Title: Murder on the Down Low
Author: Pamela Samuels Young
Publisher: Goldman House Publishing
Publication Date: September 1, 2008
Paperback: 386 pages
ISBN: 978-0981562704
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
A brazen killer is targeting some of L.A.’s most prominent citizens. The victims are all quintessential family men. Well-educated. Attractive. Successful. But appearances can be deceiving. When the baffling murders are linked to a contentious wrongful death lawsuit, two savvy lawyers and a tenacious female detective soon expose a scandalous tale of lust, lies and vengeance.
My Review:
Life and death, the bonds of friendship, an important message, and an intriguing murder mystery are all part of Pamela Samuels Young’s book Murder on the Down Low. The premise behind the formation of this book is an important one and is addressed in undertones throughout the book and concluded by the author after the mystery is wrapped up. Until I read this book I had never heard of the terms ‘down low’. It goes to show how educational reading can be, and as long as I am mentioning education, while this is a book of fiction, the statistics mentioned in the book are unfortunately factual. Young has crafted an intellectual legal mystery filled with twists and turns until the very end. Lawyers Vernetta and Nichelle work with their friend Special, Maya’s cousin, to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Eugene Nelson on behalf of Maya’s mother. Maya died from AIDS her husband had passed onto her, which has prompted awareness, frustration, and in Special’s instance, extreme anger. The fourth woman of the group of friends, Detective J.C. Sparks is working a string of homicides where prominent, well to do businessmen are being executed and a connection is not immediately known. Murder on the Down Low is told in alternating narration, offering the reader multiple perspectives as well as getting better acquainted with Vernetta, Special, J.C., and Nichelle. Young is a talented writer and immediately piques the interest of the reader while tactfully bringing awareness to a growing problem that many may not be fully aware exists. Murder on the Down Low takes the reader through not only a well-written murder mystery, but also a legal thriller, and a look inside a family of friends as they process their grief at the loss of their mutual friend Maya. Young juggles the many threads of the story as well as the multiple narrations masterfully and seamlessly to create a story that will hold the reader captive until the very end. I would recommend Murder on the Down Low to readers and book discussion groups alike.
For more information about author Pamela Samuels Young or her books, please visit her website.
Pamela Samuels Young’s MURDER ON THE DOWN LOW’S VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR officially began on December 6 and ends on March 11th. Visit here during the month of March to find out more about this great book and talented author!
I received a complimentary copy of Murder on the Down Low by Pamela Samuels Young from Pump Up Your Book Promotion as part of the tour. Receiving a copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.
I liked this book as well and thought it dealt with some important issues
I learned a lot of things I was unaware of and it was nice to read the author’s note at the end.
Great review — I have to turn up my bravery and read a book with murder in the title!
You should, they are not all gory.