Of Blood and Sorrow: A Tamara Hayle Mystery (Hardcover)

by Valerie Wilson Wesley (Author)
Key Phrases: Thelma Lee, Sweet Thing, Treyman Barnes (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The desperate search for a missing child makes Newark PI Tamara Hayle's eighth outing (after 2005's Dying in the Dark) a chilling, thought-provoking read. Gold-digging Lilah Love gave Tamara $30,000 years earlier after some shady doings in Jamaica. Now Lilah's sister, Thelma Lee, has Lilah's daughter, Baby Dal, and refuses to give her back. Lilah threatens harm to Tamara's son, Jamal, unless Tamara takes on her case. Tamara doesn't want to help Lilah, who sees Baby Dal as a bargaining chip, so she lets Treyman Barnes II, the child's wealthy, powerful grandfather, hire her instead. Then Thelma Lee disappears with the baby, and Lilah is found murdered in her car with Jamal's backpack in the rear seat. Tamara realizes she must find Lilah's child in order to protect her own. Wesley recounts Tamara's struggles with equal parts irony, compassion and insight. (Jan.)
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Review
Praise for Valerie Wilson Wesley and her Tamara Hayle mysteries

“There’s a richness of language in Wesley’s writing, joined by a delightful sense of humor. She makes the mean streets of Newark come alive.”
–The San Francisco Examiner

“A major talent . . . Wesley’s voice–laden with wit, style, and sparkle–is unique in mystery fiction.”
–The Globe and Mail

“[Tamara Hayle] has a way with a wisecrack that is positively lethal.”
–The Washington Post Book World

“A wonderfully believable and independent sleuth who combines intellect and intuition, sexiness and self-control.”
–The Denver Post


From the Hardcover edition. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: One World/Ballantine (January 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345492714
• ISBN-13: 978-0345492715
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #275,917 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Family Ties, February 10, 2008

By	Urban-Reviews.com (Urban-Reviews.com) - See all my reviews

Tamara Hayle's life couldn't be sweeter. She has a supportive mate and her son Jamal is doing well as a typical teenager. Tamara's professional life is on the upswing as well when the city's most powerful businessman wants to work with her. But Tamara's seeming quiet life is interrupted when an old acquaintance named Lila Love seeks her help in finding her missing child. To further confuse things, Tamara's ex-lover Basil Dupre comes back into town stirring up trouble and old feelings. But nothing disturbs Tamara more when Jamal witnesses a brutal murder and becomes the prime suspect. Tamara must now try to solve this murder and clear her son's name.

Of Blood and Sorrow is an enthralling novel by Valerie Wilson Wesley. Wesley successfully pens a mystery novel that is full of non-stop drama. This story not only deals with Tamara getting to the bottom of a mystery, but it also deal with the relationship that she has with her son Jamal. You will see the various trials and tribulations that Tamara has to deal with in trying to raise Jamal the best way she knows how. There are also some favorite characters from Wesley's previous novels such as Basil Dupre and Tamara's best friend Wyvetta Green that adds just the right touch to this story. Of course no Tamara Hayle mystery would be complete without a mind-blowing twist. Of Blood and Sorrow is full of edge-of-your-seat drama and raw emotion that will delight Valerie Wilson Wesley's legion of fans.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert
for Urban Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tamara's Finally Back!, February 17, 2008

By	Angelia Menchan "acvermen.blogspot.com" (Florida) - See all my reviews

Private Investigator, Tamara Hayle, is finally back on the case in Of Blood and Sorrow by Valerie Wilson Wesley. The beginning of the mystery finds Tamara in a good place. She has money in the bank, is finally in love with a good man and though her son, Jamal, has had a few struggles he seems to be doing okay as well. Of course, we know, things will change. Lilah Love, one of Tamara's old clients, shows up on the investigator's doorstep and we know that bodies will soon start to drop and we are not disappointed. Lilah is interested in hiring Tamara to find her baby. She insists her sister has stolen the baby, and she wants her back. Tamara warily declines but is soon to discover that she will be in pursuit of Lilah's baby because she is hired by Treyman Barnes, Newark's most successful businessman, to find his granddaughter, Baby Dal, Lilah's baby. From that point, people start missing and Tamara becomes personally involved in the mysterious deaths.

Of Blood and Sorrow gives us a peek at what happens to keep a family together and what can break them apart. The novel is filled with secrets and cover-ups. We also get a glimpse at what occurs when the detective's family is threatened.

It was nice to be reintroduced to the Tamara Hayle mysteries and get reacquainted with the people in her world. New readers will enjoy her leisurely, `home-girl' way of unveiling a mystery. Old readers will be glad to see that she is back on the case, with her usual style of crime solving, mixed in with bits of humility and romance. I recommend Of Blood and Sorrow to all mystery fans, particularly Ms. Wilson-Wesley's loyal readers.

Angelia Menchan
APOOO BookClub

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice To Hear From An Old Friend..., February 11, 2008

By	Reading Diva of Brownsville "BrooklynDiva71" (Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews

Before you pick up this latest episode, purchase the paperback of 'Where Evil Sleeps' to be completely 'caught up.' I won't give away too much, but a 'die-hard' fan was NOT disappointed. I finished the book in a day. Can't wait for Ms. Tamara to hit the big screen. Any takers?