MS. ETTA'S FAST HOUSE

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest "story" by Victor. The character development as well as the plots were great and the book overall was rip roaring fun. I truly enjoyed the dialogue between the characters as well as the time Mr. McGlothin took to research the dialect and news of the times. I believe we have another hit. Great Work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Victor, you've done it again! This one was off the chiz'zain, LOL! No seriously, I really enjoyed Ms. Etta's Fast House. The setting and the characters were great. Reads just like a motion picture and it would surely be a good one, when that happens. I recommend this one to all. If you haven't read it, go out and get it, it's guarenteed to entertain you.

This book was phenomenal. This was a fast pace tale about a hustler named Baltimore Floyd who always came to the rescue for a friend. When the tables turned and he got into trouble his friends came through for him. I loved this character. He was a true ladies man who got caught up in the game. The character development was great. The descriptions were so vivid that I felt like I was watching a film. It was an emotional roller coaster. The historical information and medical facts were very impressive. The author really did his research. A few of the facts that I enjoyed were the integration of the The St Louis police force and the training of the African American surgeons at "Homer G. Phillips Hospital" in St Louis. This book reminded me of a time in the past where the community united to help one another. I loved this book. I highly recommend it. McGlothin has done a phenomenal job with this story. He captured me and I did not want it to end. I can hardly wait for his next journey because I know it will be a great one. Keep them coming!!!

Victor McGlothin's latest novel is set in 1947 St. Louis where the music is hot, women are hotter, and Ms. Etta's Fast House is the place to be. The bold, the beautiful, the bad and the good mingle at Ms. Etta's - including the debonair hustler, Baltimore Floyd. Women love him, men want to emulate him, and trouble seems to follow him everywhere. Friend to many, Baltimore has a cadre that includes the new interns at the renowned Homer G. Phillips hospital as well as some with shadier skills and less than perfect pasts. Penny, an ill-treated girl, who reminds Baltimore of his little sister, is also adopted into the "family". However, change comes in more ways than one on the cusp of Baltimore's arrival in St. Louis. His best friend, Henry, seemingly does a complete reversal leaving the lush life (including a steamy relationship with Ms. Etta) and hurriedly marries a school teacher with a ready-made family. He even foregoes his friendship with Baltimore and Etta to join/integrate the police force - a move that severs ties from his dark past and con-artist friends. However, when Baltimore crosses dirty, racist cops in a `get-rich-quick' scam, sleeps with the "wrong" woman, and ends up on the trial for his life, it is all of his friends (including Henry) that come to his aid, risking their reputation, professions and lives to save him from the gallows in a creative, yet dangerous rescue. The author blends realism of the times in the sub-plots surrounding the supporting characters: racism and discrimination force top medical minds to practice at segregated facilities; Jim Crow laws impact the character's daily lives (shopping, dining, commuting, sporting events, etc.); and social taboos of interracial dating complicate relationships. The author paints Baltimore as a scoundrel with a big-heart. In addition to Baltimore; Ms. Etta, Penny, Delbert, and Jinx are also lovable characters that readers will love and want to see again. Fast paced, well-conceived (I didn't see some plot twists coming and the sub-plots came together well), with saucy dialogue it is recommended for those seeking a quick, entertaining read. Reviewed by Phyllis October 5, 2007 APOOO BookClub Nubian Circle Book Club

It's 1947 and Ms. Etta's Fast House is the hottest nightclub in "The Ville", a famous black neighborhood in St. Louis. People from all walks of life come to Ms. Etta's to drink, dance, and to have a good time. Life is smooth in The Ville until Baltimore Floyd strolls into town. Baltimore is a sexy, mysterious hustler who brings nothing but trouble with him. The women are falling for him fast, but Baltimore isn't interested in settling down just yet. His good times may soon come to an end when he finds himself on trial for a crime that he didn't commit. Baltimore's problems don't end there when he finds out that his best friend and ex-partner-in-crime Henry is considering going on the other side of the law to become one of the first black policemen in St. Louis. What will happen to Baltimore and Henry's friendship? Ms. Etta's Fast House is an intriguing and entertaining novel by Victor McGlothin. McGlothin showed great creativity by exposing the reader to black St. Louis in the 1940s. From Ms. Etta's House to the black-owned Watkins dry goods store, you could literally picture everything that was taking place in this novel. Although Baltimore Floyd is one of the main characters, there are some other important supporting characters that make this story a true gem. You'll meet Baltimore's best friend Henry who struggles between doing what's right for his family and his friendship with Baltimore. Other characters include a young woman named Penny who Ms. Etta takes under her wing to show her how to become a classy woman as well as a group of young doctors who are being trained at the famous Homer G. Phillips Hospital. McGlothin did a wonderful job of connecting all of these characters without confusing the reader. Ms. Etta's Fast House is a captivating and enjoyable read that takes you on a unique journey into the past. Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for Urban Reviews