Criminal Minded Lib/E

by Tracy Brown, Nicole Small (Reading)

Lamin Michaels learned at his mother's knee the importance of chasing paper, so it's no surprise he gets into the drug game when he's just a teenager. When he meets Zion, a product of the New York City foster care and prison system, Lamin knows he's met the perfect partner in crime. Together they build a huge narcotics empire. Then Lamin falls hard for a beautiful girl named Lucky. Lucky makes Lamin realize that there's more to life than cash and more cash. When Lamin goes legit with a career in the entertainment industry, Zion tries to keep their business going on both the street and the boardroom. It's not long before Zion becomes the target of a corruption scandal involving murder, extortion, and money laundering. Once the dirt is exposed, will Lamin and Zion be able to remain one step ahead, or will their paper-chasing days haunt them forever?

Genres: Urban, Audiobook, African American, Fiction, Adult

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

I am a storyteller, a painter of words, a writer who genuinely loves my craft.

Reviews

[Tam Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had so many twist and turns!! I love this author!! I could not put this book down!!

[a.loversbookclub · Rating 5 out of 5]

O M F G! listen this book had me hooked from the beginning dont get me wrong, but i was still like this is easily 3.5 or a soild 4 stars. but yall this book got better n better each chapter. i thought i was gonna love lamin down bc i love a good broken mmc. but ngl my true fav was zion. i did not like how lamin treated lucky at all n ngl he deserved what she handed him. there was some twists n turns that had me a bit shook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew......

This book was so good from beginning to end. Every character was interesting, and every situation was intense!! I was shocked many times thinking things would happen one way, and it went in a different direction. I love how nothing was predictable. I absolutely loved Papa, his swag, and his stories/advice. I'm still sitting here trying to figure out how I didn't know about this book until now but it was released in 2005. Oh well, better late than never.

[Ismael Medel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a really good book. Keeps you in suspense

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

This was a true page-turner! Criminal Minded is my second read by Tracy Brown, and once again, she didn’t miss. The story dives into friendship, fast money, love, betrayal, and the dangerous allure of the street life.

Lamin was caught up in the hype—money, status, and the rush of it all. His bond with Zion was rooted in survival and hustle, but Zion should have left when Olivia and Lamin did. Curtis? Total snake. Always playing the victim while manipulating those around him.

The emotional core of this story was Lamin’s relationship with Lucky. He fell hard for her—she was a real one—and it hurt to see how things unfolded. This book had just the right mix of action and love to keep me invested from beginning to end.

[Page Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definitely did not end as I expected. There were many plot twists, characters doing things that surprised me and consequences that were unexpected, but just in some circumstances. I was very entertained through this read and found myself invested in the outcomes of their fates. Good book.

[Jaye Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. I listened to it on audible.
This book teaches us that even the closest people to you can be flaw !

[tonneta heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was good

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book on my way to Disneyland it had it's slow moments x fast moments x dull moments x and repetitive moments. Good read though in the urban world TB is really slept on. She's on my radar though . I loved this story it's important to be mindful of what you ask for and when you get it don't lose it. Everything was predictable imo , still worth reading, Olivia was the only character that did not develop right mentally in the book. Her ASS was dumb but stayed having someone to come to her rescue wether they were family or not... Lamin got too arrogant for me , Zion was a dumb , rich hothead , and a hoe. Curtis damn man what a waste smh... I liked Lucky and how she choose not to go backwards she was genuiley my fave.
If the book was a movie I would like to see these actors/ actresses bring the characters to life
Lamin- Cory Hardrick (Tia mowry husband)
Zion- Dre (from power)
Lucky- Ming lee Simmons
Olivia- Saweetie
Dream - Jasmine tookes
Curtis - Hakeem (from empire)
Lamin mom - Nia Long
Wally - Master P (lol)
Doug- Ludacris
Papa- Ving Rhames
Olivia ex Donovan- Terrance Howard
Overall good book if there's comes a sequel good if not still a good read to pass some time up

[S. Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, I'd Like To Say that I had spoken TOO SOON about the characters Lamin, Olivia, & Zion when the author had dragged them into my favorite series of hers: "WHITE LINES" & I had THOUGHT THEM TOO UNNECESSARY TO WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT TO HAD BEEN ADDED AMONG SUNNY, DORIAN, JADA, & BORN STORIES.
Without having read Ms. Brown's other efforts: Dime Piece, Snapped, Black, Aftermath, Twisted, & CRIMINAL MINDED, THE LATTER AMONG ONE OF MY NOW-FAVORITES!-I HAD MISJUDGED ALL OR MOST OF THE CHARACTERS THAT MS. BROWN FELT NEEDED TO HAVE THEIR STORIES WRAPPED UP IN WHAT I FELT WAS/IS HER BEST SERIES: "WHITE LINES". I felt disgusted among other things that Ms. Brown would OVERCROWD the stories on the lives of SUNNY, JADA, BORN, & others in the "WHITE LINES" series WITH THOSE CHARACTERS OF HER OTHER SERIES, & STRONGLY OBJECTED TO HER DOING SO, FEELING LIKE THE SPACE THAT THE NOBLES CLAN, CAMILLE, GILLIAN, FRANKIE, DOMINIQUE, TOYA, LAMIN, OLIVIA, ZION, & OTHERS HAD BEEN FORCED IN TO "WL" WOULD & COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER SPENT COVERING THE LIVES OF CHARACTERS WHO HAD MINOR OR SMALLER ROLES IN "WL" SERIES.
Well, that thought process had been premature, given I had not read any of the books that either preceded or had been written in between the "WL" Series. I won't say that I liked any of the characters in DIME PIECE, BLACK, SNAPPED, AFTERMATH, or TWISTED novels. Nor would I go as far as to say that I liked ALL of the characters in CRIMINAL MINDED. However, after listening to the audiobooks of each of the series stated above, I found that I LIKED Criminal Minded MOST finding it more INTERESTING THAN THE OTHERS. So much so that I found myself Ordering the Audiobook for Criminal Minded FOR MY OWN LIBRARY, WHICH I ONLY DO WHEN I REALLY LIKE A BOOK OR ITS SERIES!
Now, on to my thoughts on the characters of the book itself.....
While most readers LOVED LAMIN & LUCKY OFF TOP, I FELT AS HER FATHER FELT: THAT LAMIN WAS TOO HOOD & THUGGISH RUGGISH BONE BONE BONE BONE FOR HIS LITTLE ASIAN DAUGHTER LUCKY. That opinion had been proven-though MANY READERS WHO SUPPORTED THE YOUNG, MIX-MATCHED COUPLE FAILED TO REALIZE THIS-once LAMIN had been shot & nearly paralyzed WHILE LITTLE ASIAN LUCKY HAD BEEN STANDING NEXT TO HER DRUGGED MAN: LAMIN!
Then, upon recovering from his injuries, LAMIN HAD BEEN BOLD ENOUGH TO CHEAT ON HIS BELOVED LITTLE ASIAN GF, LUCKY-WHO'D NURSED HIM BACK TO HEALTH & THAT HE PROCLAIMED WAS 'THE HOLDER OF HIS HEART', MULTIPLE TIMES, EXPECTING LITTLE MISS INDEPENDENT, YET VERY DEPENDENT ON HIS DRUG-DEALING CHEATING BF LAMIN, WHOM SHE HAD CHOSEN OVER THE WISHES OF HER PARENTS: LUCKY TO FORGIVE HIM & ACCEPT HIS MARRIAGE PROPOSAL AFTER THEY HAD SEX! HE'D GOTTEN HIS FACE BROKEN WHEN SHE SAID 'NO' & WALKED OUT ON HIM!
He then GAVE THE DIAMOND SPARKLER RING TO HIS THEN-SIDE CHICK; DREAM, WHOM HE'D BEEN CHEATING ON LUCKY WITH, HAVING MARRIED DREAM MONTHS LATER! THIS IS WHERE I REALIZED THAT I DIDN'T CARE AT ALL FOR THE CHARACTER OF LAMIN (THAT & WHEN HE, AS A YOUNGSTER, HILARIOUSLY FOUND HUMOR IN SANCTIFIED FOLKS GETTIN' THEIR HEAVEN ON THROUGH SHOUTING/PRAISING 'THE LAWD' IN SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICES!)!
AFTER THE LOSS OF HIS GRANDPA, A MARRIED LAMIN STARTED CHEATING ON DREAM WITH LUCKY & LUCKY'S DUMB DESPERATE ASS THOUGHT THAT LAMIN SHOULD LEAVE HIS WIFE DREAM & GAVE HIM A TIMELINE TO COME BACK TO HER! THIS IS WHY I DID NOT LIKE LUCKY'S CHARACTER AT FRIGGIN' ALL!
SEE, WHEN LAMIN BEGAN TO CHEAT ON LUCKY WITH DREAM DREAM KNEW THAT LAMIN HAD A MAIN CHICK AT HOME, BUT HIS MAIN CHICK WASN'T HIS WIFE, OR FIANCEE FOR THAT MATTER! BUT, LUCKY KNEW THAT LAMIN HAD A WIFE AT HOME YET SHE STILL DROPPED DEM DRAWLS FOR A MARRIED LAMIN, FEELING THAT IT WAS RIGHT GIVEN HER FEELINGS THAT HE LOVED HER(LUCKY) MORE THAN HE HAD DREAM!
LUCKY'S PLANS TO HAVE HER CHEATING EX-BF LAMIN ALL TO HERSELF CAME TO AN HALT WHEN DREAM TOLD HER HUSBAND LAMIN THAT THEY WERE GONNA BE PARENTS/SHE'S PREGGERS! I DIDN'T FEEL AT ALL SORRY FOR LUCKY BECAUSE SHE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT LAMIN IS A CHEATING MAN! HE CHEATED ON HER WITH DREAM, THEN CHEATED ON HIS WIFE DREAM WITH EX-GF LUCKY! SHE HAD GOTTEN WHAT SHE'D BARGAINED FOR: A TWICE BROKEN HEART AT THE HANDS OF A CHEATING MAN!
IT SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING THAT I DON'T SUPPORT A LAMIN/LUCKY HAPPILY EVER AFTER 2GETHER 4EVER SYNOPSIS!
I DO, HOWEVER, SUPOORT A REUNION BETWEEN OLIVIA & ZION WILLIAMS, THOUGH! WHEN I HAD READ ABOUT THEM IN WHITE LINES BOOKS 2 & 3, I FOUND THEM INTRIGUING, BUT NOT WORTHY OF BEING IN THE BOOKS BASED ON JADA, SUNNY, & BORN.
NOW, HAVING READ HOW THEIR BACK STORY, I HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHY OLIVIA BEAT THE ABESOLUTE BREAKS OFF OF JADA'S DESPERATE FOR D*CK SISTER AVA UPON FINDING OUT THAT AVA & ZION-WHO HAD BEEN ARRESTED & ARRAIGNED IN COURT AFTER HIS PLACE HAD BEEN BUSTED BY POLICE- HAD SPENT THE NIGHT TOGETHER!!!
OLIVIA PUT THOSE WELL-SKILLED HANDS ON A MANY OF CHICKS FOR THEIR 'ENCOUNTERS' WITH HER BABY DADDY ZION, WHOM SHE FOUGHT HARD TO HAVE IN HER LIFE, DESPITE HIM NOT BEING WORTHY OF FIGHTING FOR, WITH HIS FINE-ASS CHEATING ASS! I TOOK IT EASIER ON ZION WILLIAMS WITH THE CRITICISM DUE TO HIS UPBRINGING, & HE AT FIRST DIDN'T WANT TO PURSUE OLIVIA OUT OF RESPECT FOR HIS RELATIONSHIP/FRIENDSHIP WITH HER OLDER BROTHER LAMIN (WHOM HE ALSO FOUND CHURCH FOLKS EXPRESSIONS OF PRAISING 'THE LAWD' IN THE FORM OF SHOUTING HUMOROUS ALONG WITH LAMIN! NOT FUNNY FOLKS! NOT FUNNY AT ALL TO LAUGH AT FOLKS GETTIN' THEIR PRAISE ON IN CHU'CH!).
I SAID ALL THAT TO SAY THIS: What Made Me WANT THE Book in my OWN PERSONAL LIBRARY WAS THAT 'MEXICAN STANDOFF (OF SORTS) BETWEEN COUSINS LAMIN & CURTIS THE LATTER WHO WAS HOLDING A GUN ON LAMIN'S BEST FRIEND ZION! CURTIS SHOT ZION & LAMIN SHOT & KILLED HIS OWN COUSIN CURTIS, WHO HAD SHOT HIS COUSIN & FORMER BEST FRIEND LAMIN! BECAUSE OF THAT SCENE, I FELT THIS BOOK WORTHY OF A PLACE ON MY OVERCROWDED BOOK SHELVES!

[Tasha Talks Books Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was recommended to me and it had me glued to every single word! The performance by the narrator was amazing. It made me feel like I was listening to my friend tell me a story and it was so active! The story had it's ups and downs and pulled at my heartstrings, but it shows that not all amazing stories end with a HEA.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me on a journey how I use to see the streets.
I loved Zion and his love story with his best friend sister.
I liked the fact that each person in this book had a story about there life put in.
I was at a lost for pages as the book ended...

[Quan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tracy is another one of my favorite authors. This is the first book I read by her, and I have read and enjoyed the others.

[Varrsity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm about to keep it real. If a book can keep my interest, it's a classic in my opinion. Trust me, I've thrown my share of books across the room in frustration.

[Connie F5.0 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tracy Brown has done it again. A lot of life lessons learned in this book. Family is everything, you reap what you sow, word is bond, listen to your gut, as fast as you can get it, you can lose it, the love of money is the root of all evil, envy and jealousy is an incurable disease, humble yourself and most important to me was forgiveness.

I was able to understand the background and current life of each character. I loved the grandparents, especially grandpa! He had a lot of nuggets to give. I was loving Lamin until ..(I will not spoil it). Lucky was cool with me and I had a lot of respect for her. She was a real ride or die. She was real, supportive and had some respect for herself. I loved this about her. Zion is cool as a fan. Olivia is cute, crazy, smart and spoiled. Then there is Curtis .. he is who he is.

The title ties in well with the story plot.

Good read and listen! I love the narrator Nicole Small.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Have you ever read a book where you just sit and stare out into the abyss of life when it’s finished because it’s just that good? This is my second book by this author and both left me here. Both had me sobbing and so mad at different parts.

Tracy does an outstanding job and building characters that you absolutely cannot not be so connected too. I wanted the best for all our MCs and found myself so angry with them and pleading with them throughout.

PAPA. listen i was unwell. IYKYK.
He had the swag and was just so cool and i adored his character.

Be sure to check trigger warnings for this one. The audiobook is outstanding. 10/10 recommend mixing audio with print or just doing audio!

[Nyeem Makiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Criminal Minded has now been placed at my #2 favorite reads by Tracy Brown. She never failed to get you hooked in the beginning of the story! This book left me feeling so many different emotions throughout. So many valuable life lessons. Focusing on what young black men went through back in the day and how family issues affects us generation after generations.

I definitely sobbed towards the end of the read. It was so many heavy emotions running through and I was not ready.

Zion: let’s give him his flowers! He was such a loyal amazing friend to Lamin. Through and through!

I wasn’t fond of the choices Lamin made but I understand. He was still young, feeling his way through life. Sometimes you have to make life changing mistakes to learn in the future.

[sweetconnectionswithtoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I need more of this! Traccccy, the urban reader gang miss you girl! Your writing style was top tier!

This book was so dang gone good I didn’t want it to end. Why did Lamin do Lucky like that! The fact he about to flip the cards on Dream until he found out the news was shady. Lamin really didn’t need to be with nobody but himself.

I felt bad for Lucky, but sometimes it’s best to listen to your parents in the beginning than to go through the heartbreak she went through.

I knew what Lamin Moms issue was before it was exposed!

5🌟

Recommended Read

[KB’s Book Chronicles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure how I feel about it. The story line was good but it was a lot of stuff going on over a lot of years. A lot of story lines running parallel but crossing over each other. The storyline is real surface level, some storylines could have been better especially surrounding Curtis. One second he was cool down to earth the next minute he’s a super thug running the street. I pressed through because I’m not a quitter but at hour 4 I really wanted to stop listening to it.

[JASMIN SANCHEZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book “Criminal Minded” was about Lamin Michaels trying to get out of poverty. His only way to get out was to hustle and sell drugs with his best friend Zion. As soon as he falls in love with a girl he meets named lucky, they settle down and he tries to leave his dangerous life behind. He becomes a video director, but it doesn’t come out good in the end.

[Bayron Dorantes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book “Criminal Minded” is really good book that takes the reader on a journey of the street life. This book kept me really entertain and had me questioning. I like how the book takes readers into different character perspective and how they tell the story. I recommend this book to anyone looking to read some action.

[Mariah Sherley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a roller coaster. First book by Tracy and it did not disappoint. Audible brought this book to life. She dropped on lot of gems/life lessons in this one. Be careful who you cross and never take anyone for granted. Karma ain’t no joke. Very good read although the ending was so hard hitting and sad. Had me in tears. Live your life everyday to the fullest because time is precious.

[Nikkia Chante’ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curtis was a horrible cousin and I am so mad it took Lamean and everyone else so long to realize it. After all is said and done I do hope Lamean and Zion’s friendship will last. I wish there was a boom two because I would like to hear of Lamean and Zion beating their cases and revamping the company and going to new heights. But over all good read.

[Roberta Lynne Ruben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learn about rural White poverty and prescription drug abuse by reading Demon Copperhead then learning about urban poverty and its sale and use of illegal drugs. Read this realistic novel about the destruction of an African American family. I recommend both novels to those who what to learn more about life in United States in the 21st Century.

[4loveofbooksnkc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I haven’t read a book by Tracy brown that wasn’t bad at all.
Well, I definitely enjoyed the characters especially Lamine, I loved how the way he treated his sister Olivia and how he had a great relationship with his grandparents.
How the storyline is set up it shows how people can turn on you or get jealous of your success although it wasn’t a legit success, but it shows that you really can’t trust anyone.
But this book is good go check it out!

[Tineka Hardwrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. I cried, I laughed and I was in complete suspense throughout this book. I felt like I was there watching as I turned each page. Fell in love with most of the characters and would love to have a second book to update on all of the characters.

[Stephanie Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing. To be honest I don’t like reading and when I read this book I could not stop. I told all my friends to read it and most of them did and they loved it too. This is by far my favorite book, it even made me cry.

[Koraima · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start off by telling you guys I don’t like reading but When I read this book I couldn’t stop. I would read it while my teachers were teaching which isn’t good but that’s how hooked I was on it. If you are interested in heart break, romance, and thriller.

[Alison is probably reading smut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read. Hard to put the book down. Love getting to know the point of view from each of the characters and how well it all flows together. Ultimately feel bad for L, wish he had a happier ending.. he definitely deserved it!

[zenith Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I don't really get Lamin. He did Lucky so wrong. Zion should have gotten out when Olivia and Lamin did. Curtis was a snake. He always played the victim. Uncle Eli was a sorry excuse for a man. Good story