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Mike Black #1
Is IT A Crime
Mike Black's violent rise to power earned him the nickname 'Vicious Black'. He becomes enchanted with drug dealer Cassandra Sims, and when an attempt is made on her life, Mike has to rescue her and soon becomes her protector.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published March 1, 2006
37 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
About the author
Roy Glenn
115 books98 followersKnown as the master of urban suspense, Roy Glenn began writing his first novel Is It a Crime, what he then called a different type of love story in 1995. Unable to find a publisher he decided to start his own publishing company Brittney Press Publishing and released Is It a Crime, which became a best seller and gave birth to the popular character, Mike Black.
The novels that followed which include, MOB, Drug Related, Payback, Outlaw and In A Cold Sweat, as well as the recently released No More Tears in the End the seventh installment in The Mike Saga. Roy is also a contributing author of Girls From da Hood and Around the Way Girls 4 and Gigolos Get Lonely Too. His other novels include Crime of Passion, Body of Evidence and Ulterior Motive feature the character, attorney Marcus Douglas.
Roy was born and raised in The Bronx and currently lives in Jacksonville, Florida where he is working on several projects including Bury Me Deep and Commit To Violence, the next two books in the Mike Black Saga. And Killing Them Softly, an erotic tale of murder.
Please visit Roy's web site; www.royglenn.net"
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 8, 2018
This was a awesome series... very well written!!!
January 17, 2016
By: Roy Glenn
Published By: Urban Books
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Series Mike Black #1
Review:
"Is It A Crime" by Roy Glenn was a well written urban read. Once I started it, I was not able to put down down this fast paced read. This author really knows how to get you interested in the read by giving you so many twist and turns into a 'blend of romance, mystery and danger.' We find 'Vicious Black' has feelings for Cassandra Sims who just happened to run a drug business. After a attempt is made on her life and Mike Black saves her, not once but several times. Is Mike Black falling in love with this beautiful woman? Well, this is where I say you must pick up this excellent read to find out what all this author will have for the reader as you journey from 'Washington DC, Miami Beach and the Bahamas.' As you take a ride all of this will come together giving you a real captivating read. The characters are simply off the chart...well developed. real, colorful and well portrayed.
If you are looking for a novel that will give you a truly 'compelling story that is told with a insight and perspective of someone close to the characters and events' you have come to the right place and I would recommend this read to you.
Published By: Urban Books
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Series Mike Black #1
Review:
"Is It A Crime" by Roy Glenn was a well written urban read. Once I started it, I was not able to put down down this fast paced read. This author really knows how to get you interested in the read by giving you so many twist and turns into a 'blend of romance, mystery and danger.' We find 'Vicious Black' has feelings for Cassandra Sims who just happened to run a drug business. After a attempt is made on her life and Mike Black saves her, not once but several times. Is Mike Black falling in love with this beautiful woman? Well, this is where I say you must pick up this excellent read to find out what all this author will have for the reader as you journey from 'Washington DC, Miami Beach and the Bahamas.' As you take a ride all of this will come together giving you a real captivating read. The characters are simply off the chart...well developed. real, colorful and well portrayed.
If you are looking for a novel that will give you a truly 'compelling story that is told with a insight and perspective of someone close to the characters and events' you have come to the right place and I would recommend this read to you.
March 28, 2019
It was a good book. I got a little over half way through it but got busy with life and had to return it to the library. Will eventually take it out again and finish it.
July 14, 2018
Love, Vicious Black!
From the beginning of the book, I was captivated by Mike Black. From the the way he looked to his gangster ways. I couldn't get enough of him. I imagined myself being Shy and getting close to him. The storyline was believable to me and so we're all of the characters. I could picture each of them in my mind. I couldn't put this book down and had to keep reading until I finished it. Loved the strong friends and how they looked out for each other. Loved the ending! Mr. Glenn, kudos to you for writing a good book! I intend to read other books by you!
From the beginning of the book, I was captivated by Mike Black. From the the way he looked to his gangster ways. I couldn't get enough of him. I imagined myself being Shy and getting close to him. The storyline was believable to me and so we're all of the characters. I could picture each of them in my mind. I couldn't put this book down and had to keep reading until I finished it. Loved the strong friends and how they looked out for each other. Loved the ending! Mr. Glenn, kudos to you for writing a good book! I intend to read other books by you!
March 2, 2017
This was the book that started it all for author Roy Glenn's Mike Black series, and was my introduction to this author. Though late to the series, this won't be my last read, since I intend to catch up by reading them all. Outstanding plot and character development, non-stop action, vivid setting descriptions, and a beautiful romance that kept me riveted and cheering. And although not classified in the romance genre, there is also a beautiful romance which Roy Glenn masterfully incorporates into the storyline for Mike Black and Cassandra Sims. Kudos to Roy Glenn for a great book, and introduction to the promise of an amazing series.
January 8, 2009
A tale to tell that's told
I had to ask when this was taking place. 1996. So I'm like 8 years late reading this. So maybe times have changed.
FINALLY someone would capture the reality of a WOMAN in this doggie dog world. One that didn't rely on her womanly ways to bait a man, and DAMN sho' didn't need a man to bail her out. If its bodies to bag, then get it done! Don't cry about it be about it! I mean Cassandra Sims aka Shy, a descendant of Chi-town she'd put the game on the map and let them know. Check my stats, I'm all balls! NO! Not this book and NOT this girl. Shy with her dual degrees in management and marketing should have stuck to the books or waiting tables. This fake drug dealer who came across more as a stranded damsel couldn't sense the deception from her own crew, so how would she be able to keep her game going?
ENTER VICIOUS BLACK! World-renowned killer I mean every SHE-Hustla needs a gallant killer to step in and clean up what she messed up doesn't she?
Can you explain to me how a man can earn the tag as VICIOUS... yet he lets the entire world know where he is? Who he's with? And where he rests his head? "Real bad boys move in silence......"
I mean I'm reading this and I'm like come on in the streets this man is VICIOUS! The mere mention of him and his associates is suppose to strike fear in your heart....PLEASE!
GET OUTTA HERE!
At best this is a clumsy boy meets girl book that has too many clichés.
'The club is dark, filled with smoke, and crowded. They spot one another from across the room; her guys notice his guys and step to them. Instead she dismisses the boiling drama only to go back the next day where they are formally introduced. Shy meets Mr. Black; that's Mike Black. He saves her life, and...and..."I loved you from the very first moment I saw those eyes." Our Vicious hero says to Cassandra, our damsel in distress. "So do I!" The mere weakling says as she tries to express herself. "Baby, it's not because you've saved me so many times, and I'm just a defenseless fake hustler who loves to eat it's just because!" They kiss hard on the mouth and make meaningless love over and over again as the bad guys are killed and they along with their friends and families live happily ever after.' After all they're billionaires. Do you hear PRINCE as the scene fades.....I WOULD DIE 4 U.....
Even with that said...I really like Roy Glenn. He seems to be an impeccable person that uses very interesting words in this street saga, and for those reasons I'd read other titles.
I had to ask when this was taking place. 1996. So I'm like 8 years late reading this. So maybe times have changed.
FINALLY someone would capture the reality of a WOMAN in this doggie dog world. One that didn't rely on her womanly ways to bait a man, and DAMN sho' didn't need a man to bail her out. If its bodies to bag, then get it done! Don't cry about it be about it! I mean Cassandra Sims aka Shy, a descendant of Chi-town she'd put the game on the map and let them know. Check my stats, I'm all balls! NO! Not this book and NOT this girl. Shy with her dual degrees in management and marketing should have stuck to the books or waiting tables. This fake drug dealer who came across more as a stranded damsel couldn't sense the deception from her own crew, so how would she be able to keep her game going?
ENTER VICIOUS BLACK! World-renowned killer I mean every SHE-Hustla needs a gallant killer to step in and clean up what she messed up doesn't she?
Can you explain to me how a man can earn the tag as VICIOUS... yet he lets the entire world know where he is? Who he's with? And where he rests his head? "Real bad boys move in silence......"
I mean I'm reading this and I'm like come on in the streets this man is VICIOUS! The mere mention of him and his associates is suppose to strike fear in your heart....PLEASE!
GET OUTTA HERE!
At best this is a clumsy boy meets girl book that has too many clichés.
'The club is dark, filled with smoke, and crowded. They spot one another from across the room; her guys notice his guys and step to them. Instead she dismisses the boiling drama only to go back the next day where they are formally introduced. Shy meets Mr. Black; that's Mike Black. He saves her life, and...and..."I loved you from the very first moment I saw those eyes." Our Vicious hero says to Cassandra, our damsel in distress. "So do I!" The mere weakling says as she tries to express herself. "Baby, it's not because you've saved me so many times, and I'm just a defenseless fake hustler who loves to eat it's just because!" They kiss hard on the mouth and make meaningless love over and over again as the bad guys are killed and they along with their friends and families live happily ever after.' After all they're billionaires. Do you hear PRINCE as the scene fades.....I WOULD DIE 4 U.....
Even with that said...I really like Roy Glenn. He seems to be an impeccable person that uses very interesting words in this street saga, and for those reasons I'd read other titles.
December 18, 2008
I liked Is It A Crime, my first by Roy Glenn. I own some others by Glenn that I'm looking forward to reading now also. This wasn't anything near the best book I've ever read but worth the time in my opinion. I had a few small problems with the book, nothing that took too much away from it, but problems just the same. I didn't like how it went from being 100% realistic to way our there and there were definitely a few situations that weren't researched very well at all. There is a character that has a drug problem, heroin to be exact, and when the main character, Mike, finds him and tells him to get clean.....he does. That's it. That's not realistic in any way from where I stand. LOL Most books don't go back and forth like that in my opinion and I would have liked it better had it stuck with one route. Either go all out or stay in the lines. LOL
The main character, Mike Black aka Viscious Black is a great one, as is his love, Cassandra aka Shy Sims. The story follows these two as they meet and build a life together and this involves all the pitfalls they both go through also. Shy is a cocaine distributer with her own small empire while Black, is a criminal in his own right although he doesn't deal with drugs at all. The plot is fairly simple, someone is after Shy and no one knows who so Black takes it upon himself to become her "protector" against her wishes in the beginning.
It's not a "must read" and it's not something that will leave you sitting there mind boggled but it's still a decent read.
The main character, Mike Black aka Viscious Black is a great one, as is his love, Cassandra aka Shy Sims. The story follows these two as they meet and build a life together and this involves all the pitfalls they both go through also. Shy is a cocaine distributer with her own small empire while Black, is a criminal in his own right although he doesn't deal with drugs at all. The plot is fairly simple, someone is after Shy and no one knows who so Black takes it upon himself to become her "protector" against her wishes in the beginning.
It's not a "must read" and it's not something that will leave you sitting there mind boggled but it's still a decent read.
August 1, 2020
Mike is The Man
I read the book a few years ago and was compelled to read the entire series. So, naturally I needed to start with the first book and move forward. First and foremost, I like Roy Glenn's voice. The characters are drenched in realness. Even though Mike exclaimed on too many occasions that he was out of the game, his actions did not match his words, according to his crew. And once he met Cassandra 'Shy' Sims-wow! oh how he was taken aback by her beauty and charm, it was on. The Black doth protest to much.. And yes, that was my feeling about all his clamoring. And another thing, for Shy to be so intellectually advanced, I had problems with the right in front of her things she missed. I applauded her heart and love for her family, but she showed a great deal of naïveté for her position in the game. I am sure with Black's tutelage, she will live long and prosper, as Mr.Spock would say... This will shape up to be the start of a nice series. Moreover, Shy and Black will make an excellent team. Loved this story for the second time around. A must read!
I read the book a few years ago and was compelled to read the entire series. So, naturally I needed to start with the first book and move forward. First and foremost, I like Roy Glenn's voice. The characters are drenched in realness. Even though Mike exclaimed on too many occasions that he was out of the game, his actions did not match his words, according to his crew. And once he met Cassandra 'Shy' Sims-wow! oh how he was taken aback by her beauty and charm, it was on. The Black doth protest to much.. And yes, that was my feeling about all his clamoring. And another thing, for Shy to be so intellectually advanced, I had problems with the right in front of her things she missed. I applauded her heart and love for her family, but she showed a great deal of naïveté for her position in the game. I am sure with Black's tutelage, she will live long and prosper, as Mr.Spock would say... This will shape up to be the start of a nice series. Moreover, Shy and Black will make an excellent team. Loved this story for the second time around. A must read!
Read
April 7, 2015It moved kind of slow in the beginning. However, if you keep reading I promise you won't be disappointed. I found that Mike Black was a character that you could definitely admire. I really loved his style. I also loved the "la famiglia" style that he and his friends had. Cassandra also felt that and was in awe of it. At any rate, it is a good read and I would definitely recommend it.
December 22, 2008
shy and black are just so perfect for each other and the way Roy Glenn has kept them in his books is so exciting
January 29, 2011
i loved it
November 2, 2011
i really feel in luv with the mike black character and this is a great series
August 27, 2012
THIS WAS A GOOD BOOK TO READ
December 26, 2012
Cassandra and Black a must read
November 1, 2012
Is it a Crime by Roy Glenn was a good book. I love all of Roy Glenn's books, but there's something about this one that made me want to read it more than once.
February 24, 2013
Loved it
March 27, 2016
Really surprising end
This was a great read. I thought someone was going to be guilty of trying to frame the other. Awesome concept.
This was a great read. I thought someone was going to be guilty of trying to frame the other. Awesome concept.
December 22, 2016
Enjoyed this book, definitely read this one you won't be disappointed!!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews