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Mahogany's Serenade: A Psychological Thriller of Obsession, Betrayal, and Deadly Secrets
Mahogany's Serenade is Book 1 in the Mahogany's Serenade Series. Continue Mahogany's journey in the gripping sequel, Echoes After Midnight.
I escaped my ex, but now I’m in prison for his murder.
I thought moving to New Orleans would give me a fresh start. A new city, a new job, a chance to reclaim my life after years of being trapped in a relationship with Zane that nearly destroyed me.
For the first time in forever, I felt safe. I let my guard down. I landed a new job and made friends who showed me a brighter side of life. I even met Xavier, dark, handsome, and a saxophone player whose music made my heart race and my fears fade away.
But just as I started to breathe again, Zane walked back into my life. Maybe I was naïve to think I could outrun death twice. After all, blood already stained my childhood memories.
Now all I remember is pulling a knife out of his chest, blood staining my trembling hands.
Locked behind bars, I'm haunted by fragmented memories of something shiny from that deadly night. The pieces of the puzzle don't quite fit. And in the quiet hours when I lie awake, I wonder if everything I thought I remembered was a lie.
What if Zane's death wasn't about him at all? But if I'm missing something, whose lies have I believed all along?
I escaped my ex, but now I’m in prison for his murder.
I thought moving to New Orleans would give me a fresh start. A new city, a new job, a chance to reclaim my life after years of being trapped in a relationship with Zane that nearly destroyed me.
For the first time in forever, I felt safe. I let my guard down. I landed a new job and made friends who showed me a brighter side of life. I even met Xavier, dark, handsome, and a saxophone player whose music made my heart race and my fears fade away.
But just as I started to breathe again, Zane walked back into my life. Maybe I was naïve to think I could outrun death twice. After all, blood already stained my childhood memories.
Now all I remember is pulling a knife out of his chest, blood staining my trembling hands.
Locked behind bars, I'm haunted by fragmented memories of something shiny from that deadly night. The pieces of the puzzle don't quite fit. And in the quiet hours when I lie awake, I wonder if everything I thought I remembered was a lie.
What if Zane's death wasn't about him at all? But if I'm missing something, whose lies have I believed all along?
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2025
31 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Kiionda Carvin
7 books14 followersKiionda Carvin is a passionate storyteller known for emotionally charged psychological thrillers that unravel the depths of love, betrayal, obsession, and resilience. Inspired by real-life experiences, her stories deliver unforgettable twists, deeply layered characters, and suspense that lingers long after the final page.
Her breakout debut, Mahogany's Serenade, grips readers with its haunting blend of mystery, romance, and emotional vulnerability, marking the start of an extraordinary literary journey.
Her breakout debut, Mahogany's Serenade, grips readers with its haunting blend of mystery, romance, and emotional vulnerability, marking the start of an extraordinary literary journey.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 28, 2025
Mahogany’s Serenade was a very intriguing read & Mahogany is definitely a character that will draw you in. From her troubled childhood to her complicated relationship as an adult, you want to see her win! She simply didn’t know her worth, and Zane absolutely took advantage of that. Now she is in an impossible situation, arrested for his murd3r that she didn’t commit. I can’t wait to dive into book 2 and see how Mahogany’s story plays out! Kiionda Carvin did a great job at drawing you in and keeping you emotionally invested. There’s no way someone wouldn’t continue to book 2 if they read book 1. Overall a solid read that I would recommend!
April 10, 2025
Great Read
This was a great read. I hope its a part 2. I need answers on who else was there and is there more to story
This was a great read. I hope its a part 2. I need answers on who else was there and is there more to story
August 9, 2025
Life is messy
Most of the time, people's problems do not really get cleaned up, they just move back into the memory, where it just waits.
Like Mahogany, there is problems as a child, then there is Zane, who turned her life into a real hell! Even when she managed to escape him and was happy... There he was.
I loved this story! Not for the murder, not for the hardship shown that many go through, but because it shows what REAL life can be like. It does not have to be the same, but many of us go through real-life trauma situations, and the memories of them, the scary feelings, the traits that you pick up on like watching to see what everyone is doing, the looks on their faces and what they mean, those do not go away!
This story shows that sometimes being in prison can be better and safer for some.
The love story she has with Xavier is a very welcome surprise! I hope they get to expand that later.
Thank you, Kiionda Carvin, for a great story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Most of the time, people's problems do not really get cleaned up, they just move back into the memory, where it just waits.
Like Mahogany, there is problems as a child, then there is Zane, who turned her life into a real hell! Even when she managed to escape him and was happy... There he was.
I loved this story! Not for the murder, not for the hardship shown that many go through, but because it shows what REAL life can be like. It does not have to be the same, but many of us go through real-life trauma situations, and the memories of them, the scary feelings, the traits that you pick up on like watching to see what everyone is doing, the looks on their faces and what they mean, those do not go away!
This story shows that sometimes being in prison can be better and safer for some.
The love story she has with Xavier is a very welcome surprise! I hope they get to expand that later.
Thank you, Kiionda Carvin, for a great story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest review.
January 17, 2026
Mahogany’s Serenade had me hooked from the very first chapter. It is emotional, suspenseful, and the kind of story that stays on your mind even after you close the book. Mahogany is such a layered character. You can feel her pain, her confusion, and her strength all at once. The way the author writes love and betrayal feels real, not forced, and the tension builds in a way that makes you keep turning the page. It is not just drama, it is a full psychological thriller with heart. Every time I thought I knew what was coming, the story twisted again. If you love romance mixed with suspense and mystery, this book will have you in a chokehold.
October 8, 2025
Black Butterfly
Where’s a descent D.Y.F.S (Division of Youth & Family Services) director/administrator/counselor (when needed) in this emergency like Mahogany 🥴🤷🏾♀️🤨⁉️Somebody shouldn’t have intervened on behalf of young Mahogany & her grandmother🤦🏾♀️‼️Meanwhile, “Mahogany’s Serenade: A Psychological Thriller of Obsession, Betrayal & Deadly Secrets” was a great story. However, Mahogany & Xavier’s secrets along with the book ended abruptly. The “black butterfly” 🦋 needs to be exonerated, a murderer or two is still roaming the Big Easy among other incomplete storylines 🥴🤷🏾♀️….📖. Inquiring minds (me 🙋🏾♀️) want to know the entire storyline ⁉️
Where’s a descent D.Y.F.S (Division of Youth & Family Services) director/administrator/counselor (when needed) in this emergency like Mahogany 🥴🤷🏾♀️🤨⁉️Somebody shouldn’t have intervened on behalf of young Mahogany & her grandmother🤦🏾♀️‼️Meanwhile, “Mahogany’s Serenade: A Psychological Thriller of Obsession, Betrayal & Deadly Secrets” was a great story. However, Mahogany & Xavier’s secrets along with the book ended abruptly. The “black butterfly” 🦋 needs to be exonerated, a murderer or two is still roaming the Big Easy among other incomplete storylines 🥴🤷🏾♀️….📖. Inquiring minds (me 🙋🏾♀️) want to know the entire storyline ⁉️
January 17, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this book. Mahogany's Serenade really did keep me guessing from start to finish.. The ending left me wanting to know what else happened so I will be starting the sequel soon. Zane was something else. But I love Mahogany's strength and determination to leave. Can't wait to see what happens next. Def recommended
December 18, 2025
Wonderful debut!
I love books that keep me guessing. Normally thriller books get overwhelming but this one was easy to follow and great plot. I could imagine it in my head like a movie. Definitely will read more from this author.
I love books that keep me guessing. Normally thriller books get overwhelming but this one was easy to follow and great plot. I could imagine it in my head like a movie. Definitely will read more from this author.
January 13, 2026
The book was okay. This is only my opinion of the book. I felt it moved way too slow for me. I was confused by the back and forth between the past and present. The title was truly misleading. There is a part 2 but I will not be reading it.
November 12, 2025
Very well written as you can feel the different emotions of Mahogany and that helps draw you in. From her hard life growing up to a bad failed relationship with Zane to zane's murder
January 18, 2026
This is a Masterpiece and I highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews