Glory Be by Danielle Arceneaux

Glory Broussard, a Black woman with vivid memories of segregation in her hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana, likes her routine. After church on Sundays, she settles in at her table in the local coffee shop to run her bookie business. She volunteers with the Red Hat Society, and the rest of the time, seems to be going through the motions after her divorce and the death of her mother.

Then, her lifelong friend (and nun) Amity’s death is ruled a suicide, and Glory starts investigating. With help (and a bit of interference) from her daughter Delphine, Glory uncovers the truth. With strong relationships, flawed characters, and a strong sense of place, Glory Be (2023) is an engaging debut cozy mystery by Danielle Arceneaux. I can’t to see what Glory gets up to next!

If you enjoy cozy mysteries, check out our book list for more recommendations.