A Landlord's Tale (Volume 0)

By Gammy Singer

Trouble comes in threes, and right now Amos Brown is down two. First he has an Indian drug lord chasing him for monies owed. Second, Amos' bride of six months disappeared after his business went down the drain. However, the luck that forced him to sell everything he owned has also made him the owner of two Harlem brownstones, willed to him by his estranged dad. Amos has heard of skeletons in the closet, but he discovers he has one in his basement, and it belongs to someone closer to his heart - and further from his memory - than he could ever have guessed.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0758208936
• ISBN13: 9780758208934
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Dafina
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 0.8" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

And What A Tale It Is!

This book was packed with so much vivid adventure! I truly enjoyed the grit and humor of the protagonist. There were so many instances where I was laughing out loud and/or saying as my beloved aunt engrossed in a movie on t.v. would say: "THAT'S A HUUUUMDINGER!" *LOL* I also really appreciated the writer's respect and promotion for a united black community and for Harlem. Adolescents and adults will find this a very entertaining and heart-felt read. All the best, Ms. Singer! Truly, Pamela Monroe

Good Job

I felt like I was sitting in a barbershop listening to a guy on the edge of his seat talking about how bad his day went. From him inheriting brownstones to drug deals to women to crazy neighbors to cross dressing, this book was one entertaining read. I love how the author talked to the reader as if in conversation, from complaining about how he used to be able to climb fire escapes better to the crazy lady walking down the street. 2nd look: I hadn't read the last chapter before I reviewed this book. If I could, I'd change the stars to one. I can't believe after this whole book with the narrator overcoming all these obstacles, he embraced the n-word. That is so discouraging.

New York Noir at its Best

I'll dispense with an overview of the story as past reviewers have done that; what I'd like to comment on is the writing, sense of place, and style. As a published true crime, crime novelist and graduate level creative writing instuctor, it's rare to find a writer, particulary a first-time novelist, who writes so lyrically and at the same time so gritty. Ms. Singer truly captures New York's Harlem community in the 70s and makes her characters come alive with authenticity and originality. I served in the NYPD during that era as a street cop in Harlem and this novel brought me back to the streets, the decent people who lived there, the cops who invaded the turf in search of the drug dealers, scam artists and hustlers who permeated Harlem before hoards of downtowners yuppified what was once the most cohesive and colorful neighnborhood in New York City. Ms. Singer tells the story of an ordinary man thrust into extraordinary circumstances with subtlety and depth unlike any novel I've read in a long time. As I read the author's poignant, sometimes cynical metaphors, I felt as if Raymnd Chandler came back in the form of Chester Himes, got a sex change along the way, and wrote one helluva novel that is just as much about people as it is about the great community that is Harlem. Do not pass up the chance to read this novel. You'll come away refreshed and aware that there still are some great emerging writers appearing every so often to reinforce our faith in editors and their ability to pick talent out of a heap of so-so submissions. I'm looking forward to the author's next book and will love to see how she can top this excellent novel.

A Landlord's Tale : A PeoplewholoveGoodBooks Review

A Landlord's Tale by Gammy L. Singer is a book that captures your attention from beginning to end. Amos Brown has just inherited two brownstones in Harlem from a father that he never knew. It seems that if it weren't for bad luck, Amos would have no luck at all. He's not into drugs but his habit is gambling, his wife has just left him and he owes Harry, the West Indian drug lord big money. But after Amos moves in, the tenants become like family and their problems become his. But of course, he has skeletons in the closet: literally. His mother's body is found in the building across the street and that opens another set of wounds and brings many unanswered questions. The story captures your attention in that you get caught in the mystery of what happened to Amos's mother: what happened? Did his father do it? , You get caught up in the budding romance between Amos and Catherine, a woman who happens to be Harry's niece, and now of course, Harry is trying to pull him in the business. And you get caught up in the mystery of Zeke, the mysterious old man who used to be his father's best friend but seems to have it in for Amos. It all comes together in a story that you will truly enjoy. I give this book 4 stars. Reviewed by Shay C of PeoplewholoveGoodBooks

Awesome and Sexy

This book is awsome. It has a sexy main character who I actually loved being inside his mind as he went on an adventure into his past. I miss reading his thoughts. In this book Harlem is full of funny and real people who all play important roles in weaving this tale. THIS IS A MUST READ... I hope that that the writer will continue to bring back these characters and make this book the first of many.