Casanegra: A Tennyson Hardwick Story

You might think that with three authors, one of them an actor with no prior fiction credits, this book would be all over the place--but you'd be wrong. This book is written by sure and steady hands that know when to speed up, when to slow down, and how to create surprises that prompt amazement, suspense and delight rather than incredulity. The basic story is nothing new to the genre: The protagonist, Tennyson Hardwick, is driven to find out who murdered an old friend. Since he's the prime suspect, his initial motivation is to save his own neck and avoid embarrassing his father, a former chief-of-police. What makes this novel "novel" is what we discover as the authors delve behind the scenes of the rap world, where the lines between real and pretended thuggery are so blurred as to be indistinguishable. Ten's jeopardy is only increased by the fact that many of the "protectors of law and order" he encounters are master thugs themselves. Deeper still, as the story progresses Tennyson develops a newfound sense of responsibility toward others, including his father, an attractive female reporter, and a teen runaway. My guess--and again, it's just a guess because their roles are so tightly integrated--is that Underwood contributed his flair for the cinematic and a keen understanding of the indignities of being a hustling actor in Hollywood. Barnes contributed bone-crunching action, puckish humor and a familiarity with every room in the House of Pain. His wife, Tananarive Due, contributed the emotional, psychological, and sociological refinements that raise this well above the average level of genre fiction. (I wouldn't venture to guess who contributed the sexual content, but the more curious among us will definitely be tempted to try some of it at home.) I have little doubt that "Casanegra" will eventually appear at the local multiplex, but I suggest you read the book now to avoid the lines and the overpriced popcorn.

Page turner, suspenseful. This book was fast paced, very much kept your interest throughout the novel. Kudos to Blair, Tananarive, and Steven!!! I can not wait for the sequel.

I'd like to give this more than 5 stars. This was an excellent, intriguing, engaging novel. I couldn't stop turning the pages, yet at the same time I wanted to stop just so that I wouldn't finish the book! Tennyson is truly an unforgettable character that I do hope to see again in future novels. Blair, Tananrive, Steven...beautiful work.

Casanegra doesn't fit perfectly into any single genre and that's why it's so fresh and original. The team of Blair Underwood, Tannarive Due and Steven Barnes manages quite well to create a believable black character that will be enjoyed by mystery and action lovers as well as those attracted to steamy romance and sex. Tennyson Hardwick is a former gigolo and current bodyguard/aspiring actor...he's also the son of an extremely well respected (but now retired) police detective. Hardwick can best be described as 'a man of contrasts'. He is well educated and intelligent as well as good looking and athletic; at the same time Tennyson Hardwick has delved deeply into the sex for pay industry and not above lying to police and anyone else that he finds to be a threat. Through all this Hardwick has a rock solid code of ethics that shines through in this story. After meeting up with Serena (AKA Afrodite, superstar rapper and actress); once a "customer" but now that Hardwick is out of the sex biz she becomes a recipient of "T"s talents for free. The next day Serena is found dead and Hardwick is the number one suspect. And it's up to Tennyson Hardwick to clear his own name and (more importantly to him) find justice for Serena. This novel does an impressive job of keeping the reader involved and interested in the story, while simultaneously giving an insiders view of the sex trade, hip-hop culture and the difficulties faced by upcoming actors. Underwood/Due/Barnes seem to be able to look at these three areas with relatively open minds. There are no hard lines here, the reader gets to see both the dark and the light side of what essentially (even the sex trade) is popular entertainment. Not easy to do in a world that more and more prefers absolutes. Tennyson Hardwick is Hollywood's version of Robert B. Parker's Spenser or John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee. And just like Parker and MacDonalds hero's I had a ball reading Casanegra. I'm looking forward to the next team up of these three artists. A great first outing for Blair Underwood and as always a novel up to the usual high standards of husband and wife team Steven Barnes and Tannarive Due.

Modern erotica at its best. The thing is, folks, this story rocks--hard. No pun intended. Tennyson Hardwick (is that the perfect name, or what!) is an ex-gigolo and struggling actor based in L.A. who chances upon a former client, the female superstar rapper Afrodite, and after some playful exchanges they wind up in bed. In fact, she's gung-ho on helping Ten get his acting career on track. Sounds like a lucky break, huh? Nope. This wouldn't be riveting fiction if our hero got his happily-ever-after so close to page 1. Afrodite is brutally murdered and Ten finds himself the unwitting #1 suspect. So, we're off to a rip-roaring start. From there, he hooks up with a feisty investigative reporter, April, and the duo team up to crack the case, and hopefully clear Ten's name. On top of that, they even carve out time to engage in some wild impromptu sex acts most probably haven't even heard of yet (you'll reread many MANY paragraphs more than once, trust me). I won't spoil all the many twists and turns of Ten's bumpy journey by giving them away here. But the bottom line is: Throw in Ten's decorated ex-cop dad, the sometimes treacherous world of gansta rap, a colorful array of supporting folks, and some of the spiciest sex scenes this side of a brothel, and what you have is an exquisite page-turning romp. I've enthusiastically followed Tananarive Due since a friend recommended her brilliant MY SOUL TO KEEP (I'm a sci-fi/horror buff). And have enjoyed Blair Underwood's work ever since his L.A. LAW days. The masterful Steven Barnes' most recent novel, GREAT SKY WOMAN, is breathtaking. With the combined forces of all three, you can only expect explosive results!