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Mastermind [Paperback]

Robert Ricks (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)


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Book Description

November 30, 2005
Clarence Kittles a.k.a. ‘Clear’ is the mastermind behind his New York crime-crew, The Black Mob. But, he’s more than just street-smart. Clear knows exactly how to organize and keep his biz on the down-low, disguising his true identity through a legitimate business, a barbershop.

Growing up in poverty, he vows never to go back to that life again. Anyone trying to hook-up with him better understand one thing -- Clear is a stickler for rules! Understanding that most hustlers get caught by not following them, he has no patience for rule-breakers and quickly turns into the most ruthless man when dealing-out punishment. On the flipside, most people in the community have come to know Clear as the ‘Ghetto Robinhood’, an up-standing businessman who gives away free haircuts to kids of women on welfare and donates money to churches.

Magic Jr. is a smart-youngster who basically grew-up without a father just like Clear. When they meet, Clear can’t help but think about how much Magic Jr. reminds him of his deceased brother, Brandon. He begins to treat Magic Jr. like a younger brother, even hooking him up with his sister (Dayja) while schooling him on the game.

Dayja is Clear’s little hot-mama sister that he’s trying to wrestle free from the grips of the Child Protective Services system that he’d originally had her placed into because of her wild ho-like behavior. She’s also the main reason that he works so hard at the game, so that he can provide her with anything that she wants.

Magic Sr., was a drug-addict during Magic Jr.’s early childhood. It wasn’t until Magic Jr.’s teen-years that he even knew the man that he was named after. Having endured the bad-side of the game, Magic Sr. cleans himself up and decides to now profit from the very same game that had him strung-out by becoming a dealer. When he chooses to set-up his operation on drug-turf that belongs to Clear, that action could lead to a deadly conflict.

Big Mac is the co-founder of The Black Mob and Clear’s boy from way back. But, just because he was there at the beginning doesn’t mean that he’s immune from the rules that he helped to create – Clear ain’t having it!

Porsha is Clear’s ride-or-die chick that is like a mother to Dayja. She is no stranger to thugs and the drug-game. She says that she’s down for whatever and will do anything for Clear, but has never been tested.

Candy is a booty-shakin’ stripper turned conniving strip-club owner. Despite her name, there ain’t nothin’ sweet about her, as her only goal is to take care of #1 – herself! And she’s so grimey, that she’ll do it in anyway possible.

As Clear becomes frustrated by some of his crew’s lack of discipline that can threaten his freedom, he begins to systematically reduce the size of The Black Mob, one-by-one. He knows that even though he’s got cops on his payroll -- that may not be enough to overcome careless mistakes.

At times, Clear feels like he’s the only one who truly understands that ‘The Game’ is chess, not checkers!


Product Details

  • Paperback: 407 pages
  • Publisher: Black Pearl Books (November 30, 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0977343804
  • ISBN-13: 978-0977343805
  • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,182,529 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

 

Customer Reviews

6 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Mastermind by Robert Ricks: An PeoplewholoveGoodBooks Review, January 25, 2006
This review is from: Mastermind (Paperback)
Clarence Kittles aka Clear runs his New York crew "The Black Mob" with a tight rein. Running a barbershop as a front to his other "activities", he is known for giving back to the hood and is well-respected as well as feared for Clear believes in following rules and if the rules are broken, then punishment--sometimes death may follow. Magic Jr is new to town and after a chance meeting with Clear, soon begins to hang with him. Magic reminds Clear of his deceased brother Brandon and to Magic, Clear is the father he never had. Clear begins to teach Magic the tricks of the game in hopes of turning things over to him one day but when Magic Jr's father Magic Sr shows up after finally becoming clean and getting off drugs, trouble follows as he begins to set up shop on Clear's territory. This leads to unexpected betrayals and conflict in where Magic Jr may be forced to choose sides.

Mastermind has all of the elements of a great urban drama but the ending may you leave confused and asking yourself is that it? I went back and reread some pages thinking I had missed something but maybe the author plans a sequel to wrap up loose ends and unanswered questions. I give this book 3.5 stars. Reviewed by Shay C of PeoplewholoveGoodBooks.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, Horrible Cover (4.5 Stars), February 22, 2008
This review is from: Mastermind (Paperback)
In Mastermind, Robert Ricks introduces readers to Clarence Kittles aka Clear. Clear's poverty filled childhood led him to a life of crime formulating The Black Mob. No ordinary drug cartel, The Black Mob followed precise rules that dictated no wives or kids for it's Captains and giving large percentages of their drug profits back to the same communities they were flooding with drugs. That combined with Clear giving out free haircuts to underprivileged kids from his barbershop on Sundays led him to be known as a Ghetto Robinhood. But this Ghetto Robinhood had a dark side which was easily viewed as he doled out punishment to rule breakers in his organization. Even his teen-aged sister Dayja came under his wrath when she found herself placed in foster care when she became too hot in the behind.

Fourteen year old Magic Jr. is new to Rochester and Clear becomes his mentor. Magic Jr. reminds Clear of his deceased little brother Brandon so he doesn't mind when Magic Jr. begins dating Dayja. But what Clear does mind is when Magic Jr.'s absentee father Magic Sr. re-appears and begins selling drugs on Clear's turf. The conflict between Clear and Magic Sr. along with the pressure Clear's under trying to maintain his organization will have readers flipping the pages to get to the outcome.

Author Robert Ricks proves himself to be an excellent storyteller turning what could've been another cliché urban tale into a engrossing tale of a man torn between tearing down his community and uplifting it. The only drawback is the book's cover which makes it appear to be the exact type of book that it isn't. The cover actually does the book a disservice taking away potential readers while also disguising the excellent novel that's contained within.

Reviewed by Delonya Conyers
C&B Reviewer
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5.0 out of 5 stars 2 A T!!, July 15, 2008
This review is from: Mastermind (Paperback)
I read mastermind just recently. Every character is a product of a broken background. Clear has made himself the glue to keep Rochester standing strong. His heart has split to oversee both the needy and the greedy. Magic, new to the city, is being mentored by Clear. The horrible life he and his mother left cannot be compared for what he is about to go through.
I myself am an aspiring writer who also grew up in Rochester, NY. The way author Robert Ricks has portrayed the felonious city has left me awestruck. I now live in Atlanta, GA. Living on the west side of Rochester, I encountered many "Clears" in my life. Every one of them owned a barbershop. But more in depth, his description of the lives of his characters were so real I find it hard to believe that these people are fictional. I know people who live like Magic and Muscle everyday. This book should be transformed into a series for all to see. Great job!!
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