Customer Reviews

Up to No Good

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Before you start reading this book, get your Dramamine, Scopolamine, Promethazine, Cyclizine, and Dimenhydrinate. In case you're wondering...those are medications for motion sickness! Carl Weber weaves together a story with more twists and turns than the Spaghetti Junction in Atlanta, GA. James Black is.... a mess! This guy has more women than an all girl Catholic school shower! I love his no nonsense approach to his women... **you're here for one reason and one reason only, to please me**. If you choose to be with him after that... well... don't come crying to daddy. His son, Darnel, was trying to be a good boy and be faithful to one woman and he was. However, was the one woman faithful to him? How far would you go if someone betrayed you? What would you do to get back at them? Well... our boy Darnel takes his heartbreak HARD and you won't believe WHERE he takes it. Darnel's sister, Jamie, has a life but still finds time to meddle in her dad's, her brother's, and eventually her man's. This sister becomes so paranoid you'll swear you'll hear 'The Twilight Zone' music playing when you read the chapters dedicated to her.

Mr. Weber takes the strengths and weaknesses of these characters and intertwines them in one heck of a good story! There is so much drama and goings on here that any of the main three characters could have a story themselves. One minute you're a fly on the wall in the bedroom of James Black watching him put the moves on one of his thousand women, and the next you're wondering if Darnel needs a special white jacket. One minute you're spinning around inside Jamie's head wondering about her man, and the next you're wondering how many demons Keisha really does have. And this is just the tip of all the crazy turns you'll take in this book.

This book also makes you wonder how far you would go to help out blood. The ending will have you shaking your head like, "what. in. the. world."? I like that Mr. Weber put some questions for discussions at the end; however this book is so good you won't need them. This is a no-brainer for book clubs and a (pardon the cliché) a must read for fans new and old.

I have enjoyed nearly every other book by Carl Weber & expected this one to be a good one, too, but was I mistaken. Up To No Good was a bit too predictable & redundant. It got to the point where I heavily sighed with every chapter that started with Darnel because I was tired of the repeated actions. I mean, goodness, is there a man that freaking lovestruck that he acts a total wuss? I've never met one & so it made this quite unbelievable and plain boring. I thought the book would have been good because the beginning instantly catches you up into some drama without hesitation so it's like being on a fast moving train that suddenly stops dead in it's tracks. And Darnel wasn't the only one, Jamie started getting on my nerves & the whole issue with James was predictable, too.

I'm usually the 1st to get a Carl Weber book as soon as it's released but this one I waited on. Once I read it then I was so disappointed that I even bothered at all. The only other book of his that I'm debating on which I disliked more is The First Lady. Save yourself. Maybe wait for the next one...

Once again Carl Weber gives readers an entertaining tale in Up to No Good, which is about a family that is not quite what they appear to be. This story unfolds from the three main characters point-of-view, James, Darnell, and Jamie. James Black is a successful man who gives his children, Darnell and Jamie, unconditional love, however, he is unable to commit to one woman, but he understands this about himself. Darnell, who wanted more than anything for his father to marry and commit to his mother, vows that he will not be like his father and is happy that he has found the woman of his dreams that he can be faithful to. Jamie, who was abandoned by her mother, is daddy's darling and puts the fear of God in all her father's girlfriends, believes that she knows all of the tricks that a man can play as she has learned from the best. But, while all of the characters believe they have life figured out they are all in for a couple of curve balls.

The story moves along at a fast pace as we learn how each of the characters handle the unexpected in their lives and how it affects their relationship with each other. Issues of truth and trust, along with fidelity and devotion, affect all of the characters and some of their actions will surprise you. Readers will enjoy the unexpected events which will keep them turning the pages, though, at times the characters will be a little predictable once you understand the situation.

I recommend this book to fans of Carl Weber and readers looking for an entertaining read.

Reviewed by Beverly

APOOO BookClub

March 3, 2009

This book was definitely a page turner. I read it in one day. What I did NOT like about the book was:

Jamie and her obsession with meddling in her dad's and brother's lives.

Darnel starting off as "strong," when he dismissed his trampy fiancee; but then later wanted to be with her...then he didn't...then he did....then he loved her and still wanted a life with her...and then five minutes later he's calling her a whore...and then five minutes after that he's sleeping with her...then minutes after that he's crying again about how she hurt him...then he tells her he loves her for the millionth time...then shortly afterwards, she's a whore again. All this until he goes insane. Afterwards, I stopped feeling sorry for HIM and started rooting for the finacee, Keisha to hurt the fool again!

I cussed with every page turn at the stupidity of Darnel!

I didn't like how Weber made Louis out to be some two-timer, but then hit us with a "dud" at the end with the whole Witness Protection thing. Weber could have come better than that.

I enjoyed seeing James happy with Sandra, and then...BAM!...out of the blue, Sandra is not what she seems. Nothing leading up to it. Just presto, and it happens. All throughout the story, she was getting dropped off at James' place, but then out of nowhere, "her car was parked outside James' house." I'm left scratching my head wondering at what point did she get a car?? I hate to have to add my own theories to stuff. If I'm to create my own story, hell, I won't bother buying books. I'll just stay home and imagine the perfect story. Seriously, Weber gave us NOTHING that would have led us to believe Sandra was a gold digger. Sure, Jamie said she was, but wasn't she the same Jamie who said in her thoughts, "I wish daddy or Darnel could settle down with someone like Sandra??" She was so into pairing Sandra and her brother, Darnel. Why didn't she tell the "truth" about Sandra then? It wasn't until she started dating her dad, James. Even then, all the gold digger claims were meant for readers to simply think Jamie was jealous. This made no sense.

I enjoyed the read, but Weber has to brush up on these redundant, scorned baby-momma; I can cheat, but you can't; I like being a man-slut, but I better not catch any man doing to my daughter what I'm doing to someone elses daughter....type novels.

Trustee James Black is an old school playa that lives his life to his own drummer. He has plenty of honey's vying for his good loving and extra special touch, and he has no problem fulfilling their requests with no strings attached of course. He has two children, a spoiled, nosey and bossy daughter, Jamie, and Darnel, his mild mannered son.

In the midst of preparing for marriage to his lady love, Keisha, the night before the wedding Darnel walks in on Keisha and his best friend, Omar having sex. Disillusioned and heartbroken, Darnel's life takes a downward turn and he loses control of his life. Jamie's in love with Louis, even though they're living together, and he fulfills all of her wants and needs she still has a problem trusting him. The sins of their father have tainted their view of relationships while playing a major role in the adults they have become.

Up To No Good is a fabulous story that mesmerized me from page 1 to page 297. The storyline never faltered, the characters were interesting, whether you agree with their antics or not, they are consistent. Carl Weber pens another masterpiece that intrigues and fascinates the reader with each charming scene. James Black's is a compelling character that entertains as well as reels you in with his development. We're introduced to a strong father figure, love, adultery, sex, infidelity, stalking, a bit of insanity and loyalty. The ending was so original that my mind just went into numbness with the unveiling. Unpredictable, remarkable, astounding, and mind-blowing would be a few adjectives that enter my mind when I think of the ending!!! Marvelous work, Mr. Weber! 4.5****

James Black is a long-time deacon at his church, but having numerous "no-strings attached" affairs with several women in his church is his downfall. He is not the one woman man type and makes this clear to every woman he's been involved with. James may change his tune when he meets a sexy young woman that takes his breath away. James' children Darnel and Jamie have their own set of issues. Darnel is all set to marry his high school sweetheart Keisha until he catches her cheating with his best friend. Darnel soon seeks out revenge for this betrayal, but will he go too far? Jamie doesn't like her father's womanizing ways and finds it hard to trust men. Jamie suspects that her live-in boyfriend is cheating on her and starts snooping around. Jamie soon finds out that when you go looking for things, you usually find it.

Carl Weber once again brings us a novel filled with drama in Up To No Good. The cast of characters and the fast-paced storyline really makes this book shine. If you read Weber's previous novel The First Lady, then you got just a taste of James Black's behavior. But his actions in this book are just absolutely scandalous. Darnel and Jamie's stories are intriguing as well. You will understand how Darnel was led down the dark path that he takes in order to get payback for Keisha's affair. Jamie's story was okay, but the revelation about her boyfriend could have been a little better. This novel does have a shocking and unexpected conclusion that will definitely satisfy readers. Up To No Good is a gripping page-turner that will have you eagerly anticipating the next novel by Carl Weber.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert

for Urban Reviews

I was really caught offguard with this book because the plot on the inside flap doesn't remotely prepare you for the drama that's going to unfold. From the inside flap, I just assumed it was about a father having a guilty conscience about his son who is trying to be nothing like him and his overprotective daughter. I did not expect stalking, detectives, terrorists, pornography, and just about every other thing you'd find on the Jerry Springer show. The book definitely kept me interested because I was hoping the whole family wasn't completely nuts and waiting on somebody to act like they had some sense. For that, it was a pageturner. And nothing in the book is unrealistic. You see cases like this on the news everyday, although a bit of a stretch for one family. Usually you may find one of these types of characters in a family, not a bunch of psychos in one house. I got the feeling that Weber was getting bored with his own original plot and decided to spice it up because the more I read, the more I was thinking "Where in the world did this come from?" But I could be wrong.

The characters were well-developed. The dialogue was fresh. I could imagine all the scenes. The ending was something I expected though. I saw how the pattern was going and once I found out the "big news" about James, I kinda figured it'd go down like that. I wasn't wowed by this read, but I like all of Weber's books so it's not like I'm going to stop reading his work just because this one wasn't my favorite. He'll definitely grab that audience who loves drama with this one.

I've read all his books, but I thoroughly enjoyed "A Dollar and a Dream," "Baby Mama Drama," "Married Men," "Player Haters," and "The Preacher's Son."

Carl Weber has done it again! In "Up to No Good" he delivers another 5 star banger! In this story we meet a father and his son and daughter, who all have enough drama to spread around!!

In this story we meet womanizing 40 something James Black. James is a true player for real and vows to never settle for any one woman. What will happen when he meets a woman who he may want to settle down with? Can he change his ways for love?

James' son Darnel is reeling over a devasting heart break. His life is turned upside down after his long time sweetheart Keisha does him dirty the night before their wedding. Darnel's life soon spirals out of control. Can Darnel get over this betrayal or will it eat him alive?

James' spoiled daughter Jamie is a true daddy's girl. Jamie makes it her business to be always in her father and brother's business. However Jamie's boyfriend has been acting suspect and leading her to believe he is creeping around on her.Jamie is going to put her detective skills to the test to figure out the truth...but will she really want to know the real deal?

The story begins with the whipped and smitten Darnel catching his beloved fiancee Keisha in the act with his best friend...on the eve of their wedding. As if that weren't enough, he's about to find out just how undeserving Keish--the the woman whom he placed on a pedastal for years-- is, even outside of the pre-wedding debacle. Worse yet, is Darnel's reaction to the betrayal of the two people closest to him outside of his family...; for not only did he not really know Keisha, but he is also about to find out a few things about himself that are less than flattering.

Sister Jamie has her own issues to contend with. A spectator in the sport of womanizing her whole life--with her father as the primary player--to say that Jamie has "trust issues" is probably the understatement of the century. But when Jamie's insecurity serves to threaten--literally--the life of the man she loves, it may be time to re-evaluate herself, and--dare I say--grow up.

James is the father of what he considers to be two beautiful children. Jamie is certainly more than a little spoiled, and Darnel is struggling now with an engagement gone awry, but both are relatively well-adjusted adults doing well. James, however, hardly knows the scope of what is going on in his childrens' lives....distracted by multiple women, eventually a special woman, and health concerns. The level of James's distraction culminates with an act by one of his children towards the end of the book...leaving him to prove, once and for all, exactly how loving and devoted a father he is.

Although I usually enjoy Weber's work, I found this novel to be nothing original or particularly compelling. There were parts I felt were somewhat farfetched...but out of concern for "spoilers" I'll say nothing more. I have, however, read better work from this author.

DYB

Carl Weber shocked me on this one. I couldn't put it down. Darnel was crazy. He loved keisha a little too much to the point of it being unhealthy. The stalking was sweet revenge but, he just couldn't let it go. The twist in the stalking was clever. I did expect a tragic end. I thought Keisha was gross. I think she was a sex addict. The video was beyond deranged. Jamie was ghetto and spoiled but, I didn't expect her outcome to be like it was. Sandra really was a trip her outcome didn't surprise me. James was the player who got played but, loved his kids. All in all this book had a lot of twists and turns. It was a good story that was very far fetched. I enjoyed this book. When is the movie coming out? Michael Baisden should play James!!!!