Mysteries by Black Authors

The Shoemaker Murder can be found in the anthology "Spooks, Spies, and Private Eyes" edited by Paula L. Woods. A collection of mystery, crime, and suspense fiction by Black authors. You can purchase you own copy of this anthology by going to www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/145.

The Shoemaker Murder is a locked room mystery set in Harlem in the early 1900s. Johnson, the shoemaker, lies dead on his shop floor. He was hit brutally in the back of the head with a hammer. The door of the shop was locked from the inside, the transom was nailed shut, and everyone around the shop swore that no one entered or existed the shop before and after the murder.

Detective Sergeant Henry Burns oversees the case. A tall Black man with a keen eye for details. He begins questioning everyone in proximity of the scene of the crime and thoroughly inspects the building. He discovered a possible way in the shop but how did the murderer exit without leaving a trace and leave all the doors locked from the inside? Detective Sergeant Burns strikes upon the answer, brings his suspect in for questioning and sets a trap that leaves the murderer no choice but to confess.

This is a quick read and overall, an enjoyable story. It is not the most complex locked room mystery you will read. It helps if you are familiar with the types of access points homes in the 1900s would have had. You definitely see how Detective Sergeant Burns has a gift for observation and deductive logic. When he explains how he knew who to bring in for questioning it will make sense.

This story is significant because of its author. George Schuyler is a noted writer of the Harlem Renaissance and beyond. Known for his scathing articles and fiction, which exposed corruption and fraud among whites and blacks. I first became aware of Mr. Schuyler from his book, "Black No More." This book satirizes American racism, and no one is safe from his biting wit. Schuyler was also the author of several mysteries and crime fiction that were published under his name and pen names. "Black No More" is widely available but many of his other works are a little harder to find. In the 1930s, he wrote some of the earliest known political thrillers by a Black author. I found one collection of these political thrillers on archiver.org. Another collection of stories "Ethiopian Stories" is harder to find and can be quite expensive. Let's hope as these works become part of the public domain they can be reprinted and made available for all people interested. His autobiography is widely available. where he details his life as a conservative.

In this short story, Hurston features the trail of Laura Lee Kimble and her fight for justice. We also learn of a lifelong friendship between two women.

Featured mystery author Teddy Hayes. Creator of the Devil Barnett Detective Mystery Series.

Teddy Hayes - Black Mystery Authors - I Found This Great Book

The first in a series of short stories I will feature.

I discuss "Since You Went Away" by Frankie Y Bailey. A locked room style mystery set on a train going from New Orleans to Chicago in 1946.

https://ifoundthisgreatbook.com/142

My discussion of the Hurston short story Hurricane. This short story from the "Complete Stories" collection is an excerpt from Hurston's novel "Thier Eyes Were Watching God"

You can listen to all my discussions of Hurston's short stories at https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/zora

I feature mystery author Jake Lamar. Author of the American Mysteries in Paris series.

I am joined by Alicia – The Pretty Brown Eye Reader to discuss "Plum Bun" by Jessie Redmon Fauset. We have an in-depth discussion of Faucet's story which explores the life changing consequences for a Black woman, Angela, and her sister, Virginia, when Angela decides to pass for white.

My discussion of Zora Neale Hurston's short story, "High John De Conquer." A story written as a gift of hope to the United States during the challenging times of World War II.

Featuring mystery author Solomon Jones. He writes thrilling amateur sleuth and police procedurals.

Check out his book at: https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/136

https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/138

00:43 -----We talk Bouchercon and Cheryl's involvement as a board member 02:34 -----Cheryl gives us insight into the cast of characters who surround and support her sleuth Charlie Mack 11:33 ----- We get insight into what motivates Charlie Mack 16:11 ----- We talk about the challenges and conflicts Charlie Mack faces being "othered" while working in law enforcement 18:26 ----- We discuss how Charlie's girlfriend being a police officer changes the dynamics of the story and breaks standard troupes 20:51 ----- Cheryl shares how her sleuth, Charlie Mack, has an expansive mind and how her sleuth is breaking down boundaries by living her life 26:17 ----- We talk about the relationships between the local police, federal agents, and Charlie Mack's investigative team 35:02 ----- We discuss the research that went into the latest book, "Warn Me When It's Time", and its focus on hate groups 45:14 ----- Cheryl Head shares information on her writing process 47:03 ----- We talk about Cheryl's new project to write a literary mystery 50:47 ----- We geek out on a discussion of the works from the Harlem Renaissance and the lives of Black people then compared to now 54:15 ----- We geek out some more as we talk about the Julie Moody-Freeman's Black Romance Podcast 55:59 ----- Cheryl Head discusses the forward she wrote for the reissue of Nikki Baker's "Long Goodbyes" and the impact Nikki Baker's works had on her life and writing 59:00 ----- We talk about the impact of Charlie Mack being a queer black woman who is the central sleuth in a great mystery series