The Mysterious Death of Junetta Plum (A Harriet Stone Mystery)
Historical Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – 1920s Harlem
Publisher : Kensington
Publication date : December 16, 2025
Print length : 224 pages
Hardcover
ISBN-10 : 149675249X
ISBN-13 : 978-1496752499
Kindle
ISBN-13 : 978-1496752512
ASIN : B0F2GVFHBX
At the darkly glamorous height of the Roaring 20s, an independent Black intellectual and her bi-racial foster child are immersed in the vibrant world of the Harlem Renaissance – and a shocking murder on Striver’s Row – in this thrilling Jazz Age mystery for reader of Nekesia Afia, Jacqueline Winspear, Avery Cunningham’s The Mayor of Maxwell Street.
1926: Harriet Stone, a liberated, educated Black woman, and Lovey, the orphaned, biracial, 12-year-old she is bound to protect, are Harlem-bound, embarking on a new, hopefully less traumatic chapter in their lives. They have been invited to move from Connecticut by Harriet’s cousin, Junetta Plum, who runs a boarding house for independent-minded single women.
It’s a bold move, since Harriet has never met Junetta, but the fatalities of the Spanish flu and other tragedies have already forced her and Lovey to face their worst fears. Alone but for each other, they have little left to lose—or so it seems as they arrive at sophisticated Junetta’s impressive brownstone.
Her cousin has a sharp edge that makes Harriett slightly uncomfortable. Still, after retiring to her room for the night, she finally falls asleep—only to awaken to Junetta arguing with someone downstairs. In the morning, she makes a shocking discovery at the foot of the stairs.
What ensues will lead Harriet to question Junetta’s very identity—and to wonder if she and Lovey are in danger as well. It will also tie Harriet to five strangers. Among them, Harriet is sure someone knows something. What she doesn’t yet know is that one will play a crucial role in helping her investigate her cousin’s murder . . . that she will be tied to the others in ways she could never imagine . . . and that her life will take off in a startling new direction . . .
Dollycas’s Thoughts
When Harriet Stone’s father passes away, she finds herself fully responsible for Lovey, a 12-year-old biracial orphan. Left with few options, Harriet receives an unexpected invitation from a cousin she never knew, Junetta Plum, to relocate from Connecticut to Harlem. There, Junetta runs a boardinghouse for independent single women striving to find their place in the world. Believing this move could offer a fresh start, Harriet decides to accept the invitation and heads to Harlem with Lovey.
Upon arrival, Harriet is uncertain about her cousin Junetta, who comes across as bold, wears Shalimar perfume, and carries a flask strapped to her leg by a lace garter. Junetta places Harriet and Lovey in the attic room, promising to find them better accommodations soon. That night, Harriet is startled awake by angry voices downstairs—one belonging to Junetta, the other unfamiliar. The next morning, as sunlight filters through the window, Harriet and Lovey venture downstairs only to discover Junetta Plum dead at the bottom of the stairs.
Alone in a strange house, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, Harriet is gripped by fear for both herself and Lovey. With Junetta gone, she wonders whom she can trust and what the future holds for them in this new city.
Harriet Stone, an educated and liberated Black woman, faces a dramatic upheaval in her life by moving to Harlem, where she knows no one. Upon her arrival, her confidence seems shaken—she struggles to find answers and hesitates to ask questions, even of those willing to help. Fortunately, a neighbor steps in to support Lovey, involving her with local children and easing her transition. Tulip, the boardinghouse’s cook and housekeeper, was especially close to Junetta. Harriet tries to connect with her, but a barrier remains.
The tenants of the boardinghouse are all intriguing in their own ways, and each character unfolds gradually as the story progresses. By the end, Harriet emerges stronger, though her journey is clearly not yet complete. There is ample room for her continued growth, as well as for the development of the other characters as the series moves forward.
The mystery at the heart of the story is intricate and set against a compelling historical backdrop. Harriet is determined to uncover the truth behind Junetta’s death. As she investigates, she learns that a young woman had died at the boardinghouse before her arrival, and later, another former tenant is killed. Convinced that these deaths are connected, Harriet seeks out the common thread among them. The narrative weaves through a number of suspects, and while the resolution nearly surprises, it ultimately hinges on a subtle but significant detail that had previously caught attention.
Launching a new series is always a challenge, especially when it comes to introducing characters, establishing the setting, and delivering a layered mystery. This first installment lays a strong foundation, despite some spelling and grammatical errors that occasionally interrupt the flow, and pacing that feels slow at times.
The Mysterious Death of Junetta Plum makes a promising start for a new series. While it falls short in some aspects, the intriguing theme and setting, along with engaging characters, make me interested in returning to see how Harriet and Lovey’s stories unfold and to further explore the vibrant world of Harlem.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
About the Author
Find more books by Valerie Wilson Wesley HERE.
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