This novel follows the harrowing journey of a thirteen-year-old boy who is kidnapped from his New Orleans home and forced to serve on a slave ship. As the ship sails from Africa to America, he is tasked with playing his fife to "dance" the slaves, keeping them fit and thus more marketable. Throughout the voyage, he witnesses the brutal realities of the slave trade, confronting the inhumanity inflicted upon the African captives and grappling with his own complicity in their suffering. The story is a poignant exploration of guilt, moral awakening, and the horrific impact of slavery, both on those enslaved and those who find themselves part of the system.

"Property" by Valerie Martin is a thought-provoking novel set in the 19th century American South, where the institution of slavery is deeply ingrained. The story follows the complex relationship between Manon, a white plantation mistress, and Sarah, her mulatto slave. Through their contrasting perspectives, the book explores themes of power, race, and identity, shedding light on the harsh realities of slavery and the inherent cruelty of human ownership.

The novel follows the journey of Lillie Ravenel, a young Southern woman who moves from the secessionist South to the Union North during the American Civil War. As she experiences the realities of war and comes into contact with various characters, including Northern soldiers and other supporters of the Union, her initial Confederate sympathies are challenged and transformed. The narrative intertwines her personal evolution with a romantic subplot and broader themes of loyalty, cultural conflict, and the moral complexities of the war, ultimately portraying her conversion to support the Union cause.

"The Grandissimes: A Story of Creole Life" is a historical novel set in early 19th-century New Orleans, exploring the complex social and racial stratifications of the time. The narrative delves into the lives of the Grandissime family, a prominent Creole clan, revealing the intertwined fates of the racially mixed society including French Creoles, Americans, free people of color, and enslaved individuals. Through a tale of forbidden love, family secrets, and cultural conflict, the novel examines themes of injustice, discrimination, and the struggle for identity and unity in a divided society.

Set in the early 20th century in the vibrant and gritty streets of New Orleans, this mystery novel follows a Creole detective as he navigates the city's underbelly of jazz clubs, brothels, and corrupt power structures. Tasked with solving a series of violent crimes that threaten to disrupt the delicate social balance, the detective must use his wits and insider knowledge of the community to track down the perpetrator. As he delves deeper into the investigation, he encounters a colorful cast of characters, each with their own secrets, and confronts the racial tensions and moral ambiguities of a city at the crossroads of tradition and modernity.

"The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett is a novel that tells the story of twin sisters, Desiree and Stella, who grow up in a small, southern black community in the 1950s and 60s. After running away from home at the age of 16, Stella decides to pass as white and marries a wealthy white man, while Desiree returns to their hometown with her dark-skinned daughter. The novel explores themes of identity, race, family, and the consequences of choices made in the past. As the sisters' lives diverge, their daughters' paths cross, and secrets are revealed, ultimately leading to a powerful and emotional conclusion.

"Twelve Bar Blues" is a multi-generational tale that spans across time and continents, intertwining the lives of characters from New Orleans to London and Africa. The narrative explores the roots and evolution of jazz music through the life of a legendary cornet player, his granddaughter who is in search of her roots, and an Englishman obsessed with the history of jazz. The book delves deep into the themes of love, identity, race, and music, presenting a vibrant portrayal of the jazz age and its cultural impact.