I Found This Great Book
Welcome to I Found This Great Book, a space that feels a bit like stepping into a small, lovingly curated bookstore. The shelves here are filled with mysteries by Black authors and classic Black literature from the Harlem Renaissance and earlier. This is where I share the books and stories that have delighted me, surprised me, and stayed with me long after I turned the last page. Think of it as wandering into a shop where the owner knows every title, every author, and can’t wait to tell you why a particular book deserves a spot in your hands. The website and podcast grew from my joy in discovering and celebrating these works—and from wanting to create a place where readers could find them all in one welcoming corner. I’m building a directory of Black mystery authors and their books so you can easily explore new voices and rediscover overlooked gems. Whether you love a clever whodunit or a beautifully written classic, I’m here to share what I’ve found and help you discover your next great read. Settle in, browse around, and enjoy the stories waiting for you.
Episodes
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 struck Egypt.
Throughout the story, Hurston links the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt to Black people gaining freedom by wri...
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. She achieved as a musician, teacher and later writer. Her poems, essays and short stories are part of the building blocks that formed the H...
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 the Moon was what everyone had their eyes on.
Including Cynthia Rhodes, a brilliant arcane engineer at NASA’s Ainsworth Research La...
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 podcast in the future.
You can find all the books discussed and more here:
https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/podcast-episode/knights-shade-a...
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 interview to find out why Ms. Clark gave her sleuth three incredible heavy burdens to carry while she attempts to hunt down a serial killer who is...
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 provides an overview of "A Killing Rain" 4:06 We discuss Faye's sleuth, Raven Burns 15:17 Faye provides insight into the motivatio...
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. Faucet presents the dynamics of passing from several different perspectives. Tonia's deep and personal views on the story are a delight to hea...
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 motivation for creating The Conductors.
- 04:13 – Nicole provides details on her research process. She provides some insightful inform...
Alverne Ball
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 Massacre and Black Wall Street"
We discuss
Alverne's sleuth Frank Calhoun who has some heavy demons he is fighting. Alverne prov...
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 and security through marriage. But a family secret lingers in the background of their lives and threatens to disrupt all their dreams.
In th...
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 is a locked room mystery set in Harlem in the early 1900s. Johnson, the shoemaker, lies dead on his shop floor. He was hit brutally in the ...
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.
Featured mystery author Teddy Hayes. Creator of the Devil Barnett Detective Mystery Series.
Teddy Hayes - Black Mystery Authors - I Found This Great Book
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.
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
I feature mystery author Jake Lamar. Author of the American Mysteries in Paris series.
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.
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.
Featuring mystery author Solomon Jones. He writes thrilling amateur sleuth and police procedurals.
Check out his book at: https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/136
https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/138
We discussed:
00:43 -----We talk Boucher...
Popular Podcasts
Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Building on the belief that a deeper understanding of the natural world enriches all of our lives, host Steven Rinella brings an in-depth and relevant look at all outdoor topics including hunting, fishing, nature, conservation, and wild foods. Filled with humor, irreverence, and things that will surprise the hell out of you, each episode welcomes a diverse group of guests who add their own expertise to the vast world of the outdoors. Part of The MeatEater Podcast Network.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.