Cozy mystery writers were cozy mystery readers first. I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you about a series that is close to my heart– the Blanche White series by Barbara Neely.
When I found this series, it was a breath of fresh air. I loved that the main character was Black. As a Latina who had yet to discover Carolina Garcia-Aguilera’s PI books, I don’t think I’d ever read a traditional mystery with a female person of color as the hero of the story. Blanche White was smart, funny, and represented a minority point of view that I could identify with.
The author of the series, Barbara Neely, passed away at age 78 a few months after it was announced that she was MWA’s 2020 Grand Master. The honor had renewed interest in her ground-breaking series. I wish she had lived to see and enjoy the spotlight she deserved. Kellye Garrett, the award winning mystery writer, wrote about Barbara Neely’s importance and her legacy in this piece. Click the link. Kellye does more justice to Neely’s trailblazing than I can.
Do yourself a favor and read the series. Blanche on the Lam, Blanche Among the Talented Tenth, Blanche Cleans Up, and Blanche Passes Go. The series is one of my favorites and I think it will become one of yours too.
Raquel V. Reyes writes mysteries with Caribbean vibes and Latina leads. Find her on social media with the handle @LatinaSleuths. Her debut culinary cozy, Mango, Mambo, and Murder is available for pre-order.
