A good mystery tells a good story but usually does not fit the category of great literature, and A Toast Before Dying falls into this characterization of a good story without much depth. As a private investigator novel with a female protagonist for a sleuth, it follows a typical mystery format with numerous characters, a proliferation of clues, an element of danger, and a few red herrings. Since there are few African American mystery writers and even fewer female African American detectives, Edwards's book will appeal to a neglected audience while telling a tale that can be enjoyed by any mystery buff.

The mostly straightforward, linear plot does use some flashback when necessary for clarity. The most prominent use of flashback is with the introduction of new characters to tell something about their lives. While most of the flashback is direct description, some of it is...