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The Red Series
The Deadbeat
A dangerous decision yanks two sisters out of the frying pan and lands them into the fire in this pulse pounding psychological thriller by the bestselling author of Everybody Ain't Your Friend and The Quiet Ones series.
After losing their beloved mother to ovarian cancer, identical twin sisters Jessie and Belle Brown’s world is shattered to pieces. Their mother poured out her soul to help others, but in her time of need, the only ones who pitched in were strangers. Their deadbeat father refused to lift a finger in their direction.
Seething with rage over their father’s absence, coupled with pain and agony over their mother’s passing, the sisters need a place to channel their pain. Their selfish father seems to be the perfect target.
Will their plan to make him pay for his abandonment end in success? Or will it spark the beginning to the end of Jessie and Belle’s ruin?
A pulse-pounding drama full of twists and turns. This series starter is fast-paced, straight to the point, and packs a powerful punch that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Red Series is composed of self-contained stories – they can be read in any order.
After losing their beloved mother to ovarian cancer, identical twin sisters Jessie and Belle Brown’s world is shattered to pieces. Their mother poured out her soul to help others, but in her time of need, the only ones who pitched in were strangers. Their deadbeat father refused to lift a finger in their direction.
Seething with rage over their father’s absence, coupled with pain and agony over their mother’s passing, the sisters need a place to channel their pain. Their selfish father seems to be the perfect target.
Will their plan to make him pay for his abandonment end in success? Or will it spark the beginning to the end of Jessie and Belle’s ruin?
A pulse-pounding drama full of twists and turns. This series starter is fast-paced, straight to the point, and packs a powerful punch that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Red Series is composed of self-contained stories – they can be read in any order.
105 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
December 31, 2024
Rochelle can go to hell 😭
March 23, 2025
Enjoyed this story very much! When teenage twins Jessie & Belle loose their mother to cancer, these young ladies need an outlet to release their rage & anger! Who better to take the brunt of this pain, than their deadbeat father. Young and fueled with anger, these sisters make one self sabatoging decision after another. Will they be able to deal with the consequences of their decisions? Perfect for domestic/family thriller lovers, with a twist throw in. Satisfying ending & great story. Part of the Red Series, but can be read as a standalone.
April 2, 2025
This one is labeled a psychological thriller. I beg to differ. I'll call it a drama.. a little suspenseful but no thriller. I was disappointed in this book. My youngest picked it out from a list of thrillers because it sounded interesting. They were also disappointed in it. It's like if you take a book and cut out everything but the important bits, you have this book. It's choppy and skips around a lot but it gets straight to the point. If you are in a hurry, this book is for you!
June 25, 2024
What a plot twist
The twins were likable as was Roland. The twins’ impulsivity got them in trouble and left me on the edge of my seat. Part of the twist I saw coming, but the second half caught me off guard. The ending was satisfying.
The twins were likable as was Roland. The twins’ impulsivity got them in trouble and left me on the edge of my seat. Part of the twist I saw coming, but the second half caught me off guard. The ending was satisfying.
July 22, 2024
"A pulse-pounding drama full of twists and turns. This series starter is fast-paced, straight to the point, and packs a powerful punch that will keep you on the edge of your seat."
I see nothing but truth in that statement. The song Bring Em Out. That was about my reactions while reading this book.
On the edge of my seat from the beginning, completely into the plot. I called one plot twist because of the way their Aunt was acting. However, that turned into another plot twist. This story had multiple twists! I love the way everything transpired, along with the loyalty and love the twins (Jesse and Belle) have towards their mom.
I see nothing but truth in that statement. The song Bring Em Out. That was about my reactions while reading this book.
On the edge of my seat from the beginning, completely into the plot. I called one plot twist because of the way their Aunt was acting. However, that turned into another plot twist. This story had multiple twists! I love the way everything transpired, along with the loyalty and love the twins (Jesse and Belle) have towards their mom.
July 12, 2025
I love a good psychological thriller! This is my first time reading Tanisha Stewart’s work and she did not disappoint!!! The Deadbeat had me hooked from the first chapter. Twin sisters, Jessie and Bella have just lost their mother to ovarian cancer and their anger, grief, and bitterness send them on a dangerous downward spiral. This fast-paced novella kept me in suspense and the twists and turns were so unexpected, they blew my mind.
November 23, 2025
3 🌟 Regina C. King is a phenomenal narrator! I cackled more than once while she was reading the dialogue from Rolan and Earl, because her male voice was spot-on imo. Also, Rolan and Earl both some real ninjas! They had no problem holding the girls down even through their wrong / misguided decisions.
This was a quick audiobook listen and it was a decent, enjoyable story. Also, my first book from Tanisha Stewart and I can see myself reading more of her books.
This was a quick audiobook listen and it was a decent, enjoyable story. Also, my first book from Tanisha Stewart and I can see myself reading more of her books.
February 27, 2026
3.25⭐️
I love that Belle and Jesse hold each other down—as they should. However, they soon found out they might have took on more than they can chew! Rochelle and her sister ain’t shyt. What a twist!!!! Did not expect that
Also, I wouldn’t categorize this as a phycological thriller BUT it was suspenseful and entertaining.
I love that Belle and Jesse hold each other down—as they should. However, they soon found out they might have took on more than they can chew! Rochelle and her sister ain’t shyt. What a twist!!!! Did not expect that
Also, I wouldn’t categorize this as a phycological thriller BUT it was suspenseful and entertaining.
August 2, 2024
I was literally clenching my cheeks together reading this one lol.
I didn’t expect auntie to even be of that caliber if we are being honest and not to mention the girls 😩😩
I didn’t expect auntie to even be of that caliber if we are being honest and not to mention the girls 😩😩
January 4, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
I wouldn’t call this a psychological thriller. It was definitely messy but predictable.
I wouldn’t call this a psychological thriller. It was definitely messy but predictable.
January 10, 2026
If you’re looking for a psychological thriller, this isn’t it. But if you want a solid drama, it delivers. It’s a quick read, and overall I’d give it a solid 3 rating.
June 30, 2026
Audiobook🎧
Narrator 3/5
Quality of audiobook 2/5
Narrator 3/5
Quality of audiobook 2/5
June 29, 2024
It was a pretty good read!! Now I'm waiting for the next part to come out.
March 22, 2026
Great story!
What a wild ride! Very enjoyable read with great characters and a fast paced plot. Emotionally charged, you can feel Belle and Jessie's grief over the loss of their mother and their anger at their father. And I do love a story with a good twist to it. Can't wait to read the rest of this series!
What a wild ride! Very enjoyable read with great characters and a fast paced plot. Emotionally charged, you can feel Belle and Jessie's grief over the loss of their mother and their anger at their father. And I do love a story with a good twist to it. Can't wait to read the rest of this series!
November 7, 2025
This story had a few solid plot twists and plenty of impulsive decisions that kept things interesting. It definitely has the potential to be a full-length novel.
Overall, it was an okay read — entertaining but could’ve gone deeper.
Overall, it was an okay read — entertaining but could’ve gone deeper.
April 28, 2026
I'm not crying, you're crying. This story follows sisters who decide to kill their deadbeat dad. The events that follow were top tier thriller drama. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out how this was going to play out. The ending was unexpected but fantastic.
August 7, 2024
Earl and Richelle
2.5 Earl and Richelle was wild and crazy. This book took me on a ride from the start to end.
2.5 Earl and Richelle was wild and crazy. This book took me on a ride from the start to end.
August 28, 2024
The Deadbeat...
This book is so good! The Deadbeat was the person least expected! Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story took a turn! On to the next in this series!
This book is so good! The Deadbeat was the person least expected! Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story took a turn! On to the next in this series!
September 16, 2024
Was not expecting that twist. I am not okay
October 3, 2025
Secrets can kill
Y’all better start telling y’all family the truth! Who was the real deadbeat, is the question. If you want to know you better read this book to find out.
Y’all better start telling y’all family the truth! Who was the real deadbeat, is the question. If you want to know you better read this book to find out.
January 27, 2026
Eh…. Okay. The book is a good base layer, but ultimately was too short to truly be a thriller. Suspenseful? Yeah! Thrilling? No. Twisty? FOR SURE. I would have appreciated a little more.
March 5, 2026
i have actual beef with rochelle. she lucky i wasn’t at the party i woulda jumped her too 😒
June 20, 2024
As the saying goes, when you assume...
Jessie and Belle are twin sisters on a mission to get back at their deadbeat dad. But little did the twins know, if they had known the family secrets, it might have been enough to satisfy their desire for revenge. But they soon realize that they took on more than they could handle and it just might cost them their freedom.
The Deadbeat was a fast-paced, page-turner with lots of unexpected twists and turns. If you're in the mood for a quick psychological thriller, you'll definitely enjoy this story.
Jessie and Belle are twin sisters on a mission to get back at their deadbeat dad. But little did the twins know, if they had known the family secrets, it might have been enough to satisfy their desire for revenge. But they soon realize that they took on more than they could handle and it just might cost them their freedom.
The Deadbeat was a fast-paced, page-turner with lots of unexpected twists and turns. If you're in the mood for a quick psychological thriller, you'll definitely enjoy this story.
September 22, 2024
Talk about short and sweet?! Man oh man.. Their birth mother was terrible. I was glad about the ending though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2026
✨ 📚 Book Review: The Deadbeat by Tanisha Stewart 📚 ✨
This story follows two deeply grief-stricken individuals whose pain and distorted thinking lead them down a dark path—one that flirts with violence, desperation, and the idea that revenge (or escape) might somehow fix what’s broken. What’s framed as a psychological thriller leans more into emotional turmoil and miscommunication than true suspense, creating a story that feels more like a tragic spiral than a pulse-pounding ride.
Now listen… I’ve officially had to shift my mindset with this series 😅 I’ve resigned myself to understand that these are not full books and honestly, they’re not even novellas. These are short stories. And once I started viewing them that way, it helped me better frame my expectations and my rating.
Because for me? There just isn’t enough story to really sit with. Everything moves so quickly just to deliver the core events, and while I understand this was an intentional exercise by the author to create super short works, it left me feeling like I didn’t have enough to fully connect, critique, or be wowed. I don’t necessarily have complaints… but there was nothing astounding, epic, or exhilarating either.
And lowkey… I found myself rooting for the villains 😬🫣 like… do what you gotta do I guess?? (No spoilers though lol)
But also… was this really a psychological thriller? 🤔 It felt more like a heartbreaking misunderstanding between two grieving people who thought this was their only option. Heavy, yes. Thrilling? Not quite.
⭐️Rating: 2/5 stars
📊Score: Maybe a 3/10
🌶️Spice: 0
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend unless you’re looking for a super quick palate cleanser. I’m still undecided on the author’s style maybe it’s just this Red series not hitting for me. I might have to explore other works before making a final call 👀
⚠️ PLEASE read trigger warnings and protect your mental health this one touches on grief, murder, loss, death, violence, and substance abuse. Read responsibly 💔
#BookReview #TheDeadbeat #TanishaStewart #PsychologicalThriller #ShortStories #Bookstagram #BookTok #ReadersOfInstagram #QuickReads #DarkReads #ThrillerReads #ReadingJourney #HonestReview #TBR #BlackAuthors #BookCommunity #ReadResponsibly 📚
This story follows two deeply grief-stricken individuals whose pain and distorted thinking lead them down a dark path—one that flirts with violence, desperation, and the idea that revenge (or escape) might somehow fix what’s broken. What’s framed as a psychological thriller leans more into emotional turmoil and miscommunication than true suspense, creating a story that feels more like a tragic spiral than a pulse-pounding ride.
Now listen… I’ve officially had to shift my mindset with this series 😅 I’ve resigned myself to understand that these are not full books and honestly, they’re not even novellas. These are short stories. And once I started viewing them that way, it helped me better frame my expectations and my rating.
Because for me? There just isn’t enough story to really sit with. Everything moves so quickly just to deliver the core events, and while I understand this was an intentional exercise by the author to create super short works, it left me feeling like I didn’t have enough to fully connect, critique, or be wowed. I don’t necessarily have complaints… but there was nothing astounding, epic, or exhilarating either.
And lowkey… I found myself rooting for the villains 😬🫣 like… do what you gotta do I guess?? (No spoilers though lol)
But also… was this really a psychological thriller? 🤔 It felt more like a heartbreaking misunderstanding between two grieving people who thought this was their only option. Heavy, yes. Thrilling? Not quite.
⭐️Rating: 2/5 stars
📊Score: Maybe a 3/10
🌶️Spice: 0
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend unless you’re looking for a super quick palate cleanser. I’m still undecided on the author’s style maybe it’s just this Red series not hitting for me. I might have to explore other works before making a final call 👀
⚠️ PLEASE read trigger warnings and protect your mental health this one touches on grief, murder, loss, death, violence, and substance abuse. Read responsibly 💔
#BookReview #TheDeadbeat #TanishaStewart #PsychologicalThriller #ShortStories #Bookstagram #BookTok #ReadersOfInstagram #QuickReads #DarkReads #ThrillerReads #ReadingJourney #HonestReview #TBR #BlackAuthors #BookCommunity #ReadResponsibly 📚
April 1, 2026
Book 24/100
The DeadBeat: A psychological thriller (The Red Series) - This is the second novel that I read from this series.
The plot centers on Fraternal Twins 👯♀️ Jesse and Belle whose lives will be forever changed by the death of their mother. Feeling alone other than the kindness of Jesse’s boyfriend Roland and his mother looking after them and taking over their bills so they could stay together and in their apartment they kept with their mother- they had to contend with aching grief and a good for nothing aunt strung out on drugs named Rochelle- who has been holding a secret from them and blackmailing them for money they did not have. Rochelle has been the source of pain before their mother passed but they had no idea how much more pain she has yet to inflict on them which leads them down a path of attempted murder, evading the law and focusing their grief on their father who never had a relationship with them but all is not as it seems.
I don’t want to spoil this short story so I will not say more and ruin the plot but believe me when I say this book takes you on a ride! I recommend @tanishastewart_author books if you want to sink your teeth into a read with teeth that ties up loose ends, builds up the right pace and also leaves you wanting more.
Discussion: I don’t think the sisters should forgive their (Aunt) Rochelle until they all agree to enter counseling. Their father stepped up in an expected way and the loyalty between Roland and Jesse is heartwarming for them to be so young. I need to see this story continued and then maybe focus in Roland or the death of the father or Rochelle will they live harmoniously and healed or will they find themselves overcome with trauma and rage and do something they will once again regret throwing away their rebuilt lives. If you are a @fmcfaddenauthor fan this author is for you with a vivid storytelling style that makes you feel if you have lived it.
Bravo 10/10 I recommend this to readers of #urbanbooks #thrillerseries #blackwritersofinstagram #supportingauthors femaleauthors
The DeadBeat: A psychological thriller (The Red Series) - This is the second novel that I read from this series.
The plot centers on Fraternal Twins 👯♀️ Jesse and Belle whose lives will be forever changed by the death of their mother. Feeling alone other than the kindness of Jesse’s boyfriend Roland and his mother looking after them and taking over their bills so they could stay together and in their apartment they kept with their mother- they had to contend with aching grief and a good for nothing aunt strung out on drugs named Rochelle- who has been holding a secret from them and blackmailing them for money they did not have. Rochelle has been the source of pain before their mother passed but they had no idea how much more pain she has yet to inflict on them which leads them down a path of attempted murder, evading the law and focusing their grief on their father who never had a relationship with them but all is not as it seems.
I don’t want to spoil this short story so I will not say more and ruin the plot but believe me when I say this book takes you on a ride! I recommend @tanishastewart_author books if you want to sink your teeth into a read with teeth that ties up loose ends, builds up the right pace and also leaves you wanting more.
Discussion: I don’t think the sisters should forgive their (Aunt) Rochelle until they all agree to enter counseling. Their father stepped up in an expected way and the loyalty between Roland and Jesse is heartwarming for them to be so young. I need to see this story continued and then maybe focus in Roland or the death of the father or Rochelle will they live harmoniously and healed or will they find themselves overcome with trauma and rage and do something they will once again regret throwing away their rebuilt lives. If you are a @fmcfaddenauthor fan this author is for you with a vivid storytelling style that makes you feel if you have lived it.
Bravo 10/10 I recommend this to readers of #urbanbooks #thrillerseries #blackwritersofinstagram #supportingauthors femaleauthors
April 12, 2025
This is my second thriller novella from this author and I was not disappointed to have it on my reading list. The plot instantly hooked me, opening with the main characters-- teen twins Jesse and Belle -- who are grieving the recent death of their mother and are now on the verge of committing patricide after being ignored by their estranged father for far too long.
The most frustrating thing about this family is that they could have avoided all the unnecessary drama and heartache if they had only communicated properly with each other. For starters, their mother should have been upfront with the girls about their dad (and everything else) because the girls had the right to know the truth. Plus if the sisters had simply knocked on their father's door and had an actual conversation with him instead of approaching him on social media, they could have heard things from his perspective. And of course, they probably shouldn't have jumped to conclusions and immediately plotted to murder the man. Honestly, the fact two teenage girls were so quick to carry out a homicide against their own flesh and blood was probably the most outlandish aspect of the book. Chalk it up to grief and rage, I suppose.
Regardless, the storyline is fast-paced, addictive, and takes a few unexpected turns. I enjoyed these surprising twists the most for they really shook up the plot and added an extra something. I also thought the ending was a satisfying conclusion to each character's arc, and I appreciated how even the most sympathetic characters reaped the consequences of their actions, but became better people for it.
The most frustrating thing about this family is that they could have avoided all the unnecessary drama and heartache if they had only communicated properly with each other. For starters, their mother should have been upfront with the girls about their dad (and everything else) because the girls had the right to know the truth. Plus if the sisters had simply knocked on their father's door and had an actual conversation with him instead of approaching him on social media, they could have heard things from his perspective. And of course, they probably shouldn't have jumped to conclusions and immediately plotted to murder the man. Honestly, the fact two teenage girls were so quick to carry out a homicide against their own flesh and blood was probably the most outlandish aspect of the book. Chalk it up to grief and rage, I suppose.
Regardless, the storyline is fast-paced, addictive, and takes a few unexpected turns. I enjoyed these surprising twists the most for they really shook up the plot and added an extra something. I also thought the ending was a satisfying conclusion to each character's arc, and I appreciated how even the most sympathetic characters reaped the consequences of their actions, but became better people for it.
January 30, 2026
Rating 3.75⭐️ This story was a masterclass in how unhealed grief plus buried family secrets will blow everything straight to hell. Jessie and Belle were operating from raw pain, not logic and that made every decision feel like watching a slow motion car crash you can’t stop. Losing their mother cracked the foundation but the lies 👀 the lies finished the job.
I'm ain't gonna hold you the adults in this story deserve a collective side eye hell they need their asses beat! Years of silence, half truths and selfish choices created a mess that the twins ended up paying for. Don't get me wrong Jessie made the stupid plan but she was acting out of hurt. She needed a round house kick too! That reveal had me sitting there like Now why would y’all do that smdh. Once the truth came out everything clicked in the worst way.
This book was fast, tense and emotionally reckless in the best thriller way. It’s not just about revenge it’s about how generational damage keeps looping until somebody decides to break it. PUHLEASE put the lies to bed. Forgiveness might be possible but not without time, therapy and some serious accountability. Auntie slash Momma got a long road ahead of her because 21 years of bad decisions don’t get wiped clean with one confession. Roland I pray Jessie is your soulmate because hunni that was some serious puppy love!!!!!!!!
Messy, twisted, thought provoking and exactly the kind of psychological chaos that makes you put the book down and stare at the wall for a minute.
I'm ain't gonna hold you the adults in this story deserve a collective side eye hell they need their asses beat! Years of silence, half truths and selfish choices created a mess that the twins ended up paying for. Don't get me wrong Jessie made the stupid plan but she was acting out of hurt. She needed a round house kick too! That reveal had me sitting there like Now why would y’all do that smdh. Once the truth came out everything clicked in the worst way.
This book was fast, tense and emotionally reckless in the best thriller way. It’s not just about revenge it’s about how generational damage keeps looping until somebody decides to break it. PUHLEASE put the lies to bed. Forgiveness might be possible but not without time, therapy and some serious accountability. Auntie slash Momma got a long road ahead of her because 21 years of bad decisions don’t get wiped clean with one confession. Roland I pray Jessie is your soulmate because hunni that was some serious puppy love!!!!!!!!
Messy, twisted, thought provoking and exactly the kind of psychological chaos that makes you put the book down and stare at the wall for a minute.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2025
I wished it was longer! Jesse and Belle are so hurt by the death of their mother and the subsequent loneliness they feel in her absence afterwards that they conjure up a plan to ruin their own lives by killing their father. And listen, I was on their said about it until they involved Jesse's lil innocent boyfriend Roland, for NO reason. Jesse called him to retrieve a cell phone they had dropped in the midst of killing their father. Jesse doesn't love that boy or care about him AT ALL. Because why would she INVOLVE him in that and possibly ruin his life behind what they did and how STUPID and HASTY they were when they did it. Why call him and ask him to go get the phone? What? I guess, they thought if he went and got it the cops wouldn't connect them to the murder? Maybe he could sneak better? And he was even STUPIDER for going and doing the mess, cuz now he's an accessory to murder and he wasn't even there or involved. LIFE RUINED! They ruined their lives and everyone around them because they were hurt about their mother. Which, ok..i guess. But if I was Roland them two heifers would have gotten the loudest "F NO!" outta me. I was pissed at all of them
There was a mess and the storyline around her was interesting and MESSY. i loved the twist. But still F HER to.
I'm not going to give the book away because I want you to read it. But i love how Tanisha write a good redeemable character
There was a mess and the storyline around her was interesting and MESSY. i loved the twist. But still F HER to.
I'm not going to give the book away because I want you to read it. But i love how Tanisha write a good redeemable character
June 12, 2026
The Deadbeat was a fast, easy read that kept me turning the pages. The story follows twin sisters Jessie and Belle as they deal with the loss of their mother and the anger they feel toward their absent father.
My biggest issue was that the book was very predictable. I’m still pretty new to psychological thrillers, so I’m not someone who usually figures out twists early. Because of that, I was surprised that I guessed what was going to happen almost from the beginning. I kept hoping the story would throw me a curveball, but it pretty much played out the way I expected.
That doesn’t mean it was a bad book. It was entertaining and moved at a good pace. It just didn’t give me the suspense or surprises I was looking for.
This is the second book I’ve read in The Red Series, and I’ll definitely continue with the series. The first book I read, The Babysitter, was a 5-star read for me and still my favorite so far. If you’re thinking about reading that one, I highly recommend the audiobook.
Overall, The Deadbeat was an okay read for me. Not a bad book, but not one that wowed me either.
My biggest issue was that the book was very predictable. I’m still pretty new to psychological thrillers, so I’m not someone who usually figures out twists early. Because of that, I was surprised that I guessed what was going to happen almost from the beginning. I kept hoping the story would throw me a curveball, but it pretty much played out the way I expected.
That doesn’t mean it was a bad book. It was entertaining and moved at a good pace. It just didn’t give me the suspense or surprises I was looking for.
This is the second book I’ve read in The Red Series, and I’ll definitely continue with the series. The first book I read, The Babysitter, was a 5-star read for me and still my favorite so far. If you’re thinking about reading that one, I highly recommend the audiobook.
Overall, The Deadbeat was an okay read for me. Not a bad book, but not one that wowed me either.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews