As prosperity and great cultural changes sweep across 1920s Jazz Age America, Nola Ann Jackson learns more about developing her natural psychic talents from her aunt—talents that prove crucial when she investigates murder in her Black community—in this thrilling historical mystery written by a real-life psychic medium and jazz pianist.
The people of Agate, Illinois, have welcomed Bishop Pius Amun Ra with open arms, flocking to become congregants of his Temple of Righteous Revelation. He has won over the hearts not only of the Black churchgoers, but of the city’s white political and wealthy elite. Bishop Ra is more than a preacher of the good word, he is a faith healer, blessed with the gift on the banks of the Nile during his youth in Egypt. His worshippers believe he can cure cancer—and even raise the dead. Sequoia LaMarche was saved by Bishop Ra, and the young white woman serves his church as a singer, receiving death threats for her efforts. Despite Ra’s protection, members of the Temple’s inner circle hold Sequoia in contempt, including bodyguard Sam Constant, who publicly accuses her of stealing money from the collection plate. After the confrontation, Sequoia’s murdered body is discovered, and Sam becomes the police’s number one suspect.
Nola is a good friend of Sam’s sister, believing he’s innocent. Guided by her psychic instincts, she conducts her own investigation, uncovering secrets about the Bishop and the people closest to him, including his wife. The leaders of the Temple are not as righteous as they claim. Their altruism masks sins they prefer buried. And when another murder occurs, Nola must unveil the killer before she becomes the next victim . . .
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 the First World War, young widow Nola Ann Jackson returned to her hometown of Agate, Illinois, to live with her Aunt Sarah, a known local psychic. Under her aunt’s care and tutelage, Nola has been learning how to tap into her own intuitive gifts and communicate with the spirits. And she will rely on their insightful guidance when she’s asked to help investigate a woman’s disappearance.
Lilly Davidson, the missing woman, 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 killed by gunfire, leaving Lilly on the run, a suspected murderer.
Eddie Smooth 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 . . .