Customer Reviews

My Brother's Keeper

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Dakota and Dallas are two brothers, growing up with their single mother, as different as night and day. Though only a year separates them, the boys resemble each other and are thought to be twins, however, their differences are varied. Dakota loves money and the desire to be rich drives him to do any and everything to ensure he becomes a legend in the streets. He drops out of school to pursue his goals and becomes one of the best hustlers in Harlem. Dallas loves playing ball and competes in local competitions, eventually becoming a sought after athlete. He knows what the street life entails and isn't interested in it, but accepts his brother and his lifestyle. Dakota always has his back and that's what matters most to him.

When things take a turn and his brother is murdered, Dallas hits the streets to get the word on who killed him. He gives up all his hopes and dreams, to avenge his brother, moves to Atlanta and plans to start over. He becomes a police officer and successfully embeds himself in his new lifestyle. When put on an undercover assignment, he finally has the opportunity to seek revenge. Unfortunately, he has a hard time separating his "cover" from the life and falls into the game and its overabundance of women, sex, drugs, and money. What he finds on this special assignment cause him to question the past years of his life, and everything he thought to be true.

While the plot of MY BROTHER'S KEEPER is a common one, I enjoyed the premise and overall story. It is a story of love and betrayal, as well as revenge and the familial ties most siblings have. Unfortunately, the book is riddled with typographical errors, the structure and dialogue are flawed, and the characters are one-dimensional. With extensive developmental editing, this book could be a good addition to the street fiction genre. Currently, it just needs more work.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Dallas and Dakota Seabrook are brothers trying to survive in the Harlem ghetto. Their mother Nora is trying to make ends meet and raise strong young men on her own. Dallas is focused in school and is a budding basketball star. Dakota is tired of his family living in poverty and answers the call of the streets instead. Dakota soon makes enough money to move his family out of the ghetto and makes his mom a homeowner. Everything seems to be going great for the Seabrook family until Dakota is the victim of a brutal homicide. The police conduct a weak investigation that leaves Nora and Dallas with more questions that answers. Dallas graduates high school becomes a police officer and vows to find his brother's killer. But when Dallas finds a break in the case, he must make a tough decision that will haunt him for the rest of his life.

My Brother's Keeper is an excellent debut novel by T.F. Walters. Walters does an excellent job of telling this coming-of-age story. I liked how this story was told through the eyes of Dallas. The scenes are so descriptive that you can actually picture everything that is taking place. I also enjoyed the murder mystery element to this novel. My Brother's Keeper is enthralling, and awe-inspiring.