Sandra Jackson-Opoku’s debut mystery novel, Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes, serves up a delectable blend of Southern comfort and urban grit that feels as authentic as cornbread from a cast-iron skillet. After a 25-year hiatus from novel writing, Jackson-Opoku returns with a story that proves good things come to those who wait—and simmer slowly.
A Recipe for Murder on Chicago’s South Side
The story unfolds in Essie’s Place, a soul food café in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood, where proprietor Savvy Summers has built more than just a business—she’s created a community anchor. When 75-year-old neighborhood fixture Grandy Jaspers drops dead face-first into a plate of sweet potato pie at his regular table, Savvy’s world turns upside down faster than a skillet of cornbread.
What initially appears to be a heart attack quickly becomes fodder for suspicion, especially when the health department shuts down the café and a wrongful-death lawsuit lands on Savvy’s doorstep. Determined to clear her name and save her business, Savvy embarks on her own investigation, aided by her sharp-tongued assistant manager Penny Lopés and complicated by the reappearance of her police sergeant ex-husband, Fanon Franklin.
Character Development That Satisfies
Jackson-Opoku’s greatest strength lies in her character development. Savvy Summers emerges as a fully realized protagonist—neither too perfect nor frustratingly flawed. She’s a woman carrying the weight of tradition while navigating modern challenges, someone who speaks in the voice of her Great-Aunt Essie while making decisions that are entirely her own. The author captures the complexity of a middle-aged Black woman entrepreneur with remarkable authenticity.
The supporting cast reads like a vibrant neighborhood directory. Penny Lopés, with her gossipy nature and fierce loyalty, provides both comic relief and crucial plot advancement. Grandy Jaspers, even in death, remains a vivid presence—a womanizing charmer whose seventy-five years of mischief finally catch up with him. The villain Noble McPherson strikes the right balance between menacing and pathetic, while the various suspects each carry believable motives and distinctive voices.
Mystery Mechanics and Pacing
The mystery unfolds at a comfortable pace that mirrors the rhythm of café life—bustling during peak hours, contemplative during quiet moments. Jackson-Opoku plants clues with the skill of a seasoned mystery writer, though some red herrings feel slightly forced. The revelation involving Shysteen Shackleford’s pregnancy scam and her partnership with Evrian King provides a satisfying conclusion, even if the final confrontation feels somewhat rushed after the careful buildup.
The author handles multiple suspects well, creating a believable pool of potential murderers:
- Mattie Jaspers, the long-suffering wife with financial motives
- Shysteen Shackleford, the young mistress with secrets
- Noble McPherson, the predatory developer
- Various family members with their own grievances
Setting as Character
Chicago’s South Side emerges as more than mere backdrop—it becomes a character in its own right. Jackson-Opoku, drawing from her own Mississippi-to-Chicago heritage, captures the neighborhood’s cultural DNA with remarkable precision. The descriptions of soul food preparation read like love letters to culinary tradition, while the portrayal of gentrification pressures feels urgently contemporary.
The café itself pulses with life, from the makeshift shrine at Table Two to the community bulletin board where local drama unfolds. Jackson-Opoku understands that small businesses like Essie’s Place serve as more than restaurants—they’re cultural preservation societies, gossip networks, and emotional sanctuaries rolled into one.
Literary Strengths and Minor Weaknesses
Jackson-Opoku’s background as a literary novelist shows in her sophisticated prose and deep character psychology. Her descriptions shimmer with sensory details that make readers practically taste the sweet potato pie and feel the café’s bustling energy. The integration of family history, cultural tradition, and contemporary social issues creates layers of meaning that elevate this above standard cozy mystery fare.
However, the transition from literary to genre fiction occasionally shows rough edges. Some dialogue feels slightly overwritten, and a few plot developments rely too heavily on coincidence. The romance subplot with ex-husband Fanon, while adding emotional depth, sometimes slows the mystery’s momentum.
The author’s handling of social issues—gentrification, police culture, community economics—feels organic rather than preachy, though occasionally the balance tips toward exposition over story.
Cultural Authenticity and Voice
One of the novel’s greatest achievements is its authentic portrayal of African American community life. Jackson-Opoku captures the rhythms of Black vernacular without resorting to caricature, and her exploration of intergenerational trauma and resilience feels genuine. The references to Great-Aunt Essie’s wisdom provide spiritual grounding while the contemporary challenges keep the story firmly rooted in modern realities.
The culinary elements deserve special praise. Jackson-Opoku clearly understands that soul food represents more than nutrition—it’s cultural transmission, emotional comfort, and community bonding all served on the same plate. The included recipes feel like natural extensions of the narrative rather than marketing add-ons.
Series Potential and Future Prospects
As the inaugural novel in the Savvy Summers series, Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes successfully establishes a world worth revisiting. The café setting provides endless possibilities for future mysteries, while the supporting cast offers rich potential for development. Savvy herself has room to grow without losing the essential qualities that make her appealing.
The author wisely leaves several personal relationships in interesting states of development, particularly Savvy’s complicated feelings toward her ex-husband and her evolving friendship with Detective Jacobs.
Critical Assessment
Strengths:
- Authentic voice and cultural specificity
- Well-developed protagonist with genuine depth
- Vivid setting that enhances rather than merely supports the story
- Sophisticated handling of social issues
- Satisfying mystery resolution
Areas for improvement:
- Occasional pacing issues in the middle third
- Some coincidence-heavy plot developments
- Minor inconsistencies in character motivation
- The romance subplot could be better integrated
Comparison to Similar Works
Readers who enjoy Valerie Wilson Wesley’s Tamara Hayle series or Rita Mae Brown’s mysteries will find familiar pleasures here, though Jackson-Opoku brings a more literary sensibility to the genre. The book shares DNA with recent culinary mysteries like Mia Manansala’s Arsenic and Adobo series, but Jackson-Opoku’s deeper exploration of community dynamics and cultural heritage sets it apart.
For readers seeking authentic African American voices in mystery fiction, this joins the ranks of works by authors like Tracy Clark, S.A. Cosby, and Kellye Garrett in expanding the genre’s representation.
Final Verdict
Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes succeeds as both mystery and cultural document. Jackson-Opoku has created a world that feels lived-in and characters who feel like neighbors. While not without minor flaws, the novel’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, particularly in its authentic voice, cultural specificity, and the warmth of its community portrayal.
This is comfort food for mystery lovers—satisfying, nourishing, and leaving readers hungry for the next serving. Jackson-Opoku has proven that after 25 years away from novel writing, she hasn’t lost her touch; she’s simply seasoned it with new flavors.
Recommended Similar Titles
If you enjoyed Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes, consider:
- Arsenic and Adobo by Mia Manansala – Filipino-American culinary cozy mystery
- Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke – Texas-set mystery exploring racial tensions
- Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley – Classic African American detective fiction
- The Fried Chicken War by Valerie Wilson Wesley – Another soul food mystery
- Blackwater Falls by Ausma Zehanat Khan – Diverse community-based mystery
- Heaven, My Home by Attica Locke – Rural Southern mystery with social depth
- Dead on the Delta by Stacy Hawkins Adams – African American cozy mystery
These recommendations offer similar combinations of cultural authenticity, community focus, and engaging mystery plotting that made Jackson-Opoku’s debut so compelling.