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Clean Sweep: A Novel

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Retirement was supposed to bring her time to relax. Instead, she would find a purpose.Selling her Madison Avenue ad agency for billions, Carli Morris, the self-assured career woman, pursues her love of art and spends her spare hours volunteering. But her comfortable confidence turns to horror when a routine food delivery to a homeless encampment leads her to discover one of its residents dead and her two dogs orphaned.

With the heartbreaking incident reopening the wounds of Carli’s tragic past, she makes it her mission to find the unfortunate soul’s family and re-home her canine companions. And the deeper the former marketing genius gets involved as an outreach worker, the more she is convinced that the answer to her personal sorrow lies on these very streets.

As she uncovers the connection between her long-lost brother and the people she meets on the street, will Carli at last find her own peace?

With beautiful prose and an unflinching eye, E.B. Lee delivers a powerful and uplifting tale of unexpected service and unforeseen redemption. Peeling back the grimy curtain concealing our own ghosts, she reveals the deep human need for connection and love.

Clean Sweep is a moving work of literary fiction. If you like strong women, elegant writing, and journeys of self-discovery, you’ll adore E.B. Lee’s unforgettable story.

Buy Clean Sweep to see with new eyes today!

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 20, 2021

585 people are currently reading
257 people want to read

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E.B. Lee

2 books10 followers

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5 stars
344 (52%)
4 stars
186 (28%)
3 stars
97 (14%)
2 stars
25 (3%)
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6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Sofia Silverchild.
321 reviews30 followers
September 25, 2022
Carli Morris had a big successful advertising company, which she sold and doesn't have to worry about making a living anymore. She doesn't know what to do with her time, besides drawing, so she volunteers for the church run, to reach homeless people in cold nights and provide them with food and warm clothes. On her first night with them, a dead homeless woman is discovered and Carli is at shock. Since police and state don't take it seriously, she decides to make her own investigation intrigued by someone talking about poisoning. This person is Grant, a guy she meets often when she volunteers at soup kitchens etc., who sees something in her and suggests another way of helping the homeless. He also vaguely reminds her of a brother she lost years ago.
I don't believe in God, as Carli strongly does or did, but I have volunteered myself and admire the art of giving, which she is particularly good at. And it's a very special, difficult kind of giving Carli does. It's not just handing over soups and clothes. Homeless people often get the institution syndrome, even if they don't live in a building. The street is an institution of its own, I suppose. Those people end up living in the streets for various unhappy reasons, and if they get used to it, it's hard to come back in. Someone has to reach out to them, gain their trust and, if he/she/they can, help them go inside and pick up their lives from any point possible.
Its not a fast-paced book, but I suppose that's how life in the street moves, when you live there. That's how life everywhere often moves and helps us overcome obstacles and... find new ones!
It's also a book about mental health and pictures it in a very sensitive way.
I loved it.
Profile Image for Bonnye Reed.
4,705 reviews109 followers
July 26, 2021
I received a free electronic ARC of this mystery novel on June 28th from Netgalley, E. B. Lee, and Little Brown Dog Press. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read Clean Sweep of my own volition,and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend Clean Sweep to friends and family.

Carli and Grant are both functioning anonymously working to assist the homeless in New York City.
Carli is a newly retired public relations director, a resident of NYC, who sold her company for a mint and is now looking for something to do with her time. She assumes an alias before approaching the idea of assisting with the homeless situation in Manhattan, fearing that her recent newspaper coverage of the sale of her advertising agency might make her vulnerable under her real name. After volunteering at a downtown soup kitchen for a month or so, she encounters not only a passel of homeless folks but also Grant, who is rather mysterious and vaguely familiar and works himself for a community assistance firm helping the homeless and working to get them into some sort of assisted living space and off of the streets. Grant recruits Carli to work with the women among the homeless as he is great with the guys but can't get through the protective shield of the women. He has a couple he really wants Reni to work with.

This novel really touches the heart of the homeless situation in any large city, but especially NYC. Carli is well-intended and sympathetic, but those homeless who are long-term city street and park dwellers, especially the women, are trapped into a pattern of self-protection that eliminates any chance of accepting assistance. I found this work eye-opening, seeing a side to poverty that I had not even considered important. E. B. Lee is an author I will follow. Clean Sweep is her debut novel, and I hope there are many to follow.
pub date July 20, 2021
Little Brown Dog Press
Reviewed at Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and Kobo on July 21. Not available for review on BookBub or GooglePlay.
Profile Image for Jane.
1,106 reviews62 followers
February 19, 2023
Thank you to Kirkus Reviews and the author for this book.

I knew this was going to be a heavy read because of the subject matter -- homeless people. I got to page 80 and felt sad that I knew it was going to be the same throughout the whole book and it was. I commend Carli and Grant, the churches, the soup kitchens, who do this in this book and in real life. They should be commended.

Carli was a successful advertising executive who sold her company and she started volunteering for a soup kitchen. Then she met Grant and started walking the streets with him and started meeting these people to try to get them into shelters, rehab, etc. She was using another name since she was "famous" for being in advertising and be a donor to many charities

Her brother disappeared years ago. This has meaning to this book as I come to find out since I read through it before giving it up. It surprised me but yet it shouldn't because it can happen but yet to me it was a little farfetched.
695 reviews14 followers
July 11, 2021
Clean Sweep, by E. B. Lee, could be described as Christian fiction if not for a few strategically, situationally placed "F" bombs. The premise is a affluent, retired female entrepreneur volunteering at a Catholic homeless outreach program. Characters include a Pastor & Sisters throughout. The story's in no way preachy. However: some readers may be adverse to such specific church affiliation. I personally would've preferred nondenominational.
Carli has run a highly successful company & is recently retired and pursuing her lifelong artistic painting passion. The setting is NYC, frigidly cold, snowy, rainy and overcrowded. The vivid descriptions of Carli painting made me feel and see the ocean waves.
A chance encounter with a dying homeless woman alters Carli's retirement path. Having lost her own brother at an early age, she is motivated to help other lost souls.
There is mystery woven throughout the unfolding story. There are some twists, plenty of secrets, and  suspense. Carli begins volunteering in a soup kitchen. Then she progresses to supervised contact with specific homeless people attempting to slowly coax them off the street into shelters.
Their story is a realistic portrayal of homelessness. It seemed believable and while heart wrenching, it did not feel hopeless. A very touching, heartwarming story addressing the social issue of the homeless.
While I guessed at some of the outcomes, I was none the less inspired to continue reading.
There is also an entire section of book club questions & discussions. These seemed useful and detailed.
I had not read this author before so thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Dog Press for the advance digital copy. My review is voluntary.
Profile Image for Mandy.
3,626 reviews334 followers
November 29, 2021
Wealthy retired entrepreneur Carli takes to the streets to help those who live on them. With her mentor Grant she sets out to offer food, clothes and aid to those who have fallen out of regular society and who are too often disregarded or even shunned by the more fortunate. She becomes more and more involved in their lives and it soon becomes clear that she has unresolved issues of her own stemming from when her brother went missing many years before and of whom there has been no trace since. Grant and Carli seem to be working well together when Grant’s behaviour starts to become erratic and Carli realises that he has his own problems. At the heart of the novel is the plight of the homeless. Set in New York City we get to meet some of the homeless and realise that they are not nameless faceless vagrants but each has a back story, a past, and a history to tell. Poverty, isolation, addiction and other social ills are explored with compassion and authenticity and from that point of view the book works well. But overall I found the narrative style flat, with little sense of interiority and with far too much explanation of the issues. As Grant is her guide to this underworld, naturally he has to explain matters to Carli, but the book then becomes more of a documentary then a compelling novel that draws the reader in. Carli herself seems remote, as we only see her from the outside, and Grant in particular seems to be there as a vehicle for expressing mental health issues. I found the book too drawn out and repetitious and although I applaud its aims I couldn’t really relate to the characters.
Profile Image for Sharon Rimmelzwaan.
1,456 reviews43 followers
October 3, 2022
Clean Sweep is a book I was expecting to be quite a heavy and intense read. The storyline being about the plight of the homeless and how Carli, a wealthy, retired entrepreneur makes it her mission to help the homeless. She becomes so deeply involved with them that her own unresolved issues start to rise to the surface.

I thought it was an emotional read as we see the raw pictures of the homeless, not the flash streets of America we see on the TV constantly. Instead we are given the vivid pictures of the dark and desperate streets that the hopeless live on. I always knew that there where a lot of homeless people I Ameica but the sheer amount this story highlighted mad me so sad.


Carli's selfless act just showed me that just one person taking time out of their day can make all the difference. Such a thought-provoking read, it was almost like a rabbit going down a hole for me, the places this book sent my mind. It does seem to have religious overtures, but then Carli is working with a church programme, so what can be expected? It didn't bother me one way or another though with no impact on my enjoyment of the story at any point.

All in all, Clean Sweep is a story that is heavy on the emotions and I would say it could be educational to some people as well. It isn't all dark and gloomy, even with the homeless theme. There are other more positive things like the power of love and how you can trust in a proper friend.

A very clever and compelling piece of literary fiction that I feel could be an important read for these days.
Thanks to The Wright Reads for my inclusion on the tour and the copy of the book to bring my unbiased and honest review.
September 16, 2022
Clean Sweep is an emotional and eye-opening novel about the plight of the homeless and also how it’s never too late to reflect on yourself and make a difference in the world. It is also a thought-provoking activity on how much difference you can make to just one person with a simple act. This novel does have a religious theme and element to it however, I am atheist, and this didn’t bother me at all.
As an English person, I am used to seeing the Hollywood, glamourised version of New York and in Clean Sweep, the reader is introduced to the darker side of life in The Big Apple. Vivid descriptions of the sheer volume of homeless people and their living conditions really built a grim picture in my head.
Carli and Grant are both very likeable characters but for me, the homeless people and the city of New York are the main characters in this book. Carli is enjoying a very affluent retirement and decides she needs to give back to society by helping with a church project that gives out food and clothing to the homeless. She has also spent many years harbouring guilt over her missing brother. She shares a traumatic experience with a familiar, but unknown man called Grant and together they support each other.
This is a highly charged book and has a huge amount of emotion within it. Despite the darker nature and the devastating look into the lives of the homeless people, it also has some themes of friendship and love for other humans and how powerful these emotions can be.
372 reviews7 followers
October 21, 2022
Rated 4 1/2 stars o the blog The themes are what interested me most of volunteering spare time (which in turn becomes “so called spare time” as I also volunteer, so I know all too well, it isn’t really spare time, more a dedication to helping others and spare time becomes that small bit of time on holiday. The theme of social injustice and homelessness is also interesting and really gives a sense, certainly on a level about what it is to live life and try to survive on the streets. As Carli becomes more involved, the more intensely she begins to think of her own life. It’s well written and readers can see the change in Carli as she realises there were humans she would frequently ignore, namely those people on the streets, who can be treated as though they are invisible. It’s also a book about rediscovering self and personal growth. It’s interesting to see that there is a patch of life where Carli seems to of had it all, but really harbours tragedy in her past.

The themes are what really seems to drive this book and takes readers into streets not often explored and coupled together with Carli’s life, becomes poignant. It also explores the sacrifices made when supporting others and Carli certainly sacrifices a lot of her own personal needs.

It’s a book that will touch your heart and soul and consider what you do in your life and the people you may meet and how you handle them, interact with them and how you handle that balance in life when volunteering a lot of time.
Profile Image for Joan mooney.
370 reviews4 followers
April 3, 2025
hard debate

It was hard for me only give this book 3 stars. It’s actually a really good story. It’s well written for the most part and definitely shines a light on a forgotten group of people. I liked how the author highlighted the humanity of the homeless. They are people. Many have families who have lost track of them or cast them out. They do have feelings. What wasn’t good , to me anyway, was it moved at a snails pace. I didn’t always know where some of the characters fit into the overall story. I still recommend it as a good read, but don’t expect a “I couldn’t put it down”. Do expect a certain amount of introspection
7 reviews
March 29, 2025
Nothing is really what it seems

This was one of the most Heart breaking and her hope inspiring stories I have read in recent years! I have seen homeless people in and around cities, of course. I have made up food packages on occasion and gave them out to all who would take them. Still, I didn't know so very much about their life. I knew, just from observation that some appeared to have mental problems. Others appeared to be drug or alcohol addicted. It is so Mich more complex than I even considered. What an.excellent and well told story!
144 reviews
January 3, 2025
Interesting read

I enjoyed the story of Carley and Grant as they served the street people. As they served many yet had money and fame but still loved on these lost souls. Interesting how when searching for their backgrounds found amazing stories as well as family members.

The book helps you u ser stand a bit more of where these people come from. Many were successful at times in their lives but circumstances turned them to the streets to live.
Profile Image for Sharon.
122 reviews
March 5, 2024
worthwhile

Clean Sweep offers a surprisingly intimate look at homeless people.

Carli is introduced to that hidden in plain sight world when she volunteers to help with handing out sandwiches and clothing

She is quickly recruited to work with two of the women

It is a pleasant but disturbing read. I do recommend it.
47 reviews
August 23, 2024
One of the Most Memorable

Wow! Every now and then, while reading fiction for enjoyment, you come across a story that has such a powerful impact on the real world, and for me, this story was the one this summer!
It will make you think about the homeless in a different, more in depth way.
Well worth the time.
Profile Image for Ruth.
872 reviews1 follower
October 6, 2024
If I could I would give this book 10 stars. Incredibly real though it’s supposed to be fiction. Actually, one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time (and I read about 7-10 books a week). Definitely tugged at my heart - the characters became so real in a short while and especially by the last twenty percent - that I didn’t want it to end. Bravo!
11 reviews
February 15, 2025
We Can All Have A Positive Impact

I have been struggling to figure out what I will do to find purpose in a few years when I retire. E. B. Lee’s “Clean Sweep” led me to decide. I have been drawn to work with the homeless folks in my community. Now I have more clarity that my efforts can be beneficial. Beautifully and exquisitely written! Thank you!
161 reviews
April 1, 2025
I only rated this three stars because I just couldn't pull off the level of suspension of disbelief that I would have had to have done to fall for the story line to play out like it did. 'Nuff said. To say more would be too much of a spoiler. On the other hand, any savvy reader is going to see it coming from a mile away...so...maybe go for it.
Profile Image for Kathy Monroe.
237 reviews
December 30, 2025
What an amazingly realistic story of 'homeless' people and how some have ended up that way. Their day to day struggles to trust, to survive, and even to change.
This was very well written and a story I couldn't put down. I now will look at a homeless person with new eyes and a new heart for their plight.
Profile Image for R.K. Emery.
1,257 reviews56 followers
September 30, 2021
A great mastery of narrating inner thoughts, feelings, life struggles and more.
This is a moving and relatable book without any cheap thrills.
The writer portrays happiness, sorrow, loss and grief inside of a story that will touch the reader drawing them in.
Profile Image for C. Gonzales.
1,114 reviews56 followers
October 4, 2021
The characters, plot, setting, conflicts, and trauma that were woven through this story provided an amazingly refreshing read.
These characters are living in my head.
The emotions they portrayed are intense. This storyline was so riveting I had a hard time putting the book down.
108 reviews
October 17, 2021
Really liked the book. A page turner. Thought prevoking. Would highly recommend to all. My husband is reading my copy next. And I bought it for my grown daughters who will read it via Kindle & Audio too.
16 reviews
June 12, 2024
Very Good Story - difficult subject

This story will stay with me along time. I enjoyed the stories of how people became street people and how they survived. It really made you think. I will probably wonder the next time I see a homeless person - what is your story?
542 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2025
Very moving

I don't usually read books of this genre, I accidentally picked it and was quickly engrossed. It gave me an entirely different perspective on street people and bipolar disorder. I thank the author.
Profile Image for Brenda.
24 reviews1 follower
May 9, 2025
Looking in....

A unique look unto the lives of the men and women who find themselves homeless. A suggested read for anyone who desires understanding and acceptance dot today's homeless.
Profile Image for Laura Watkins.
169 reviews
October 19, 2025
A Glimpse into the Reality of Homelessness in America

In a political arena that seeks to judge and destroy all that is not their grift, this book seeks to put the face of reality to homelessness.
Profile Image for Betty Garland.
8 reviews
September 27, 2021
Great and intriguing story

Excellent first novel! Very well paced. Gives a novel look into the lives of the homeless. A definite page turner.
Profile Image for Lisa.
329 reviews2 followers
January 6, 2024
Clean sweep was a heart wrenching true to life experience of those that are unhoused go through on a daily basis. It was written with heart, dignity and respect! Great job E.B.Lee🐻‍❄️
Profile Image for Linda.
388 reviews
February 3, 2024
I tried to like this book because it had some good reviews. But it drug on and on and never went anywhere. And how could you not know your own brother???
Profile Image for velma lou.
313 reviews
June 21, 2024
riveting

This book was so real and beautifully written totally riveting. Gave me just a glimpse into the life of street people/ the homeless
75 reviews1 follower
September 10, 2024
Amazing

This book is a wonderful read touching on the plight of homeless people. The characters and story was so well written. It's a book that is must read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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