Customer Reviews

SnitchCraft

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Smooth talking well-respected New York City street hustlers, John "JC" Powell and older brother, Paul, venture to California in order to legitimatize their dealings in the novel, "SnitchCraft" by Edrea Davis. The money they made over the years through their illegal ventures seems endless. They begin to encounter new challenges and subtle animosity as they travel west. Stopping in Georgia at a family reunion while driving to California, the brothers come in contact with family members they do not see very often, others with questionable characteristics and strangers that want to be part of their budding business enterprise.

The events that unfold when JC and Paul arrive in California are very different from what they envisioned. Failing to consult with Paul, JC agreed to renovate a former seedy lounge in the midst of a gang riddled, urban ghetto. Despite the conditions, JC, the family caretaker, is filled with visions of grandeur. Developing a once dilapidated lounge into a popular nightclub garners resentment from those who should be the closest and most interested in what is best for the Powell brothers. JC, on the verge of winning the heart of his long lost love, Candace, and bringing in more money than he can imagine watches his world collapse. He is arrested for dealing drugs from the club. Having put illicit activity of that nature behind him, JC truly believes that this misunderstanding will quickly be resolved. He is later convicted and hit with an exceptionally steep jail sent ence, as a result of testimony provided by a member of his inner circle whom he trusted without fail.

Watching the drama unfold begins to shift this story into an even more intriguing "who done it" type of mystery. The ruthless game of corruption within the criminal justice system is shown in full amplification as the reader begins to grasp how the deceitful word of one person can negatively impact that of a potentially innocent individual with lifelong consequences.

"SnitchCraft," a highly recommended novel exhibits many facets of African-American life - the strength of family bonds, romance, spirituality, gang violence and fraud within the criminal justice system.

Reviewed by Detrel
APOOO Book Club

Snitch Craft hits the nail on the head of a touchy subject for many; snitching and a corrupt justice system. The novel tells the story of two brothers, JC and Paul, who aspire to take their ill-acquired funds across the continent to start legitimate businesses. Along the way jealousy, envy, and greed drive some of their acquaintances to drop the dime on the now good-to-do brothers, eventually getting them caught up in the system. A bit hard to get into in the beginning, but worth the read if you are in the mood for a change of storyline. Fitted with a useful section of facts about the criminal justice system, is an added bonus for the reader.

1. What did you like best about this book?
I loved that the story shone some light on a very prevalent issue in our culture.

2. What did you dislike about this book?
I didn't like that the tale took a few chapters before the meat of the story was exposed.

3. How can the author improve this book?
The author could spruce up the beginning chapters to capture the attention of readers a bit quicker and perhaps rearrange or organize some of the chapters better for a smoother flow.

This novel was intriguing and informative. Wealthy hustler turned nightclub owner, JC Powell is given a hefty prison sentence for a crime he didn't commit and his whole world crumbles around him. When the layers of lies are revealed during a riveting courtroom scene, the audience will be shocked to learn who snitched and, more importantly, why.

I highly recommend this book - especially for young people who may be a little naive about the system. The author included an after the book section that gives important information on the criminal justice system.

SnitchCraft was an excellent first novel- urban fiction with a dash of history, civil rights, and spirituality. I look forward to reading more from this author.

SNITCHCRAFT is an explosive novel that explores the "snitch" culture that has permeated today's society. John "JC" Powell and his sibling, Paul, head west to California from New York City to make their drug money legitimate. After, JC and Paul use their illegal profits to parlay themselves into successful businessmen everything falls apart. JC's renovation of a seedy neighborhood lounge into a posh nightclub is met with resentment from close family and friends. Just as JC is on the verge of reuniting with his soulmate, Candace, he is arrested for selling drugs from the club. After losing his money, his business and quite possibly the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with, how will JC manage to regain his freedom?

SNITCHCRAFT is a well-written, first novel by Edrea Davis. Although it was a little hard to get into in the beginning, SNITCHCRAFT managed to grasp my attention. Davis explores the dark side of family relationships, especially how jealousy and envy can lead to the total destruction of a family. I also enjoyed the complexities of the relationship between Candace and JC, as well as how JC interacts with his son. I would recommend SNITCHCRAFT to those who are looking for a deep urban novel.

I'd come in contact with this author from various AC articles she posted that I enjoyed, and I decided to buy her book just because it talked about police corruption, something I feel very strongly about. But I never expected the book to be THIS good. I had an attitude when it was time for me to go to work because I had to stop reading. The story is about two brothers who came up from the ground up doing some successful hustling. Although I couldn't quite tell how their money was earned in the beginning of the story, it was very clear that they did it straight and narrow when they moved from New York to California. In moving from one coast to the next, they dealt with different issues: gang violence, territorial ownership, owning a business, shady workers, family issues, Afrocentrism, police corruption, drug confusion, love and commitment, and past indiscretions. This was an easy read, and it made me rethink some of my opinions on snitching. Whereas I originally went into the book with mixed feelings about snitching and how I don't feel someone should go to jail for another person being an idiot, this book talks about a different type of snitching, as in the professional kind, and that I do not commend at all. Edrea dropped some historical knowledge and some political information that we all need to know. I really dug this book, and I'm impressed by this author.

SnitchCraft was good from the beginning to the very end. I highly recommend the book!

"SnitchCraft is a riveting story about betrayal, greed and corruption."

"J. C. Powell is falsely accused of a crime along with his family members that destroys all that he has accomplished and could very well land him in prison for many years."

"He's been named as a drug dealer who is working with another individual distributing narcotics through a nightclub that he owns named Empire."

"It's going to take the help of his family and friends with connections to discover where these false charges are deriving from. They later learn that a trusted individual has been acting as an informant providing false information and implicating people in crimes."

"SnitchCraft exposes just how corrupt investigations can be when informants are paid for their services, which in return taints any potential evidence. This book definitely leaves something for readers to think about."

I brought this book 4 a close friend of mine that is in jail and he really liked this book. So if u know anyone incarcerated. I'm quite sure they can relate to this book.

jc powell is a man all about family,money,value and friendship,but beware of anyone.this book is a start to finish book,do not put it down till you finish