Booksology 
The summoner dies by Rudolf Fisher
The book begins about the mysterious death of a “summoner” or Fortune Terror named Flymbo, discovered in the evening in a harem of the 1930s. Understanding who killed the man is one thing, but the situation becomes a stranger. One of his clients may have spoken to the dead man. The body then disappears and appears again later. There are also rooms filled with future clients. Now there is a very interesting reason to consult with “Convure-Man.” It is undoubtedly full of superstition and fear of black magic.
Dr. John Archer and police detective Perry Darts team up to get to the bottom of this strange crime. It is a beautifully written book that it was easy to get lost in the lushness of words. The opening itself is perfect pitch:
“The frigid midwinter night seemed a bit merciless as we encountered the bright light talent of Seventh Avenue in Harlem. She was giving Battery Park a cold stare, so she definitely freed the bronze. But between this rhythm and laughter, she became warm and friendly, and perhaps the people who lived here seemed to be observing the mysterious darkness of her own.“
This book feels like a mystery in a locked room, as it is unknown how the man died while talking to the man and how the murderer escaped.
Author Rudolf Fisher (1897-1934) himself is very attractive. He had a degree in English and biology from Brown University and had a Masters degree in Brown. He then completed his medical degree from Howard University before moving to New York City. He specialised in radiology and experimented with technology.
Fisher also wrote on the side, including short stories, essays, and two novels, Jericho’s wall (1928) and the aforementioned crime novel. Langston Hughes and Zora Neil Hurston are his friends/knowings, and he also composed two songs for bass baritone singer Paul Robson.
Sadly, Fisher passed away quite young in 1934. Black Past reported that when he died the novel was not fully completed, and that his colleagues, Countess Cullen and Arna Bontemps, had revised it. In addition to The summoner dies There is a connected short story entitled “John Archer’s Nose,” featuring a doctor and a police detective. My book edition included short stories.
Rhode Island-based Motif Magazine also reported The summoner dies Thanks to the 1936 Works Progress Management Federal Theatre Project, it became a play that helped Orson Wells bring it to the Lafayette Theatre in Harlem.
The motif also reported on Fisher’s death:
“Zora Neal Hurston conveyed a telegram message to Fisher’s wife (Jane). “The world has lost a genius. You have lost a husband, I have lost a friend.” Langston Hughes later wrote, “Fisher was so wonderful and talented, I think he had the talent to stay on this planet for a long time.” ”
It’s hard not to think about what Fisher could have done if he had not died such an early death. But it’s great to see that this book was republished in 2022 by Library of Congress’s Crime Classic. This book has also appeared overseas.
For those who want to know more, check out this post about this little-known Harlem Renaissance and Black Crime Writers.
