The Dirty Truth

by Brenda Hampton

When Brandon, her new boyfriend, tries to mold her into the exact image of his late fiancée, who was brutally murdered, Evelyn Thomas believes she is in over her head, while Brandon, still obsessed with finding Cassandra's killer, sets in motion a deadly chain of events. Original.

Genres: Audiobook, Mystery, African American

246 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2008

About the author

Hampton is a native St. Louis, with a gift and passion for writing. She maintained journals for several years, but it wasn’t until she read Terry McMillan’s Disappearing Acts that she considered taking her writing adventures to another level.



In 2002, Hampton completed her memoir, along with two fiction novels: Two's Enough Three's a Crowd and How Can I Be Down? The following year, she completed thrilling sequels to both novels and additional bestselling novels followed thereafter.



Hampton is known for bringing the heat to readers, and her literary career is filled with many accomplishments. She is an Essence Magazine Bestselling Author, she was named a Favorite Female Fiction writer in Upscale Magazine by O.O.S.A., she is a 2009 African American Literary Award Nominee for her mystery novel, The Dirty Truth, and was awarded Best Female Writer by Infini Promoters. Her dedication to her career lead to a multi-book deal through Urban/Kensington Books in New York City, a publishing house that she refers to as her literary home.



In addition to writing, and having an entrepreneur spirit, Hampton manages her own insurance business where she works as an Insurance Broker for many customers throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. She is also the founder of VOICES Books & Publishing, VOICES Books on Wheels and VOICES Magazine. VOICES is the place where every voice can be heard, and Hampton uses her publishing company to assist writers through the POD process. Her goal has been to work with motivated writers who deserve a chance in this very challenging book industry. She’s been referred to as the “go to person” by many aspiring writers, and works as a literary representative for some of the most talented, upcoming and established authors today. Including, National Bestselling author, Keisha Ervin (Urban Books/Kensington), 2007’s Best Male Writer, Darrin Lowery (Urban Books/Kensington), OASIS (Strebor/Simon & Schuster), Silhouettes (Urban Books/Kensington), Curtis Alcutt (Strebor/Simon & Schuster) and E.V. Adams (Strebor/Simon & Schuster), Tia Hines (Urban/Kensington) and Kaya Henderson (Urban/Kensington).





Hampton's latest releases are: Don't Even Go There, Full Figured 1, The Dirty Truth and Book 6 of the Naughty Series. Naughty includes Hampton’s most loveable, desired, and outrageous character, Jaylin Rogers. Readers can’t get enough of this “bad boy” and his continued drama goes on in Naughty No More. Other novels include: Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right, SLICK, How Can I Be Down?, No Justice No Peace, a Girls from Da Hood collaboration with Brenda Hampton, Keisha Ervin and Ed McNair, and Who or What is in that Closet?!, a children's chapter book that Hampton wrote with her son, Aaron Littlejohn.

Reviews

[Queen Rosalind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brenda Hampton delivered again! I have to meet her. Phenomenal Author. Love her work! Want to love it to? Go get you a Brenda Hampton Novel. And, If you're a real O.G. with reading, then go get a Brenda Hampton Series to read. You're going to fall in love. Her books have everything in them!!!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man boy that ending was a big didn't see that coming ending....it was crazy but I thought man this guy just couldn't catch a break but he ended up getting one...good read

[K2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The End Tho.....I should give it 4🌟4that😂

[TR]

This book had me blinking so hard at the twists, turns then the outcome.
You just NEVER KNOW when it comes to people.

[Catrelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

That end tho🤛🏽

[Sheronda H · Rating 4 out of 5]

What in the world. I was not expecting the ending. I already had my suspicions of suspects throughout the book but I was wrong. This was the first book I’ve read by the author and I really enjoyed it.

[OOSA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brandon Fletcher is grieving for Cassandra White, the love of his life. She was murdered and Brandon is determined to learn the truth, no matter how painful the process is. While life must go on, Jabbar Booker, the other man is Cassandra's life, has become like cancer to him. Then, just as Brandon has moved forward he meets Evelyn. Could she be just what the doctor ordered?

A search for the truth leads to finger pointing, daily harassment and incriminating circumstances. When an arrest is finally made in the murder, Brandon, while still doubtful, seems relieved. However, Evelyn and Cassandra may have a little too much in common. As the lies slowly unravel, can Brandon consider even playing second in Evelyn's world after all he's endured?

Admittedly, I was stumped and determined to figure out the mystery surrounding the murder. I have to say that I was a little shocked, but not as blown away as I thought I would be. THE DIRTY TRUTH, though filled with steamy sex, drama and mystery, is a little clumsy and the ending leaves you a little bitter. I would've liked more as far as the ending. Seemed too neat; while it did offer some sort of an explanation, there was just missing something. I believe fans of Brenda M. Hampton will undoubtedly enjoy THE DIRTY TRUTH. It was a different flow from what I'm accustomed to in regards to the author's style and I look forward to more soon.

Reviewed by: Crystal

[KayBee's Bookshelf · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story revolves around Brandon and him solving the case of who murdered his girlfriend Cassandra. Along the way, we are introduced to his best friend, other lovers, and other supporting characters. I know that for most the ending made up for the inconsistencies and lack of flow in the story. For me, yes the ending was a nice twist, that was slowly revealed about 6o% into the book, but it was not enough to make the collection of nonsensical scenes that made up this story.
Maybe had I not read the synopsis that could have helped.
Evelyn was a bit player in the story, The women as a whole and Brandon's relationship with women and his mental health were the major storylines. The ending is left open. However, I can't say that I would rush to read even though I'd be interested to know Brandon's future.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Dirty Truth by from Brenda Hampton. Expect the unexpected when you read It’s basically about Brandon whose fiancé was killed and when he gets back out to dating no one can compare to Casandra the love of his life. They mystery of the book is to find out what happened to Casandra. Who killed her and what is the reason why Brandon is having a hard time finding love.
I do recommend you read The Dirty Truth.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had every intention of giving this book 3 stars... until I got to the last 10%, it really caught me off guard, in a good way obviously. The narrator’s voice bothered me a little as well. He read in a sort of cadence, like poetry. Which may work for other narrations but it felt weird here. It wasn’t enough for me to give up, it took some getting used to but I did not like. And maybe his voice distracted me from seeing the ending coming? Guess I’ll never know.

[reneeNaDaCherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good read. I couldn't put this book down...the suspense, the action, the unexpected twist! The city gets rocked by a slew of murders but one police officer won't give up until they're all solved. It's certainly an unexpected ending for this story.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Strange.

[N1cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non stop reading.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the ending, very surprise

[Atiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok book I loved the end

[Rakeema · Rating 3 out of 5]

wish it would have end different

[Renee Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

trilling book to read great twist. a book that will have you second guessing can't asked for anything more perfect ending

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read .....unexpected mystery!

[Linda Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not expect the ending of book!

[Amanda Haskins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t expect the ending of this book at all. I did not like the way the men treated women in this book and the fact that women were okay with it was even more disturbing.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ending had me floored! Dude was nuts and be careful who you keep company with!

[Keisha‼️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending😳

[carla l printup · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good thriller mystery and I didn't see the ending coming. WOW.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was going back and forth between a 3 and a 4 for this book. I'm feeling like it was a solid 3.75, so we'll just round it up to 4. Unfortunately the way a book ends is what usually determines how I feel about it, regardless of everything else that may have contributed to my overall feelings about the book. AND a lot of what I didn't like might be things that a person reading fiction typically won't have an issue with, so take my review with a grain of salt.

HERE COME THE SPOILERS!

So Brandon did it. Him being guilty crossed my mind, but I wasn't suspecting him the whole time I read. I was suspicious of him for two reasons; first was when he told the police he blacked out after finding Cassandra's body, and the second reason was just because we were getting so far into the book with literally no solid suspects other than Brandon and the cop Jabar. So the ending wasn't as shocking for me as I would have liked for it to have been. The book was really focused on Brandon being a fucking hoe who was into rough sex. I try not to say how an author should have told their story, but it would have been good for the author to put a real red herring in there. Ruby and the insurance policy wasn't convincing. It was too obvious, but in the way you brush off, not in the way that has you thinking. Like no clues were laid out for the reader to wonder if a certain person other than Brandon was the one who killed Cassandra. Now the other thing that kind of had me thinking Brandon did it was how as the book progressed, you could see that this nigga was a dickhead. Little by little I was like ok...is he the protagonist? Because I don't like him. He is a fuck boy.

I also didn't like the implication that Brandon was killing people because he was mentally ill. Not because I'm a social justice warrior or nothing. I can tolerate the most offensive of shit for entertainment purposes most of the time. But it was just inaccurate. If he was on medication, what was it for? Why wouldn't there have been indications of his mental illness prior to him revealing it at the end when telling Jabar everything he did? He was a bad guy, maybe he had a personality disorder, but I wasn't liking the fact that he had to take drugs to black out after Cassandra's murder so the police would find him, but he hid those pills in Ruby's house, so he wasn't taking them when he killed everybody else, but can't remember where he put the bodies. I don't know if what I'm trying to explain is coming across, but the mental illness is a cop out. Instead of just making it where he's a manipulative evil man, the mental illness is thrown in and it doesn't line up. Again, I know most people can suspend disbelief to the point where something like that wouldn't be bothersome, but I'm one of those people who are really interested in mental health and psychology. It just seemed like a some stereotypes about mentally ill people were thrown on to justify his actions. Again, not offended, it just wasn't believable to me.

Honestly, the story kept my attention. I will probably read more by this author.

[Page Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really a crazy read. I enjoyed it and enjoyed all of the nuances Brandon and his cast of supporting characters went through. I had a few inklings about who the killer could be, but as it unfolded, I was surprised at the end to see how elaborately everything was pulled off. I was entertained by the execution of dialogue which was very believable for the most part and enjoyed this book tremendously.

[Kiara Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

First things first … I neverrrrr I MEAN NEVER READ AUDIOBOOKS.. but the way I listened to this book so fast was crazy !!! My friend recommended it and I’m glad she did lol. I was all at work listening to this book !

The plot twist goes crazy and just know your mouth gonna be on the floor !!! I mean technically towards the end I had a confirmation of who it was but damn lol 😆 shit was still crazy !!

[Laine · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.4 stars

I'm a mystery girl, so I anticipated the twist early on. My issue is with the writing....

It led to random plot holes that were never satisfied, and a jerky cadence in the prose. Some of the descriptions were overly flowery (what man do you know who says/thinks things like he stretched his 'chocolate body' across his bed?), among other things.

Clearly a read for someone, but not me. Finished it because it was short, but won't revisit.

[Samantha Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of my favorite BH stories. It had a twist to it that did throw me off a little. However, it didn’t give me that Umph I needed. It was interesting but also told from the only one perspective. The characters such as Jabari, Ruby and Felicity never were given a chance to be truly be explored. Overall it was an easy read.

[Shannon Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will keep you guess as to who the killer is. When the killer is revealed it will leave you in shock. It's always the one you will least expect. Definitely a page turner from beginning to end.

[Maresha Braswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

That plot twist!! Like what?!! This whole time?!! At first I was like what is happening in this book but the end baby!! I was confuseth!! Brenda Hampton you did it again girl!! Good work on this book did not see that ending at all