The Family Business 7: New Orleans

by Carl Weber, C.N. Phillips

Keep up with the Duncan family down South as we travel to New Orleans in The Family Business 7.

Operated by the same family for more than a century, Midnight Blues may be fun for the locals and the tourists, but as of late, the club hasn’t been fun for its owner, Big Shirley Duncan, or her son Marquis, descendants of the original proprietors. The pair finds themselves in the middle of a turf war between local politicians, developers, and a ruthless underworld boss, Jean LeBlanc, who is looking to make a name for himself.

Afraid for the first time in her life that her family may lose control of The Blues, Big Shirley sends Marquis out of town for his own safety. Marquis takes a detour to New York to see the family of her brother-in-law, LC Duncan. His New York family enlists the help of bounty hunter Curtis Duncan and his highly trained sister, Lauryn Duncan, to help add some muscle and security to their family’s struggling business.
 

Genres: Fiction, Crime, African American, Audiobook

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 20, 2024

About the author

Carl Weber is a New York Times and #1 Essence® bestselling novelist.

In addition to his writing, Weber is the founder and publisher of Urban Books and in 2005, he was named Blackboard's Publisher of the Year. He is the owner of the Urban Knowledge chain of book stores and a past recipient of Blackboard's Bookseller of the Year award.

Weber graduated from Virginia State University and holds an MBA in marketing from the University of Virginia.

Reviews

[Kira Bryant]

I enjoyed the story but I can’t believe it wasn’t a continuation of the last one 😫😫. How long do I have to wait to find out what happens to Niles, Paris and the kids?!?!!?!?

[Lauren Carthan]

Ending just didn’t work!

This book was scattered from the beginning to ending. It was hard to follow at times with all the drama. I felt as though there were far too many storylines. I did miss the original Duncans as they were only mentioned. This was probably the worst ending of all the series, which was rolled out in the Epilogue, something I always thought was supposed to give a look into the future. This book had potential but for all the storylines portrayed, not one had a conclusion. This ended like a soap opera on a Friday that won’t air again for a year!

[Dilon Wilson]

This book was all over the place. I’m gonna assume that Marie was the killer but they never explained wtf was going on. It left too many loopholes and didn’t continue the story from the last 3 books. Big Shirley is also one of the dumbest characters in the series.

[Brenda Hillmon]

This is one of the most disappointing books that Carl Weber has ever written. It is incomplete. The storyline it’s so weird that it makes you not want to find out what happens next there must be a second-half to this book. If not, this was a big waste of my time.

[DeAja]

Reading this series is always a good time and full of drama! I hope book 8 comes along soon!

['The Book Queen']

Seven is a three for me

The story did not vote or even snap like the previous versions. This one was just all over the place. In fact, it did not feel like a CW family business story. It might be time for me to give up this adventure.

[Nickita Council]

I may have rated this a 5, if not for the ending. I loved the book but I felt like some storylines could have been fleshed out more, like what does Gabriel do for a living? Why mention that Simone likes Prince and not mention it but once again?

[Tynece]

I'm giving this book 4 stars even though we could have totally did without the Gabriel storyline.....

[James Garman]

It took me a while to read this book as I had several others I was trying to read at the same time. This is the story of Big Shirley Duncan, apparently the sister-in-law of LC Duncan who was the primary character in the other book I read (volume 5). This book is a whole different group of characters but centers around Big Shirley who rules a gambling house around New Orleans, in a smaller town.

She is the base and runs the place with the help of her brother and son. She also has to deal with the local mob, who wants to encroach on her business as well. The past comes back to home her from her previous life before she married into the Duncan family and was a working girl for another semi-gangster type.

The head of the mobster gang's brother gets killed in her gaming house and she has the body moved and things go from there. Obviously she survives and manages to get rid of all her problems but the gangster doesn't end up anywhere near as well set after she wins.

I recommend this to anybody who enjoys urban fiction about the lives of gangsters who make their living outside the law and the different codes of conduct they work under, and what it takes too get them to change their behavior.

[Alison is probably reading smut]

This ending felt incredibly rushed and left me with more questions than answers.

What bothered me the most was the complete lack of continuation from the previous book. We just moved on to a new town with a new set of characters and were expected to go along with it? As someone who has always loved the Duncan family, I found myself wondering why we strayed so far from the main characters to focus on extended family members instead.

The plot was decent enough to keep me reading, but it never truly pulled me in or blew me away. I kept waiting for that classic Carl Weber magic, and unfortunately, it never came.

Maybe my expectations were too high because I love this series and these characters so much, but this one was a miss for me. Not terrible, just disappointing.

I’ll always have love for the Duncans, but Carl Weber definitely lacked with this one.

[Destiny Britton]

The worst book in the entire franchise. It was both all over the plus and yet gave us absolutely nothing at the same time. What happened to Big Sheryl’s husband/bd?! The other Duncan?! They made NO mention of him.

We still don’t know who killed the guy the entire book premise is about. I mean it may have been implied who did it at the end but literally it’s so left field, you are thinking, “what?” “How?” “Why?”

The epilogue was lazy. Barely over 300 pages and y’all couldn’t write up 3-5 more chapters to tie everything together? Literally makes no sense

Such a waste. I waited for THIS?! Come on!

[booktrovert]

I love Carl Weber. I have been a fan for nearly 20 years. The Family Business is my favorite series even the spin offs. My true rating for this book is 3.5⭐️. It started slow but got good. Here are my two critiques, sometimes he does this, he will introduce new characters and story lines when there are other story lines left unfinished. Family Business 6 left us with a cliffhanger, I guess we will have to wait until 8 to get resolution to that story. My other critique was this book was slow in the beginning, it felt like that book is just getting good and it just ended. I am assuming well hoping for some resolution in a future book.

[Charlotte Bembry]

Another Carl Weber banger. His books always leave you wanting more sand this was no exception. Amazing book that gave us new characters along with some new ones. The ending was a little disappointing, but I’m sure that the next book will take care of that. I got a sneak peak of the spin-off TV series of this book and I can’t wait to see it!!

[Ann Merriweather]

This series started a little slow, for me, but I get it. There were new characters that needed to be introduced with some of their backgrounds. But when I say, I loved this installment...I did. The end had me on the edge of my couch, like wth???? I know there's going to be a part 8. I'll be waiting patiently!

[Cecilia Willis]

This book was incredible. Each character was fully developed as individuals and family members.
The book supports the story line of the Family Business and has expanded it to include one more branch on the Family Tree.
This family always has each other's back.
Cannot wait for another installment

[Danae]

Carl Weber does it again!

As usual, Carl Weber leaves me dying for more. I hope it's not years before we get Family Business 8. I can't wait for the spinoff of the tv show either. I'm definitely a fan for life.

[Terry Lumpkin-olivera]

Family Business 7

Once again Carl Weber left me begging for more. I just recommend every person that watches Family Business the TV Series to please go back and read all of the books! The books will leave you breathless and wanting more.
Terry

[fidel may]

may be the best yet. excitement all the way

This is really good read. Never a dull moment. Families, friends and lovers unknowingly crossing paths. Can’t wait for everyone to meet at the crossroads!

[Warren E Beach]

The Family Business New Orleans takes you into a new city and ownership of a night club/casino with the Duncans. Several characters from previous Family Business books are brought into Book 7 such as Curtis, Lauryn, mother Nee Nee and a taste of Larry Duncan.
I can’t wait for the spinoff on BET!

[Amanda]

It’s a good book, don’t get me wrong…. I’m just a little disappointed the whole Paris/Nadja ordeal wasn’t dealt with and we were kinda left on another cliff hanger 🥺😅😩…. I’ll be anxiously awaiting The Family Business: 8

[Kim Hall]

I enjoyed the book even though it was all over the place. I wished more loose ends would have been tied up. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I will just note that many of the characters had no redeeming qualities so it was challenging to root for anyone.

[Toni H]

In New Orleans, The Duncans have run the legendary club Midnight Blues for more than a century, but trouble is brewing. What used to be a beloved spot for locals and tourists has become a hotspot of conflict. Big Shirley Duncan and her son caught in the middle of a dangerous turf war. Fearing for her family’s legacy and safety, Big Shirley makes the hard choice to send her son out of town hoping to protect him from the escalating threats. He heads to New York to stay with family. There some of the family vows to help out in New Orleans by bringing some muscle and protection back into the family’s struggling enterprise. Together, they must confront external enemies and try to secure the business and safety of the Duncan clan.

[Shea]

Definitely my least favorite in the series so far.

[Marlene Shaw]

Good read

There's nothing that I didn't like about the book. I am ready for the next one. I like the series.

[LaLeshia Hogan]

Come on The Family Business 8

This book was a page turner. Couldn't put it down. I was wanting more to read when the last chapter ended.

[TJ Spence]

Carl Weber did it again!

One of my favorite authors. This book was really good. My goal is to one day
collaborate! Congrats on another successful release!

[Margaret Ramsey]

Enjoyable

[Angelique Cornish]

This was a good book. I can't wait to see what happens next

[Jacqueline]

Good and keep jt up

I am ready for the next book in this saga. Amazing story with new and old players I love this seriesit is one of the best!

[starlin gardner]

Definitely did not disappoint

My goodness this is a page turner...I have never been so scared to read a book in my life
.I'm nervous about the next one