Book Review: Miami Purity

Reviewed By: Jennifer Jordan

Miami Purity     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Vicki Hendricks
Class/Genre:   Fiction   Adult Content
June 1996, Random House/Vintage Crime, 200pages/$10.00

This book is, to me, the very definition of noir. Ms. Hendricks steers us head long into the down and dirty life of Sherise Parlay as she attempts to make her life a better place. The best way to accomplish that, murder of the cold-blooded variety, of course. In a circumstance of the darkest irony, Sherise lands herself a job at Miami Purity, local dry cleaners. She is minutes into to living out her resolve to better her life when she is introduced to Payne, the owner’s son. On the surface, he seems to be everything she hasn’t had before in a man. Underneath, possibly worse. A deeper shade of black.

I inhaled this book like a drowning victim takes in lungs full of air upon hitting the waters’ surface. It is very fast, very dark and very good. The darkest parts of human nature are dissected and put on display, for our reading pleasure. And, I can tell you now, the ending will mess with you.

Jennifer Jordan

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Jennifer Jordan