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Thursday, March 2, 2023


The Conjure-Man Dies : A Mystery Tale of Dark Harlem

by Rudolph Fisher

Poisoned Pen Press


   This is reportedly the first known mystery novel (published in 1932) by an African American. The setting is an intriguing Harlem peopled with doctors, morticians, gamblers and the man they all are concerned with, N'Gana Frimbo, a self-proclaimed African King and a conjure-man - a teller of futures. 

   Sadly, Fisher died very young and there will not be a series with these great characters who are a large part Sherlock Holmesian, but also Shakespearian. There is much more I would love to read about them.




If you would like to know more about or own this book, please try your local bookstore or bookshop.org


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