Murder on the Down Low
Free Book Review

Free Book Review: Murder on the Down Low Book Summary

Vernetta Henderson's life is business as usual. She's still working at the firm of O'Reilly and & Finney, still being dogged by her junior-associate Hayley, still trying to make partner, and still trying to keep up her marriage and social life while working 80+ hours a week.

The difference is that one of her closest girlfriends, Maya Washington, has tragically died from AIDS. AIDS that she contracted from her fiancee due to the fact that he is a closet gay man living a "straight" life. Men on the "down low" as they've been dubbed by the black community.

Maya's death rocks the world of Vernetta and her best friend Special, who was also Maya's cousin. Special, already a little "out there" compared to most, takes it really hard and vows revenge on Eugene, Maya's fiancee. At first, Vernetta does not realize how serious Special is about ruining Eugene's life.

That is until other prominent, beloved men in the African-American community begin showing up dead. The connection is quickly made by Vernetta and Special's friend J.C. that all these men were also living on the "down low."

The events spiral out of control and somehow Special's plan for revenge winds up dead center focus of everything. As Vernetta struggles with her personal battle to leave or stay at her firm and balance trying to keep Special out of trouble, men are dropping like flies and it looks like Special just might be the culprit.

Right up to the twisted and unexpected slam-bang ending, Murder on the Down Low will keep you teetering precariously on the edge of your seat the whole way through.

Free Book Review: Murder on the Down Low Opinion

If you thought Special was trouble the first two times around, "you ain't seen nothing yet!"

Pamela's third book in the Vernetta Henderson series is just as well-written, fast-paced, and thrilling as the first two. This time she introduces a few more strong female characters to compliment the already brilliant and dazzling personalities of Vernetta and Special. J.C. is a tough investigator with a quick mind and an inherent sense of goodness. Nichelle is all female, the friend who cries at sappy commercials, but when push comes to shove, she would lay down her life to save a friend. Throw in Special, still absolutely outrageous, and Vernetta, still the voice of reason with a flair, and you've got a group of women even the toughest man wouldn't want to come up against.

And that's just what happens in Murder on the Down Low. The girls are in for the biggest fight of their lives as they try to bring Maya's "murderous" fiancee to justice, find a killer who looks like he might be pinning the blame on one of their group, and try to deal with the oppressive authorities and backstabbing underlings in each of their separate workplaces.

The underlying message of this story about AIDS and how it's affecting the African-American community is agonizing and chilling. Pamela gives a voice to the victims of AIDS contracted from unfaithful partners. But more than that she opens our eyes to the fact that HIV/AIDS is out there, running rampant and as Professor Michaels tells Nichelle - "HIV doesn't pick you because you're gay or because you're a bad person. It picks you because you're available."

A true tour de force of friendship, heartache and loss, oppression, and what it means to really know someone, this book will leave an impact that readers won't soon forget - or want to.

Free Book Review: Murder on the Down Low Discussion Questions

1. What would you do if you found out a friend's husband/boyfriend was living on the "down low"?
2. How can Special learn to trust men again after the fate that befalls her cousin?
3. When faced with the decision to do something illegal to save a friend, did the girls make the right decisions?