'Black Leopard, Red Wolf'

Marlon James takes inspiration from African history and mythology for Black Leopard, Red Wolf, the fantastical first novel in his planned Dark Star trilogy. The imaginative tale follows Tracker, a dexterous hunter who becomes enthralled in a quest to find a missing boy. As he follows the boy’s scent through cities and across forests, Tracker is joined by a rebel band of creatures and a shape-shifting half-man named Leopard. Get tracked down at the Harvard Book Store on Feb. 7. / Caroline Long

Harvard Book Store First Parish Church, 1446 Mass. Ave., Cambridge (617-661-1515) harvard.com. MBTA: Red Line to Harvard. 7 pm. $32, includes book.