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Murderville #1
Murderville
New York Times bestselling authors Ashley & JaQuavis bring you the first in the Murderville trilogy, exploring the cruel underground world of human trafficking that takes control of lives and love is a long-lost hope, but for Liberty and A’shai, nothing short of death could separate the two—but when their past street life comes back to haunt them, there’s nothing they can do but accept their fate.
Two children from Sierra Leone, Liberty and A’shai, are brought together by chance only to be forced apart by the most inevitable and tragic fate—sold as slaves into the human trafficking world. Ashley and JaQuavis bring us this classic love story set against modern life’s most horrifying realities.
Liberty is dying of a fatal heart condition, though she desperately wants to survive until her 25th birthday when her sister has promised to visit her. A’shai blames himself for not protecting Liberty, but all Liberty asks is for A’shai to tell her a story, to help her remember what brought them to this point. He knows that this is the last story he will ever tell and the last she will ever hear.
As Liberty lies dying, A’shai walks her though their past, reliving their ill-fated journeys through the streets. Their story takes them from an arranged marriage, through Mexico’s drug cartel, child brothels, hustling in Detroit, to escaping the high-powered heads of L.A.’s underworld. But ultimately, this is a story of love and redemption that will leave you breathless from the unpredictable and mind-blowing ending.
Two children from Sierra Leone, Liberty and A’shai, are brought together by chance only to be forced apart by the most inevitable and tragic fate—sold as slaves into the human trafficking world. Ashley and JaQuavis bring us this classic love story set against modern life’s most horrifying realities.
Liberty is dying of a fatal heart condition, though she desperately wants to survive until her 25th birthday when her sister has promised to visit her. A’shai blames himself for not protecting Liberty, but all Liberty asks is for A’shai to tell her a story, to help her remember what brought them to this point. He knows that this is the last story he will ever tell and the last she will ever hear.
As Liberty lies dying, A’shai walks her though their past, reliving their ill-fated journeys through the streets. Their story takes them from an arranged marriage, through Mexico’s drug cartel, child brothels, hustling in Detroit, to escaping the high-powered heads of L.A.’s underworld. But ultimately, this is a story of love and redemption that will leave you breathless from the unpredictable and mind-blowing ending.
272 pages, Paperback
First published July 26, 2011
185 people are currently reading
3934 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Antoinette
77 books7,437 followersASHLEY ANTOINETTE COLEMAN is one of the most successful female writers of her time. The feminine half of the popular married duo, Ashley and JaQuavis, she has co-written over 40 novels, including the bestselling Cartel series. Several of her titles have hit The New York Times bestsellers list, but she is most widely regarded for her continuing racy saga, The Prada Plan. Born in Flint, MI, she was bred with an innate street sense that she uses as motivation in her crime filled writings.
Picking up a deal with publishing powerhouse St. Martin's Press while simultaneously inking deals at Warner Brothers Studios and NBC/Universal, Ashley shows no signs of slowing down. She is currently hard at work on a new book series and two television pilots.
To keep up with everything Ashley Antoinette follow her...
twitter @novelista
Instagram @ashleyantoinette
Picking up a deal with publishing powerhouse St. Martin's Press while simultaneously inking deals at Warner Brothers Studios and NBC/Universal, Ashley shows no signs of slowing down. She is currently hard at work on a new book series and two television pilots.
To keep up with everything Ashley Antoinette follow her...
twitter @novelista
Instagram @ashleyantoinette
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 253 reviews
September 20, 2011
This was a really good book by Ashley JaQuavis..They are very talented writers...When they get a hold of a pen magic happens...The only thing I don't like about their books is that there are never any happy endings...I can honestly say I have never read a bad book by them...All their books are really good.
December 24, 2011
All I can say is.....WOW! After reading Murder Mammas and being completely disappointed, I didn't have high hopes for Murderville. I was wrong. I finished this book in hours, feverishly turning the pages, needing to know what was going to happen next. The story in its totality is heart wrenching. All that Ashai and Liberty go through breaks your heart, especially Liberty. I can't wait for part 2. I hope it won't disappoint.
October 6, 2011
Murderville by Ashley & JaQuavis - 4 stars
I was impressed with this urban lit love story. Liberty and A'Shai were two kids from Sierra Leone trying to escape their terrible circumstances when fate forced them to suffer even more. As they grew up apart, they constantly dreamt of one another. Through years of extreme experiences (both learning the tricks of the streets - getting paid for sex while using drugs and the other learning how to kill and destory by selling drugs) they met up again only to face tragedy and death.
The storyline is unique as it has some historical information about Sierra Leone, the slave trade, Mexican drug cartel, underground sex market and your ghetto drug syndicate. The character development along with the fast paced story will keep you wrapped in this tale of love and redemption. They say that love triumphs all and that is certainly the case in this first installment of the Murderville trilogy. A must read for all urban lit fans.
I was impressed with this urban lit love story. Liberty and A'Shai were two kids from Sierra Leone trying to escape their terrible circumstances when fate forced them to suffer even more. As they grew up apart, they constantly dreamt of one another. Through years of extreme experiences (both learning the tricks of the streets - getting paid for sex while using drugs and the other learning how to kill and destory by selling drugs) they met up again only to face tragedy and death.
The storyline is unique as it has some historical information about Sierra Leone, the slave trade, Mexican drug cartel, underground sex market and your ghetto drug syndicate. The character development along with the fast paced story will keep you wrapped in this tale of love and redemption. They say that love triumphs all and that is certainly the case in this first installment of the Murderville trilogy. A must read for all urban lit fans.
January 12, 2020
I wasn’t mentally prepared for this book to start off the way that it did. I almost stopped reading it but I’m glad I didn’t. It got so juicy. However, I’m not crazy about the ending.
Trigger warning: rape
Trigger warning: rape
March 6, 2022
Wow!! A & J really know how to take you through every emotion possible with their books. Jeez…. I’m learning not to get emotionally attached to any of their characters because they snatch them with the quickness. I need a break before I dive into part 2. I’m convinced that I love the torture. You will not be disappointed with this read.
July 26, 2021
Book 1 of 3 in this series. So far so good. On to the next one.
July 30, 2024
My heart.. that ending…. I am traumatized in the best way. Wow.
September 27, 2012
Oh, urban fiction, how I've missed you. This is my first foray into audio urban fiction, and I can't recommend this enough! Soap opera, plot twists, adventure, action, the start of a trilogy. I think the audio version actually allows you to NOT dwell on the sometimes clunky writing and just enjoy this for what it is : a DAMN good story!
February 13, 2025
An absolutely GREAT read!
October 4, 2011
MURDERVILLE
BY: ASHLEY & JAQUAVIS
‘And all my life I prayed for someone like you, and I thank GOD that I finally found you…’
5*****
Young warrior A’shai is being trained for battle by his father as they destroy a village with murder, rape, and fire. A’shai finds himself rebelling against his tribes’ beliefs by saving young Liberty as she watches his kinsmen murder her family. Thus begins the tale of these two babes from Sierra Leone as they journey through kidnappings, beatings, and near death experiences. Despite their love and loyalty toward each other, they find themselves separated and exposed to even more life changing events.
Death is nipping at their heels….hell is biting at their hearts…and evil is barking at their destiny. Even though one of these babes found love and security with a family while the other continues trekking through misery. When life has issued nothing but hard knocks and bruises, will these youngsters be able to withstand even more despair? In adjusting to life in a new country, can they beat the odds and find each other? Or will they succumb to their lifestyles with its pros and cons all the while hungering for their innocent love? Money, power and prestige versus banishment and a life on the run? Murderville is a vibrant novel of love, loss, and choices. When tragedy enters the picture and ransacks all hope, will these two brave souls manage to outwit life and its numerous adversaries? Ashley & JaQuavis has once again delivered an exceptional read with their distinctive infamous style of narration!
BY: ASHLEY & JAQUAVIS
‘And all my life I prayed for someone like you, and I thank GOD that I finally found you…’
5*****
Young warrior A’shai is being trained for battle by his father as they destroy a village with murder, rape, and fire. A’shai finds himself rebelling against his tribes’ beliefs by saving young Liberty as she watches his kinsmen murder her family. Thus begins the tale of these two babes from Sierra Leone as they journey through kidnappings, beatings, and near death experiences. Despite their love and loyalty toward each other, they find themselves separated and exposed to even more life changing events.
Death is nipping at their heels….hell is biting at their hearts…and evil is barking at their destiny. Even though one of these babes found love and security with a family while the other continues trekking through misery. When life has issued nothing but hard knocks and bruises, will these youngsters be able to withstand even more despair? In adjusting to life in a new country, can they beat the odds and find each other? Or will they succumb to their lifestyles with its pros and cons all the while hungering for their innocent love? Money, power and prestige versus banishment and a life on the run? Murderville is a vibrant novel of love, loss, and choices. When tragedy enters the picture and ransacks all hope, will these two brave souls manage to outwit life and its numerous adversaries? Ashley & JaQuavis has once again delivered an exceptional read with their distinctive infamous style of narration!
November 19, 2011
Man this book was bomb as shit, I also got to meet these to authors and the exprience was great!!!! I could reread it again!!!!!!!
March 11, 2012
This book is a must read.they will have you so deep in their lives that you think it's real. The love story within the novel is amazing!!!!!
April 23, 2013
Good book.
March 19, 2014
This was a stab but good story. Ashley & JaQuavis really did their thing in this 1. Can't wait 4 part2.
April 22, 2014
Pretty good read by A&J. I didn't know how the pages behind this story were to unfold but they surely did a good job with it.
December 6, 2015
Heartwrenching, Inspiring & Engrossing! A Pleasantly Surprise & Brilliant Read! I Loved It!
July 8, 2019
A’Shai and Liberty’s story began in Sierra Leone when they were children. From the moment he laid eyes on her, A’Shai felt the need to protect Liberty, from everyone...including his father. Forced to flee for their lives, they’re lured into an undercover world of human and sex trafficking, where the two are separated.
Years later, their two worlds collide and once reunited, they find themselves on the run once again, but this time...they’re older, wiser, more connected and in love.
I absolutely loved this 💎💎💎💎💎 page turner by New York Times bestselling authors @ashleyantoinette and @realjaquavis. I thank God I waited until I had all three books in the trilogy to start reading, because I would be highly upset right now! I highly recommend this book.
Years later, their two worlds collide and once reunited, they find themselves on the run once again, but this time...they’re older, wiser, more connected and in love.
I absolutely loved this 💎💎💎💎💎 page turner by New York Times bestselling authors @ashleyantoinette and @realjaquavis. I thank God I waited until I had all three books in the trilogy to start reading, because I would be highly upset right now! I highly recommend this book.
August 23, 2018
This was a good drama, action pack thrill of a book. I give this book a four point five star; I didn’t like how one of the main characters exit in the ending. I would have given you a five star if the ending was good.
August 19, 2019
Amazing book. I really don't know why it has taken me so long to listen to this book. I am very happy I finally have. Their lives were crazy. I would highly recommend this book. Can't wait to start the second book.
November 7, 2021
All I can say is wow. What a journey
November 29, 2025
Completely saddened, to say the least 🥲🥲
July 24, 2018
This is my first time reading this author’s work. I must say, I was blown completely away. The love story had me on edge, in tears and then angry. A truly emotional book. I will definitely finish this series.
December 19, 2014
Murdervillle by Ashley and Jaquavis is a story of two little kids as they walk through their past.Liberty and A'Shai are grown up but as Liberty's dying A'Shai walks her through their past reliving their journey's through the streets. Their story will take them from an arranged marriage, Mexico's drug cartel, child brothels. hustling in Detriot, to escaping L.A's underworld. But ultimately, this story of love and redemption that will leave you breathless from the first page until the unpredictable and mind-blowing ending.
Liberty's family was killed when she was young by the Rebel's, a deadly gang that A'Shai father owned. They took Liberty and made her work and cook, clean the house and she was only 10 years old she couldn't do much. Once her and A'Shai started talking more she felt more comfortable and he made a promise to protect her. Sadly he broke his promise because he was only 11 years old and he wasn't as strong as his father who tried to rape her or as strong as the soilders that pushed her around once they got on the boat called Murderville. Liberty was very weak and skinny and all she wanted was to be around A'Shai but once they were tooken away from eachother that changed everything. Liberty was forced to sell her body for money everyday just so she could make a living and better yet she was sold to a man named Samad who purchased her at a Gentelman's Ball when she was 18. That was the first time A'Shai had seen her in 8 years he was trying his best to get hurt by Samad had more money and would fight for the girl he wanted. Once Samad got her he controlled her made her cover up her whole body when they left the house made her do everything she said he watched her like a hawk. Would you want to be controlled that way?
This book was sad but romantic towards the end because of all the things liberty went through as a child. I really enjoyed reading it because he told a story and not any old story but the perfect story. I actually felt like I was in the book but to think about it I couldn't put myself in Liberty's shoes because she went through a lot just to become the woman she was everyday she woke up. Did I mention A'Shai would kill himself over Liberty, that's real true love. My favorite part of this book was when A'Shai snuck into Samad's house to get Liberty I mean come on that was his childhood love and he promised to protect her so he's keeping his promise. This time hopefully.
Im glad I picked this book because it ended very well but I would like to read on more because the way it was ended was not right actually. I would recommend this book to teenagers and adults mainly because its not really a children's book and it has a lot of violence in it also.
This book does contain sex, drugs, violence and its people murdering eachother so mainly to adults and teens.
Liberty's family was killed when she was young by the Rebel's, a deadly gang that A'Shai father owned. They took Liberty and made her work and cook, clean the house and she was only 10 years old she couldn't do much. Once her and A'Shai started talking more she felt more comfortable and he made a promise to protect her. Sadly he broke his promise because he was only 11 years old and he wasn't as strong as his father who tried to rape her or as strong as the soilders that pushed her around once they got on the boat called Murderville. Liberty was very weak and skinny and all she wanted was to be around A'Shai but once they were tooken away from eachother that changed everything. Liberty was forced to sell her body for money everyday just so she could make a living and better yet she was sold to a man named Samad who purchased her at a Gentelman's Ball when she was 18. That was the first time A'Shai had seen her in 8 years he was trying his best to get hurt by Samad had more money and would fight for the girl he wanted. Once Samad got her he controlled her made her cover up her whole body when they left the house made her do everything she said he watched her like a hawk. Would you want to be controlled that way?
This book was sad but romantic towards the end because of all the things liberty went through as a child. I really enjoyed reading it because he told a story and not any old story but the perfect story. I actually felt like I was in the book but to think about it I couldn't put myself in Liberty's shoes because she went through a lot just to become the woman she was everyday she woke up. Did I mention A'Shai would kill himself over Liberty, that's real true love. My favorite part of this book was when A'Shai snuck into Samad's house to get Liberty I mean come on that was his childhood love and he promised to protect her so he's keeping his promise. This time hopefully.
Im glad I picked this book because it ended very well but I would like to read on more because the way it was ended was not right actually. I would recommend this book to teenagers and adults mainly because its not really a children's book and it has a lot of violence in it also.
This book does contain sex, drugs, violence and its people murdering eachother so mainly to adults and teens.
March 21, 2019
Amateurish
March 24, 2014
I would have given it four stars because although the story line was a bit depressing it was well written and a page turner. However, as a brown skin black woman-as I'm sure a lot of their readers are- I found it very offensive w/the authors incessant obsession w/subtly promoting lighter skin or mixed characters as better looking or in a better light than dark or brown skin characters. Liberty one of the main protaganists was held in high esteem for her looks-as it was noted because she was a light skin African and later noted had white genetic make up mixed in there. They also HAD to let us know that another one of the main female characters who was lauded for her beauty had beautiful locs but "not the right texture for it". What this does is let us know she doesn't have full on kinky hair so subtly telling us she has some mixed heritage in there as well. "Ah ha-no wonder she's beautiful!" Both of the most beautiful women in the brothel were not black at all. On the flip side, I can only recall one brown skin woman noted in the book-and she was never described as being pretty but was shamefully dismissed by both men she was in contact with. Also, two dark skin men who were I believe described as being "black as tar" or something to that effect were in short just evil. As black people we have to be diligent in actively rejecting these subtle or direct notions that somehow if you're mixed you're beautiful and if you just regular ol' black folk your beauty is not worth mentioning-if it's even believed to be there. It is important. Whether this was intentional or not it still has the same effect-black is not beautiful. And I actively reject it out loud! And it's even worse when it comes from our own. They have to be aware of it too. I won't be reading the other two simply because I don't want to unconciously internalize any of that nonsense! That's more important to me than a decent read.
January 1, 2013
I read this because it advertised itself as "street fiction". I will have to assume from this story that "street fiction" is going to reflect the following: sex slavery, child abduction, murder, mafia, drug addiction, and drug trafficking. The story was painfully self-conscious, but the characters were fairly well-developed and at first quite sympathetic. By the end, I was disgusted with everyone. So many things went against these two youngsters, and yet their spirits were strong, and they stayed themselves. Then, one bad decision after another in rapid succession brings about their downfall. The depravity of many humans: not exactly a surprise. The hardship of surviving genocide and abduction by the slave trade: still inconceivably survivable. This book was also advertised as being written by "Ashley and JoQuavis" who gave an autobiographical introduction that was trying to be heroic or something. I hope they don't die, but their antemortems have already been written. I'm not normally cynical, but these people glamorize family love and devotion, then write about an amoral element of society in an exploitative way. Especially the sex scenes. Come on. They added NOTHING to the story, and were so purely gratuitous as to actually detract from it.
The writing's not bad. It's just weird the way the book is presented, I guess. It even says, "First of a Trilogy", so the whole time I'm wondering where the story is going to drop off, incomplete. I am demotivated to read "Second of a Trilogy".
The writing's not bad. It's just weird the way the book is presented, I guess. It even says, "First of a Trilogy", so the whole time I'm wondering where the story is going to drop off, incomplete. I am demotivated to read "Second of a Trilogy".
March 29, 2013
Ok, maybe I need to stop reading A&J's books. I'm finding that they are recycling the same plots in their books. I'm not going to rate the book on this, only on the drama that took place.
A'Shai and Liberty were forced together after A'Shai saved Liberty from being raped. Trying to be a man and protect Liberty, Shai lead them straight to hell on Murderville.
Their lives takes separate turns, Shai's for the better and Liberty's pure hell. Fate would unite A'Shai and Liberty again, but not after a war is started. Who will live, who will die?
Now, to the reused plots, in Supreme Clientele, Zya was on her way to serve jail time and her bus was ambushed and she was set free, same thing happened to one of the characters in Murderville. In the Cartel 4, Breeze was lured to a boat and was eventually sold as a sex slave, same thing happened to a character in Murderville. Can we get some new material?
A'Shai and Liberty were forced together after A'Shai saved Liberty from being raped. Trying to be a man and protect Liberty, Shai lead them straight to hell on Murderville.
Their lives takes separate turns, Shai's for the better and Liberty's pure hell. Fate would unite A'Shai and Liberty again, but not after a war is started. Who will live, who will die?
Now, to the reused plots, in Supreme Clientele, Zya was on her way to serve jail time and her bus was ambushed and she was set free, same thing happened to one of the characters in Murderville. In the Cartel 4, Breeze was lured to a boat and was eventually sold as a sex slave, same thing happened to a character in Murderville. Can we get some new material?
June 6, 2013
I went out into the field looking for a book to read. Murderville 3 kept being mentioned and how everyone is waiting for it to be released. The 1st one didn't catch my attention but w/ Ashley and JaQuavis being one of my favs I finally gave in. The. book was so good I read it n one day and then went and listened to the unabridged version. I was on the tip of my seat. The thrill and action of the street had me grinning and jumping. The drama that A'Shai and Liberty went through from beginning to end had me so mesmerized. I had to turn my phone off both when reading and listening to it b/c my trance kept being broken. Like a good movie the narrator, Cary Hite, sparked their masterpiece.
July 30, 2011
"Tell me the story..."
The dynamic duo ,that is Ashley and JaQuavis,have done it again with this 5 star read. " Murderville" is the story of two children from Sierra Leone, Ashia and Liberty.Brought together and then torn apart seemingly overnight, this story plays out like a movie in my mind.It took us from the very real conflict that is going on in Sierra Leone to arranged marriages and sex slavery. The best part about " Murderville" is that it is believable.I can't wait for part 2 of this well written trilogy!
The dynamic duo ,that is Ashley and JaQuavis,have done it again with this 5 star read. " Murderville" is the story of two children from Sierra Leone, Ashia and Liberty.Brought together and then torn apart seemingly overnight, this story plays out like a movie in my mind.It took us from the very real conflict that is going on in Sierra Leone to arranged marriages and sex slavery. The best part about " Murderville" is that it is believable.I can't wait for part 2 of this well written trilogy!
June 21, 2014
Consistently Intriguing: A++
in have to say, just don't think I've read anything like this in a long time. it's like fiction meets non fiction. because the fictional characters lead lives as told by the authors but also almost like life stories of these same characters as children growing up in Sierra Leone. I very much enjoyed reading this book. read from cover to cover in one sitting, could never once put it down.
in have to say, just don't think I've read anything like this in a long time. it's like fiction meets non fiction. because the fictional characters lead lives as told by the authors but also almost like life stories of these same characters as children growing up in Sierra Leone. I very much enjoyed reading this book. read from cover to cover in one sitting, could never once put it down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 253 reviews