Promises To Keep by Gloria Mallette
By Yasmin Coleman • Jan 9th, 2010 • Category: Book Review 2002 •
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From the 2002 Archives
Promises To Keep by Gloria Mallette is a page turner and compelling read. The storyline is intriguing and suspenseful and tugs heavily on the heartstrings. Mallette introduces us to the Kirkwood family and takes us on an emotional rollercoaster to track down the murderer of Troy Kirkwood.
What started out as a normal day, typical father-daughter outing ended in a tragedy. Meika, already abandoned by her mother, is now left fatherless at the tender, young age of 5. Troy’s parents, Nola and Ron, are in shock and left wondering who would commit such a heinous act against their eldest son. As far as anyone knew, Troy didn’t have any known enemies…except for maybe his crack-addicted, ex-wife, Cordelia. With the help of their younger son, Vann, Nola and Ron must come to grips with the moment, bury their son and then search for the murderer. Along the way, life still goes on and as tempers are pushed to the limit regarding Troy’s untimely death, Nola and Ron must face their own shortcomings as well as deal with the demons of envy, jealousy, deceit and insecurity. Vann must confront head-on issues that have dogged him since childhood. Will this family be able to survive the obstacles that continue to run them down? Will they ever find Troy’s murderer?
Promises To Keep is a multi-dimensional story. Mallette gives us a story that is equally plot and character driven. She gives us characters that we feel-whether it be empathy, pity, sorrow, happiness, joy, or hatred-we feel something for each character presented. Promises To Keep is creatively crafted and Mallette treads topics that are rarely written about in a fictional manner-Missing Persons, Children Raised By Fathers/Paternal Grandparents, and the worst situation of all…a mother who appears to care more about the pipe rather than her own flesh and blood.
Mallette’s latest novel is an entertaining and engrossing read than can be read in one sitting. Fans and newcomers alike will enjoy Promises To Keep. I recommend it to all and look forward to Ms. Mallette’s next novel.
Yasmin
APOOO BookClub
Visit amazon to order a copy of Promises to Keep.
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Yasmin Coleman is a literary publicist and promoter, book reviewer and founder of APOOO Books and BookClub. In 2000, she founded APOOO, www.apooobooks.com, an online author and reader community dedicated to advancing African-American literature.
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