Mr. McCane
Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, for allowing me early access through this ARC. Book releases 1-27-26.
I’ve read my share of books that are written about the time when chattel slavery was legal in America. But this one is quite different. Inspired by true stories, we follow several enslaved men and women who all have monstrous slave owners. The book presents four different stories that intertwine and connect to the first one. In each story, the slaves reach a point where they decide that enough is enough. This is a story of revenge. And the way they fought back was not only sweet, but it was justified and very satisfying to me.
All the bad guys are evil, but the one at the end (Nathaniel) was the absolute worst. “He’s worse than a master. He’s a monster.”
The way the story connects was not only unexpected, but very rewarding. I will never forget these characters. I not only read this with a book club, but I also couple read it with my wife. This book is better than I expected it to be.
I love that the author never used the N-word, but there is also none of that goofy slave talk that American history tries to make us believe every slave spoke. You know what I mean, that “yessuh massa” bullshit. Yes, I’m sure some slaves did, but definitely not all.
There are a lot of graphic details, so check your triggers.
Remember, slavery ended because black people decided that enough was enough. America had no choice but to end it. This book is a call to action for the reader. It’s about fighting against the things in your life that hold you back. For them, it was Master, the government, the south, etc. For you, it can be anything, maybe even yourself. Time to rise up! This book may fall into several genres, including horror, historical fiction, and since it has queer representation, LGBTQ.
“I am everything you fear.”
This book was powerful, emotional, beautifully written and right on time. It even has a Kanye West diss. It will be extremely hard for another book to top it.
And please do me a favor and don’t skip the Author’s Note.
Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, for allowing me early access through this ARC. Book releases 1-27-26.
I’ve read my share of books that are written about the time when chattel slavery was legal in America. But this one is quite different. Inspired by true stories, we follow several enslaved men and women who all have monstrous slave owners. The book presents four different stories that intertwine and connect to the first one. In each story, the slaves reach a point where they decide that enough is enough. This is a story of revenge. And the way they fought back was not only sweet, but it was justified and very satisfying to me.
All the bad guys are evil, but the one at the end (Nathaniel) was the absolute worst. “He’s worse than a master. He’s a monster.”
The way the story connects was not only unexpected, but very rewarding. I will never forget these characters. I not only read this with a book club, but I also couple read it with my wife. This book is better than I expected it to be.
I love that the author never used the N-word, but there is also none of that goofy slave talk that American history tries to make us believe every slave spoke. You know what I mean, that “yessuh massa” bullshit. Yes, I’m sure some slaves did, but definitely not all.
There are a lot of graphic details, so check your triggers.
Remember, slavery ended because black people decided that enough was enough. America had no choice but to end it. This book is a call to action for the reader. It’s about fighting against the things in your life that hold you back. For them, it was Master, the government, the south, etc. For you, it can be anything, maybe even yourself. Time to rise up! This book may fall into several genres, including horror, historical fiction, and since it has queer representation, LGBTQ.
“I am everything you fear.”
This book was powerful, emotional, beautifully written and right on time. It even has a Kanye West diss. It will be extremely hard for another book to top it.
And please do me a favor and don’t skip the Author’s Note.
Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, for allowing me early access through this ARC. Book releases 1-27-26.
I’ve read my share of books that are written about the time when chattel slavery was legal in America. But this one is quite different. Inspired by true stories, we follow several enslaved men and women who all have monstrous slave owners. The book presents four different stories that intertwine and connect to the first one. In each story, the slaves reach a point where they decide that enough is enough. This is a story of revenge. And the way they fought back was not only sweet, but it was justified and very satisfying to me.
All the bad guys are evil, but the one at the end (Nathaniel) was the absolute worst. “He’s worse than a master. He’s a monster.”
The way the story connects was not only unexpected, but very rewarding. I will never forget these characters. I not only read this with a book club, but I also couple read it with my wife. This book is better than I expected it to be.
I love that the author never used the N-word, but there is also none of that goofy slave talk that American history tries to make us believe every slave spoke. You know what I mean, that “yessuh massa” bullshit. Yes, I’m sure some slaves did, but definitely not all. There are a lot of graphic details, so check your triggers.
Remember, slavery ended because black people decided that enough was enough. America had no choice but to end it. This book is a call to action for the reader. It’s about fighting against the things in your life that hold you back. For them, it was Master, the government, the south, etc. For you, it can be anything, maybe even yourself. Time to rise up! This book may fall into several genres, including horror, historical fiction, and since it has queer representation, LGBTQ.
“I am everything you fear.”
This book was powerful, emotional, beautifully written and right on time. It even has a Kanye West diss. It will be extremely hard for another book to top it.
And please do me a favor and don’t skip the Author’s Note.
Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, for allowing me early access through this ARC. Book releases 1-27-26.
I’ve read my share of books that are written about the time when chattel slavery was legal in America. But this one is quite different. Inspired by true stories, we follow several enslaved men and women who all have monstrous slave owners. The book presents four different stories that intertwine and connect to the first one. In each story, the slaves reach a point where they decide that enough is enough. This is a story of revenge. And the way they fought back was not only sweet, but it was justified and very satisfying to me.
All the bad guys are evil, but the one at the end (Nathaniel) was the absolute worst. “He’s worse than a master. He’s a monster.”
The way the story connects was not only unexpected, but very rewarding. I will never forget these characters. I not only read this with a book club, but I also couple read it with my wife. This book is better than I expected it to be.
I love that the author never used the N-word, but there is also none of that goofy slave talk that American history tries to make us believe every slave spoke. You know what I mean, that “yessuh massa” bullshit. Yes, I’m sure some slaves did, but definitely not all. There are a lot of graphic details, so check your triggers.
Remember, slavery ended because black people decided that enough was enough. America had no choice but to end it. This book is a call to action for the reader. It’s about fighting against the things in your life that hold you back. For them, it was Master, the government, the south, etc. For you, it can be anything, maybe even yourself. Time to rise up! This book may fall into several genres, including horror, historical fiction, and since it has queer representation, LGBTQ.
“I am everything you fear.”
This book was powerful, emotional, beautifully written and right on time. It even has a Kanye West diss. It will be extremely hard for another book to top it.
And please do me a favor and don’t skip the Author’s Note.
I understand that in this country, books like this are an acquired taste. People like to imagine that the people who live in low-income neighborhoods are lazy and expect everything to be handed to them. But in all actuality, that’s often not the case at all. Those are often the people who not only have to work ten times harder, but will also experience the worst America offers. That is the case with this memoir by Curtis Jackson (50 Cent).
50 Cent talks about how hard it was growing up on the south side of Jamaica, Queens. We learn about his drug-dealing mother, street life, incarceration, drug dealing, how he got shot, his beef with rapper Ja-Rule, and how he made it in the rap industry.
I first read this book in 2005, when it was first released, and I thought it was the best thing ever. But that was during his prime after the Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre albums. He also had the Get Rich or Die Tryin movie releasing the next month. I was a superfan, and he couldn’t do anything wrong.
After reading hundreds of books, I can now say with confidence that although the writing wasn’t great, it was still one hell of a story. He did a lot of telling instead of showing, and we really didn’t get a chance to know the real Curtis Jackson. But he still gives us a lot. Definitely worth the read.
What I enjoyed most was his honesty. But I also liked when he talked about jail, Ja-Rule, and his rap career. I recently read one of his other books, “Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter,” and that one was way better. Soon, I will read “The Accomplish” and “Playground”, which I own. I give this one 3.75 stars.
I understand that in this country, books like this are an acquired taste. People like to imagine that the people who live in low-income neighborhoods are lazy and expect everything to be handed to them. But in all actuality, that’s often not the case at all. Those are often the people who not only have to work ten times harder, but will also experience the worst America offers. That is the case with this memoir by Curtis Jackson (50 Cent).
50 Cent talks about how hard it was growing up on the south side of Jamaica, Queens. We learn about his drug-dealing mother, street life, incarceration, drug dealing, how he got shot, his beef with rapper Ja-Rule, and how he made it in the rap industry.
I first read this book in 2005, when it was first released, and I thought it was the best thing ever. But that was during his prime after the Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre albums. He also had the Get Rich or Die Tryin movie releasing the next month. I was a superfan, and he couldn’t do anything wrong.
After reading hundreds of books, I can now say with confidence that although the writing wasn’t great, it was still one hell of a story. He did a lot of telling instead of showing, and we really didn’t get a chance to know the real Curtis Jackson. But he still gives us a lot. Definitely worth the read.
What I enjoyed most was his honesty. But I also liked when he talked about jail, Ja-Rule, and his rap career. I recently read one of his other books, “Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter,” and that one was way better. Soon, I will read “The Accomplish” and “Playground”, which I own. I give this one 3.75 stars.
After reading several heavy books, I had a great time letting my imagination run wild with this fun time traveling adventure. In this fast paced middle grade novel, we follow two seventh graders, Rahim and Kasia. Kasia is a genius who loves building gadgets, while Rahim loves testing them out. This time, Kasia gives Rahim a gift for his birthday that sends him back in time. And just like every other movie/book about time travel, that may not be the best idea. This book is perfect for middle schoolers and maybe even some kids at heart like me. Sure, there were a couple of things that made little sense in regard to science, but that’s your fault for putting so much thought into a kids’ book. Did I mention Questlove and S.A. Cosby wrote this book? Did I also mention that Questlove dedicated the book to his nine-year-old self? Can’t wait to continue with book two, Let’s go!
After reading several heavy books, I had a great time letting my imagination run wild with this fun time traveling adventure. In this fast paced middle grade novel, we follow two seventh graders, Rahim and Kasia. Kasia is a genius who loves building gadgets, while Rahim loves testing them out. This time, Kasia gives Rahim a gift for his birthday that sends him back in time. And just like every other movie/book about time travel, that may not be the best idea. This book is perfect for middle schoolers and maybe even some kids at heart like me. Sure, there were a couple of things that made little sense in regard to science, but that’s your fault for putting so much thought into a kids’ book. Did I mention Questlove and S.A. Cosby wrote this book? Did I also mention that Questlove dedicated the book to his nine-year-old self? Can’t wait to continue with book two, Let’s go!
This is a short autobiographical fiction. It’s about a famous author (Eve) who wakes up in a hospital and finds out that she had just completed brain surgery and is dying of cancer. She’s also suffering memory loss.
This novella packs a huge punch because the author had actually experienced this in real life. She talks about it at the end of the book, and it’s devastating. If you love memoirs, this is a must-read.
Sophie Kinsella passed away on 12-10-25 at 55 from brain cancer. Rest in peace 😭.
This is a short autobiographical fiction. It’s about a famous author (Eve) who wakes up in a hospital and finds out that she had just completed brain surgery and is dying of cancer. She’s also suffering memory loss.
This novella packs a huge punch because the author had actually experienced this in real life. She talks about it at the end of the book, and it’s devastating. If you love memoirs, this is a must-read.
Sophie Kinsella passed away on 12-10-25 at 55 from brain cancer. Rest in peace 😭.
Missed Opportunity
I’ve been working Crimes Against Children cases exclusively for about 16 years. I’ve investigated hundreds of statutory rape cases. The book did a good job of putting us in the mind of a child molester. It’s meant to be an uncomfortable read, and it succeeded.
Unfortunately, there were several missed opportunities. I waited for the part that talked about why teenage male victims stay silent, how 94% of perpetrators against boys were women, why they don’t often disclose, how women perpetrators often get away with it, and the overall effect it has on the child. But that never happened.
What we got was chapter after chapter of detailed child molestation. It was almost as if the author tried her best to out-disgust her last chapter. As if she enjoyed writing it.
I also disliked how every male and police officer in the book are idiots, and only think with their private parts. It’s one of the worst tropes that need to end. And of course the female perpetrator does whatever she wants because she’s a beautiful privileged blonde (which she repeatedly reminds us). 😒
This book sucks and is a slap in the face to people like me, who are both a two-time victim of female child molesters and an investigator who has arrested more of them than I can count.
This is the worst book I’ve ever read, respectfully
Missed Opportunity
I’ve been working Crimes Against Children cases exclusively for about 16 years. I’ve investigated hundreds of statutory rape cases. The book did a good job of putting us in the mind of a child molester. It’s meant to be an uncomfortable read, and it succeeded.
Unfortunately, there were several missed opportunities. I waited for the part that talked about why teenage male victims stay silent, how 94% of perpetrators against boys were women, why they don’t often disclose, how women perpetrators often get away with it, and the overall effect it has on the child. But that never happened.
What we got was chapter after chapter of detailed child molestation. It was almost as if the author tried her best to out-disgust her last chapter. As if she enjoyed writing it.
I also disliked how every male and police officer in the book are idiots, and only think with their private parts. It’s one of the worst tropes that need to end. And of course the female perpetrator does whatever she wants because she’s a beautiful privileged blonde (which she repeatedly reminds us). 😒
This book sucks and is a slap in the face to people like me, who are both a two-time victim of female child molesters and an investigator who has arrested more of them than I can count.
This is the worst book I’ve ever read, respectfully
We Are All Guilty Here is my introduction to Karin Slaughter. It’s about a small town in Georgia where two teenage girls vanish. The whole town knows each other, so of course they go crazy. It’s up to the sheriff and his deputies to locate them before it’s too late. The problem is the town is full of shady people. You can’t trust anybody.
This was right up my alley. I live in Georgia, work in law enforcement, and have worked on my share of kidnapping and missing person cases. My town even appeared in the story several times. I felt like I was also working the case, but with even more suspects than I’m used to. The book was well written and felt realistic as hell. The character development was excellent, and the minor details caught my attention. I also enjoyed the pacing and the father/daughter chemistry. There are several twists and turns that will keep you engaged. I was on the edge of my seat. This needs to be a movie.
Check the trigger warnings because this book is dark.
My only issue is that some of these chapters are extremely long. She put a lot into these chapters, so it would have been nice to break them up a little. I would get to the end of one and forget all about something major that happened at the beginning of it.
I will definitely read more from her. I think I’m ready for Pretty Girls.
We Are All Guilty Here is my introduction to Karin Slaughter. It’s about a small town in Georgia where two teenage girls vanish. The whole town knows each other, so of course they go crazy. It’s up to the sheriff and his deputies to locate them before it’s too late. The problem is the town is full of shady people. You can’t trust anybody.
This was right up my alley. I live in Georgia, work in law enforcement, and have worked on my share of kidnapping and missing person cases. My town even appeared in the story several times. I felt like I was also working the case, but with even more suspects than I’m used to. The book was well written and felt realistic as hell. The character development was excellent, and the minor details caught my attention. I also enjoyed the pacing and the father/daughter chemistry. There are several twists and turns that will keep you engaged. I was on the edge of my seat. This needs to be a movie.
Check the trigger warnings because this book is dark.
My only issue is that some of these chapters are extremely long. She put a lot into these chapters, so it would have been nice to break them up a little. I would get to the end of one and forget all about something major that happened at the beginning of it.
I will definitely read more from her. I think I’m ready for Pretty Girls.
This is the reason I love historical fiction. The Attic Child is a dual-timeline story of two children separated by generations. They were both trapped in the same attic, almost a century apart, and are bound by a shared secret.
In the early 1900s, 12-year-old Dikembe was stolen from his homeland and brought to London. He spends most of his time locked away in the attic of a large house. The only time he isn’t bound is when he’s being an unpaid servant.
The second timeline is in 1974, where we find Lawra. She is an orphan who was born into wealth, but must live with her stepmother, where she is also trapped in the same attic. Lawra finds some artifacts in the attic that lead her on a mission not only to escape but also to find out the history of those items.
This is one of the best-written books I have ever read. I found myself completely immersed in the story. It is based on the real life of Ndugu M’Hali. The book even briefly mentions Ota Benga, who terrorists stole from the Congo, took to America, and exhibited at the Bronx Zoo with monkeys. I was constantly doing Google searches while reading, because I had never heard of Ndugu M’Hali.
Anyway, apparently while this was happening to Dikembe, King Leopold II (Belgium) and the rest of the murdering terrorists were busy murdering 10 to 15 million people who lived in the Congo.
It was great seeing both POVs. And yes, I refused to call Dikembe by his slave name (Célestine). This was the easiest five stars I’ve ever given out. It’s a must-read. The twist and turns in this will keep your eyes glued to the pages. I immersed myself in reading with the physical and audiobook. “King Leopold’s Ghost” by Adam Hochschild is next on my list. I will never forget this story!
This is the reason I love historical fiction. The Attic Child is a dual-timeline story of two children separated by generations. They were both trapped in the same attic, almost a century apart, and are bound by a shared secret.
In the early 1900s, 12-year-old Dikembe was stolen from his homeland and brought to London. He spends most of his time locked away in the attic of a large house. The only time he isn’t bound is when he’s being an unpaid servant.
The second timeline is in 1974, where we find Lawra. She is an orphan who was born into wealth, but must live with her stepmother, where she is also trapped in the same attic. Lawra finds some artifacts in the attic that lead her on a mission not only to escape but also to find out the history of those items.
This is one of the best-written books I have ever read. I found myself completely immersed in the story. It is based on the real life of Ndugu M’Hali. The book even briefly mentions Ota Benga, who terrorists stole from the Congo, took to America, and exhibited at the Bronx Zoo with monkeys. I was constantly doing Google searches while reading, because I had never heard of Ndugu M’Hali.
Anyway, apparently while this was happening to Dikembe, King Leopold II (Belgium) and the rest of the murdering terrorists were busy murdering 10 to 15 million people who lived in the Congo.
It was great seeing both POVs. And yes, I refused to call Dikembe by his slave name (Célestine). This was the easiest five stars I’ve ever given out. It’s a must-read. The twist and turns in this will keep your eyes glued to the pages. I immersed myself in reading with the physical and audiobook. “King Leopold’s Ghost” by Adam Hochschild is next on my list. I will never forget this story!