Customer Reviews

C.R.E.A.M.

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Solomon Jones, author of The Bridge and Do or Die has garnered a reputation of writing fast-paced, engaging, well-written urban fiction and he continues this trend in his latest release, C.R.E.A.M. In this action-packed suspense, people in high places come tumbling down in Philly.

Karima Thomas AKA Cream has just been released from jail after taking the rap for Duane Faison, a drug dealer she met when she was in college. She is determined to go straight and therefore asks her aunt Marilyn Johnson, Philadelphia City Council president, for a job; soon thereafter she finds herself immersed in a whirlwind action of scandal, murder, and political back stabbing and literally running for her life. She turns to Duane, the one person she does not want to have anything to do with but the only one who can save her from the chaos that has ensued after the mayor is murdered.

The players at City Hall are a cast of crooked politicians masquerading as Philly's finest citizens. They all seem to have their hands in the quagmire of misdeeds and corruption plaguing the city. Karima wonders how she went from having lunch with the mayor to standing over his dead body. Somebody is out to frame her but why? As Cream and Duane traverse the city in disguises going from the hood to the most exclusive high rise complexes, they are determined to find the truth to set both of them free. Along the way Duane finds out even those closest to him can not be trusted and Cream finds out why her recluse mother is estranged from her aunt and the mystery about her paternity is revealed.

A shady cast of characters and sometimes over-the-top movie pursuit action would translate well to the big screen. This was this reviewer's first time reading this author and I would gladly read his work again. Highly recommended to those who enjoy street/urban literature and to those who might be wary of it.


Dera Williams
www.apooo.org

Ghetto drama married with intelligent writing - I have read and loved all of Solomon's books. Get it

this was a fast-paced read for me it was full of deception and corruption, reading mr jones other books this one was ok too many people it was hard to keep up with they all, maybe in the sequel karima character will be better ,without det. lynch there probaly would have been more guns fired but he is my favorite this book left me with feeling like there could have been more to this story

C.R.E.A.M. begins with Karima "Cream" Thomas being released from prison. Having served six months for taking the fall for her drug dealer boyfriend, Duane, she harbors bitterness towards him. He is there to pick her up after her release and she has a temporary lapse in judgment as her feelings for him come flooding back. After spending the day with Duane, she comes to her senses and vows to walk away from him - to a better life.

Karima seeks the assistance of her aunt, Marilyn Johnson, the city counsel president who directs her to the mayor who offers her a position. Problems arise when the mayor is murdered and the only person present at the time is Karima. In an effort to clear her name, she runs back to Duane for protection and help. In the process, long buried secrets are revealed that tie this varied cast of characters together in interesting ways.

Solomon Jones effortlessly intertwined the lives of the political figures with those of street hustlers in Philadelphia. This fast-paced tale of suspense is sure to please lovers of urban literature as well as mainstream fiction. Jones' experience as a journalist shines through in this political thriller. The characters are well-rounded and the book is expertly written which is a refreshing change in the genre. This is my first book by this author but it won't be my last.

Reviewed by Paula Henderson
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Solomon Jones has proven again that he is a great story teller. C.R.E.A.M. has all of the urban content that Mr. Jones is known for wrapped around the world of city politics. This book was a real page turner for me. Living in Philadelphia, this book was a real eye-opener. Although this is a work of fiction, it seems like many of the political deals are really happening. This book had me wondering about some of the actual public figures while taking me for a ride through the action. It was heartbreaking (but oh so real) to see Karima stand by her man and helping him try to run. I have read all of Solomon Jones' books and I have loved them all. He is definitely a must read for followers of urban fiction.

Karima Thomas was released after a six month prison stint for refusing to testify against her guy, one of the most notorious dealers in North Philly. Prison had definitely changed her. Now hardened to the facts of life, she knows that love cost her too much time. Bitterness cast aside, her longing and mind were set on asking her aunt for an opportunity to work in the family's business.

Duane Faison was lost without his soul mate, C.R.E.A.M. He'd been anticipating her release and was anxiously waiting to take her back to their life. Desperate to tie up loose ends in the street, he loses his hunger. Will this interruption go unnoticed in Duane's line of work?

Marilyn Johnson, Karima's aunt, is the City Council President. Although Marilyn has helped her troubled niece in the past, she opens her arms to help her this time with more of a scheme to help rid herself of a couple of nuisances.

Karima thought prison was bad until she walked into city hall. Only a couple of days of freedom, and now she's running scared as she's caught up in one of the biggest scandals to hit the airwaves. Can Karima clear her name?

C.R.E.A.M. is a true whodunit, filled with suspense, greed, allegations, links and shrill politicians at the root of it all.

Cash Rules Everything Around Me,
C.R.E.A.M
Get the money,
Dollar, dollar bill, ya'll!

Reviewed by: Crystal

I LOVED THIS BOOK, not only because it stayed true to PHILADELPHIA, but because reading CREAM made me say "hey" didnt this just happen. This was the one for me, like in all your other books I was in CREAM's shoes with every turn of the pages. I would recommond this and all of Brother Jones' books to anyone who is an avid reader and loves Philadelphia folklore.

Suspense, intrigue, intelligent writing, money, power, and just a definite page turner!!!! Solomon Jones once again takes you through the many sections of the city of Philadelphia but this time with a strong political flavor from the walls of City Hall. Detective Lynch, now Captain Lynch is once again on the job. The ingenious way Mr. Jones intertwines the lives of his characters was brilliant. However once again, (as I did with Ride or Die) I have to use my imagination to conclude what takes place in the relationship between Karima, Bill, and her mother, Sharon. I'm not hatin', I look forward to your next book!!!!! Realistic fiction at its finest.

This is the first book I read by this author so I had no idea what to expect. Wow I was impressed by the first page of dialouge. Solomon writes with such intelligence and intestity that you can't wait to see where the plot will un fold. With that being said there are a few things that I didn't like about this book. There were so many characters that at certain times I didn't care who he was speaking of. I felt like certain characters could have been deleted from the story and I also didn't care much for Cream. I cared way more about her boyfriend Duane Faison, so much so that I wish the story revolved around Duane more so than Cream. Duane has more depth than Cream ever could. I really hope Solomon writes about Duane and not Cream. I also think this story will continue and I will be happy to read it.

I have to confess, I pretty much figured out who the killer was about 75% of the way into C.R.E.A.M. (I would have given 5 stars if Jones had fooled me at the end.) But it was such a fast-paced, enjoyable read that I didn't care; Jones still left me wanting more at the end. At first glance, I thought this was yet another example of crappy "ghetto" lit. I am happy to report that my first impression was totally off-base. Karima "Cream" Thomas is a fascinating, realistic and complex heroine and the tale of political intrigue in Philly is very credible. (I'm speaking as a journalist and New Jersey native with a more than passing familiarity with Philadelphia's black communities.) In other words, it is an authentically black and well-written urban novel, which is not the same as ghetto lit. I felt like I actually knew some of the people in the novel, especially TV news reporter Cox, who I just know is a fellow member of the National Association of Black Journalists. I strongly recommend this book. Also, I happen to think that C.R.E.A.M. could be adapted as a screenplay for a great movie. (Megan Goode would be perfect as Cream; I'd cast Busta Ryhmes as Duane.) Jones deserves his reputation as a great story teller; I look forward to checking out some of his other novels, including The Bridge, Ride or Die and Pipe Dream.