The Black Detective

Darryl Billups, created by Blair S. Walker
This hard-nosed journalist becomes a reluctant investigator when the police drop the ball.

Candi "Mama" Covington, created by Nora DeLoach
This black Miss Marple cooks up tasty soul food and solves crimes with the same good humor.

Smokey Dalton, created by Kris Nelscott
It's the late 60s in Chicago and Smokey is a man caught in a tough situation, trying to do the right thing for his son, Jimmy.

Tamara Hayle, created by Valerie Wilson Wesley
A no-nonsense private detective, this sassy single mother has a real soft spot for kids.

Benjamin January, created by Barbara Hambly
January's penchant for detection and his status as a free man make him a force in 19th century New Orleans.

Charlotte Justice, created by Paula L. Woods
Tough black cop Charlotte, who lost her family to gang violence, works the streets of Los Angeles around the time of the Rodney King beating.

Marti MacAlister, created by Eleanor Taylor Bland
A Chicago policewoman whose personal sensitivity spills over into her detective work.

Blades Overstreet, created by Glenville Lovell
Overstreet is an ex-cop coming up against all manner of evil in the gritty streets of New York City.

Easy Rawlins, created by Walter Mosley
This most memorable of characters is a product of the poverty and violence of the prewar rural South.

Talba Wallis, created by Julie Smith
Talba is PI by day and performance poet by night in steamy News Orleans.

Blanche White, created by Barbara Neely
A cleaning woman with a nose for trouble, Blanch relies on her intuition to right the wrongs she finds.

More Black Detectives:

Georgia Barnett, created by Ardella Garland

Nikki Chase, created by Pamela Thomas-Graham

Alex Cross, created by James Patterson

Aaron Gunner, created by Gar Anthony Haywood

Fearless Jones, created by Walter Mosley

Desiree "Des" Mitry, created by David Handler

Derek Strange, created by George P. Pelecanos

St. Charles Public Library

Rev. 1/05 jhl