Death Waits at the Hotel Olga

For readers of Nekesia Afia, Jacqueline Winspear, Avery Cunningham’s The Mayor of Maxwell Street, a thrilling, Harlem Renaissance-set mystery featuring a liberated, educated, Black woman in Jazz Age New York…and the Prohibition-era gangsters and dangerous rivals she must confront.

Harriet is settling into her new life in Harlem since her inheritance of her late cousin’s brownstone-turned-boarding house. She has also found a new boarder, Ida Coles, who is becoming a mentor for Lovey, Harriet’s bi-racial adopted sister. Harriet has earned her private investigator’s license, a rare feat for a woman of any color. Her first clients are Porter Grant and Mildred Webster, a wealthy brother and sister from Philadelphia staying at the Hotel Olga, a fancy hotel for Harlem luminaries.

The couple are searching for Millicent Webster, Mildred’s daughter, who has disappeared into Harlem with a friend of dubious character. They claim “little Millie” is in danger, but their behavior is suspicious, and before Harriet knows it, she is caught in a web of family dysfunction, deadly corruption, and threatening characters whose lives are marked by murder and money.

When a killer viciously strikes twice, Harriet knows she’s entered a dangerous world in which “little Millie” could be either perpetrator or killer—and where she herself could end up the victim.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs