Award-winning New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe delivers the latest thrillingly scandal-filled novel in her Depression-era saga of a church-going lady and her oh-so-upstanding husband racing to cover up their many sins—and gambling on one scheme too many. . .
With mysterious serial murders putting peaceful Lexington, Alabama, on edge, Jessie and Hubert Wiggins’ steadfast calm and devotion to each other reassures everyone that faith will see them through. But Jessie and Hubert have paid a terrible hidden cost to maintain their devout facade and respectable standing. Nothing can allay the guilt they feel—or stop the growing distrust between them . . .
Hubert thought he and his secret lover, Leroy, could continue seeing each other on the down-low in peace. But when Leroy’s ex-wife moves back in with him, a heartbroken Hubert is driven to distraction trying to keep Jessie in the dark—and quell his mounting jealousy. And his need for satisfaction is driving Hubert to reckless extremes—and desperate risks. . .
Jessie believes the struggles between her and Hubert will all be worth it if she can connive him to finallyconsummate their marriage—no matter what she has to do. But his erratic behavior and her frustration soon has her trying yet another new lover, who is as charming as he is unreliable—and unexpectedly dangerous. . .
Now with their secrets out of control—and the police perilously near—Jessie and Hubert discover who might be behind the deaths plaguing their town. But can they risk a pursuit that could expose their own web of lies? When their only choice pits them and their suspicions against each other, their next move will either bury their deceptions deep for good—or reveal the one truth they can’t escape. . .
Praise for Mary Monroe
“Her willingness to do anything for her loved ones is relatable, and the emboldening influence of her desperation and the incremental gravity of her deceptiveness heighten the narrative’s mesmerizing effect. Although scenes of rape and sexual abuse shape Monroe's unflinching dramatization of difficult but important themes of sexuality, sexual trauma, and survival, they do not weigh down the story, but rather enrich its resonance.” —Booklist on Mrs. Wiggins
“Drama, suspense, small town charm…Mary Monroe packed it all into the finale of her beloved Neighbors series that transports readers back to 1930s Alabama.” —Woman’s World on Across the Way
“Monroe brings her exciting Neighbors trilogy to a dramatic and memorable conclusion, as she explores how social tension and conflict complicate jealousy and romance in an African American enclave in a small Alabama town during the Great Depression.” —Booklist on Across the Way
“In this first volume of her new series, New York Times bestselling author Monroe convincingly portrays a time and place where desperation is the norm.” —Library Journal on One House Over
“A very believable portrayal of the African American experience in a hard place at a hard time.” —Historical Novels Review on One House Over
“Mary Monroe is an exceptional writer and phenomenal storyteller!” —Kimberla Lawson Roby, New York Times bestselling author on One House Over
“Mary Monroe is a fantastic writer and has a real knack for creating characters with substance and dimension.” —This Black GirlReads on Over the Fence
“Monroe brings the Deep South Prohibition-era world to life in a captivating tale of greed and consequences and primes readers to find out what happens among these complicated neighbors in the next book.” —Booklist on Over the Fence
“Monroe reveals sympathetic aspects and complex motivations for each character in this engrossing setting.” —Booklist on One House Over
“Mary Monroe deftly captures the steamy intrigues of her characters’ complicated lives in this Depression-era story that readers will find impossible to put down.” —Susan Holloway Scott, author of I, Eliza Hamilton, on One House Over
Mary Monroe, the daughter of sharecroppers, is the author of the award-winning and New York Times bestselling God series that includes God Don't Like Ugly and God Don't Make No Mistakes, among other novels. Winner of the AAMBC Maya Angelou Lifetime Achievement Award and the PEN/Oakland Josephine Miles Award, Mary Monroe currently lives in Oakland, California, and loves to hear from her readers via e-mail at AuthorAuthor5409@aol.com. Visit Mary's website at MaryMonroe.org.
View titles by Mary Monroe
Award-winning New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe delivers the latest thrillingly scandal-filled novel in her Depression-era saga of a church-going lady and her oh-so-upstanding husband racing to cover up their many sins—and gambling on one scheme too many. . .
With mysterious serial murders putting peaceful Lexington, Alabama, on edge, Jessie and Hubert Wiggins’ steadfast calm and devotion to each other reassures everyone that faith will see them through. But Jessie and Hubert have paid a terrible hidden cost to maintain their devout facade and respectable standing. Nothing can allay the guilt they feel—or stop the growing distrust between them . . .
Hubert thought he and his secret lover, Leroy, could continue seeing each other on the down-low in peace. But when Leroy’s ex-wife moves back in with him, a heartbroken Hubert is driven to distraction trying to keep Jessie in the dark—and quell his mounting jealousy. And his need for satisfaction is driving Hubert to reckless extremes—and desperate risks. . .
Jessie believes the struggles between her and Hubert will all be worth it if she can connive him to finallyconsummate their marriage—no matter what she has to do. But his erratic behavior and her frustration soon has her trying yet another new lover, who is as charming as he is unreliable—and unexpectedly dangerous. . .
Now with their secrets out of control—and the police perilously near—Jessie and Hubert discover who might be behind the deaths plaguing their town. But can they risk a pursuit that could expose their own web of lies? When their only choice pits them and their suspicions against each other, their next move will either bury their deceptions deep for good—or reveal the one truth they can’t escape. . .
Reviews
Praise for Mary Monroe
“Her willingness to do anything for her loved ones is relatable, and the emboldening influence of her desperation and the incremental gravity of her deceptiveness heighten the narrative’s mesmerizing effect. Although scenes of rape and sexual abuse shape Monroe's unflinching dramatization of difficult but important themes of sexuality, sexual trauma, and survival, they do not weigh down the story, but rather enrich its resonance.” —Booklist on Mrs. Wiggins
“Drama, suspense, small town charm…Mary Monroe packed it all into the finale of her beloved Neighbors series that transports readers back to 1930s Alabama.” —Woman’s World on Across the Way
“Monroe brings her exciting Neighbors trilogy to a dramatic and memorable conclusion, as she explores how social tension and conflict complicate jealousy and romance in an African American enclave in a small Alabama town during the Great Depression.” —Booklist on Across the Way
“In this first volume of her new series, New York Times bestselling author Monroe convincingly portrays a time and place where desperation is the norm.” —Library Journal on One House Over
“A very believable portrayal of the African American experience in a hard place at a hard time.” —Historical Novels Review on One House Over
“Mary Monroe is an exceptional writer and phenomenal storyteller!” —Kimberla Lawson Roby, New York Times bestselling author on One House Over
“Mary Monroe is a fantastic writer and has a real knack for creating characters with substance and dimension.” —This Black GirlReads on Over the Fence
“Monroe brings the Deep South Prohibition-era world to life in a captivating tale of greed and consequences and primes readers to find out what happens among these complicated neighbors in the next book.” —Booklist on Over the Fence
“Monroe reveals sympathetic aspects and complex motivations for each character in this engrossing setting.” —Booklist on One House Over
“Mary Monroe deftly captures the steamy intrigues of her characters’ complicated lives in this Depression-era story that readers will find impossible to put down.” —Susan Holloway Scott, author of I, Eliza Hamilton, on One House Over
Author
Mary Monroe, the daughter of sharecroppers, is the author of the award-winning and New York Times bestselling God series that includes God Don't Like Ugly and God Don't Make No Mistakes, among other novels. Winner of the AAMBC Maya Angelou Lifetime Achievement Award and the PEN/Oakland Josephine Miles Award, Mary Monroe currently lives in Oakland, California, and loves to hear from her readers via e-mail at AuthorAuthor5409@aol.com. Visit Mary's website at MaryMonroe.org.
View titles by Mary Monroe
