What a delightful mystery! The characters were perfect for telling a story set during the Jazz age. I do hope that Carolyn Marie Wilkins continues writing novels like this one. She included a bit of history in the book, that added to my enjoyment. I marked it down to 4 stars because I was able to figure out the murderer early on, but didn't care so much about that because the other characters were keeping me entertained.

While the premise, setting, and time frame were great, the story fell flat for me. Most of the characters were extremely unlikeable and I just didn't buy the connections of the players in the murders. There was something off about the vibe too. I had to check a few times, this is set in Chicago correct?? With the all the Hoodoo references, the food, the music, and the main character named Nola..... it's almost like this book was supposed to be set in New Orleans. At this time, I don't think I will continue on with the series.

Well this was a very unexpected, excellent surprise!!

This is a really well-written historical mystery, featuring Nola Ann, a young war widow, who is also a psychic, who has had to move back to Illinois, to live with her Aunt Sarah, herself an established psychic and is now teaching/guiding Nola in her practice, from NYC and is struggling with the more overt racism and Jim Crow antics in the town of Agate than she dealt with in NYC.

While at a speakeasy one night [the Wham Bam Club, WHICH is the best club name ever!], looking for a young girl who has disappeared from the Phyllis Wheatley Institute for Colored Girls [a place that Nola herself once attended after her parents death], a man is murdered, the speakeasy is set ablaze and the game is officially afoot.

This is [again] a well-written, very well-researched [this is an excellent look at life in the 1920's north] book that has a good mystery, an excellent MC and side characters, very good history [the accuracy of what life must have been like then is spot-on], an interesting look [though I would have liked to have had more of this - more details/explanation] at psychics/auras/listening to the spirits and [though I wish there had been more about this too] some amazing sounding food that just made me drool whilst reading about it.

Three things kept this from being a 5 star read for me, only two of which I am going to share [the 3rd one may be someone's yum to my yuck and I don't want to influence that]. 1. I knew who the killer was early on, and while that ultimately didn't take away from the overall feel of the book, I was disappointed when I was right and 2. the reveal was very rushed, and V E R Y anticlimactic, and that was the ONLY time, in the whole book, that I was truly disappointed [which, in the greater scheme of things, is truly awesome].

My teeny quibbles 100% do not take away from how fabulous this book really is and I am so glad that I took a chance on it, and am now really looking forward to book 2!!

**A note about the narrator: Diana Blue is the narrator for this book and SHE. IS. AMAZING. I highly recommend this audiobook. You will not be sorry.

Thank you to NetGalley, Carolyn Marie Wilkins, and Kensington Publishing/Kensington for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this historical mystery thriller. I loved the characters, especially Aunt Sarah, she reminded me of my grandma. Her wit, wisdom, and loving nature ended up pouring down to Nola whom at first felt like a failure since returning home. Now I guessed right at first about the suspect but the author did a great job of adding a little bit if doubt as the story went on. The pacing was just right. I think the ending tied up nicely and everything was settled. I would love to read more books from this author.

Carolyn Marie Wilkins does a double-spin on historical mysteries. This was my very first reading of her books, and she does a splendid job of making me a new fan. I loved the way she described America in the 1920s, albeit with some of the lingo of the times for authenticity.

That is why I can always trust NetGalley to showcase some of the best mystery writers, and I am grateful to have received the ARC for a sneak preview.

I love listening to Jazz, and when the author is a huge fan herself, you can expect many splendid references to the music of the time. Another big part of the story is the paranormal angle that was the twist of lime to make the ending even more unpredictable, and I loved it.

The only reason I reduced a star was that I blamed it on my lack of imagination or being a spoilsport, not really believing all the psychic stuff to turn the story around. Like I said, this genre was a first for me, and I hope to one day accept it as a natural part of consuming a story.

A young Black psychic is asked to find a woman who has disappeared from a local institute for Colored Girls. Nola finds the woman but she disappears once again after a fire and a murder at the local jazz club. Nola will need all her wits and psychic ability to prove Lilly innocent and find the real murderer before the person strikes again...

An entertaining mystery with a vital woman who has unusual talents. It also shows the casual and overt prejudice and terrorism that the Black community faced while still having a rich life in music, food and hope for the future. The mystery had plenty of twists that kept me entertained until the end.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s book review time! This month, I decided to try a new cozy mystery series. Murder at the Wham Bam Club by Carolyn Marie Wilkins was released yesterday (the 29th) from Kensington Books. As usual, I must thank them and NetGalley for access to an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Let’s get to it!

Murder at the Wham Bam Club follows Nola Ann Jackson as she returns to her hometown after the death of her husband. It’s the 1920s and Nola’s a young psychic just learning how to use her gifts. When she’s asked to help find a missing young woman, Nola finds herself dragged into arson, murder, and mysteries. While everyone else would be happy blaming the missing girl, Nola is determined to find out what’s actually going on in her small town. Whether or not she can do it before the police find and charge the missing girl is the question.

The plot is pretty standard. There are some interesting red herrings. I fully admit that I found some of the romances icky. A 16 year old shacking up with and getting married to a bass player of unknown age after one meeting (not even a date). Gross. I get it in the context of the story and its setting, but it still makes me cringe. Most of the relationships in this book have huge red flags. But the mystery part of the book is entertaining and distracting enough that the story is still enjoyable.

The characters are pretty well fleshed out. I like Nola and her aunt. I thought Lilly and Brenda could’ve used more page time because they both feel a little cookie cutter. Jim has potential. It felt like he was going to prove the rumors wrong, but then he just kind of disappears from the book. Hopefully he gets his redemption in later books. I really like Nola’s bosses at the catering company. They provide a levelheadedness to the book that helps bring Nola back to her senses once in a while. Everyone basically has potential to grow (for better or worse) in future books.

As for the writing, I enjoyed it. But the language is pretty true to its time period, so if words like negroes or a school for “colored girls” bothers you, be aware. I still suggest reading it because it’s a fun mystery, though.

Ultimately, I enjoyed Murder at the Wham Bam Club. I’m not sure I’ll add it to my must-buy series, but I’ll definitely give book two a shot whenever it comes out.

Overall, I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. I do recommend it if you’re into cozy mysteries. Just be aware of the language if you’re sensitive to that kind of thing.

I received this book from Netgalley to read and give my honest opinion. Thank you Netgalley, Carolyn Marie Wilkins, and Kensington Publishing for this ARC.

I requested this book because I enjoy mysteries, especially historical ones. I also like books from this period. This was the first time I read a psychic soul food mystery. I was hoping this book would have all those qualities, and it did. Carolyn Marie Wilkins wrote a delightful mystery book.

Wilkins was accurate in her historical descriptions. For example, using the term Colored to describe African Americans. That was the term people used during that period. Her depiction of the character’s period-appropriate clothing and hairstyles was also accurate. The only criticism I have is that the author did not include a lot of historical soul food. I was expecting more since it was a soul food book. Those are just a few examples of the author’s attention to detail that kept me captivated. I also love how she described the characters.

I love the main character, Nola, because she is smart and fun. I also love how kind she is to the other characters in the book. I love being able to see her use her psychic powers. Her powers allow her to read people. Her powers are excellent because she can figure out who is guilty. Overall, the author created a wonderful historical psychics mystery. I am looking forward to reading more.

Thank you Kensington Publishing for the eARC.

This book was right up my alley, the 1920s, jazz, speakeasies, a murder mystery and psychic women with great “sisterhood” akin to the lovely relationships we have seen in Practical Magic etc.

The pacing worked for me and can’t wait to listen to the audiobook, I am sure it will be delightful!

After her husband’s death in WWI, waitress Nola uses her psychic abilities to investigate the disappearance of a young woman from a local girls school. When the woman is found seemingly involved with a murdered pimp, Nola turns her intuition to uncovering a conspiracy among the town’s elite.

This novel paints an immersive picture of life in the roaring (and segregated) 1920s. The characters are interesting and the plot fast-paced. The paranormal elements are a significant part of the plot.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I absolutely loved this book so much. It has a little of everything for everyone. We have the prohibition era, the roaring 20s, Jazz Age, Klansmen, psychics, and murder!

Agate, Illinois, is the home of our FMC Nola Ann Jackson and her psychic Aunt Sarah. Their relationship and dynamic was so sweet and strong. Aunt Sarah's stories about slavery were touching and important. The Wham Bam Club is the home of Jazz local Eddie Smooth and some not so good men until it burns down and Eddie is found shot dead. Nola will play detective and, with her psychic abilities, will try to find out who killed Eddie so that an innocent girl isn't blamed for the murder.

Everything about this book was so fun to read and very educational. I really enjoyed Mr. and Mrs. Radcliffe. Their seances were delightful, and they were progressive for their times.
Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

This book was such a cool mix of historical mystery, supernatural vibes, and Jazz Age flair. Murder at the Wham Bam Club follows Nola Ann Jackson, a young widow and psychic, as she investigates a murder tied to a speakeasy and a whole web of shady secrets in 1920’s Illinois. The atmosphere hooked me from the start with the Prohibition era speakeasies, underground jazz clubs, corrupt elites, and an unapologetic heroine trying to make sense of a world that doesn’t always welcome her voice. The mystery itself had plenty of twists, and I really liked how it dug into class, race, and gender issues. If you love historical fiction with a little magic, strong female leads, and murder mystery drama, add this one to your TBR!

An engaging and educational historical mystery with a touch of the paranormal. Small town Illinois in the 1920s was not kind to people of color something Nola well knows. She uses her psychic abilities to locate Lily, a young woman who escaped an institution Nola herself fled but who is now a murder suspect. This has more depth than the usual cozy (especialy of the paranormal variety) because it leans in on racism. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Great atmospherics and a dynamic character in Nola make this a good read. I'm looking forward to another.

Kensington Publishing provided an early galley for review.

An interesting title and cover is what drew me to this mystery set in the roaring '20s. The setting and time period offered up a different flavor of tale.

Looking at the Wilkin's published work to date, I can see that music, mystery and psychic abilities are areas she has focused so far with the mid-west and 1920's also common in the settings. These appear to be elements the author enjoys drawing upon. If the reader finds them of interest too, then there might be a good match here.

The story moves along at a good pace, introducing more of the characters in Agate as Nola moves through her investigation. The reader comes away with a good sense of them which will prove beneficial should there be a sequel (the book is labeled as Psychics and Soul Food Mysteries book 1 so it appears the author hopes to continue Nora's adventures).

As someone who focuses a lot on writing (due to my own writing endeavors), I had observations that might not get picked up by the average reader. For example, I felt that Nola's ability to read psychic auras came across as a too convenient manner to tell me details rather than narratively show me. There were places where the dialogue came across as exposition heavy. I also could not help but notice when the passive sentences were cropping up a good bit. As these are some of the areas I watch for when editing my own work, they jump out when I am reading published works too.

solid and fun murder mystery! the setting is well-set up, the twists are interesting, and it feels firmly grounded in the time it's set in. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

This is an enormously fun start to a new historical mystery series featuring a 21-year-old spunky psychic, a young Black woman named Nola who returns home to Agate, Illinois after her husband is killed in the war, to live with her aunt, who is also into hoodoo magic.

Home also brings with it troubled memories of the Wheatley Institute, a boarding school for young Black women where Nola first ended up when she had nowhere else to turn. But a girl there has gone missing, rumored to be caught up in the sex trafficking ring at the Wham Bam Club, an exciting new juke joint in town with a shady reputation. When jazz trumpeter Eddie Smooth is murdered after a fire destroys his club, the girl, Lilly, becomes a prime suspect and Nola joins forces with the Wheatley Institute to clear her name and the school's reputation.

This book did an excellent job at setting the scene and showing what life was like for marginalized folks away from Northern cities even post slavery, threatened by the power of the Klan in the area, two-faced white politicians, and the casual, everyday racism they encountered at every turn. This was an intriguing setting for a historical mystery and breathed fresh life into this genre.

The mystery was fun and twisty and kept me guessing at every turn in this jazz-soaked story full of gangsters, delicious Southern food and Black people trying to make it in difficult times. I liked how Nola was a psychic, which added another dimension to the typical amateur detective story. Nola could be a bit naive at times but I liked how curious and whip-smart she was as a character.

The book even ended with the hint of a fun new romance in the works for young, bright Nola.

I'll be paying attention to this series in the future. A solid start, a good mystery, strong characters and a unique setting made for an entertaining and gripping story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.My first read by this Author.I love this era of time period.,the Prohibition era with speakeasies,jazz ,,the home for colored girls,the shady characters.The mixture of the historical insights and the spin of mystery with a little bit of Hoodoo.keep me up reading .I would love to see Nola embarking on some more adventures.Loved the characters in this novel. Will be looking out for more books from this author

A Gripping Dive into Jazz, Justice, and the Spirit World
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Prohibition-era speakeasies and the electric energy of the Roaring 1920s, this thrilling historical mystery delivers on every front. The author—herself a psychic medium and jazz pianist—infuses the narrative with a rich sense of authenticity, making the historical depiction not just fascinating, but immersive. The music, the danger, the double lives—all pulse through the story like a syncopated rhythm.
At the heart of the novel is Nola Ann Jackson, a complex and engaging heroine. A young Black widow and budding psychic, Nola is not only navigating her grief but stepping into her spiritual power under the guidance of her Aunt Sarah, a seasoned seer. Her role as an intuitive investigator gives the mystery a unique twist that feels both grounded and magical. I was drawn deeply into Nola's world as she tackled the disappearance of a promising young woman and uncovered far more than anyone expected.
The mystery unfolds with clever pacing and a creative solution that kept me guessing until the final pages. From corrupt elites to the seedy underbelly of jazz clubs like the Wham Bam, the plot spins a compelling web of scandal, murder, and social injustice that never loses momentum. Each character—from the haunted Lilly Davidson to the enigmatic Eddie Smooth—feels vividly real, layered with motives, secrets, and unexpected depth.
This book is more than just a mystery—it's a page-turner that skillfully blends historical richness with supernatural intrigue. If you're looking for a novel that crackles with Jazz Age excitement, celebrates a powerful and intuitive Black heroine, and delivers a satisfying and surprising conclusion, look no further. I couldn’t put it down.

This was a quick, fun read. I loved the 1920s setting—full of jazz clubs, secrets, and danger—and Nola Ann Jackson is such a compelling character. Her journey as a young widow learning to embrace her psychic gifts while solving a murder mystery kept me hooked the whole way through. The mix of historical fiction, suspense, and a touch of the supernatural was really well done. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a smart, atmospheric mystery with a strong female lead! Looking forward to another installment.

Thanks to Netgalley Kensington for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

Set against the backdrop of the Jazz Age, a missing person’s case turns into a murder mystery tangled up in small town secrets. Nola thought she left the Phyllis Wheatley Institute for Colored Girls firmly in the past when she moved to Harlem. Now, newly widowed and back in Illinois, the school asks for Nola’s help to locate a student who disappeared. Lilly was last seen at the Wham Bam Club with the notorious Eddie Smooth, so when the speakeasy goes up in flames and Eddie is gunned down, the authorities think Lilly’s the one responsible. But Nola knows that a man like Eddie has more powerful enemies than a schoolgirl. Can Nola unravel the political conspiracy behind these crimes to prove Lilly’s innocence? Author Carolyn Marie Wilkins is a jazz pianist and a professor at Berklee College of Music.