Time's Undoing

A Novel

By: Cheryl A. Head

Narrated by: Jade Wheeler, Ronald Peet

A searing and tender novel about a young Black journalist’s search for answers in the unsolved murder of her great-grandfather in segregated Birmingham, Alabama, decades ago—inspired by the author’s own family history

Birmingham, 1929: Robert Lee Harrington, a master carpenter, has just moved to Alabama to pursue a job opportunity, bringing along his pregnant wife and young daughter. Birmingham is in its heyday, known as the “Magic City” for its booming steel industry, and while Robert and his family find much to enjoy in the city’s busy markets and vibrant nightlife, it’s also a stronghold for the Klan. And with his beautiful, light-skinned wife and snazzy car, Robert begins to worry that he might be drawing the wrong kind of attention.

2019: Meghan McKenzie, the youngest reporter at the Detroit Free Press, has grown up hearing family lore about her great-grandfather’s murder—but no one knows the full story of what really happened back then, and his body was never found. Determined to find answers to her family’s long-buried tragedy and spurred by the urgency of the Black Lives Matter movement, Meghan travels to Birmingham. But as her investigation begins to uncover dark secrets that spider across both the city and time, her life may be in danger.

Inspired by true events, Time’s Undoing is both a passionate tale of one woman’s quest for the truth behind the racially motivated trauma that has haunted her family for generations and, as newfound friends and supporters in Birmingham rally around Meghan’s search, the uplifting story of a community coming together to fight for change.

©2023 Cheryl A. Head (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Head . . . brings her gift for strong women protagonists and suspense to this tale about a young, Black, female journalist from Detroit on a dangerous quest. . . . Vivid and affecting . . . This heart-seizing tale even has a touch of the supernatural as it celebrates Black lives.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Head excels in this great pleasure of a crime novel. She infuses her challenging subject with a finely calibrated balance of vulnerability, care, and empowerment; the effect is galvanizing. . . . Few books feel more timely or needed than this one.”—The Atlantic

“The parallel narratives work with poignancy and righteous rage. So many decades gone, so few inroads made into the racism at the foundation of United States history. Head and her Black colleagues in this genre are lifting up new stories, to everyone's benefit.”—NPR

the way the story was told was great

nothing was bad, enjoyed listening to the story, could not wait to get to the end

Excellent dual stories; reads like a screenplay

Cheryl Head writes genuine characters and history. The stories alternate between present day Detroit and a 1920s Alabama mystery. She deftly weaves them together. The action really builds.

Incredible!!! Must read!!!

This work of life brings everything that is racism into reality, especially for those who are not a poc. Hard truths about the depth of hatred and the ramifications of hateful actions are depicted with authority and brilliance. Read this and then read it again. And read it with others.

Wonderful Storytelling - Wonderful narration

This was a fascinating book to read. Not only was the story compelling, but the dialogue was so natural and fluid. The narrators were excellent and really made the words come alive. I could almost "see" the action as they read to me.

I look forward to reading any of Ms. Head's books and recommend this one without reservation!

Okay

This story started off long and boring. However by chapter 25 it did pick up. I enjoyed the middle and ending of this book.