The Bridge

by Solomon Jones

Sometimes, Philadelphia Police Detective Kevin Lynch feels he has spent his whole life trying to put his past firmly behind him. But a frantic call for help from a childhood friend whose child has gone missing changes all that.

Now Lynch must summon the courage to return to his childhood home, the infamous projects known as The Bridge. As the case unfolds and the search for Kenya, the missing girl, intensifies, the secrets guarded by her family and friends begin to emerge. And the hidden truths are more sinister and malevolent than Lynch could ever imagine, and once again, The Bridge threatens to be his downfall.

Solomon Jones’s The Bridge is a gritty, suspenseful novel in which the root causes of crime share the stage with their tragic consequences, allowing an intimate window into ghetto life.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Book Club, African American

294 pages, Hardcover

First published June 3, 2003

About the author

Solomon Jones is an Essence bestselling author whose novels include The Gravedigger’s Ball, The Last Confession, Payback, Cream, Ride Or Die, The Bridge, and Pipe Dream. He has appeared on NPR and CNN Headline News, and is a contributor to short story collections including Philadelphia Noir and Liar Liar. Formerly a professor of creative writing at Temple University, Jones is an award-winning columnist whose work has appeared in Essence, Newsday, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Philadelphia Daily News. Jones, the creator of the Words On The Street Literacy Program, lives in Philadelphia with his wife and children. His next novel, The Dead Man’s Wife, will be published in October 2012 by Minotaur Books, an imprint of Macmillan.

Reviews

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so I thought this was a ghetto drama but was pleasantly surprised to find a smart, street savvy novel about the most heartbreaking of circumstances: a missing child. In this book the abducted child serves as a catalyst to expose the lives of the streets, its inhabitants: drug dealers, drug users, teen mothers and the cops. Great read, fast paced and a huge surprise..The ending will blow you away...

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was amazing. In the end you won’t believe what happened to Kenya & who did it. Definitely a must read. Prepare for a tear jerker

[Chantell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this ain't the realest book I've ever read! I went on an emotional ride through the mean streets of Philly by way of the 'hood, The Bridge. The imagery was amazing. I definitely recommend this book.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Expertly and stylishly written.

[Nardsbaby Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Discordant Harmonies

Nine year-old, Kenya Brown, disappears from "The Bridge" a depressing housing project she lives in with her crack serving Aunt Judy, Judy's man Sonny, Kenya's uncle Darnell, and the pipers who come in and out of their place.

Kevin Lynch, a detective who grew up in "The Bridge", is called in to help Daneen, his childhood friend/first love, an a recovering crack addict search for her daughter.

As Kevin is forced to face his own childhood demons along with his current marital problems he can't help but wonder how his life would've been had it not been for his Grandmother and her very degrading tactics.

Kenya's disappearance leads to Sonny Williams. While he`s out scoring another package his greed gets the best of him as he prepares to leave "The Bridge" another story of his penchant for young girls has Sonny being sought for questioning. As he avoids being caught, he causes destruction throughout the busy streets of Philly. The concentrated search for him surpasses that for Kenya.

As you're reading you're growing anxious as all of the Brown family secrets are revealed. With each page you turn you're preparing to finally know what happened only to still be caught in the melee from page 1 all the way to page 294.

"Sometimes a lie is easier to tell than the truth."

The story line is well paced in this effortful reality! Each character reveals how desperation and the poverty of "The Bridge" lead to drugs, teenage pregnancy and violent personal relationships.

This is my first read by Solomon Jones it took me longer than normal, because when it comes to children its wears on my heart (I know some of you think I don't have one). I had a feeling about who the actual perpetrator was, but it was nice that the twist and turns kept you guessing to the very end.

"The key to life is the company you keep."

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

(FROM JACKET)Sometimes Philadelphia police detective Kevin Lynch feels he has spent his whole life trying to put his past firmly behind him. But a frantic call for help from a childhood friend whose daughter has gone missing changes all that.
Now Lynch must summon the courage to return to his home, the infamous projects known as the Bridge. As the case unfolds and the search for Kenya, the missing girl, intensifies, the secrets guarded by her family and friends begin to emerge. The hidden truths are more sinister and malevolent than Lynch could ever imagine, and once again, the Bridge threatens to be his downfall.
Solomon Jone's "The Bridge" is a gritty, suspenseful novel in which the root cause of crime share the stage with their tragic consequences, allowing an intimate window into ghetto life.

[Teaguem2005 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the privilege to meet Solomon Jones at a book signing and chat with him. I told him how I enjoy his weekly column and his style of writing; got my book signed and went back to work. That's when it all began. I actually started reading the book while still at work. I read it on the way home. I read it once I got home. I read it before I went to sleep. I literally could not put this book down until I figured out what happened to Kenya. This novel is a page turner that grips you from beginning to the end. If you've ever been to the hood in Philadelphia, you knew exactly where Solomon was taking you. If you've never been to the hood in Philadelphia, the detailed descriptions he offers allow you to "see" the projects where Kenya lived for yourself. This book is about secrets. No matter how long a secret is buried, there will always be someone to dig it up.

[Ebony Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A suspenseful, unpredictable and mind boggling read of who dun what, when, where and how! From the very beginning, I was enthralled in every page of the emotional roller coaster of "The Bridge". With a family full of dirty secrets, greed and lies.... Nothing is as it seems living in "The Bridge". Each chapter pulled me in a lil deeper, taunting and tugging at my heart strings. I found myself holding on to hope, not able 2 rest until I learned the fate of lil Kenya.

Ebony EyeCU Reading & Social Network

[Purlewe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't love this as much as I loved Pipe Dream. Partly it was too descriptive of the chases.. maybe that is b'c I live in Philly and know the area.. but mostly b'c it was too much description and not enough chase.

But Solomon Jones does an excellent job of describing living in the parts of the city that are never talked about. The towers and crack houses that are only mentioned in passing on the news. I love that he doesn't shy away from telling the stories no one tells.

[David Szatkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a mystery novel, but one that takes place in the projects of Philadelphia. Jones lays bare the realties of grinding poverty, the effect of drugs, discrimination, and hopelessness. He neither excuses the evil acts of the the characters, nor absolves society for corporate sin. Overall, an effective mystery and challenging social commentary.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depressing book about a girl from the projects in N. Philly who is missing. Lots of insight into the world of drug dealers in Philly. The dialogue was difficult to understand, lots of car chases and the story advanced too slowly, so I only read half of it and gave up.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast moving story about crack addicts and life in the projects. I've never seen a crack addict before, so this was a new world for me. I liked it, but it paints a vivid picture of a very sad existence.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The genre of this book is so intense, I took it everywhere I went until completion. This is a true page turner, a good meal of sorts. And like any good meal, it leaves you full and satisfied. An excellent read.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel, though the ending came as no surprise to me. The story was a gripping journey into a life I know little about. I will say I found one aspect of the story unbelievable--that no one ever searched the building in which the missing little girl lived.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

scary look in to the unfortunate lives of so many

[Holly Bryan]

A must read for those from the Philadelphia area....

[Carolyn Aycox]

so far i think that the book is really now i just have to see what happends next.....

[Tommy]

Awesome book too also bout real shit a little graphic but you will enjoy that shit guarnteed

[Gw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books was sad but it was a good read.

[Marc]

Great story and my father loved it also.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

really good book