Meet Sade "Dutchess" Blackwell. A good girl from a wealthy family. Her mother is a gifted Federal Prosecutor, and her father is a Drug Enforcement Agent who is secretly affiliated with a notorious criminal enterprise. Unlike her parents, Sade chooses to become like the people who her parents have worked hard to keep off the street. Her innocence disintegrates, once she witnesses the assassination of her father right before her very own eyes. From that day forth, a good girl goes bad. Jay-Z once said that, "Once a good girl has gone bad, she's gone forever." This statement holds true for Sade. Her ruthless acts earn her the nickname Dutchess. As Sade rises to the level of Queenpin in the drug business, she faces many obstacles. Will her mother the Federal Prosecutor, unknowingly build a case against her daughter? Or will the man who allegedly had her father killed, Kennytha Baptiste, have her taken out the game first for invading his territory?
In DUTCHESS readers become acquainted with the Blackwell family of Highland Park, Illinois. Cheryl, a federal prosecutor, and Lawrence, a DEA agent, have one daughter, Sade. When a case that Cheryl is prosecuting interferes in their personal life, Sade decides to take action.
Pirelli Blackwell, Sade's favorite cousin, has just been released from the penitentiary, thanks to his cousin's knowledge of the law. Pirelli is ready to turn up the heat, and when Sade suggests a partner for his enterprise, he's willing to take the risk.
Kennytha Baptiste is a Haitian drug lord who is above reproach. There is nothing or no one out of reach, especially if it interferes with his growth.
While I was able to finish reading DUTCHESS, the lack of any editing made the story harder to read. The story is littered with errors, characters that serve absolutely no purpose and don't contribute to the flow of the story. The missing timeline makes it seem as if this is just one long day in the neighborhood. With each and every page turn I kept asking, "WHY?" Yes, you get the generic reasoning, but it doesn't fit.
I can see the potential for a promising story. HOWEVER, I cannot in its current state, recommend DUTCHESS 2.5 OOSA Online Book Club BOTM In DUTCHESS readers become acquainted with the Blackwell family of Highland Park, Illinois. Cheryl, a federal prosecutor, and Lawrence, a DEA agent, have one daughter, Sade. When a case that Cheryl is prosecuting interferes in their personal life, Sade decides to take action.
Pirelli Blackwell, Sade's favorite cousin, has just been released from the penitentiary, thanks to his cousin's knowledge of the law. Pirelli is ready to turn up the heat, and when Sade suggests a partner for his enterprise, he's willing to take the risk.
Kennytha Baptiste is a Haitian drug lord who is above reproach. There is nothing or no one out of reach, especially if it interferes with his growth.
While I was able to finish reading DUTCHESS, the lack of any editing made the story harder to read. The story is littered with errors, characters that serve absolutely no purpose and don't contribute to the flow of the story. The missing timeline makes it seem as if this is just one long day in the neighborhood. With each and every page turn I kept asking, "WHY?" Yes, you get the generic reasoning, but it doesn't fit.
I can see the potential for a promising story. HOWEVER, I cannot in its current state, recommend DUTCHESS 2.5 OOSA Online Book Club BOTM In DUTCHESS readers become acquainted with the Blackwell family of Highland Park, Illinois. Cheryl, a federal prosecutor, and Lawrence, a DEA agent, have one daughter, Sade. When a case that Cheryl is prosecuting interferes in their personal life, Sade decides to take action.
Pirelli Blackwell, Sade's favorite cousin, has just been released from the penitentiary, thanks to his cousin's knowledge of the law. Pirelli is ready to turn up the heat, and when Sade suggests a partner for his enterprise, he's willing to take the risk.
Kennytha Baptiste is a Haitian drug lord who is above reproach. There is nothing or no one out of reach, especially if it interferes with his growth.
While I was able to finish reading DUTCHESS, the lack of any editing made the story harder to read. The story is littered with errors, characters that serve absolutely no purpose and don't contribute to the flow of the story. The missing timeline makes it seem as if this is just one long day in the neighborhood. With each and every page turn I kept asking, "WHY?" Yes, you get the generic reasoning, but it doesn't fit.
I can see the potential for a promising story. HOWEVER, I cannot in its current state, recommend DUTCHESS 2.5 OOSA Online Book Club BOTM
The daughter of a DEA Agent and federal prosecutor, Sade Blackwell knows right from wrong, the difference between legal and illegal. However, the murder of her father hardens her heart and mind. With her world flipped upside down, she finds herself on the other side of the law, getting fast money and getting closer to her father’s killer. Making noise in the streets, Sade aka Dutchess quickly catches the attention of the Feds. With mother and daughter on opposite sides of the law, there can only be one winner.
The book and the author piqued my interest. For a first novel, Jeremy Drummond has written a book that is so unlike yet like others. The premise was ripe with potential, but the execution was very poor on many levels.
Editing was nonexistent, which quickly made reading a chore. “Dutchess” strays in its path in too many directions to keep track of. Several plot pieces and irrelevant characters float around; they either leave readers with questions or dredge up more questions. Inconsistencies and lack of character development undermine the story. Absurd scenes make both the characters and the story unbelievable.
Now, with all that said, there were still some redeeming factors. Unfortunately, as is, it’s not enough. With an overhaul consisting of serious editing (copy and development editing), “Dutchess” has the potential to be a banger.
I did not dislike (2 stars) this novel, yet it wasn’t okay (3 stars) either. Therefore, my final rating falls in between at 2.5.
Well my review is a little biased considering I wrote the book. However being an avid reader of Urban fiction myself, I give it 4 stars. I don't think the story is the best, but it surely isn't the worst. In this book you will learn about racism, the hidden agenda of the world against the black man, laws, as well as be entertained with what I hope is good dialogue.