How does the author use imagery in the novel, A Toast Before Dying?

Edwards assails the senses with her visual images, sounds, and smells. Her description of the foods are enough to make the reader run to the kitchen for a snack, only to find nothing seems as satisfying as what she describes. The reader gains a real sense of the essence of Harlem, both the attractive and the unattractive that exist in close proximity to each other. These details elevate the book to something more than the average mystery story as the sense of the place and the people add welcome details to the story.

Her use of music, especially jazz, in her description of places and activities also enhances the story. While the average reader might not be familiar with all the artists and songs mentioned, this underlying motif adds depth to the narrative.