History Lessons
A Black woman in academia mobilizes her research skills to investigate a murder in Zoe B. Wallbrook’s spirited novel History Lessons.
A junior professor at illustrious Harrison University, Daphne studies the history of Black families under French imperialism. When Sam, her famous colleague in the anthropology department, is killed, a last-minute text message from him subjects her to the perpetrator’s continued threats. With the encouragement of Rowan—a local bookseller, former police officer, and Daphne’s irresistible crush—Daphne investigates Sam’s death while uncovering the misogyny, racism, and lies of her college’s new dean.
Despite its violence, the narration is wry, delighting in nerdy and contemporary cultural references. For example, Daphne quips that “she could memorize text faster than AI could generate a sonnet praising Trader Joe’s in the style of Sylvia Plath.” The daily hustle and bustle of the university is enveloped in similar humor: Between jostling with colleagues for faculty dining’s famed food, Daphne observes dueling gluttonous squirrels and satirizes the intellectual proclivities of her students with fond affection.
While the book’s romantic scenes are somewhat contrived—Daphne and Rowan often fall into each other as Daphne’s infatuated inner monologue waxes onward—the strength Daphne finds from their tender banter is heartening. She also draws strength from her loyal friends and loving father. Her growth from “invisible” to “[determining] to write the ending of her own damn story” is engrossing. Thanks to her clever historian’s habit of “[reading] against the grain and [interrogating] every word,” the criminal investigation is multilayered. Daphne stands against systems of abusive power that victimize women, especially those of color, leading to an empowering, satisfying end.
A Black woman professor strives for truth, belonging, and romance in History Lessons, an entertaining mystery novel that is conscious about resisting systemic injustice.
Reviewed by
Isabella Zhou
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
