Time's Undoing by Cheryl A. Head is a compelling dual-timeline mystery that intertwines family history with contemporary social issues. Set between 1929 and 2019, the story follows Meghan McKenzie, a Black journalist investigating the unsolved murder of her great-grandfather, Robert Lee Harrington, in segregated Birmingham, Alabama. As Meghan uncovers the truth, the novel explores the generational trauma of racial injustice, with themes of police violence, systemic racism, and the lasting impact on families. Inspired by the author’s own family, this novel is both a gripping mystery and a poignant reflection on history and its relevance today.

A young journalist travels to Alabama to uncover the mystery surrounding her great-grandfather's death and burial.

Was unable to provide a review based on personal family issues...my apologies to the publishing firm.

My interview with Cheryl Head about TIME'S UNDOING is available on the Crime Writer's of Color website and wherever you listen to podcasts.

I had high hopes for this one after hearing about the story I was really looking forward to reading this one. Unfortunately it did not hold my attention and I gave up on it halfway through. Too much time wasted talking about the research instead of telling the story. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

I DNF'd this book, but did feature it on my Winter 2023 Book Preview podcast episode before I read it.

What length will someone one go to uncover the truth? That’s what I thought about after reading Time’s Undoing. This was such an extraordinary novel I literally enjoyed every moment of reading this book. When I say I want to read historical fiction this book is the perfect example of that. The type of mood it creates was so masterful and the mystery and suspense behind uncovering the truth about Meghan’s grandfather had me on edge. It was also the perfect blend between the 1920’s and present day. Once I found out the author based some of the book off her family history I was immersed even deeper into the story.

This heartbreaking story will take you back into a world where tragedy strikes and those who vowed to uphold the law attempt to cover up the truth. Inspired by true events the novel follows Meghan McKenzie a young Black reporter who searches for answers in the unsolved murder of her great-grandfather Robert Lee Harrington in segregated Birmingham, Alabama, back in the 1920’s. It unfolds between alternating timelines of the past and present by both Meghan and her grandfather Robert.

The authors vivid depiction of the past and her similarities to police brutality and corruption in the judicial system shows that these are issues African Americans still face today. I felt so many emotions while reading this book I was upset even a little heartbroken at one point.

Overall this book was nothing short of amazing for me. The believable details, great pacing, and the way the characters background stories are gradually revealed keeps the reading going. Although the novel centers around such a tragic event knowing the truth will be uncovered by the end gives a degree of hope. Special thanks to the author, @duttonbooks, & @netgalley for my advanced copy!!!!

This book had so much potential but unfortunately it fell flat for me. The main character was so corny and her dialogue felt so unrealistic. The story meandered a bit too much and didn't hold my attention despite the fact that it's about a very important topic.

I tried to read this one, but found the writing style to be hard to get into. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy.

was sucked into Time's Undoing from the beginning! The story has two timelines - 2019, and Meghan McKenzie, a young reporter at the Detroit Free Press is doing a story about the Black Lives Matter movement, when she decides to link the present to the murder of her great-grandfather in Birmingham, Alabama in 1929. Robert Lee Harrington is a talented carpenter, who moves his pregnant wife and young daughter to Birmingham after he fights with a white man in their home town of St. Petersburg, Florida. When Meghan decides to go to Birmingham to investigate her great-grandfather's murder and relate it to present day racial persecution, she disturbs old secrets that prominent men in Birmingham would rather stay hidden. In her quest Meghan finds allies in a librarian, a young city politician, a Black Lives Matter activist, and lots of church ladies. I really enjoyed both stories - the modern and the historical story. The only thing that kept me from giving the book a full 5 star rating was the slightly paranormal aspect to it, especially near the end.

I really liked this by the end, but at the start, I hope the mundane details ("Called this person, left a message and hope to hear back") get removed in the final version. Why would I want that level of mundanity in what is ostensibly a mystery novel?

In 2019, Meghan Mckenzie is a reporter for the Detroit Free Press, heartsick over the senseless killings of so many Black people just like her by the police who are supposed to protect and serve the community. Part of her beat at the paper is coverage of the Black Lives Matter movement. At a pitch meeting one day, she suggests traveling to Birmingham, Alabama to investigate what happened to her great-grandfather Robert Harrington there almost a century ago. She believes that she can tie it to the ongoing relationship between Black people and police in the USA, a matter of decided interest to the Free Press’ readers.

Her bosses give her the okay, and soon Meghan is soaking up the atmosphere where her southern ancestors once lived. She already has some contacts in the area but makes new ones who are eager to help and support her as she looks into her great-grandfather's mysterious death. One of these people is a BLM activist named Monique, who gets rid of any lingering imposter syndrome Meghan might have regarding her abilities or purpose:

QUOTE
Monique has inspired and reaffirmed my commitment to my family story. It <i>is</i> important, and relevant. A human tragedy of the past too much like the Black family tragedies of our present. I think about the poverty and despair I’ve seen today. Maybe my story will help at least one reader understand the viciousness of racism. How it props up broken systems and bad policies. Making those who are marginalized mistrustful of authority, and those in authority fearful of, and hateful toward, the people they’re supposed to serve.
ENDQUOTE

Meghan's main obstacle in reporting on the story is the decided lack of clues she has to go on. All she knows is that her great-grandfather was fatally shot by the Birmingham police and that his grieving, pregnant widow took their young daughter and headed back to her family in Florida as soon as she could. No one in Meghan's family even knows where Robert's body is buried. Unsurprisingly, the Alabama police of 1929 did not keep the most meticulous records when it came to the shootings of Black people by cops. Meghan has to work almost as much by instinct as by hard fact as she searches archives and interviews people who might have known Robert or been a witness to events all that time ago.

The further she digs, however, the more she realizes that there are people who very much don't want her to find out what happened, much less report on it. Meghan can scarcely believe that someone would threaten her life over a nearly century-old crime, but as the threats begin to escalate and even her staunchest supporters begin to talk about backing off, she has to wonder how far she'll go in order to bring the truth to light.

Interspersed with Meghan's story are chapters told from Robert's point of view back in 1929. He was a master carpenter who was proud of his skill, his suavity, his beautiful young family and his excellently maintained Franklin Victoria. Never mind that the car had too often drawn the eye of racists back in Florida. The luxury vehicle was a blessing when it came to transporting his family to Birmingham for his new job:

QUOTE
Anna Kate is just six months along but already big, and prefers to sit in the back with Mae, where she has more leg room and can rest her swelling ankles. There is another advantage of her rear-seat perch. We’re driving through towns that don’t want to see Negroes after dark, and on the open road I’m a pretty big target for the Klan. So to the casual observer, with my light-skinned wife as passenger, I could pass for a chauffeur.
ENDQUOTE

These stark depictions of how life used to be in the south invite readers to contrast them with the experiences of Black people today, especially in relation to the police. Based on a chapter in Cheryl A Head's own family tree, it's a compelling examination of history and progress and how far still we have to go as a nation. With a light supernatural element, Time’s Undoing is a satisfying examination of how the past continues to affect the present, and of how allowing shame and bigotry to fester only continues to perpetuate violence.

Birmingham, Alabama 1929. Robert Lee Harrington moves his pregnant wife and little daughter from Florida to take a great job as a master carpenter. He sets them up in a boarding house in the black part of town. It's a vibrant place with a nightlife full of dancing, cards, and speakeasies, and markets within walking distance of the boarding house. It also has a strong Klan presence. But with his nice car and light-skinned wife, will he be able to avoid the Klan's scrutiny?

Journalist Meghan McKenzie with the Detroit Free Press travels to Alabama to dig into the family story she's heard all her life - how her great-grandfather was murdered in Birmingham in the late 1920s, but no one knows any details beyond that. She doesn't have much to go on - a black man from Florida shot by the police in 1929. As she digs into archives, she begins uncovering secrets that some important people would like to keep buried, putting Meghan in harm's way.

"They believed in social justice and truly wanted to be allies, but ultimately most weren't willing to sacrifice their privilege." The trauma that event caused was felt down through the generations. A young widow, two fatherless children, a man unknown to his descendants. Will those helping Meghan continue to be her allies when the dark side of Birmingham is exposed?

#TimesUndoing #NetGalley

I'm surprised and honestly a little disappointed that I'm not seeing buzz for this book absolutely everywhere because it is both timely and compelling. There's a little bit of everything in this book- part historical fiction, part mystery and commentary, and it really dives into the long history of police brutality against Black people and connects it to the modern roots of Black Lives Matter. This book is deeply emotional and resonant while being an absolute page turner.

Time's Undoing, by Cheryl A. Head, brings new energy to historical fiction. Her dual timeline novel moves between the modern era and 1920s Birmingham, AL. The Jim Crow south has been remarkably absent from historical fiction, and I'm glad it's finally getting its due. The characters Head introduces us to in her novel are worthy of knowing. Further, Head's experience as a mystery writer shows through as she gives the reader a compelling plot, slowly revealing clues unearthing what ultimately happened to Robert Lee Harrington, the protagonist's great-grandfather.

It's the sign of a good book when I search my calendar for windows when I can get back to reading it. I blasted through this book, falling for the characters and wanting to see the story through. But now I am finished, and I want more. I hope Heard makes this into a series.

This is an excellent book club choice as there is much to discuss. I'll be recommending it to mine.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for a review.

Many thanks toNetgalley and Penguin for the opportunity to read Time's Undoing by Cheryl A. Head, an impressive debut, and an important story.

The first-person point of view is strong. The narration is between the Black grandfather who was murdered and his great-granddaughter, Meghan. The throughline of Detroit to Birmingham is a solid plot point. The Black press and journalism are done well in the story. There is romance, which I thought elevated the story. Southern Hospitality has a beautiful presence. Elders are honored. Every character has a full background.

This impressive debut novel is based on the author's own personal experience, which drew me into the story even more. Megan is a reporter in 2019. Her grandfather died mysteriously in 1929 at the hands of a white policeman, and his body was never found. The author takes us back and forth between these 2 timelines as Megan digs into what really happens, unveiling some family secrets along with corruption and scandal.

Spurred on by the Black Lives Matter movement, the story makes us realize how little has changed in our country in the past 90 years which is really sad.

This would make for a great book club selection as there is much to discuss here with the parallels of present day vs. 1929, and what cultural differences and changes (if any) have occured since then.

This book was absolutely fantastic! It was nothing like what I expected in all the best ways. As a Michigander, I loved all the nods to Detroit and it made the story that much more moving that it’s based on the author’s true story. Highly recommend this read.

There is so much to love about TIME'S UNDOING by Cheryl A. Head! We've got a young, determined journalist, a mystery to solve, family history and lore, a conspiracy, romance, friendship, danger....! Head has written us an exciting and engaging novel. AND on top of all that, an important novel that examines the history of racial violence in the police force and the ways that history connects to the violence we still see today. The way Head manages to pull all that off is more than a little impressive.

Grab a copy as a little prezzie for yourself as we close out Black History Month. ;-)

(Review forthcoming @fromsarahsbooknook on Instagram)