Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

Ray Carney, wanting to get away from his family history of crime,  opens a gently used furniture store in Harlem. He sees himself as a middleman to the to and from of objects,  a churn of property,  and he was just the facilitator of that churn...and if some of those objects come from nefarious means,  how is he to blame?

But when his cousin names him to a shady new group of friends who plan to run the Hotel Theresa, all of a sudden,  Ray's shop is frequented by assorted lowlifes and shady cops. He looks for a better life,  a better home,  but this is no way to get it.  He has to work hard to get himself,  his cousin,  and his shop back out of trouble. 

I loved the descriptions of different areas and neighborhoods in Harlem in the 60s from Ray's perspective.  I like how he'd choose a house or apartment and imagine his family living there.  I really respected Ray for trying to provide for his family in the mostly legal way and get away from his father's criminal ways. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.