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Mysteries by Black Authors

by Curtis Anderson

Mysteries by Black Authors is my weekly exploration of the rich and growing world of Black mystery fiction. Each week, I dive into a new corner of the genre — sometimes by focusing on a single mystery novel or short story, other times by sharing a curated list of new releases, hidden gems, or themed book recommendations. I also spotlight Black mystery authors, digging into their work, their characters, and the unique perspectives they bring to the genre.From classic whodunits to contemporary thrillers, I guide you through the books and writers who deserve a place on every mystery lover’s shelf. And from time to time, I sit down with authors for thoughtful conversations about their craft, their inspirations, and the stories they’re excited to tell.If you’re looking to discover great mysteries by Black authors — one book, one list, or one conversation at a time — join me each week as I uncover the detectives, sleuths, and storytellers shaping Black mystery fiction today.

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Episodes

  1. Discussing "Escape From Pharaoh" by Zora Neale Hurston

    Technically, this is not a short story. It is an excerpt from Hurston's Novel "Moses: Man of the Mountain". The novel is Zora Neale Hurston's retelling of the story of Moses. I will say that after reading this excerpt, I want to read the full novel. This story begins with the last plague that...

  2. Discussing “Summer Session” by Alice Dunbar-Nelson - a thriller from the early 1900s

    Alice Ruth Moore was born in 1875 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Part of the first generation of black people born after the abolishment of slavery. Her mother lived her early life in enslavement. Alice comes from a heritage of Black and Creole. Alice is a woman more people should research and read....

  3. New Mysteries Released in December 2025 and January 2026 by Black Authors

    Episode 153 Nicole Glover The Seekers 4th book in The Murder and Magic Series Book Blurb: In the 1960s, the world was caught up in reaching beyond our planet and into the cosmos. It felt impossible—but there was nothing science, math…and magic couldn’t make possible. The race to space was on, and...

  4. Discussing Knight's Shade by Angela Henry

    In this episode I discuss the second book in Angela Henry's Xavier Knight series, Knight's Shade. I also discuss three new books I recently added to my directory of crime fiction by Black authors. Finally, I discuss why the podcast has been on such a long pause and what are my plans for the…

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  5. Tracy Clark Talks About Her New Mystery "Hide"

    For the second time, I have had the honor to interview award winning mystery author Tracy Clark. We talk about the first book in her new Detective Harriet Foster mystery series, "Hide". Tracy provides some great insights into the creation of her new sleuth, Harriet Foster. Listen to this…

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  6. A Conversation with Mystery Author Faye Snowden

    Fay Snowden's Website: Noir mystery writer | Faye Snowden I had the immense pleasure to talk with mystery author Faye Snowden. Her latest book is "A Killing Rain" and features her sleuth, Raven Burns. "A Killing Rain" is the second book in the Raven Burns series of mysteries. We Discuss 2:15 Faye...

  7. Discussing Comedy: American Style by Jessie Redmon Fauset with Tonia Ransom from The Nightlight Podcast

    My final discussion of the novels by Jessie Redmon Fauset is with Tonia Ransom from The Nightlight Podcast. We dig deep into Fauset's novel "Comedy: American Style". This novel explores the desires of a family matriarch's commitment to passing for white and the effect it has on her children.…

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  8. A Conversation with Mystery Author Nicole Glover

    A Conversation with Mystery Author Nicole Glover - I Found This Great Book Nicole Glovers books "The Conductors" and "The Undertakers" are historical mystery set in post civil war Philidelphia. The sleuths Hetty and Benjy solve murder mysteries with magic. We Discuss: 03:00 – Nicole discusses her...

  9. A Conversation with Alverne Ball – Mystery and Graphic Novel Author

    Alverne Ball https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/interviews/a-conversation-with-alverne-ball-mystery-and-graphic-novel-author/ Author of the Frank Calhoun police procedurals series Only the Holy Remain Blue Religion And the New Graphic Novel – "Across the Tracks: Remembering the Tulsa Race…

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  10. Discussing "The Chinaberry Tree" by Jessie Redmon Fauset with Mollie and Dani of Black Chick Lit

    Dani and Mollie from the Black Chick Lit podcast join me to discuss Jessie Redmon Fauset's third novel, "The Chinaberry Tree". A fascinating novel that explores the lives of three black women in a small suburban town in early 1900s New Jersey. The novel explores their desire for respectability…

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  11. The Shoemaker Murder by George Schuyler - Featured Mystery Short Story

    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…

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  12. Discussing The Conscience of the Court by Zora Neale Hurston

    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.

  13. Teddy Hayes - Featured Mystery Author

    Featured mystery author Teddy Hayes. Creator of the Devil Barnett Detective Mystery Series. Teddy Hayes - Black Mystery Authors - I Found This Great Book

  14. Since You Went Away by Frankie Y. Bailey - Featured Mystery Short Story

    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

  15. Discussing Hurricane by Zora Neale Hurston

    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

  16. Jake Lamar - Featured Mystery Author

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

  17. Discussing "Plum Bun" by Jessie Redmon Fauset with Alicia - The Pretty Brown Eye Reader

    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.

  18. Discussing High John De Conquer by Zora Neale Hurston

    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.

  19. Solomon Jones - Featured Mystery Author

    Featuring mystery author Solomon Jones. He writes thrilling amateur sleuth and police procedurals. Check out his book at: https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/136

  20. A Conversation with Cheryl Head – Author of the Charlie Mack Motown Series

    I had so much fun talking with Cheryl Head about her latest book in the Charlie Mack Motown series, Warn Me When It's Time. We dig deep in discussing her sleuth Charlene "Charlie" Mack. Cheryl shares insight into her research methods for the latest book that deals with hate groups in Detroit.…

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  21. A Conversation with Nekesa Afia - Historical Mystery Author

    I had the magnificent pleasure to talk with historical mystery author Nekesa Afia about her new book "Dead Dead Girls". A mystery set in the Harlem Renaissance. https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/135 We discussed: 01:25 – Nekesa shares why she selected 1920s Harlem as the setting for her mystery...

  22. Discussing The Story of Harlem Slang by Zora Neale Hurston

    Published in 1942 in The American Mercury The original version of this story is titled "Now You Cookin' with Gas Includes a "Glossary of Harlem Slang" which was originally call "Harlem Slanguage https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/zora The narrator begins telling us about Jelly. A young man who…

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  23. Alexia Gordon - Featured Mystery Author

    This week's featured mystery author is Alexia Gordon. The author of the Gethsemane Brown Mysteries. https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/133

  24. Rachel Howzell Hall - Featured Mystery Author

    This week I feature mystery author Rachel Howzell Hall. An award-winning mystery author. https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/132

  25. Talking with Tracy Clark - Author of the Chicago Mystery Series

    I had the great honor of talking with mystery author Tracy Clark, the author of the Chicago Mystery series that features private investigator Cass Raines. https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/interviews/talking-with-mystery-author-tracy-clark/ We discussed: 02:00 - We learn about Tracy's sleuth…

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  26. Discussing Cock Robin Beale Street by Zora Neale Hurston

    My discussion of the Hurston short story, "Cock Robin Beale Street".

  27. Krys Batts - Featured Mystery Author

    This week's featured mystery author from The Black Mystery Authors Directory is Krys Batts. The author of "What's Done in the Dark". Krys Batts - Black Mystery Authors - I Found This Great Book

  28. Discussing "There is Confusion" by Jessie Redmon Fauset with Marci and Ako from The Colored Pages Book Club Podcast

    My bookish friends, Marci and Ako from The Colored Pages Book Club join me for a fun and insightful discussion of the first novel by Jessie Redmon Fauset, "There is Confusion". Jessie Fauset was a pivotal person from the Harlem Renaissance. She was the editor of "The Crisis", the publication of…

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  29. Discussing Uncle Monday by Zora Neale Hurston

    A discussion of what I believe is a wonderful horror story by Hurston.

  30. R Lanier Clemons - Featured Mystery Author

    This week I am featuring mystery author R. Lanier Clemons. She is the author of the Jonelle Sweet mystery series. https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/126

  31. Discussing Mother Catherine by Zora Neale Hurston

    I continue my journey through the short stories of Zora Neale Hurston in my discussion of Mother Catherine.

  32. Ceici Christy - Feature Mystery Author

    Featuring the author of the "Sherise Stone Mystery Series" CeiCi Christy. The first book in the series is "Major League Rookies".

  33. Nelson George - Featured Mystery Author

    Featuring mystery author Nelson George. The author of the D. Hunter mystery series.

  34. Abby Collette aka Abby Vandiver - Featured Mystery Author

    This week I am featuring the cozy mystery author Abby Collette also known as Abby Vandiver.

  35. VM Burns - Featured Mystery Author

    This week's featured mystery author is VM Burns. VM Burns is a cozy mystery author who has three wonderful mystery series you should check out.

  36. Angela Henry - Featured Mystery Author

    Angela Henry is the author of the Kendra Clayton mystery series. Angela is also the author of "Knight's Fall".

  37. Discussing She Rock by Zora Neale Hurston

    My discussion of the short story "She Rock" by Zora Neale Hurston. This story is another version of the story told in Hurston's story "The Country in the Woman".

  38. Tracy Clark - Featured Mystery Author

    Tracy Clark is the author of the Cass Raines mystery series. The series features Cass Raines who is an ex-cop turned private investigator. Check all of Tracy Clark's books here: https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/118

  39. Discussing - The Fire and the Cloud by Zora Neale Hurston

    This week we talk about a short story that is an excerpt of Hurston's novel, Moses Man of the Mountain. In this story Hurston explores the moment Moses transitions from life to death.

  40. Paula Woods - Featured Mystery Author

    This week I am featuring the creator of the Charlotte Justice series, Paula Woods.

  41. Discussing Monkey Junk by Zora Neale Hurston

    My discussion of the short story "Monkey Junk" by Zora Neale Hurston. An interesting story written in an old testament biblical style. https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/zora

  42. Karen Grigsby Bates - Featured Mystery Author

    Karen Grigsby Bates is the author of two mystery novels that feature the journalist sleuth Alex Powell. These stories are set in the Black publishing world. Here two books are "Plain Brown Wrapper" and " Chosen People" https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/114

  43. Discussing - The Back Room by Zora Neale Hurston

    If this short story had a sound track, it would be the Billy Strayhorn song, Lush Life. This story shows the range of Hurston's writing and gives us another view of life in Harlem in the 1930s. You can listen to all of my discussion here: Reading Zora Neale Hurston's Short Stories - I Found This...

  44. Attica Locke - Featured Mystery Author

    This week I am featuring the award winning mystery author Attica Locke. The author of the Highway 59 mystery series.

  45. Discussing - The Book of Harlem by Zora Neale Hurston

    This story is available in both collections of Hurston's short stories An exploration of writing style by Hurston This short story is similar to "Book of Harlem" in its writing style. In both of these stories, Hurston uses a structure and voice that is similar to old testament texts. From the...

  46. Tyora Moody - Featured Mystery Author

    This week I am featuring mystery author Tyora Moody. Tyora writes soul-searching mysteries with a dash of romance. www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/110

  47. Discussing "The Country in the Woman" with Alicia the Pretty Brown Eye Reader

    Alicia from the Pretty Brown Eye Reader YouTube channel joins me for a discussion of this very funny short story. You can also follow Alicia on her Instagram channel @prettybrowneyereader and on Twitter @pbereader. Items we discussed At the 01:25 mark, Alicia talks about her YouTube channel. At…

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  48. Terris McMahan Grimes - Featured Mystery Author

    This week I feature mystery author Terris McMahan Grimes. She is the author of the Theresa Galloway mystery series. You can view both books in the series at: https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/108

  49. Kwei Quartey - Featured Mystery Author

    This week's featured author is Kwei Quartey. Kwei is the author of the Detective Inspector Darko Dawson series and the PI Emma Djan series. Both series are set in Ghana.

  50. R. Franklin James - Featured Mystery Author

    This week's featured author is R. Franklin James. The creator of the Hollis Morgan mystery series. A six book series that follows the life of Hollis Morgan from recently released white collar criminal to becoming a probate lawyer. The books in this series are: The Fallen Angels Book Club Sticks &...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Mysteries by Black Authors is my weekly exploration of the rich and growing world of Black mystery fiction. Each week, I dive into a new corner of the genre — sometimes by focusing on a single mystery novel or short story, other times by sharing a curated list of new releases, hidden gems, or themed book recommendations. I also spotlight Black mystery authors, digging into their work, their characters, and the unique perspectives they bring to the genre.From classic whodunits to contemporary thrillers, I guide you through the books and writers who deserve a place on every mystery lover’s shelf. And from time to time, I sit down with authors for thoughtful conversations about their craft, their inspirations, and the stories they’re excited to tell.If you’re looking to discover great mysteries by Black authors — one book, one list, or one conversation at a time — join me each week as I uncover the detectives, sleuths, and storytellers shaping Black mystery fiction today.

HOSTED BY

Curtis Anderson

CATEGORIES

arts books

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Mysteries by Black Authors have?

Mysteries by Black Authors currently has 155 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Mysteries by Black Authors about?

Mysteries by Black Authors is my weekly exploration of the rich and growing world of Black mystery fiction. Each week, I dive into a new corner of the genre — sometimes by focusing on a single mystery novel or short story, other times by sharing a curated list of new releases, hidden gems, or...

How often does Mysteries by Black Authors release new episodes?

Mysteries by Black Authors publishes regularly with 155 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Mysteries by Black Authors?

You can listen to Mysteries by Black Authors on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Mysteries by Black Authors?

Mysteries by Black Authors is created and hosted by Curtis Anderson.
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