R.M. Johnson brings back the Harris brothers from his "The Harris Family" and "Million Dollar Demise" to create a fascinating drama of family life like you can't imagine with multiple plots (ie. crime by family members, gangs, holding on to a child at the risk of losing oneself in the process, relationships that hinge on deception)all making you hustling to keep up. Johnson's prose makes his characters jump out of the pages; like Jahlil "seeing the bottom of one boy's boot as ..... it crashed down onto Jahlil's face, and then all went black."; or Jahlil denying "ain't nobody dead." to his father Caleb Harris but without much conviction; or Jahlil's friends fellow students Bug and Toomey; "Bug was fifty yards down the block, keeping an eye out for the police or any gang members...Toomey was on the other end of the street, looking like he was about to wet his pants." Maybe Jahlil denied any gang connection but that didn't protect him; "...as they kicked and beat him .... yelling G-Stone! G-Stone." Jahlil "figured this was payback for selling on G-Stone's street."Action page after page weaving family members into a strange bond will keep you reading late into the night. The title Deceit and Devotion really tells the reader what is between the covers. Johnson has done it again. I'm not sure how but somehow Johnson manages to throw in more main and side characters than I usually like and do it gracefully. I don't find myself getting confused, having to try to keep track of this or that one, etc.Johnson does tell a bit of background but take my advice - don't read these out of order. You'd be able too, probably, but you'll be much happier going the way they're written.I didn't care too much for the no end ending - I hate when a book leaves off in such a manner - but I have to admit that now I'm looking forward to the next one.The man can definitely write his ass off. I think the only books I've read so far are the three in this series but I'll most definitely be reading others in the coming years.
What do You think about Deceit And Devotion (2012)?
I know there is a part 5. Please don't keep me waiting. I want and need it now.....lol.
—fys
