Perry Dart, one of Harlem's ten African-American black police detectives, investigates the murder of N'Gana Frimbo, the African conjure-man. Also includes the short story "John Archer's Nose."

"This crime classic includes 'John Archer's nose', a short story in which Parry Dart and Dr. Archer return to solve the case of a young man murdered in his own bed." -- back cover. "First published by Covici-Friede, New York 1932"--Title page verso. "The Conjure-man dies was the very first detective novel written by an African-American"--Page [4] of cover. "John Archer's nose first published in The metropolitan, by Meeks Publishing Co, 1935."