The 7 Deadly Sins series that inspired four Lifetime original movies continues as a woman faces a difficult and life-changing choice—from the award-winning author of The Personal Librarian.You can’t put a price on love… Zuri Maxwell isn’t happy. Her job is a grind, and money is always tight. Her boyfriend Stephon is the best part of life, but between his income as an artist and her commission-based paycheck, they are barely scraping by. When Zuri meets a sleek entrepreneur eager to pick her brain, she jumps at the chance to talk business with someone who has everything she wants. As he wines and dines her, Zuri starts moving in elite circles, and she faces a Will she give up the stable, loving life she knows for one that glitters, but may not be gold?
Victoria Christopher Murray is the author of nine Essence bestselling novels, including The Ex Files; Too Little, Too Late; and Lady Jasmine. Winner of the African American Literary Award for Fiction and Author of the Year (Female).
She has received numerous awards including the Golden Pen Award for Best Inspirational Fiction and the Phyllis Wheatley Trailblazer Award for being a pioneer in African American Fiction. Since 2007, Victoria has won nine African American Literary Awards for best novel, best Christian fiction and Author of the Year — Female. After four nominations, Victoria finally won an NAACP Image Award in Outstanding Literary Work for her social commentary novel, Stand Your Ground.
Victoria splits her time between Los Angeles and Washington DC.
Y’all, I have not disliked a character while reading a book as much as Zuri in a long time. She straight up got on my last nerve. I don’t want to say too much because I think everyone should experience her foolishness for themselves.
This book was a great reminder not only of the saying, "All skin-folk ain't kinfolk,” but also that the devil knows the Scriptures just as much if not better than everyone else. In true VCM fashion, Greed was entertaining and it definitely had one heck of a message to it. And, I can’t wait to see how this will be portrayed in the Lifetime movie adaptation!!!
Greed by Victoria Christopher Murray is book three in her Seven Deadly Sins series. Though part of a series, this novel is a standalone. Victoria Christopher Murray is a very successful author of urban fiction, and once again she delivers a true gem.
Zuri Maxwell is a proud Spelman graduate, now working a commission-based job in sales at an ad agency. Her live-in boyfriend, Stephon Smith, is an artist who only obtained a GED. Zuri meets a man who seemingly has it all. She knows that she has a good thing going with her super sexy boyfriend but longs for material possessions that they can’t afford on their meager salaries. Zuri lets greed take her to places she never should have gone.
Victoria Christopher Murray has penned a beautifully descriptive novel. Greed kept me anticipating the next twist from start to finish. This is a great read and I give it 5 out of 5 stars. I’ll definitely be reading the rest of this series. I recommend Greed to anyone who enjoys urban fiction.
My thanks to Gallery, Pocket 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.
Greed is the third installment of the Seven Deadly SIns series and it does not disappoint. Victoria Christopher Murray introduces us to Zuri Maxwell who has a good man and a good job but she is not satisfied. Zuri wants more and more and more. She allows her wants to override her needs and refuses to listen to her conscience, her loved ones or her heart. VCM took me on a journey where I saw greed grow firm roots, adding friends like lust and envy to become a stronghold. I kept wondering if Zuri would ever find deliverance? What a character! Looking forward to the next book in the series.
When I picked up this book I already knew it would be excellent. VCM’s writing is exceptional. As usual I fell into her book. Found myself really pissed at the main character Zuri and all her unnecessary actions. The deeper she got the more I wanted to go into the book and slap some sense into her. My heart began to race as I lead up to the ending wanting to know how it would turn out for her and as usual the end did not disappoint.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I wanted to shake the ish out of Zuri lol. Instead of yelling at the TV at characters, it was me shaking my head in frustration. I hadn't completely figured it out but I knew something had to come out about one person before the book concluded. The last 15% of the book was juicy and wrapped up nicely. I have avoided watching the movie until I read the book, now I can see how it compares to the book. I will definitely be continuing on in the Seven Deadly Sins series.
Greed is the third book in The Seven Deadly Sins Series. Zuri wants her cake and eat too, not sure who came up with that because I think we all want our cake and eat it. Greed is a powerful thing and in the end it will hurt a lot of people. Zuri is not happy with her meager life and yearns for the high life which includes designer clothes and fancy dinners.
This book is really three and a half stars but I am unable to give it a half star. I was really looking forward to reading this book because I totally loved the first two and how the author bought out each sin and showed how it effects people lives. I was not drawn to this one like the other ones, it was boring to me and I literally could not wait to the end, I figured out the plot twist early on. The epilogue did touch me and me sad for Zuri and gave me a little hope for a different ending. I will be reading the next in the series.
This third book in Victoria Christopher Murray’s Seven Deadly Sins series, literally took all my emotions. Greed - “for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world” (I John 2:16)..... I do not like Zuri Maxwell, I really tried, but I didn’t. I kept hoping she would open her eyes but she wouldn’t. So, I just don’t like her. I really want to smack her! This story is a perfect lesson on selfishness, lust and envy.....a tough lesson when you don’t learn it early.
Victoria Christopher Murray has done an amazing job with this book, and I am so looking forward to seeing it brought to life in the screen.
Firstly, you don't need to read this series in order, but you do need to read this series - Lust and Envy are the previous books. In Greed, Zuri is obsessed with living a luxurious life. She window shops in Lennox Square once a week to remind her of what she doesn't have. Her job in advertising sales is not helping her reach her goals. Her artist boyfriend, Stephon, has not made it big yet. Along come men who give her a taste of the luxury life she longs for, and Zuri is faced with questioning if the lie she knows now is worth the risk. Greed has twists that I wasn't prepared for. It took a few chapters to get involved in it, but once I did, I could not put the book down.
I have enjoyed every book in this series. VCM acquaints the reader with Zuri and her circle: her boyfriend, Stephon, her friend from college and her family as well as her loving father. The author also introduces the reader to other players that can enter our lives….and not mean us any good. A good suit and a scripture quoter doesn’t dress up evil or the devil. Changes, challenges and her desire to get ahead has Zuri being put in compromising situations and making poor choices.
As with poor decision making comes bad outcomes. Zuri’s desire to have more at any expense illustrated the fact that greed carries an astronomical cost. The damage that comes with it can alienate and destroy the individual as well as significant relationships along with one’s moral center.
The reading had me questioning myself and various antics I’ve employed in my life. Yes, I have wanted more at various times. Yes, sometimes the actions taken have caused setbacks. And, yes, there were times when I have slept well and times where I haven’t because of various decisions.
Overcoming greed requires a lot of effort and discipline. It isn't easy, but it can be done. It's all a matter of taming your ego (a lesson I wish Zuri had learned earlier). Thank you VCM for the reminder: where there’s greed, there’s danger. And, as penned in Zuri’s words, “the cost of her greed was a high price to pay!” Your works always leave me turning the search light inward. I thank you for that….
OAN: Ms. Vi was ruthless. Damn. I still can’t believe what I read. However, sometimes we knowingly as well as unknowingly give permission to others to play us like a fiddle.
Ahead of the Lifetime movies I decided to finish this series. She far it’s my least favorite. The best thing about this book was the ending - truly. I’m not being facetious. There was a slight twist that I wasn’t suspecting. I expected something but not that. My ending might have been a bit more interesting but 🤷🏾♀️,
The main character was either a ditz or the author got some factual things wrong which is a HUGE con for me. Anyone who knows me that accuracy is important to me so when an author mentions something, even casually, that I know to be inaccurate it detracts from the whole book for me.
Despite this I am still going to give the final book a try.
This 3rd book of the series introduced Zuri Maxwell who wanted more that her current financial status could handle. Her live-in boyfriend Stephon was an upcoming artist and lived frugally. The storyline kept me reading as Zuri made decisions that were not the best, as she allowed her greed to take over. Good cast of characters and content. While I was somewhat surprised at the end, it all made sense. Great read
Not my favorite read within Victoria Christopher Murray’s Seven Deadly Sins series. I could relate to Zuri in the beginning of the book, but towards the end, she annoyed my soul. Solid read; however, she was extremely naive in her decision making. An entertaining, quick read.
💰 You can’t put a price on love—but what if someone tries?
In Greed, Victoria Christopher Murray explores the seductive pull of ambition and the cost of chasing a life that glitters but may not be gold. Zuri Maxwell is stuck in a grind—her job is draining, money is tight, and her relationship with her artist boyfriend Stephon is the only bright spot. But when a wealthy entrepreneur offers her a glimpse into elite circles, Zuri finds herself tempted by luxury, status, and the illusion of control.
As Zuri climbs higher, the choices she makes begin to unravel everything she thought she valued. Murray masterfully shows how greed isn’t just about money—it’s about the hunger for more, even when it comes at the expense of love, loyalty, and self-worth.
🔥 Why this book hits hard:
A relatable heroine caught between comfort and ambition
Sharp commentary on class, temptation, and moral compromise
A twisty, emotional journey with a powerful message
Part of a series that inspired Lifetime movie adaptations
Murray’s storytelling is bold and unflinching, reminding us that the most dangerous desires are often the ones we justify. Greed is a cautionary tale wrapped in drama, heartache, and hard-earned wisdom.
When her life is unfulfilling, what's a woman to do? That is the question facing Zuri as she grapples with living the affordable life she has versus grabbing the high roller life dangled before her. What's so wrong with wanting and experiencing the finer things in life?
Murray does it again with this third book in her Seven Deadly Sins series, this installment the strongest, most intriguing of the series so far, at least for this reader. That's the beauty of this series. As each storyline wrestles with one of the deadly sins, readers are forced to do the same. I would never go down the path that Zuri takes in Greed, but I understand wanting more out of life than one's current position and I'm sure many of Murray's readers will too. As I read this book, I was reminded that we are to be content with where we find ourselves (Phil 4:11-13), a lesson Zuri certainly could have benefitted from.
I can only imagine what Murray has in store for her fans with the remainder of the series, but if Greed is any indicator, each book will provide great entertainment mixed with a bit of soul-searching. Can't wait for book 4!
Not nearly as good as "Lust". Zuri is blinded by a lifestyle and risks her relationship to experience it. Stephon may not be rich but he loves and respects her. He holds her financially accountable. He is logical and reasonable with their expenses and too hopes to achieve financial freedom.
Zuri takes chances by experiencing the lifestyle with various men who suddenly show up in her life and becomes a liar in the process. Her dad sees right through her lies and Stephon continues to give her the benefit of the doubt.
I'm not gonna lie, I wasn't rooting for her to come to her senses. I was waiting for her to get caught because these situations never had her asking herself how she could be so "lucky". Repeatedly.
Don't go chasing someone else's lifestyle. Put in the work to achieve it for yourself. She had a college degree, a job where she could earn bonuses, and a gift of design. No sympathy for greedy people who are willing to risk what's right before them for material things.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
If anyone ever needed a lesson on why the grass may not be greener on the other side, this is the book they need to read. Zurinhad a loving man that adored her. Maybe he was still finding his way as an artist, but he adored and loved her. For awhile, that was enough. But then in comes someone who had the things she may not have had in abundance and it did not take long for her to change her ways and thought patterns. It is funny how quickly we can forget the important things to us when presented with what we think is everything. Will Zuri realize before it is possibly too late to count her blessings? Or, will she learn that valuable lesson of be careful what you wish for? You have to read the book and find out. Well written and the characters are very well developed. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on this review.
Zuri was way beyond greedy; she was a liar, a manipulator and a fool. Did she really believe that those things would just fall into her lap like that? And even if so, was it worth all the manipulation and stress? I believe she loved Stephon, but her actions stated he wasn't good enough. If she really wanted the lifestyle of the rich and famous, she should have put her skills to work in the industry she loved. I hated the things she did and had no sympathy for her. Zuri was so blinded by greed, she used her friend and her dad; I was glad they both checked her. It did no good, though. Ms Viv - I wondered what her role was, but everybody warned that she was shady and Zuri didn't heed the warning. I mean where was that mentee? I was too tickled though, about the home aide payments! What an excellent portrayal of greed (combined with enough bad choices to last a lifetime).
This was a great storyline on Greed looking over the fence thinking the grass is greener than yours. Sometimes it just best to wait for the things in life that you want than rushing and trying to get those things before you are ready. A good man is hard to find and when you have one you decide to play on his intelligence like how Zuri did her boyfriend Stephon. I wanted to choke her for allowing these other men who had money and Zuri accepted expensive dinners, places, and trips from them. All because Stephon was a struggling artist. Another character Ms. Viv she reminds me of another character Mae Drances who is in the Jazmine Cox Larsen series that is by this Uthor. I highly recommend this book to read. It was a real page turner. Cassandra H.
This book was so good. It's amazing how the lust of things can make you lose sight of what really matters in this life. Here Zuri was with a man who loved her from high school, stood by her always, had potential and was working towards a goal but yet she couldn't ride with him until his dream fully came to fruition! He was trying to make enough money for them to be happy and set but all she could see was what she thought, things that would only bring temporary happiness. Out here running around receiving expensive gifts from strangers, didn't she realize nothing in life is free! I knew Ms. Viv was fake, and her dad warned her along with Audra! What a hard lesson to learn! Excellent read!
By chapter 29, after Zuri met Harrison, I was getting really bored. No one, not even a fictional character could be as dense as Zuri. Within a few months, she meets three rich guys that offer her something she has always wanted and she isn’t suspicious? She should have been suspicious of Miss Viv spouting scripture in every conversation. Who does that? However, I kept reading and was not surprised by the endings. Although, I really felt sorry for Zuri losing Stephon. I was hoping that relationship would survive. Alas, I was disappointed with the ending which occurs with a lot of VCM's books.
Oh my goodness! I had so many emotions while reading this book. At one point I had to put it down for a couple of days because I was so angry with the main character that I wanted to scream. This is a testament to just how good this book is. I could totally see connect with this story and the fact that is was so realistic. I spent so much time trying to figure out how one particular character connected to the main character and I was in for such a surprise at the end. I was not expecting that twist! I would highly recommend this book but be ready for a true emotional ride.
Just finished reading this last night. I love Victoria Christopher Murray! She always delivers. This one had me talking out loud to myself, saying, "Girl! What are you doing?!" Zuri had a wonderful man but like all of us wondered if the finances in the relationship were enough. Money (or lack there of) is the cause of a lot of divorces so I know her struggle was real. She wanted more...she wanted it all. But of course that comes with a high price! I recommend this book, especially to young women starting out in life.
This is my favorite book in the series so far. It gave a different point of view on the concept of Greed. The ending was a little more believable than the first two books. The twist at the end was good, but having read The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil I kind of saw it coming. I plan to finish the series. Excited for the next 4 books!
When is it safe to say you have ENOUGH? Zuri Maxwell has a good job but is not satisfied and a good man that she loves “beyond infinity,” but she is not satisfied with her life. Obsessed with the lifestyle of the rich and famous Zuri makes some crazy decisions that could lead to joy or pain. Find out which one as you read Greed! VCM truly does not disappoint in this novel and she even threw in a twist that you will not see coming.
Greed another Seven Deadly Sins novel that did not disappoint. The only problem I had with the book is that I had to keep flipping back to remind myself how old Zuri was. Many of her actions seemed young and immature, but then I'd remind d myself that the enemy's greatest trick is deception. I enjoyed the ending, but thought something was missing that should have been told during the 6 months later. Overall another great read by an awesome storyteller.
Everything that glitters is not gold! In this 3rd installment of Ms. Murray’s Seven Deadly Sins series, she tackles the things that people tend to do because of their greed. Zuri put her loving relationship on the line because she wanted to live the fantasy of being rich and socializing with celebrities. She got what she wanted, but realized that it really wasn’t worth it in the end. Can’t wait for book four of this series!