The Black Market

by Kiki Swinson

A Virginia Beach pharmacy tech gets into big business on the black market in this crime thriller series debut by the national bestselling author of Wifey.Misty Heiress starts out with good intentions. Her cousin Jillian is in constant pain and the doctors refuse to prescribe. So Misty takes matters into her own hands, stealing opioids from the pharmacy where she works. But soon enough, Misty and Jillian are in business, selling to local dealers to get out of debt. Now they're on their way to making their dream come true—as long as nothing goes wrong.Misty's knows her boss is running his own side business. But when his mafia partners start increasing their demands, Jillian comes up with a risky plan to make sure they get their share. And when the Feds start calling, it's all too much for Misty. Soon enough, everyone's big money schemes will have them paying the ultimate price . . .

Genres: Urban

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 27, 2018

About the author

Kiki Swinson was born and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. She discovered her flair for writing after completing her first novel, Mad Shambles, while serving a five-year sentence at a federal prison.
After being released in December 1996, Kiki later went on to self-publish Mad Shambles. Her passion for writing didn't stop there. Writing feverishly into the wee hours of the night, she completed her second novel, Wifey, which was published by Melodrama Publishing. After the success of Wifey, Kiki penned the sequels I'm Still Wifey and Life After Wifey, as well as The Candy Shop and A Sticky Situation.

Reviews

[Kelsie Maxwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Black Market is an urban fiction novel by Kiki Swinson. The main character is pharmacy tech, Misty Heiress. Misty is completely surrounded by turmoil. Her alcoholic mother and her grandmother are embroiled in a long-standing feud. Her cousin, Jillian, is addicted to opioids and insists that Misty steal narcotics to feed growing her addiction. Terrell, Misty’s ex-boyfriend, is stalking her. Sanjay and Amir, her boss and his brother, are involved with the mafia, which places Misty in danger. To complete the chaos, Jillian has concocted a dangerous scheme to rob the pharmacy where Misty is employed.

Though generally well-written, The Black Market has some flaws. The characters aren’t fully developed, and the main character is totally irrational. The premise is solid, and the story held my interest from start to finish, but I felt the ending was too abrupt. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

My thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

[Yellagirlgc · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's hard for me to believe this is a Kiki Swinson book. The characters weren't described, the story seemed rushed and didn't make alot of sense. Misty is a pharmacy tech and gets involved in some shady things due to her job. The shadiness snowballs until things turn unbelievably out of control. The ending took it from a three star down to a two.

[Amira Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ohhhhh Misty gave me a headache! She made some unbelievably stupid choices and involved several other people in her mess. This book was a little all over the place. Maybe if Swinson could have focused on one or two of Missy’s issues and not so many it would have been a little better. The ending also felt unfinished. I wanted to know what happened to her? Maybe the next Swinson book I read will be better.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise was good. This could have been a 3-4 star read for me if Misty, the protagonist wasn't just making poor life choices, she was acting stupid. But was supposed to be street smart.
Plus, there was so much going on.
Ex boyfriend turned stalker Terrell.
Cousin Jillian who is flaky and also dumb as hell. Who gets Misty to steal pills from the pharmacy for her injury. But also whom Misty listens to and lets her talk into bad situations most of the time anyway.
Bosses Sanjay and Amir (owners of the pharmacy Misty works for) selling drugs.
But now they are also in a bad spot with the Colombian mafia?
But is it the Colombian mafia? Because the guy that works (sent to woo Misty? Maybe a set up? Maybe not? We never find out) for them is from India and Colombia is never mentioned again.
Misty telling anyone who will listen about everything going on at her job including stalker ex Terrell. Who she doesn't owe anything and who cheated on her the whole time they were together.
2.5 stars

[Vnunez-Ms_luv2read · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must start this review by saying I have read previous books by the author and enjoyed them. But, not this one. The story line was a bit far fetched for me and the characters were not ones I could relate to. The book seemed to be all over the place at times. Not a bad read, but not a good one either. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Although I received the book in this manner, it did not effect my opinion of this book nor my review.

[Adrienna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over the years, I believe I have read Kiki Swinson's work. I ordered this book and a couple others in the series since the male population prefers to read Urban, Graphic Novels (GN), and Fantasy are the top three. However, Urban lit is difficult to keep in the libraries since it appears on our centralized disapproved list that now has moved from receiving updates yearly or two, to monthly, and has listed numerous titles I just recently ordered to remove from the shelves. (I hope the library director can have some input not to remove all titles just because they are on the list).

I thought of my cousin who wanted to be a pharmacy technician but didn't graduate from college telling me it was not her thing (or harder than she proposed). Then to read that a cousin would risk her job and benefits to help a cousin who later speaks on gaining material things like luxury cars that depreciate just leaves me shaking my head, not caring about what this can do to her cousin, Misty, if she gets caught. Vicodin pills. Percocets. High off prescription drugs, and wanted to know if Jillian really had an illness or major accident to take such prescriptions. I am still learning about such after having surgeries, and would not give me such pills.

[Cristina B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I started to read the book and it sounded promising. I was very excited and couldn’t put it down. The story and the way it develops is interesting. It starts with this girl that looks inoffensive and innocent and you slowly realize that ambition can change anyone in anything.

I didn’t understand why the caracter wasn’t phisically described. It was like we had to imagine from the way she talked the way she looked. Also, the ending is not what I was expecting.

Overall is a great read.

Thanks for reading.

CB.

[Denise Gilliam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this book was so good. It definitely tugged at my heart strings. Misty was a sweet girl until she started listening to her cousin Jillian. She always had a quick get rich scam going on. Misty got caught up in some bs getting those pills for her cousin. Now the Feds want her to help them she got her ex boyfriend all on her back this dude Ahmad trying to date her. Then the robbery and the list of her cousin and grandmother just broke my heart. Now Misty is going to do something she’s going to regret but it’s going to be too late. Great read Kiki you really be writing you butt of 5 star banger for real 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡

[K Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book that I've read by KiKi Swinson and must say that I will continue to read works by here. Swinson is in her league of her own and can't be touched. This was a non-stop read. The plot had me on my toes since the first page. A cautionary tale that we have to be careful what we do and do it for, otherwise we will pay the ultimate price, or those closet to us. The main character jeopardized her job to help someone else (and herself), and ending up suffering serious consequences. To a sense, I felt as the story was a cliff hanger as well (did they every find the ex-bf's body and his car?).

[Michael Bell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Misty was just dumb. First of all, she's stealing pills for a lazy cousin with no ambition. Then she steals a bottle of Percocet that is flipped for major $. Unbeknownst to her, she was recorded on camera by Amir and by the FBI. In spite of this, she still plans to rob the pharmacy which is under surveillance. There is an unrelated murder that I think was justified. There is also some family drama affecting relationships between Mom. Grandmom and Cousin. It probably is a common occurrence due to the opioid crisis affecting our country. The plot for this novel was nonsensical.

[Aysha Bisimwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started out not liking this book. I found the writing simple and a bit redundant, odd use of words, the characters a bit one sided.. But now that I have had some time to digest it, I actually think this book is a brilliant piece of writing. Kiki Swinson masters the voice of Misty Heiress to a T. She describes people as SHE sees them only. Her reasoning is irrational and her committment to seeing herself as the victim of circumstance, fits with how the story would be told by Misty herself.

[Monique Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too slow to keep going

I literally scrolled through the end to leave this feedback. So much jargon on unnecessary scenes. “She turn on the water, then tested the water, then she got in, to shower. Then she got out the shower.” I like other projects from the author but this was a snooze feast.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting storyline and character development. I would be interested in reading more about Misty. Like many young women, she made a lot of poor decisions. I enjoyed and recommend this five star read. Look forward to reading more from this author.

[Cherise Fisher]

This book felt like it dragged on more than it needed too. I am a huge fan of Kiki Swinson however, the book didn't really seem to pick up until the end. I felt like the plot was forced and didn't have a smooth Kiki flow like in her other books.

[Kadedra Wooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Kiki Swinson book and I loved every bit of it. Except the ending (that is why I only gave it 4 stars) but that is okay. The book kept me on my toes and I found myself saying "what, no way!" most the the book. I would read it again..

[Suprina Bracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this book was pretty good. But Misty sure didn't have common sense. Lord somebody help her. She messed her life up and others just because they knew her. I sure hope she might get it together in Book # 2......Let's see!!!!

[Kandise Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than I expected.. I just really hope it is a part 2 because it’s some loose ends I need tied!!

[Tip Mack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not one of her best. I read it hoping it would get better but no it didn't. It had its twist and turns but so much was missing.

[Michelle Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This story took a bunch of twists and turns and drama. It was well written and you never knew what would happen next.

[C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book until I reached the end. Fell a little short for me

[Latoshia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not bad.

Pretty good book. Not bad. I love Kiki swinson. Great author. Can't wait to read 2nd book. I would recommend to anyone.

[Kimberly Pulley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Completely rushed with a questionable ending.

[Sheryl Boyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was something else! I definitely didn't expect the ending. The main character got on my nerves with how stupid she was pertaining to her ex-boyfriend, but it still held my interest.

[Risha1983 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Depressing and little stupid

[Unique811 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the concept of the story but I wish there was more.

[Ebony Hayes · Rating 2 out of 5]

This storyline was marvelous but the ending was terrible. I didn't like how abruptly it ended

[HoneyButterfly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a Kiki Swinson fan but this book left a lot to be desired. Its was rushed and the end... Smh

[Letesa Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book trying to see if they have a part 2.

[Brittany Kelly]

This book was a page Turner I could not put the book down

[Rochell White]

It was ok