In 1927, Weldon Haynie Thomas, Harlem’s first colored policeman, is on duty at the Hotel Theresa while the elite of Harlem attend the Opportunity Awards banquet for literary arts. Just before the awards are handed out one of the recipients falls, jumps or gets pushed out of a window of the hotel. Initially, the police and press believe that Olivia Frelon was a white woman, but they take a slightly different view of the case once they learn that she was colored. Weldon’s initial reaction was: “Why’d it have to be a white lady laid out dead up here in Harlem on my watch night?”

I was drawn to this historical mystery set during the Harlem Renaissance and there were certainly things that I enjoyed about it. The presentation of the Harlem social structure was interesting, as was the treatment of the complicated ramifications of skin color and the decision of whether or not to pass as white if presented with the opportunity. Sometimes there was an off kilter turn of phrase that caught my attention. “Her slightly lovely ball gown was indecorously bunched into her fists.”

My least favorite part of the book was Weldon’s detective work, which he modeled after Sherlock Holmes novels. I didn’t think the solution to the mystery of Olivia’s death was handled very well. There is no way Weldon could have solved it with the clues that he had. I was uninterested in his attempted courtship of an educated young woman who used to work for Olivia. (His habit of calling her Baby Girl did not go over well.) I also thought that the pacing of the book was uneven and I really hated the ending that turned all “literary fiction” for no good reason. So, while I liked the premise and setting of the book, I had some problems with its execution.

The introduction to the book states that its origin story was “Passing” by Nella Larsen, which I read a few months ago. Recommend that book, but if you haven’t read it already, the introduction will spoil the ending of “Passing” for you. It’s not necessary to read the introduction in order to enjoy this book.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

A Death in Harlem is a skillfully written fast paced, elegant journey back in time to Harlem in the 1920s and is told from the viewpoint of a black police officer who approaches his life and work with integrity. Intriguing characters, rich period detail, secrets, unethical behavior, control by those in positions of power, privilege, and poverty are some of the things highlighted. It delves into the challenges faced by white collar professionals and working class citizens, by rich and poor alike. It provides a glimpse into the struggles of the African American community and the sense of justice experienced in that place and time. This was an interesting and intriguing read, a journey back in time to get a glimpse of a glamorous, mysterious and provocative period in our history. I highly recommend this one! Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

I was attracted to this story as I wanted a look into the past of 1920s Harlem. I got this in bucketloads and the jazz era, the hotels, the clubs and bars were a treat to visit. It's always good to visit a time and place you know little about and through the eyes of someone so different to yourself. Well a black police officer in the 1920s is pretty different and that was a real fascination for me.

Weldon Thomas is Harlem’s first “coloured policeman,” who is asked to look into the death of Olivia, a light skinned prominent socialite. The premise and background add so much to thiss tory from the beginning and the language used, the dialect and turns of phrase of the time really added to the overall feel of the story. The struggles of the African American community at this time, the struggles with those outside it and the sense of justice were all themes explored and examined along the way.

Characters were just a treat to read about - especially Welton. Oh and then there was Vera, Hughes. and , and Sadie the church lady.

An insight into a unique time and place and a strong central character. I hope there will be more in this series!

Set in 1920’s New York, Weldon Thomas, Harlem’s first “colored policeman,” is asked to look into the death of Olivia, a light skinned prominent socialite, at a ceremony where she was scheduled to be awarded a prize for her short story. How did Olivia fall from the upper-story window? Someone is indicted by the white officers assigned to the case (there are many references to skin color, “passing,” and race in this novel), but Officer Thomas does his own investigating, and uncovers some startling information which will change everything.