House of the Rising Sun

by K'wan

When Artie Howell moves with his wife back to her sleepy hometown, he must protect their son Nicky from the skeletons coming out of the closets from both of their pasts


WHEN THE HOWELL FAMILY MOVES INTO A HOUSE on Heckler Lane, it causes quite a stir around the small town of Sunny Cove, Pennsylvania. Elise Howell, a well-known cardio surgeon, has returned home after fifteen years to fill her recently deceased mother’s position at Sunny Cove General Hospital. In a town this size, it’s big news. But it’s Elise’s new husband, Artie, who has the whole town talking.


Artie Howell is a man who always seems to be wearing a smile. He’s an accomplished crime fiction writer, a soccer dad to their young son Nicky, and he volunteers his weekends teaching creative writing to youths in the local detention center. When they first arrived at Heckler Lane, the Howells had seemed like a wholesome American family. Then came the murders.


A nun turning up missing from the Convent of St. Mary becomes the first in a string of unexplained tragedies that have befallen the town. Tragedies that all seem to be tied to scenes from Artie’s novels. The writer now finds himself as the prime suspect in an investigation that threatens to not only tear apart his family, but the entire town of Sunny Cove.

185 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2026

About the author

In 2002 K'wan hit the scene with his debut novel Gangsta, under Triple Crown Publications. It was the first novel released by the budding house and would eventually become the building block for what is now a multimillion dollar company. What started as a therapeutic release went on to become a part of urban-lit history and an Essence bestseller, as well as drawing rave reviews overseas.
After penning his second novel, Road Dawgz (2003), K'wan drew the attention of St. Martins press. The literary powerhouse quickly signed K'wan to a multi-book deal, the first of which being Street Dreams (2004). In 2008 he received the Black Author of the year award from Black Press Radio for the novella Blow.
Since his insertion into the publishing world K'wan has been featured in Vibe, Pages, King, Felon, Big News, The Library Journal, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Press, Clutch and most notably Time Magazine, to name a few. He was also interviewed by MTV News for a feature on Hip-Hop fiction, and a guest on Power 105s morning show as well as NPR (national public radio). In addition to being an accomplished author, K'wan is also a motivational speaker, mentor to at risk children and the C.E.O of Black Dawn, Inc.
K'wan currently resides in New Jersey where he is working on his next novel.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/kwan

Reviews

[Bossmanaries Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last 25% of the audiobook was on steroids and I loved every bit of it. It was jam packed with excitement and thrills. K’wan woke up at the end and just threw me into “fast and furious” overdrive and that was where I needed to be. Cary Hite did a good job of handling the storytelling. I meant more of this story to find out about the MMC Artie Howell.

#HouseoftheRisingSun #NetGalley.
Rating: 3.5 stars

[Demetrius · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way K’wan interconnect these stories, brah! He’s really the goat of this shit!

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hooked from the prologue and completely in shock by the time I finished the epilogue! The torture of having to wait for book two! The beginning half of the book reminded me of the tv show In The Heat of The Night with all of the small town vibes and racial tension. Artie just felt too good to be true especially when those closest to him keep saying things like you’ll have to tell me what you’re hiding! Artie is a good man, good husband and a good father true but he is holding back on a very dark past that he’s desperately trying to keep hidden. But there’s a saying what’s done in the dark will come to light and that’s never been more true for Artie! That gut punch, heart racing and thrilling conclusion had me on the edge of my seat! I can wait for the next installment!
Thank you to Akashic Books and to NetGalley for approving my request to read this ARC.

[Myestorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much to unpack with this story. We follow Artie Howell, a crime writer who moves to his wife’s small hometown thinking life is finally about to slow down. But things take a turn when people in the town start getting murdered and passages from Artie’s own books are being left at the crime scenes.

Sunny Cove is one of those small towns with a deep-rooted good ol’ boys club, and they were never too happy seeing Artie married to not only a white woman, but one of the most respected women in town. So when the murders start happening, nobody outright says he’s the suspect, but you can feel the town watching his every move.

The situation forces Artie to revisit his past and face secrets he thought he buried. He already knows the Brotherhood is not going to stop, and eventually he’s going to have to answer for the choices he made.

If you’ve read previous K’wan crime books, then you already know he loves intertwining his stories and characters. This book felt different from some of his other work, but it never lacked action or suspense. So many Brotherhood members were mentioned throughout the story that it honestly made me want to go back and reread earlier books just to connect all the dots again.

And based on who was mentioned in this one, I already know the next book is about to be nonstop action from beginning to end. Some of the most skilled and dangerous members of the Brotherhood are now in play. The Brotherhood has become one of my favorite crime factions in K’wan’s books, and I’m excited to see where this series goes next and whether it finally answers some lingering questions from his previous stories.

[MzIvy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this audiobook completely invested from the beginning and stayed hooked the entire time. K’wan created a story that slowly pulled me deeper into the mystery, and every new twist had me questioning everybody in Sunny Cove.

The narration by Cary Hite was so good. He really brought the tension, emotion, and suspense to life in a way that kept me locked in.

And that ENDING?! It went from 0 to 1000 so fast. I literally had to rewind multiple times because my mouth was hanging open trying to process everything that just happened.

If you like small-town secrets, suspense, crime fiction, and endings that leave you stunned, this audiobook : book is definitely worth checking out.

ALC provided by NetGalley

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Artie Howell is a crime novelist who is looking for a quieter life for his family in the small town of Sunny Cove. Sunny Cove is actually his wife's hometown. Unfortunately for him people start dying in suspiciously similar manners to the deaths in his books. And things get pretty crazy very quickly considering the story is only 200 pages long.


I've never read anything by K'wan but I think after this that will change. This was really well written and easy to read. The pacing was fast and intense especially in the second half. The ending is a bit of a cliff hanger so I don't think this is the last that we will see from Artie and his family.


I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Amys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

K’WAN writes a complex and intriguing tale with House of the Rising Sun

In House of the Rising Sun, the reader is brought into the life of Arthur Howell, also known as Artie. He is a writer, family man, and interestingly enough an former assassin. I haven't read anything by this author before, and what a hidden gem. I enjoyed it so much, that I have now followed the author and look for more books to read. I am a big fan of K’WAN and want to read whatever this author writes. This author has a grand imagination, and talent for showing the story. This book captures the reader's attention in chapter 1, bringing the reader into the world of the Convent of St. Mary, a sanctuary for women with troubled histories, and the community that supports it. K’wan’s attention to setting and atmosphere is magnificent. Sunny Cove feels idyllic and yet ominous. The tension builds steadily as Artie’s family is targeted by a secretive Brotherhood, and the stakes escalate with the murder of a neighbor and the disappearance of a nun. K’wan’s writing is gritty, cinematic, and passionate, so much that you can feel it with every word. The plot twists are surprising, and the revelations about Artie’s past and the Brotherhood’s machinations are handled with skill. This isn't just a thriller, it's about loyalty, redemption, and love. This story has a lot of heart and soul put into it, making it so realistic, the characters come across as people. House of the Rising Sun is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that readers of this book, be kind, and also write a review.

[The Urban Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by K’wan and I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. House of the Rising Sun is the kind of crime thriller that slowly tightens its grip around you until suddenly everything spirals out of control.

The story follows Artie Howell, a crime writer who relocates to his wife’s small hometown expecting a quieter life for his family. Instead, murders begin happening around town and excerpts from Artie’s own novels start appearing at the crime scenes. From there, the tension never lets up.

What stood out most to me was the atmosphere. Sunny Cove feels like one of those small towns where everyone knows each other’s business, but beneath the surface there’s racism, resentment, buried secrets, and loyalty to dangerous people. Artie never fully feels accepted, and even when people aren’t openly accusing him, you can sense the suspicion hanging over him at all times.

I also appreciated how layered Artie’s character was. He presents himself as a loving husband and father, but there’s clearly a darker past following him into this town. Watching those secrets slowly unravel added another level of suspense to the story.

The pacing stayed strong throughout, but the final stretch of the book completely took off. The ending was intense, emotional, and left me immediately wanting the next installment because there are still so many unanswered questions and dangerous players involved.

This definitely won’t be my last K’wan book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Akashic Books for providing me with an advance listening copy in exchange for an honest review

[Ladiami · Rating 4 out of 5]

The synopsis alone pulled me in because it felt like something a little different from what I usually expect from this author. I was really curious to see how they would handle a mystery/thriller, and honestly, it kept me interested the whole time.

I liked how the story slowly built itself up. The small-town setting, the way everyone seemed to know each other, and how quickly suspicion started to spread all worked really well for me. Artie as a character especially stood out. There was something about him that felt just a little off in a way that made me want to keep reading and figure out what was really going on. The connection between the crimes and his books was such an interesting concept, and it kept me engaged throughout.

The beginning and middle spent a lot of time on details and character dynamics, which I actually enjoyed. It made everything feel more layered and gave the story a steady sense of tension. My only issue is that the ending felt rushed compared to the rest. After all that buildup, it suddenly picked up speed and then just… ended. I wish that final part had been given a little more room to breathe.

Even with that, I still thought it was a solid and intriguing read. I do feel like the story could have been wrapped up in one book, but I’m still interested enough to see where it goes next and will likely pick up the follow-up.

Thanks Netgalley and Akashic Books | Akashic Books, Ltd for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

[Beverly Laude · Rating 3 out of 5]

Artie Howell is a best-selling author who has followed his wife back to her hometown. As a renowned surgeon, Elise is welcomed by the citizens of Sunny Cove. Artie? Not so much. Even his wife's family is less than enthusiastic about his arrival in town.

The book opens with a bang when a nun is kidnapped from the local convent. Then, the murder of a local resident occurs and Artie becomes a suspect. Why? Because of his race and the fact that these crimes are a lot like those depicted in his books. The book moves at a fast pace and the author is definitely able to paint a picture of the characters and the atmosphere with his words.

However, I found the book to be full of sterotypical characters like the bigoted local police and the jilted lover out for revenge. Then, we have Part III where the author "jumps the shark" for me. I won't give away what happens, but it was definitely out of left field for me. And, be warned: the book ends on a cliffhanger.

Thanks to the publisher, Akashic Books, for giving me the chance to read this one . This is a new-to-me author and the synopsis sounded like my type of book. Definitely well-written and entertaining, this is a good short read for those looking for a quick way to spend some time trying to figure out what is happening.

[Samirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Received: NetGalley - Akashic Books
Publication Date: May 5, 2026

I had to sit with this book before writing this review. I really enjoyed this story and the way it was written. I went into this thinking “oh, small-town mystery, a cozy read” WRONG! This was so much more, it was darker, and had so many more layers. I ate it up. This was my first K’Wan book and I. AM. A. FAN!! The writing was sharp and did a great job drawing parallels of this fictional world and our own without pulling you from the story.

It opens up with our MC, Artie Howell after he and his family moves back to his wife’s home town, Sunny cove. At first glance all seems normal, Artie volunteers at the local juvenile detention center, hosting a creative writing course for the young boys. Artie’s wife is head of cardiac surgery at the local hospital. Their son, normal kid who like to sneak in a curse word here and there. Immediately the mood is set with this town and the tension it holds with the killing of a nun. More killings begin to happen and oddly enough they mirror scenes from Artie’s own novels. The suspense had me on the edge of my seat and then left me there to dangle, because we are left with a cliffhanger but one I’m not mad at because it’s soooo good. I’ll be chomping at the bit for the next one for sure!

[Maliika Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huge shoutout to Akashic Books and NetGalley for the chance to check this one out early. Honestly, being a massive fan of K’wan’s entire catalog makes it tough to land on a 3 star rating. I’ve followed his work for a long time and he usually hits it out of the park, but this project just didn't sit right with me. The vibe shifted so drastically toward the end that it felt like I was consuming two separate stories. While I love a good mystery, the sudden pivot into those wilder, more imaginative elements caught me off guard and didn't quite mesh with the gritty suspense established at the jump.

The biggest drawback was that the conclusion felt completely hurried and left the whole thing feeling unfinished. I spent a lot of time waiting for all those deep character details to actually pay off, but the payoff was a massive info dump right at the finish line. It’s frustrating because the narration was solid and I was locked in, yet I walked away with way more questions than answers. Even though it wasn't my favorite of his, I’d still tell people to give it a look for the unique world he built, even if it didn't totally click for me this time around.

[Jessica Oneal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you RB Media and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview this ALC to provide my honest opinion and review.


The description led me to believe this would be a crime thriller. However, that didn't flesh out to be the context. A lot of time is spent describing characters and building back stories that didn't add much to the plot. The murders feel like a side story, at best, in relation to the social aspects of the town and the tension between Artie and everyone else. 


The writing feels clumsy and underdeveloped. Overall, the book feels unfinished. I kept listening waiting for it all to make sense, then the ending was rushed and I'm left me with more questions than answers. The point of the book is revealed in the last 20-30 minutes with an information dump full of fantastical elements that give the feel of a comic book. The end of the book feels like a completely different story than the beginning 2/3. The author attempts to pull it all together, but it still feels disjointed. The narration provided a dramatic almost comical flair to the story.

[Rochelle Bryant Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

***ALC REVIEW***

House of the Rising Sun by K'wan is a gritty small-town thriller that blends urban fiction energy with psychological suspense. The story follows Artie Howell, a crime writer who moves with his family to his wife’s quiet hometown in Pennsylvania—only for a series of murders to begin mirroring scenes from his novels.

What stands out most is the atmosphere. K’wan creates a town filled with secrets, suspicion, and tension, where nearly every character seems to be hiding something. The pacing is quick, the chapters move fast, and the mystery unfolds through twists that keep readers questioning Artie’s innocence.

I liked the mix of crime fiction, family drama, and mystery. Gave this a different feel from the usual urban lit we see.

However, I felt the book introduces too many plot threads at once, and a few supporting characters could have been developed more deeply. Because the book is a quick read, it moves quickly and ends suddenly leaving questions.

Thank you Netgalley for the ALC.

[Aimee Nerdy Auntie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for access to this book. All opinions are my own. So let’s get into the book! House of the Rising Sun by K’Wan is not your typical small-town mystery—and that’s exactly what makes it so compelling. What starts off as a slow-building thriller quickly pulls you into a web of secrets, tension, and layered storytelling. The small-town setting feels deceptively quiet, but underneath it all is something much darker simmering just beneath the surface. And then… the shift. Without warning, the story takes a turn I genuinely did not see coming. Not even a little bit. It evolves into something deeper, more complex, and honestly more unsettling in the best way. K’Wan does an excellent job of blending genres in a way that feels intentional and well-executed rather than jarring. The writing is sharp, the pacing keeps you hooked, and the characters feel real enough that you’re invested in what happens to them. If you think you know where this story is going—you don’t.

[Mya Joan Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

House of the Rising Sun delivers the gritty street drama and fast-paced storytelling that fans of urban fiction expect from K'wan. The novel paints a vivid picture of power struggles, loyalty, and survival, with intense scenes and a raw tone that keeps the pages turning.

What works:

Strong, atmospheric depiction of the streets and criminal underworld

Fast pacing that makes it an easy, engaging read

High-stakes conflicts and dramatic tension

What holds it back:

Some characters feel underdeveloped or rely on familiar archetypes

Plot twists can be predictable for seasoned readers of the genre

The storytelling occasionally prioritizes action over emotional depth

Bottom line:
An entertaining, hard-edged urban drama that delivers intensity and realism, but doesn’t break much new ground. A solid mid-tier read for fans of street-lit fiction.

[Tiffany Ahmad · Rating 3 out of 5]

House of the Rising Sun by K’wan

The book starts off interesting, but it felt slow for me. The first real burst of excitement didn’t hit until around chapter 10 and mind you, there are only about 15 chapters total if you include the prologue and epilogue.

At that point, I thought okay, this must be that slow burn everyone talks about. But by chapter 12, it started to feel like I had stepped into a whole different genre, almost like fantasy. Then it started giving John Wick which definitely wasn’t what I expected going in.

I will say, the pacing feels intentional. Once it picks up, it moves, and I found myself flipping back trying to connect certain moments and first encounters.

It definitely leaves you with things to think about going into book two but I’m not sure the description fully matches what this story actually delivers but that could be the mystery/suspense of it all.

[sassyslitcorner · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Provided by Netgalley - Akashic Books

The book starts off with the murder of a nun, and then we get a glimpse into Artie’s daily life. We see his relationship with his family, friends, and other members throughout the Sunny Cove community. We also get into his love for writing and his interest in crime. Then another murder happens, this time closer to home. A next door neighbor. We then get deep into Artie’s secret life. A life that has consequences for not only him but also his family. The story takes on another life from there. I enjoyed this book. in the beginning I was a little confused on where the story was going but it quickly started to make sense. I’d be interested in seeing how this all plays out in the next book.

[Ashley Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The description of this book sounded so good, and I was genuinely excited to receive an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately, it just didn’t land for me the way I hoped it would.

The biggest issue was the flow—it felt choppy and hard to stay engaged with at times. I also struggled with the heavy use of stereotypes and certain slang (like “stay woke”), which pulled me out of the story rather than adding to it. A lot of the narrative felt overly focused on racial elements in a way that didn’t create a great reading experience for me personally.

The overall story itself was okay, but nothing that stood out or made me want to keep recommending it. In the end, this just wasn’t a book I connected with, and it’s not one I would purchase or suggest to others.

[Jessica Womble · Rating 2 out of 5]

House of the Rising Sun by K’wan was a quick listen for me, and based on the blurb, I went in with pretty high expectations. The premise sounded like something I’d really enjoy, but unfortunately this one didn’t fully land for me.

While the story moved quickly, I was left feeling a bit unfulfilled by the ending. Overall, the plot felt somewhat rushed and I found myself wanting more depth and development to really understand the full context of the story and connect more with what was happening.

One bright spot for me was definitely the narrator, who did a solid job bringing the story to life and helped keep me engaged throughout the audiobook.

This had a lot of potential based on the synopsis, but in the end it just didn’t hit as strongly as I hoped

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read the blurb for House of the Rising Sun, book 1 of The Brotherhood of the Blood series, by K’wan, I was expecting a mystery/ thriller and it certainly is that but combined with fantasy elements that I did not anticipate. I can honestly say, though, that it worked really well and it kept me completely engrossed until the abrupt ending. I will definitely be looking out for book two because I really need to know more of protagonist Artie Howell’s story. I listened to the audiobook of this novel narrated by Cary Hite who does an exceptional job of pacing and ramping up the tension.

I received an early audiobook of this novella from Netgalley and RBmedia in exchange for an honest review

[RaeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the few books that I’ve read that i can say was entertaining from the prologue to the epilogue. The writing was incredible and the narrator sent it over the top. Baby when everything came together at the end i was shocked. Pearls clutched. I

I felt like there was a lot of world building in this book. The different characters and their dynamics were explained really well. The cop brother in law was a little weird to me but I feel like his feelings toward Artie was kinda spot on. Something was intriguing about Artie’s character. He gave mysterious. Overall I would give this 4.75 stars and I can’t wait to read the next one.

Thank you NetGalley and RBMedia for this ALCz All opinions are my own.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an ALC from NetGalley

When this book first started It was very slow and I was uninterested in continuing on because I was confused on what was taking place the I was dropped into a small town life with racial tensions. With that being said I thought the story would progress along those lines of navigating that and I was wrong.

Next thing I knew, there was this murder in the town, a missing lady, I hidden society of people with a different agenda. (Artemis) the MMC had a double life that I didn’t even suspect him of. All of this picked up towards the end of the book which got me excited but then I was left with a cliffhanger and have to wait until is out. Hopefully book to has a recap because I’m sure I will forget what happened in this one.

[Brandy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALC REVIEW******
The narrator truly brought the story to life, adding depth, emotion, and intensity that made the suspense and psychological tension even more engaging. This story is a gripping mystery thriller filled with twist and psychological tension from beginning to end. K'wan builds suspense by slowly revealing information while constantly shifting suspicion between characters. The murders mirroring scenes from his previous novels added a level of suspense that made this story impossible to put down.
Every time I thought I understood where things were heading another twist completely changed the direction of the story. Can't wait for book two.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Drea Warner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have read most of K'wan's back list and he never disappoints. This one was a bit different for him. This books is suspense/ mystery. Husband moves back to wife's home town which is very small. Tragedies start to happen back to back and he gets caught up in them. I don't want to spoil it as it does read as a mystery overall.

although, I was very entertained, this one just didn't do it for me. I would still recommend in to other readers, its just i thought it was going to be something different.

[Sheena M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes you on a ride and keeps you guessing throughout the whole book! It starts off with a look into Artie and his life in this small town with his family, but it seems that there is something off, a mystery about him. The author does a good job of building the story and even takes you through all the emotions and I was a bit skeptical about where the story was going. Towards the end though, you’re hit with a twist that you could never guess and it definitely had me shocked/hooked. K’wan sets the scene for another book after this one and I can’t wait to read and see where the story goes. Thank you to NetGalley and Akashic Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[TellsOfABibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading the prologue I was like hmmm maybe this one might not be for me, but as I continued to read I really did get more and more interested in the story.

The pacing was good. It flowed well, and as the story unraveled it really starts to make you think. This was very much suspenseful.

Overall, this was a quick read that kept me engaged once I got into it, and I found myself wanting to see how everything would come together. I just didn’t like the ending. I feel like after all the build up, it felt a bit rushed. I still would recommend it because it’s entertaining and definitely keeps that mystery element throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley and Akashic Books for this ARC.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first introduction to the author K’wan! I didn’t read the synopsis before listening because I wanted a complete, mind-popping experience, and The House of the Rising Sun did just that. Artie’s emotional aloofness had me intrigued from the very beginning. Your past can only stay buried for so long.

If you’re like me and want things to instantly connect, hold your horses! This book makes you wait, but it all comes together at just the right time.

This book did not disappoint, and I am so ready for book 2! The pacing was just right; once I started listening, I couldn’t stop.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the ARC copy.

[Natea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this was a great concept.

This was my 2nd book by this author and I saw a video of him saying that the concept of the Order and the Brotherhood was mentioned in Animal 5 and Black Lotus -which I havent read lol, but he didn't say required reading so I opened this up.

So to me, this felt like being dropped in the middle of a story. The world building wasn't there. I liked the small town thriller goin on at first, us wondering what this little innocent looking author got going on then boom, he got magical powers and apart of some underworld cult. I left this with a lot of questions really.

[Kimberly W · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very quick and interesting suspense filled read. If I could, I would rank this book a solid 3.5. There were so many twisting plot lines, that I had to take pause at points to try to figure out where they intertwined. When it came together in the end, I was left wishing for more pages to read to continue piecing it all together. I would love to read more of this storyline to get a better handle on how the introduced characters all fit together in this dynamic authors multidimensional world of fiction. Many thanks to the publisher, Akashic Books, and NetGalley for this ARC book.