Author: Carolyn Marie Wilkins
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery & Suspense, Paranormal
Publisher: Kensington Books
Book Release Date: 2025
Pages: 273
Source: This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: As Prohibition era speakeasies and Jazz Age excitement reign supreme throughout a deeply divided country at the height of the Roaring 20s, a young psychic in small town Illinois helps the Black community fight crime and corruption in this thrilling historical mystery written by a real-life psychic medium and jazz pianist.
After the death of her brave Harlem Hellfighter husband during World War I, young widow Nola Ann Jackson returned to her hometown of Agate to live with her Aunt Sarah, a local psychic. Under her aunt’s tutelage, Nola has been learning how to tap into her own intuitive gifts and communicate with the spirits. And she’ll rely on their guidance when she’s asked to help investigate a woman’s disappearance.
Lilly Davidson was living at the Phyllis Wheatley Institute for Colored Girls where young ladies are educated and prepared to follow bright futures. But she vanished after a night at the Wham Bam Club where jazz music swings, Prohibition is defied, and other vices are encouraged. Lilly was seen fraternizing with Eddie Smooth, trumpeter and leader of the St. Louis Stompers—and a notorious pimp. Nola finds Lilly at the club alive and well, supposedly engaged to Eddie. That same night, the Wham Bam is set afire and Eddie is fatally shot, leaving Lilly on the run, a suspected murderer.
Eddie had shady dealings with Agate’s wealthy elite, Black and white, making plenty of enemies with motives for wanting him dead. He was also a notorious womanizer who left several broken hearts in his wake. To prove Lilly’s innocence, Nola must listen to her spiritual instincts to unravel political schemes and personal vendettas to find a killer desperate to cover up a scandalous conspiracy . . .
My Review: Murder at the Wham Bam Club is the first installment in the Psychics and Soul Food Mystery series. Nola Ann Jackson is a young widow who has moved to Agate, Illinois to live with her psychic aunt, Sarah. Nola Ann Jackson soon learns that she is also a psychic and trains under her aunt to use her gift. When a young student named Lilly Davidson is missing from Phyllis Wheatley Institute, Nola is tasked with finding her and bringing her back to the school. Nola’s search leads to the Wham Bam Club. Nola finds that Lilly is in love with the trumpet player named Eddie Smooth. Before Nola could bring Lilly back to the school, Eddie is murdered, and Lilly has disappeared and is accused of the murder. Could Nola find Lilly and clear her name?
I found Nola to be a very likable female sleuth. I like that she is a psychic and is learning how to use her powers to help people. I also like that Nola uses her logic to help solve the murder. Nola is also a very caring person, especially for her aunt and her friends. She has a sense for justice and a willingness to help others. She is also a strong supporter of civil rights. Therefore, I found Nola to be a very captivating female sleuth! I was deeply invested in her story, and I can’t wait to read more of her adventures!
Overall, this book is about secrets, friendships, and justice. I found all of the characters to be very complex and realistic. I thought the author did an excellent job in portraying African American struggles during the Jazz Age. It showed how African Americans often faced threats and were segregated. I thought the mystery was very complex! It had many twists and turns! The only thing I did not like about the book was that it had a slow beginning! Nevertheless, I found Murder at the Wham Bam Club to be a very enthralling novel! I also loved the paranormal aspect, which made it a fun read! I did not want it to end! I can’t wait to read the sequel, Let the Murderer Say Amen, which releases later this month! This will definitely please cozy mystery fans! I recommend this book for fans of Miss Aldridge Regrets, Murder in Westminster, and The Mysterious Death of Junetta Plum!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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