The Harlem Charade - Natasha Tarpley

Chasing Vermeer comes to Harlem in this clever mystery about art, artifice, and the power of community. Debut novelist Tarpley explores the way a community defines itself, the power of art to show truth, and what it really means to be home. nWATCHER. SHADOW. FUGITIVE. n nHarlem is home to all kinds of kids. Jin sees life passing her by from the window of her family's bodega. Alex wants to help the needy one shelter at a time, but can't tell anyone who she really is. Elvin's living on Harlem's cold, lonely streets, surviving on his own after his grandfather was mysteriously attacked. n nWhen these three strangers join forces to find out what happened to Elvin's grandfather, their digging leads them to an enigmatic artist whose missing masterpieces are worth a fortune -- one that might save the neighborhood from development by an ambitious politician who wants to turn it into Harlem World, a ludicrous historic theme park. But if they don't find the paintings soon, nothing in their beloved neighborhood will ever be the same... n nIn this remarkable tale of daring and danger, debut novelist Natasha Tarpley explores the way a community defines itself, the power of art to show truth, and what it really means to be home.