Wah gwaan, book lovers! If your in the mood for a thrilling ride through the streets of Jamaica, you have to check out "Better Must Come" by Desmond Hall. Published by Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, this novel is a gripping blend of suspense, mystery, and heart-stopping moments that will keep you glued to the pages. Come make me tell you why this underdog story is the best thing since ackee and saltfish!
Title: Better Must Come
Author: Desmond Hall
Publisher: A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book
Pub. Date: June 4, 2024
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Paperback, Audio, and Audio CD
Pages: 336
Barely Missing Everything meets American Street in this fiercely evocative, action-packed young adult thriller that looks at the darker side of light-filled Jamaica and how a tragedy and missing drug money helplessly entangle the lives of two teens who want to change their fate.
Deja is a “barrel girl”—one of the Jamaican kids who get barrels full of clothes, food, and treats shipped to them from parents who have moved to the US or Canada to make more money. Gabriel is caught up in a gang and desperate for a way out. When he meets Deja at a party, he starts looking for a way into her life and wonders if they could be a part of each other’s futures.
Then, one day while out fishing, Deja spies a go-fast boat stalled out by some rocks, smeared with blood. Inside, a badly wounded man thrusts a knapsack at her, begging her to deliver it to his original destination, and to not say a word. She binds his wounds, determined to send for help and make good on her promise…not realizing that the bag is stuffed with $500,000 American. Not realizing that the posse Gabriel is in will stop at nothing to get their hands on this bag—or that Gabriel’s and her lives will intersect in ways neither ever imagined, as they both are forced to make split-second choices to keep the ones they love most alive.
My Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prepare to be thrilled, moved, and utterly captivated by Desmond Hall's "Better Must Come." This novel delivers the best underdog story, masterfully woven with suspense, mystery, and countless heart-pounding thrills. I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes a Netflix or Amazon sensation; it’s just that good. The characters, the setting, the plot twists—everything about this book screams cinematic.
Hall's storytelling transports you straight to the heart of Jamaica. The Jamaican accent is so authentic that I could hear the characters speaking as I read. The vivid descriptions make you feel like you're right there with Deja and Gabriel, living through their trials and triumphs.
Deja is a "barrel girl," receiving shipments from her parents who moved abroad for a better life. Gabriel, caught in a gang, desperately seeks a way out. Their lives collide when Deja discovers a blood-smeared boat and a wounded man who hands her a knapsack stuffed with $500,000, begging her to deliver it. This moment sets off a chain of events that tangles their fates in ways they never imagined.
The suspense and mystery are palpable, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Hall expertly builds tension, making you root for Deja and Gabriel. You want Deja to achieve her dream of studying tourism and for Gabriel to break free from the gang's grip and find solace with Deja. Their journey is fraught with danger, split-second decisions, and moments of unexpected tenderness.
The characters are incredibly believable. Deja and Gabriel’s struggles and dreams are portrayed with such depth that you can't help but cheer for them. Hall’s love for Jamaica shines through, painting a picture of a place filled with light and darkness, hope and despair.
"Better Must Come" is not just a story; it's an experience. Hall’s writing is fiercely evocative, bringing to life the vibrant and sometimes perilous world of Jamaica. The plot twists are relentless, keeping you guessing until the very end. And the themes of resilience, hope, and the quest for a better life are universally relatable.
Thank you to Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, Simon & Schuster, and Desmond Hall for the book and my honest review.
About the Author:
Desmond Hall was born in Jamaica, West Indies, and moved to Jamaica, Queens. He has worked as a high school biology and English teacher in East New York, Brooklyn; counseled teenage ex-cons after their release from Rikers Island; and served as Spike Lee’s creative director at Spike DDB. Desmond has served on the board of the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids and the Advertising Council and judged the One Show, the American Advertising Awards, and the NYC Downtown Short Film Festival. He’s also been named one of Variety magazine’s Top 50 Creatives to Watch. He’s the author of Your Corner Dark and Better Must Come. Desmond lives outside of Boston with his wife and two daughters.
Connect with Desmond Hall through his website: desmondhallauthor.com/ and follow him on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
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