The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle
Review by Elleanore G. Vance Winner of the 2016 Shirley Jackson Award, Nebula Award and British Fantasy award (just to name a few) Mr. LaValle takes us for a side trip in Lovecraft's mind, inspired by The Horror at Red Hook. Set in Harlem in 1924, Tom is a black man doing his best keep food on the table and a roof over the heads of himself and his father. He is not picky as to how he achieves this goal. His cover is as a corner minstrel, strumming his guitar for coins. More often that not, Tom's case holds more than his instrument. One day, as Tom is getting the feel of a new corner, he is approached by Robert Suydam. Suydam offers a ridiculous amount of money for Tom to play at a party the following night. The deal is struck. A heartbeat later, Tom is assaulted by Detective Malone and Partner. They rob him of more money than he had ever had at one time. If the names Suydam and Malone ring a bell, it's because they come from Lovecraft's Horror at Red Hook. Unl...