The Best In Multicultural Fiction

I couldn't put it down, October 2, 2008

By S. Abdur-Raheem

I couldn't put it down. It really had me going. I have read all of Ms Bellamy's books and have enjoyed everyone of them. With this book, I felt like I was reading a mystery. And I say a mystery, because I would have never suspected everything that happened, in particular about the set up with Carolyn, who would have thought that this women had all of this in her to do the things that she did.

Regarding other characters, Lenny had issues but I liked him a lot. He had character so to speak. Yes, he had issues but I could also see a kinder gentle side to him. If it wasn't for his drug and alcohol abuse, which led him to mess around, he could have really had potential as a good husband. But he wasn't going to worry me any bringing his women around his siblings and family members even though he was married. Not to mention his family condoning his behavior. I would have to say that Lenny was my favorite character along with Denise and her prying ways. This was a woman who was able to get what she wanted. Talk about the gift of gab.

I enjoyed Dale. He was a sweet guy and just what Denise needed at the time that she was going t hrough the changes that she had with Lenny. However, I felt like Denise got with Dale on the rebound, despite the manner in which he made his money. He seemed very caring and compassionate.

Now Denise, she was a piece of work. She didn't take any mess. However, I felt like she tolerated too much mess from Lenny because of her love for him. Denise was on a roll with the investigation. She became Inspector Gadget. Yes, she didn't leave any stone unturned. It amazed me how she was able to use her wit and determination to gather up so much information. I also liked the part about the joint that Denise gave to Noelle. That was too funny!

I wasn't thrilled about Jimmy. If, I recall that was the guy with the bad back who was on medication. He reminded me of someone that had some real deep seeded issues that went beyond the obvious despite the fact that he cared for Denise & Noelle.

Carolyn - I felt sorry for her. I think Lenny used her as she used him to get what she wanted. Adrienne Bellamy did an incredible job building up Carolyn's character. I must admit, I didn't like the way she was referred to as a monkey. It just made me think about the sterotypes of the African American race as a race when it comes to lighter and darker complexions when it comes to our race. I would have preferred the term for her used as just plain ugly. Bellamy painted a perfectly good picture of her and did not have to go further. It was like I could see for myself what she looked like. The reader could really see Carolyn for what she was at the end of the book. I thought it was awesome how this character, Carolyn, had everything bottled up and how she exploded in the hotel room telling Denise how she really felt. She seemed like the only one of the characters to me that told it like it was when it came to Denise. Nothing was sugar coated wh en she went there telling Denise how she felt and what she thought of her because it was all so true on how she viewed Denise. She really hit it on the nail. Yes, there was a lot of deception about her leading up to her explosion which showed her true colors and motives.

Again, I really enjoyed reading Adrienne Bellamy's third novel. I can't wait until the Astrology book and Arrivals comes out. That sounds like that is going to be deep.

Love, Lies, Lust, and Greed , September 24, 2008

By Valerie Kersey Dobson (Stone Mountain, GA) - See all my reviews

Those are the ingredients in the "The Bitch Tried to Steal My Husband's Body." Adrienne Bellamy cooks up a compelling story of deception and adultery in Black Philadelphia. She takes you into 'Lenny's world' of drugs, alcohol and women in the neighborhood clubs and bars. Lenny Garner is the life of the party - handsome, outgoing, Mr. Personality - who is blinded by his addictions. He is the stylishly dressed, bar-hopping city patronage system employee.

Denise Garner is the gumshoe-paralegal-writer who relentlessly challenges insurance companies, hospitals, pension fund administrators and the Medical Examiner to prove that Lenny did not die of natural causes. Her research is exhausting, and the reader will feel her stress and frustration. She is determined to expose Lenny's partner, Carolyn Monroe, who she believes would benefit by his death. The women are polar opposites - Denise is portrayed as the attractive, suburban diva dealing with emotional and class issues, versus the ugly, conniving, struggling city dweller Carolyn.

This is a whirlwind affair with a host of characters and an unpredictable climax. If you have read Adrienne Bellamy's previous two novels - "Connecting" and "Departures" you will be intrigued by "The Bitch Tried to Steal My Husband's Body." Checkmate!