If you know me, you know that I love murder. Ok, maybe not murder – but definitely murder mysteries. One of my favorite characters in all of fiction is Miss Marple, so I was delighted to pick up this new novella by Nakia Jackson featuring one Halima Abdulmussawir, a Black Muslim auntie from Philly with a very similar vibe.
This is a short book. I read it in one afternoon. Jackson’s prose is clean and well-edited. The story was easy to follow, and the cast of characters, all from Halima’s neighborhood, felt real. As the story opens, we find that Halima’s nephew, Omar, is a detective, and he’s come to her again for help solving a case. A local man, well known and liked, was found murdered in his home.
Throughout the story, we meet different neighborhood residents who give Halima pieces of the puzzle. They all view her as a trustworthy sleuth and share their neighborhood gossip as she pieces together what happened. Using her wits, her understanding of human nature, and the religious knowledge she gained as the daughter of a pastor, Halima solves the crime.
This story is short, sweet, and very satisfying. And at $2.99 on Kindle, it’s a lovely little escape for an afternoon with a pot of tea.
What I loved:
- This charming story features a plucky, lovable auntie as the main character.
- I love the ‘Miss Marple of Philly’ vibe to the story.
- It’s a novella, so easy to finish if you’re pressed for time.
- I loved the use of religious themes in the plot.
What I found challenging:
- I would have liked more detail about the neighborhood and a chance to get to know some of the characters better. I hope Jackson continues to write Halima Abdulmussawir stories and expands the character into full-length novels!
Find The Fall of David online:
- Goodreads page
- Amazon Kindle product page
The Q Review is a passion project to elevate stories written by indie authors & presses. I review indie fiction across all genres. If you’re interested in having me read and review your book, contact me here.
