Black Jade: A Daiyu Wu Mystery

Set in 1930 Dallas, this impressive series launch from Oliver (Alien Redemption) introduces a one-of-a-kind lead. Despite being blind and living in a community infected with anti-Asian prejudice, Chinese immigrant Daiyu Wu has built a life for herself by operating her family’s business, White Laundry, aided by her friend and caretaker, Jacques Haskin. Her superior olfactory senses prove essential to solving a crime when she smells something unusual on a gossamer ball gown left hanging on the front door of the laundry, with a dollar and a blank ticket stamped paid pinned to the garment. Daiyu’s suspicions that she’s detected the odor of arsenic on the dress are confirmed when Jacques helps her to perform a forensic test for detecting arsenic. The laundress concludes that someone was murdered by wearing the toxic gown and sets out on a quest to identify the victim and her killer. Aided by Jacques, Daiyu cracks the case, despite risking her liberty when she’s accused of being in the country illegally. The playful banter between Wu and Haskin moves the plot along. Historical mystery fans will look forward to the sequel. (Self-published)