I enjoyed all the historical aspects of this cozy mystery. Our story is set in Harlem in the late 1930’s. I enjoyed how the different points of view helped set the scene for the murder.
I paired the audiobook and enjoyed the character voices. Leonie Elliott has a wonderful voice and it was easy to differentiate between characters.
I am looking forward to more books in this series.
September 5, 2023
I wasn’t quite sure what direction Louise Harr would go in with Lena’s story after the first book, and I was pleasantly surprised with what she chose in this continuation of the Canary Club mystery series.
Lena continues to be an intriguing and endearing character, and though I missed the atmosphere of the ship from the first book, Hare kept the story compelling and added a new layer of intrigue as Lena attempts to navigate her new (albeit temporary) life in New York.
We get a lot more on Alfie in this book, which helps flesh out some of the details of Lena’s search for answers about her family. I was surprised to see Lena land back in London by the end of this book, though the circumstances that place her there are more than enough to keep me interested and looking forward to the next novel in the series.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Lena continues to be an intriguing and endearing character, and though I missed the atmosphere of the ship from the first book, Hare kept the story compelling and added a new layer of intrigue as Lena attempts to navigate her new (albeit temporary) life in New York.
We get a lot more on Alfie in this book, which helps flesh out some of the details of Lena’s search for answers about her family. I was surprised to see Lena land back in London by the end of this book, though the circumstances that place her there are more than enough to keep me interested and looking forward to the next novel in the series.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
June 21, 2025
Lena has landed in New York after her traumatic journey from England on the Queen Mary. She is getting to know Will, a musician on board, better and he has arrange to stay with his friends Claudette and Louis. She meets is stepsister, Bel, but isn't sure what to make of her. Despite Bel's overtures of friendship Lena isn't sure about her, especially when she finds Bel going through her things. Then Bel falls out of Lena's bedroom window at the party and Will is prime suspect. But with so many secrets swirling around, is he really guilty of pushing Bel to her death? Eliza invites Lena for coffee and a chat and Lena is hoping she can find out some more about her father.
Another good story in the Lean Aldridge series. A few things are left open which will, hopefully, be closed down in later books. Very atmospheric, a joy to read.
Another good story in the Lean Aldridge series. A few things are left open which will, hopefully, be closed down in later books. Very atmospheric, a joy to read.
September 18, 2023
Beginning pretty much where the first in this series (Miss Aldridge Regrets) left off, this is a very solid 2nd offering in a burgeoning series dripping with an authentic 1938 Harlem, NYC setting details, slow-to-begin but escalating Pace and adequate plotting. The CH development of our narrator, Lena, continues to add depth to who we already met, and we get more on Will, her love interest from the ship. Some other previous CHs get some more gravitas (her father Archie) and some new CHs are introduced. Lena does tend to ruminate more than I like—often spending paragraphs Hand wringing and chewing on her past and present decisions; however, the dialogue is well-integrated, and the show biz and social elements entertaining. A few twists in the story did not surprise me but Hare executes them well. She uses flashbacks to 1908 Harlem to great effect. Once again like the first one, justice is less than straight-forward and in this novel not as well explained, perhaps leaving the door for a follow-up. Lena’s adventure will continue and I’ll give the third one a try. Hare again uses song title chapter headings that add value. For better thoughts, read my review of the first one. I think anyone who enjoys period pieces set in the 1930s will find this a diverting read but begin with the first for a better understanding of CH and previous plot. Maybe fans of Amy Stewart, Katherine Schellman, and Tom Mead may want to dip there toe in.
December 15, 2023
I wasn't in love with the previous book that I found a bit too slow at times but I loved this one, the follow up.
Miss Aldridge is in NY and there's mysteries, a man who is not what he seems, family secrets and lies.
A lot is going on and the pace is right, there's an exciting atmosphered and the whodunit is solid and well done.
This is not the final book in this series so I'm curious about the next developments.
It' can't be read as a stand alone but it's an entertaining story if you read both.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Miss Aldridge is in NY and there's mysteries, a man who is not what he seems, family secrets and lies.
A lot is going on and the pace is right, there's an exciting atmosphered and the whodunit is solid and well done.
This is not the final book in this series so I'm curious about the next developments.
It' can't be read as a stand alone but it's an entertaining story if you read both.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
dnf
July 17, 2025I just remembered that I wasn't the biggest fan of book 1 so why is this on my TBR?
I'm not particularly drawn to this, the only reason I have picked up '
Miss Aldridge Regrets' is because the story took place on a ship crossing the Atlantic to NY.
But now that we are there, I am no longer interested.
I'm not particularly drawn to this, the only reason I have picked up '
Miss Aldridge Regrets' is because the story took place on a ship crossing the Atlantic to NY.
But now that we are there, I am no longer interested.
Read
November 3, 2023Louise Hare gives readers a glorious tour of 1930s New York City in her second Canary Club mystery, Harlem After Midnight. #Mystery #HistoricalFiction #NewYork
September 4, 2025
A bit underwhelming. Supposed to be a mystery but it was not. So just a novel that meandered a bit and the ending was casual and open ended. It was fine but not captivating.
February 15, 2024
Distinctly better than "Miss Aldridge Regrets"
4.5 stars
After not enjoying the first book in this series, I'm pleased to say that this was almost as enjoyable as This Lovely City.
4.5 stars
After not enjoying the first book in this series, I'm pleased to say that this was almost as enjoyable as This Lovely City.
April 1, 2024
Not a big mystery reader, but I wanted something different and short. Was unaware this was the second book in a series until I was over halfway through, which explains why I was disappointed in not getting details on what took place on the ship.
It’s a great period piece for this time in Harlem and the black community.
I was underwhelmed by the mystery/whodunnit. I think the revelation/ending was a fast for how slow it was to build up to the murder mystery. It felt almost incomplete, but I guess there will be some continuation with a third book.
It’s a great period piece for this time in Harlem and the black community.
I was underwhelmed by the mystery/whodunnit. I think the revelation/ending was a fast for how slow it was to build up to the murder mystery. It felt almost incomplete, but I guess there will be some continuation with a third book.
May 8, 2024
Harlem After Midnight is the sequel to Miss Aldridge Regrets by Louise Hare. I definitely recommend reading Miss Aldridge first to understand the set up of the second book and get to know the characters.
Many unanswered questions were brought to conclusion in this book whilst also setting up the possibility to a third mystery.
The lack of ratings and reviews for Louise's books is frustrating. Put down those domestic thrillers about needy rich people and their husbands and read this instead!
Many unanswered questions were brought to conclusion in this book whilst also setting up the possibility to a third mystery.
The lack of ratings and reviews for Louise's books is frustrating. Put down those domestic thrillers about needy rich people and their husbands and read this instead!
September 8, 2023
Harlem After Midnight is the second Canary Club Mystery, following on from Miss Aldridge Regrets. It can be read as a stand-alone and all the information you need about Lena Aldridge, a biracial jazz singer and would be actress, is provided. Set in the mid 1930’s against a backdrop of segregation and racism with the rise of Nazism in the background, Louise Hare paints a fascinating picture of what it is to be able to pass for white in New York where being black comes with ready-made disadvantages.
Leonie Elliott reads well and judges the pacing and the tone of her characters very well indeed.
Lena Aldridge wants to know what brought her now deceased father, Alfie, a musician from New York to London in the early 1900’s. Having been afforded a trip on the Queen Mary which turned out to be rather more eventful than she might have wished, Lena is now in New York with no job, knowing no-one, except for Will Goodman, a rather handsome musician whom she met while he was playing in the ship’s band.
Will offers her a place to stay, with his friends Claud and Louis, and because she is interested in him, Lena agrees, wanting to know if this is a relationship that could develop into more than friendship.
The book follows Lena’s search for information about her father, Alfie, interspersed with a mystery about a dead body that is clutching Lena’s passport. We learn about Alfie’s life in 1908, which was both difficult and tragic.
Then there’s present day Lena. Will has a half-sister named Bel Bennett and their relationship is clearly tempestuous. After meeting Bel, it becomes clear that Will has been keeping secrets from Lena. Claud and Louis, too, are welcoming enough but there’s something reserved about their welcome for Lena and she’s not sure quite who to trust.
Lena’s biracial heritage comes up again when she and Bel go out together. Bel too can pass as white. While they enjoy the freedoms that this ability to pass gives them, it’s also troubling to their consciences, because who are they if not black? Lena wants to own her heritage and being in Harlem just strengthens that view for her.
The mysteries in this book are not always too difficult to work out, but the sheer rhythm and flow of life in Harlem is what makes this a stand out listen. (Though I’d love to hear a fully dramatised version complete with the music of the time)
Louise Hare really captures life in Harlem at the end of the Harlem Renaissance, a time when Harlem was the centre for the African American struggle for civil and economic equality and a flourishing centre of black culture, art and music. Lena goes to rent parties, where tenants hired a band to play and passed the hat to raise money to pay their rent. She visits The Apollo, the place “where stars are born and legends are made,” famous for launching the careers of artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, who made her singing debut there at just at 17 in 1934. Lena explores the music scene in her search for people who knew Alfie and what had made him up sticks and leave New York and of course she and Will love to discuss music.
With multiple timelines and two mysteries to be solved, capturing the detail, music and atmosphere of the times is important and Louise Hare does this very well.
I like Lena, though she’s sometimes too soft for her own good. But she can stand her ground and she’s no stranger to plain speaking.
Verdict: Well- paced, with characters I enjoyed meeting, Harlem After Midnight is an atmospheric, historical murder mystery with an emphasis on family secrets. I came for the murder mystery, but I stayed for the beautifully created descriptions and atmosphere of 1930’s Harlem. Lena ends up back in England and I’ll be here waiting for her next adventure.
Leonie Elliott reads well and judges the pacing and the tone of her characters very well indeed.
Lena Aldridge wants to know what brought her now deceased father, Alfie, a musician from New York to London in the early 1900’s. Having been afforded a trip on the Queen Mary which turned out to be rather more eventful than she might have wished, Lena is now in New York with no job, knowing no-one, except for Will Goodman, a rather handsome musician whom she met while he was playing in the ship’s band.
Will offers her a place to stay, with his friends Claud and Louis, and because she is interested in him, Lena agrees, wanting to know if this is a relationship that could develop into more than friendship.
The book follows Lena’s search for information about her father, Alfie, interspersed with a mystery about a dead body that is clutching Lena’s passport. We learn about Alfie’s life in 1908, which was both difficult and tragic.
Then there’s present day Lena. Will has a half-sister named Bel Bennett and their relationship is clearly tempestuous. After meeting Bel, it becomes clear that Will has been keeping secrets from Lena. Claud and Louis, too, are welcoming enough but there’s something reserved about their welcome for Lena and she’s not sure quite who to trust.
Lena’s biracial heritage comes up again when she and Bel go out together. Bel too can pass as white. While they enjoy the freedoms that this ability to pass gives them, it’s also troubling to their consciences, because who are they if not black? Lena wants to own her heritage and being in Harlem just strengthens that view for her.
The mysteries in this book are not always too difficult to work out, but the sheer rhythm and flow of life in Harlem is what makes this a stand out listen. (Though I’d love to hear a fully dramatised version complete with the music of the time)
Louise Hare really captures life in Harlem at the end of the Harlem Renaissance, a time when Harlem was the centre for the African American struggle for civil and economic equality and a flourishing centre of black culture, art and music. Lena goes to rent parties, where tenants hired a band to play and passed the hat to raise money to pay their rent. She visits The Apollo, the place “where stars are born and legends are made,” famous for launching the careers of artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, who made her singing debut there at just at 17 in 1934. Lena explores the music scene in her search for people who knew Alfie and what had made him up sticks and leave New York and of course she and Will love to discuss music.
With multiple timelines and two mysteries to be solved, capturing the detail, music and atmosphere of the times is important and Louise Hare does this very well.
I like Lena, though she’s sometimes too soft for her own good. But she can stand her ground and she’s no stranger to plain speaking.
Verdict: Well- paced, with characters I enjoyed meeting, Harlem After Midnight is an atmospheric, historical murder mystery with an emphasis on family secrets. I came for the murder mystery, but I stayed for the beautifully created descriptions and atmosphere of 1930’s Harlem. Lena ends up back in England and I’ll be here waiting for her next adventure.
September 13, 2023
3.5 stars
This book starts almost at the point where Miss Aldridge Regrets ended. For that reason alone, I recommend that you read these books in order. I’m not saying you can’t read this story as a stand-alone, but you’ll get a lot more out of it if you’re familiar with what has happened before. What’s more, events come full circle in Harlem After Midnight.
And while I’m on the subject of how this book starts; I hope you’re ready for a shocker. The first scene of the book features a young woman on a Harlem pavement. She appears to have fallen out of a window and is clutching Lena Aldridge’s passport. What on earth is going on?
Actually, it will take some (reading) time before you discover what happened in that prologue. The timeline of the story moves back nine days, and we join Lena after she has moved in with friends of her lover, Will. Over the next few days, we follow Lena as she tries to find out about her father’s life in New York before he travelled to London. At the same time, she tries to figure out what her future should look like. Does she return to London and her friend Maggie, as she originally planned, or could there be a future for her in America after all…a future with Will?
Slowly, through meeting his family and from stories told by his friends, Lena gets to know Will better and it isn’t long before she realises that Will has a few secrets in his past. Not that she can complain about that. It is not as if she has told him all her secrets either. But, over the nine days, the atmosphere around her goes from friendly and welcoming to fraught and a little hostile, although Lena has no idea why.
Things come to a head on the night of a party with a woman falling from the window of Will’s friends’ apartment and Will being the main suspect.
Since I try to avoid spoilers at all costs, that’s all I’ll say about the mystery. As for the story, it is just as fascinating as the prequel. Except that in this case there is more than one mystery from the start. While most of the story is told from Lena’s perspective and focusses on her stay in New York, other sections are set in 1908 and voiced by her father and one other character who will remain unidentified in this review.
I’m obviously not going to reveal how any of the mysteries in this story are resolved, but I do have thoughts I want to share about those resolutions. For starters, I found the resolution to the mystery of the fallen woman as dubious as the one in Miss Aldridge Regrets. The answer is provided and makes sense but whether or not you’d call it satisfactory depends on your personal opinion. As the word dubious implies, I remain to be convinced. Furthermore, while the reader finds out exactly why Lena’s father left New York for London, it is a little unclear whether or not Lena herself was aware of his ultimate goal. Then again, for her sake, I’m inclined to hope that she didn’t figure it all out.
Having said all of the above, the story did fascinate me. The setting, the characters, and the interactions between them grabbed my attention. The book is very well written, and my reading experience was smooth and enjoyable. While this book may not completely satisfy the mystery purists, I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy a combination of captivating characters, a rich historical setting, and enough intrigue to keep them on their toes.
I wonder if there will be more Lena Aldridge mysteries. While this book could easily be the end of her story, I wouldn’t be sorry if Louise Hare decides to feature her in future books. Reservations or not, Miss Aldridge has gotten under my skin.
This book starts almost at the point where Miss Aldridge Regrets ended. For that reason alone, I recommend that you read these books in order. I’m not saying you can’t read this story as a stand-alone, but you’ll get a lot more out of it if you’re familiar with what has happened before. What’s more, events come full circle in Harlem After Midnight.
And while I’m on the subject of how this book starts; I hope you’re ready for a shocker. The first scene of the book features a young woman on a Harlem pavement. She appears to have fallen out of a window and is clutching Lena Aldridge’s passport. What on earth is going on?
Actually, it will take some (reading) time before you discover what happened in that prologue. The timeline of the story moves back nine days, and we join Lena after she has moved in with friends of her lover, Will. Over the next few days, we follow Lena as she tries to find out about her father’s life in New York before he travelled to London. At the same time, she tries to figure out what her future should look like. Does she return to London and her friend Maggie, as she originally planned, or could there be a future for her in America after all…a future with Will?
Slowly, through meeting his family and from stories told by his friends, Lena gets to know Will better and it isn’t long before she realises that Will has a few secrets in his past. Not that she can complain about that. It is not as if she has told him all her secrets either. But, over the nine days, the atmosphere around her goes from friendly and welcoming to fraught and a little hostile, although Lena has no idea why.
Things come to a head on the night of a party with a woman falling from the window of Will’s friends’ apartment and Will being the main suspect.
Since I try to avoid spoilers at all costs, that’s all I’ll say about the mystery. As for the story, it is just as fascinating as the prequel. Except that in this case there is more than one mystery from the start. While most of the story is told from Lena’s perspective and focusses on her stay in New York, other sections are set in 1908 and voiced by her father and one other character who will remain unidentified in this review.
I’m obviously not going to reveal how any of the mysteries in this story are resolved, but I do have thoughts I want to share about those resolutions. For starters, I found the resolution to the mystery of the fallen woman as dubious as the one in Miss Aldridge Regrets. The answer is provided and makes sense but whether or not you’d call it satisfactory depends on your personal opinion. As the word dubious implies, I remain to be convinced. Furthermore, while the reader finds out exactly why Lena’s father left New York for London, it is a little unclear whether or not Lena herself was aware of his ultimate goal. Then again, for her sake, I’m inclined to hope that she didn’t figure it all out.
Having said all of the above, the story did fascinate me. The setting, the characters, and the interactions between them grabbed my attention. The book is very well written, and my reading experience was smooth and enjoyable. While this book may not completely satisfy the mystery purists, I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy a combination of captivating characters, a rich historical setting, and enough intrigue to keep them on their toes.
I wonder if there will be more Lena Aldridge mysteries. While this book could easily be the end of her story, I wouldn’t be sorry if Louise Hare decides to feature her in future books. Reservations or not, Miss Aldridge has gotten under my skin.
June 15, 2024
The story has a dramatic beginning when a body falls from a window of a New York apartment. It then jumps back a few days to when mixed-race singer, Lena Aldridge, after an eventful ship board crossing of the Atlantic arrives in New York. Lena is still coming to terms with what happened and the discovery she made about her family connections.
With her hopes dashed of a lead role in a Broadway musical, the primary reason for Lena's trip to America, she decides to spend the time before her return voyage to England delving into her late father's past. Alfie Aldridge was a black pianist who left New York over twenty years ago and never returned or spoke of his life back then. He raised Lena as a single parent and the bond between the two was very strong. Alfie's story is presented in flashbacks.
Lena also takes the time she has left in New York to further her relationship with Will Goodman, the black musician she met on the ship. He introduces her to his family: half-sister Bel who, like Lena, is also light skinned and could pass as white, and his ten-year-old niece, Joey. Lena also meets Will's friends, Claudette and Louis, who offer Lena a room in their apartment for the duration of her stay.
At first things run smoothly, but Will and Bel's relationship is not as cordial as it first seemed and soon the fledgling friendship between Lena and Bel also turns sour. When Will is accused of murder, Lena finds herself on the outer of a once welcoming community. Nevertheless, she is determined to prove Will's innocence, but is totally unprepared for the reaction when she confronts the true culprit.
I really enjoyed the first book in the Canary Club series, Miss Aldridge Regrets (my review), and eagerly awaited this sequel.
While touted as a mystery, the opening teaser is side-lined until much further into the book. Not that this is bad as there are a number of other elements that make this a very interesting and compelling read: the historical setting of the 1930s and early 20th century; the complex relationships between the characters and the secrets they keep; Lena's discoveries about her family; and the racism that continues to influence their lives.
Most of the action takes place in Harlem in 1936, towards the end of a period termed the Harlem Renaissance. At this time, African American culture flourished, especially in the arts which included the music scene that Will and Lena are a part of.
Lena, because of the colour of her skin, straddles two cultures, not fitting into either. However, the warm welcome she receives from the tight-knit black community of Harlem has her considering what life would be like should she remain in New York. Sadly, she has to rethink her situation when she becomes the target of jealousy and, with Will's arrest for murder and despite her relationship with him, she is still regarded as an outsider.
The murder mystery element is not the strong point of this novel as it was easy to deduce who was responsible. What makes this a novel I would recommend are the well-developed characters, the historical setting and the evocation of the jazz era and night club scene that form the backdrop to this entertaining novel.
The ending suggests that Lena's story isn't done yet. I certainly hope so.
*https://adarngoodread.blogspot.com
With her hopes dashed of a lead role in a Broadway musical, the primary reason for Lena's trip to America, she decides to spend the time before her return voyage to England delving into her late father's past. Alfie Aldridge was a black pianist who left New York over twenty years ago and never returned or spoke of his life back then. He raised Lena as a single parent and the bond between the two was very strong. Alfie's story is presented in flashbacks.
Lena also takes the time she has left in New York to further her relationship with Will Goodman, the black musician she met on the ship. He introduces her to his family: half-sister Bel who, like Lena, is also light skinned and could pass as white, and his ten-year-old niece, Joey. Lena also meets Will's friends, Claudette and Louis, who offer Lena a room in their apartment for the duration of her stay.
At first things run smoothly, but Will and Bel's relationship is not as cordial as it first seemed and soon the fledgling friendship between Lena and Bel also turns sour. When Will is accused of murder, Lena finds herself on the outer of a once welcoming community. Nevertheless, she is determined to prove Will's innocence, but is totally unprepared for the reaction when she confronts the true culprit.
I really enjoyed the first book in the Canary Club series, Miss Aldridge Regrets (my review), and eagerly awaited this sequel.
While touted as a mystery, the opening teaser is side-lined until much further into the book. Not that this is bad as there are a number of other elements that make this a very interesting and compelling read: the historical setting of the 1930s and early 20th century; the complex relationships between the characters and the secrets they keep; Lena's discoveries about her family; and the racism that continues to influence their lives.
Most of the action takes place in Harlem in 1936, towards the end of a period termed the Harlem Renaissance. At this time, African American culture flourished, especially in the arts which included the music scene that Will and Lena are a part of.
Lena, because of the colour of her skin, straddles two cultures, not fitting into either. However, the warm welcome she receives from the tight-knit black community of Harlem has her considering what life would be like should she remain in New York. Sadly, she has to rethink her situation when she becomes the target of jealousy and, with Will's arrest for murder and despite her relationship with him, she is still regarded as an outsider.
The murder mystery element is not the strong point of this novel as it was easy to deduce who was responsible. What makes this a novel I would recommend are the well-developed characters, the historical setting and the evocation of the jazz era and night club scene that form the backdrop to this entertaining novel.
The ending suggests that Lena's story isn't done yet. I certainly hope so.
*https://adarngoodread.blogspot.com
September 10, 2023
I loved 'Miss Aldridge Regrets', the first novel by Louise Hare to throw singer Lena Aldridge into a new role as detective on board a transatlantic liner bound for New York in 1936. This second book, 'Harlem after Midnight', picks up the story of Lena's arrival in New York with new beau and ship-board musician Will Goodman.
Thanks to NetGalley for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This book opens in dramatic style: a woman has fallen from a window at a party in Harlem. Clutched in her hand is a passport bearing the name Lena Aldridge... The narrative then moves back 9 days to Lena's arrival in New York when Will arranges for her to stay with friends of his, Claud and Louis. Instead of Will returning to England on the ship, he decides to take some leave, something that gives Lena hope that they can work out whether their relationship has a future. However, things are far from smooth due to Will's awkward sister, a host of family secrets and Lena's inability to decide whether she can find a home in Harlem. Added to this, Lena is in investigative mode as she tries to uncover her own family secrets about what happened to her father in New York in 1908 that caused him to leave for England.
It took me a while to get used to the time-hopping between the night of the accident, the events beforehand (both 1936) and Lena's father in 1908. However, it cleverly built the tension towards the main mystery: who pushed the woman from the window and why? Along the way, there's lots of fabulous period detail about the Harlem social whirl, the nightclubs and music scene - an aspect I loved.
As before, I liked the character of Lena Aldridge. She makes a compelling main character as she tries to do what is right by everyone - herself, Will, her new Harlem friends, the memory of her father and her best friend at home in London. She's at a kind of crossroads in her career and life so we get lots of insight into her thought processes and begin to root for her to have her happy-ever-after ending.
Hare explores the race relations of the era in an interesting way - Lena is of mixed heritage but passes as white, yet Will is black. This partnership is mirrored elsewhere in the novel - with Alfie (Lena's father) and his white girlfriend, plus in what Lena uncovers about her family's past. In each case, Hare draws out some contemporary reactions to such relationships, touching on society's expectations and prejudices, the awful lynchings in the South and the exploitation of black women by powerful white men. There are some really sobering moments in the novel for this reason and it's far from being a cosy crime novel..
The central mystery was well sustained by the use of flashbacks and the diversions into Lena's family's past. I didn't find the mystery quite as compelling as the first novel, but appreciated that more space was given to developing Lena as a character.
I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoyed 'Miss Aldridge Regrets' and would suggest that this second book is more easily accessible to those who have read the first novel - there's lots of references to the revelations in that first book and several of the characters reappear. It's a well-researched slice of historical fiction and an engaging read.
Thanks to NetGalley for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This book opens in dramatic style: a woman has fallen from a window at a party in Harlem. Clutched in her hand is a passport bearing the name Lena Aldridge... The narrative then moves back 9 days to Lena's arrival in New York when Will arranges for her to stay with friends of his, Claud and Louis. Instead of Will returning to England on the ship, he decides to take some leave, something that gives Lena hope that they can work out whether their relationship has a future. However, things are far from smooth due to Will's awkward sister, a host of family secrets and Lena's inability to decide whether she can find a home in Harlem. Added to this, Lena is in investigative mode as she tries to uncover her own family secrets about what happened to her father in New York in 1908 that caused him to leave for England.
It took me a while to get used to the time-hopping between the night of the accident, the events beforehand (both 1936) and Lena's father in 1908. However, it cleverly built the tension towards the main mystery: who pushed the woman from the window and why? Along the way, there's lots of fabulous period detail about the Harlem social whirl, the nightclubs and music scene - an aspect I loved.
As before, I liked the character of Lena Aldridge. She makes a compelling main character as she tries to do what is right by everyone - herself, Will, her new Harlem friends, the memory of her father and her best friend at home in London. She's at a kind of crossroads in her career and life so we get lots of insight into her thought processes and begin to root for her to have her happy-ever-after ending.
Hare explores the race relations of the era in an interesting way - Lena is of mixed heritage but passes as white, yet Will is black. This partnership is mirrored elsewhere in the novel - with Alfie (Lena's father) and his white girlfriend, plus in what Lena uncovers about her family's past. In each case, Hare draws out some contemporary reactions to such relationships, touching on society's expectations and prejudices, the awful lynchings in the South and the exploitation of black women by powerful white men. There are some really sobering moments in the novel for this reason and it's far from being a cosy crime novel..
The central mystery was well sustained by the use of flashbacks and the diversions into Lena's family's past. I didn't find the mystery quite as compelling as the first novel, but appreciated that more space was given to developing Lena as a character.
I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoyed 'Miss Aldridge Regrets' and would suggest that this second book is more easily accessible to those who have read the first novel - there's lots of references to the revelations in that first book and several of the characters reappear. It's a well-researched slice of historical fiction and an engaging read.
September 7, 2023
On an autumn night in Harlem a passing policeman finds a woman lying on the pavement. She has fallen from a third floor window and is clutching a passport. The name on it is Lena Aldridge. Sadly the woman dies and, in flashback, the reader learns of the events that led up to it.
Lena narrates in the first person as she settles into New York life. She has two weeks in the Big Apple after disembarking from the Queen Mary and after her promised Broadway debut falls through, she has plenty of time on her hands. Will Goodman, the bandleader on board the ship and whom she has fallen in love has found her a room in the apartment of his two old friends, the Linfields, Claudette and Louis. She meets his stepsister, Bel and her young daughter, Joey and senses friction between her and Will despite him supporting them financially.
But there’s the whole of New York to explore from the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings, the Apollo and the Savoy and she begins to wonder if there could be a life for her in the big city. Lena is also taking the opportunity to try and find out more about her father, Alfie, by asking anyone who might have played with him in clubs and at parties years earlier.
He came originally from Jacksonville and migrated to New York to find work but may have had other darker reasons. She discovers that he had a sister of which she knew nothing about and is sadly shown where she is buried.
But with the discovery of the woman who fell, everything changes for Lena and for Will. She no longer feels welcome and begins to wonder if she has any reason to stay…..
This is the second of The Canary Club mysteries featuring the glamorous nightclub singer, Lena Aldridge and it seems strange to describe a book set in the 1930’s as ‘historical fiction’. There are echoes of the first book, ‘Miss Aldridge Regrets’ and if you haven’t read it then you will soon be up to speed with events. I thought that the reference to Lena being able to ‘pass’ due to her being so light skinned was an interesting facet to the story as it emphasised her being caught between two worlds.
It’s well researched and I felt as if I was exploring New York with Lena and Will. She is very conflicted about whether to return to the familiar world of London and her friend Maggie or take on a new life in a new city. But when she catches Bel going through the money that she has stashed in her carpet bag she realises that there are undercurrents that she is being pulled into.
There is also another plotline which is that of Alfie’s struggle in 1908: he is trying to make a living with his music and supporting his sister, Jessie, until her untimely death and then his desire for revenge. I would have liked these excerpts to have been longer as I felt that the author enjoyed writing about him. The book is a slow burner and in parts perhaps it was a little too slow and got bogged down into dialogue and no action. But it had another glamorous cover as with ‘Miss Aldridge Regrets’ and a dramatic opening scene that made me want to read on and become part of Lena’s world again.
I wonder what Miss Aldridge will get up to next?
Lena narrates in the first person as she settles into New York life. She has two weeks in the Big Apple after disembarking from the Queen Mary and after her promised Broadway debut falls through, she has plenty of time on her hands. Will Goodman, the bandleader on board the ship and whom she has fallen in love has found her a room in the apartment of his two old friends, the Linfields, Claudette and Louis. She meets his stepsister, Bel and her young daughter, Joey and senses friction between her and Will despite him supporting them financially.
But there’s the whole of New York to explore from the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings, the Apollo and the Savoy and she begins to wonder if there could be a life for her in the big city. Lena is also taking the opportunity to try and find out more about her father, Alfie, by asking anyone who might have played with him in clubs and at parties years earlier.
He came originally from Jacksonville and migrated to New York to find work but may have had other darker reasons. She discovers that he had a sister of which she knew nothing about and is sadly shown where she is buried.
But with the discovery of the woman who fell, everything changes for Lena and for Will. She no longer feels welcome and begins to wonder if she has any reason to stay…..
This is the second of The Canary Club mysteries featuring the glamorous nightclub singer, Lena Aldridge and it seems strange to describe a book set in the 1930’s as ‘historical fiction’. There are echoes of the first book, ‘Miss Aldridge Regrets’ and if you haven’t read it then you will soon be up to speed with events. I thought that the reference to Lena being able to ‘pass’ due to her being so light skinned was an interesting facet to the story as it emphasised her being caught between two worlds.
It’s well researched and I felt as if I was exploring New York with Lena and Will. She is very conflicted about whether to return to the familiar world of London and her friend Maggie or take on a new life in a new city. But when she catches Bel going through the money that she has stashed in her carpet bag she realises that there are undercurrents that she is being pulled into.
There is also another plotline which is that of Alfie’s struggle in 1908: he is trying to make a living with his music and supporting his sister, Jessie, until her untimely death and then his desire for revenge. I would have liked these excerpts to have been longer as I felt that the author enjoyed writing about him. The book is a slow burner and in parts perhaps it was a little too slow and got bogged down into dialogue and no action. But it had another glamorous cover as with ‘Miss Aldridge Regrets’ and a dramatic opening scene that made me want to read on and become part of Lena’s world again.
I wonder what Miss Aldridge will get up to next?
September 19, 2023
September, 1936. Night club singer Lena Aldridge, fresh from her brush with murder during her London-New York passage on the glamorous Queen Mary, finds herself with time on her hands in the Big Apple. Staying in Harlem with friends of Will Goodman, the pianist who turned her head on the voyage, Lena is curious to see where their relationship will lead during her visit, and whether it will make her rethink her plans.
In many ways Harlem is very different from the world Lena has left behind, but under the surface there are similarities with the gritty Soho scene she knows so well... and it is the perfect location for her to try to discover more about her father Alfie, and what made him flee from his life here as a musician to London in 1908 - while trying to work out how this all fits with the shocking truth about the identity of her New York society mother. As Lena's investigation into Alfie's past unfurls she is unsettled to find that there are a lot more secrets he kept hidden from her than she thought. She also begins to realise that Will has secrets of his own - secrets that will lead her into danger.
The action picks up a few days after Lena's arrival in New York, with a young woman falling from the window of a third storey apartment in Harlem - the very one that Lena is currently staying in. The unidentified woman is clutching Lena's passport in her hand, and she does not look likely to survive. Hare then cleverly weaves a dual timeline story flipping between 1936 with the tale of Lena's dangerous New York adventure in the days leading up to the tragedy - cut with dramatic events of the aftermath - and 1908 when we finally learn the truth about what made Alfie leave his homeland and flee to London. Both timelines are full of intricately woven threads of mystery, with deliciously echoed themes of family secrets, betrayal and carefully plotted, cold-hearted revenge. Hare keeps you guessing about the how events will play out in the past and the present with well-conceived twists, turns, and well timed reveals, set against the heady tapestry of the city that never sleeps, until she floors you with a truth that you will not see coming.
You really do have to have read Hare's first Lena Aldridge mystery, Miss Aldridge Regrets, before coming to this book, as so much of what happens leads on from Lena's London life, the murderous events aboard the Queen Mary, and the knowledge that knocked her for six on the voyage. As Hare's first foray into the Golden Age crime genre, it is lots of fun too, full of atmospheric ocean liner glamour and intrigue. This second Lena Aldridge mystery has a different feel, with a greater injection of the noir vibes that I love, and it also brings with it more of the kind of weighty themes that Hare explored in her stunning debut This Lovely City, especially when it comes to class and the barriers thrown up against people of colour.
Hare is very much warming to detective fiction in this book, balancing character development, slick plotting, and emotional power to perfection. First and foremost though, this is a story about family, friendship, love, and sacrifice.... with a big dose of jazz! I loved it!
In many ways Harlem is very different from the world Lena has left behind, but under the surface there are similarities with the gritty Soho scene she knows so well... and it is the perfect location for her to try to discover more about her father Alfie, and what made him flee from his life here as a musician to London in 1908 - while trying to work out how this all fits with the shocking truth about the identity of her New York society mother. As Lena's investigation into Alfie's past unfurls she is unsettled to find that there are a lot more secrets he kept hidden from her than she thought. She also begins to realise that Will has secrets of his own - secrets that will lead her into danger.
The action picks up a few days after Lena's arrival in New York, with a young woman falling from the window of a third storey apartment in Harlem - the very one that Lena is currently staying in. The unidentified woman is clutching Lena's passport in her hand, and she does not look likely to survive. Hare then cleverly weaves a dual timeline story flipping between 1936 with the tale of Lena's dangerous New York adventure in the days leading up to the tragedy - cut with dramatic events of the aftermath - and 1908 when we finally learn the truth about what made Alfie leave his homeland and flee to London. Both timelines are full of intricately woven threads of mystery, with deliciously echoed themes of family secrets, betrayal and carefully plotted, cold-hearted revenge. Hare keeps you guessing about the how events will play out in the past and the present with well-conceived twists, turns, and well timed reveals, set against the heady tapestry of the city that never sleeps, until she floors you with a truth that you will not see coming.
You really do have to have read Hare's first Lena Aldridge mystery, Miss Aldridge Regrets, before coming to this book, as so much of what happens leads on from Lena's London life, the murderous events aboard the Queen Mary, and the knowledge that knocked her for six on the voyage. As Hare's first foray into the Golden Age crime genre, it is lots of fun too, full of atmospheric ocean liner glamour and intrigue. This second Lena Aldridge mystery has a different feel, with a greater injection of the noir vibes that I love, and it also brings with it more of the kind of weighty themes that Hare explored in her stunning debut This Lovely City, especially when it comes to class and the barriers thrown up against people of colour.
Hare is very much warming to detective fiction in this book, balancing character development, slick plotting, and emotional power to perfection. First and foremost though, this is a story about family, friendship, love, and sacrifice.... with a big dose of jazz! I loved it!
September 12, 2023
Lena has arrived in New York.
What an absolute pleasure to be back in the company of Lena Aldridge. Although you don’t need to have read the first book about her, Miss Aldridge Regrets, I think there’s more to gain from Harlem After Midnight if you have read it so that all references to Lena’s voyage to New York are easier to grasp.
Darker than Miss Aldridge Regrets, although with fewer deaths, Harlem After Midnight feels like a natural progression that advances Lena’s present life and uncovers more of her past – both for Lena herself and the reader. I think what is so effective is that whilst some of the events, like Alfie’s reason for being in New York, are firmly rooted in the social era of the early 1900s, they are totally convincing and sadly all too relevant for today’s society too, making Harlem After Midnight historically immersive and thematically compelling.
Louise Hare encompasses racism, feminism, religion, the patriarchy, family, sexism, manipulation and romance in a heady mix of superb writing that impacts the reader and educates without them even realising as they get caught up in the story and the developing relationship between Lena and Will. There’s a real feeling that this author understands humanity in all its failings and strengths and Louise Hare carries her reader with her entirely effectively.
I thought the characters were brilliantly drawn. As Lena’s first person narrative develops her personality, so she gradually uncovers the depth and nuances of Will et al – including New York in general and Harlem in particular, both areas being every bit as much a character as the people. The shifting sands of relationship between Will and Bel are fascinating to read about. I loved being immersed in the social hierarchy of class and colour, being taken into the clubs and hotels of New York and into the homes and lives of those like Claudette and Louis. There’s a fabulous appeal to the senses through the music, food and clothes of the era that is sumptuous and really brings the narrative alive.
I thought the pace was perfectly pitched. It feels surprisingly gentle for a while until the reader realises what clever plotting this is. Seeds of information, twists and details are all scattered through the story and drawn together into an emotional and satisfying ending, even though I hope the story doesn’t end here and that there will be future books about some of these characters.
Beautifully written, Harlem After Midnight is a curious book. Whilst it engages and entertains so brilliantly, it seems to have even greater impact after it is finished and the reader reflects on it, because concepts of belonging, loyalty and self sacrifice only truly become obvious right at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed it and really recommend it.
What an absolute pleasure to be back in the company of Lena Aldridge. Although you don’t need to have read the first book about her, Miss Aldridge Regrets, I think there’s more to gain from Harlem After Midnight if you have read it so that all references to Lena’s voyage to New York are easier to grasp.
Darker than Miss Aldridge Regrets, although with fewer deaths, Harlem After Midnight feels like a natural progression that advances Lena’s present life and uncovers more of her past – both for Lena herself and the reader. I think what is so effective is that whilst some of the events, like Alfie’s reason for being in New York, are firmly rooted in the social era of the early 1900s, they are totally convincing and sadly all too relevant for today’s society too, making Harlem After Midnight historically immersive and thematically compelling.
Louise Hare encompasses racism, feminism, religion, the patriarchy, family, sexism, manipulation and romance in a heady mix of superb writing that impacts the reader and educates without them even realising as they get caught up in the story and the developing relationship between Lena and Will. There’s a real feeling that this author understands humanity in all its failings and strengths and Louise Hare carries her reader with her entirely effectively.
I thought the characters were brilliantly drawn. As Lena’s first person narrative develops her personality, so she gradually uncovers the depth and nuances of Will et al – including New York in general and Harlem in particular, both areas being every bit as much a character as the people. The shifting sands of relationship between Will and Bel are fascinating to read about. I loved being immersed in the social hierarchy of class and colour, being taken into the clubs and hotels of New York and into the homes and lives of those like Claudette and Louis. There’s a fabulous appeal to the senses through the music, food and clothes of the era that is sumptuous and really brings the narrative alive.
I thought the pace was perfectly pitched. It feels surprisingly gentle for a while until the reader realises what clever plotting this is. Seeds of information, twists and details are all scattered through the story and drawn together into an emotional and satisfying ending, even though I hope the story doesn’t end here and that there will be future books about some of these characters.
Beautifully written, Harlem After Midnight is a curious book. Whilst it engages and entertains so brilliantly, it seems to have even greater impact after it is finished and the reader reflects on it, because concepts of belonging, loyalty and self sacrifice only truly become obvious right at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed it and really recommend it.
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