"Engaging ...the dialogue and setting are reminiscent of Zora Neale Hurston, but the story has a bizarre, violent edge ... la Stephen King. Fantastic and exaggerated, the novel may seem dated in its descriptions of race and sex, but it is a candid portrayal of the cold-blooded yet fascinating Mama Ruby." --Publishers Weekly on The Upper Room

"Monroe keeps the suspense high, and readers will draw a bated breath with the turn of each page." --Booklist on Mama Ruby

"A spicy mixture of family scandal, mother-daughter betrayal, and good-for-nothing men." --Publishers Weekly on Lost Daughters

"Monroe is a masterful storyteller." --Philadelphia Inquirer

"Mary Monroe's prequel to The Upper Room reintroduces readers to Mama Ruby, a fierce and indomitable woman... Though readers new to the series will have to accept the dialect, ever-present threat of violence, and explicit sex scenes, they'll appreciate the compelling period and the unapologetic characters. Familiarity with The Upper Room smooths the way." --Publishers Weekly on Mama Ruby