The Mark of Cain

Rating:
Summary: Job Well Done!
Review: E. D. Johnson has written an intriguing tale of national conspiracy and fraternal deception. As you meet Marshall, Collette, Ressie and Malik, you are immediately transported inside the scintillating environment of the entertainment industry and the Black paramilitary underground. Glitz and glamour compete with ghosts of the past as secrets are emancipated and salvation is achieved. The Mark Of Cain answers the age old question, "Am I my brother's keeper?"

Rating:
Summary: Fasten your seatbelt!!!
Review: E. D. Johnson should go into the theme park, roller coaster ride business because this book has so many twists, turns, dips, and surprises that my head is still spinning long after I finished the book. You are instantly drawn into a world of intrigue and suspense which will have you forgetting to fix the dinner, your hair, your face, etc. Keep a paper bag handy for you will begin to hyperventilate when Marshall meets Malik. This book is a must have for your collection if you're serious about cutting edge literature. Kudos, Mr. Johnson, job well done!!!

Rating:
Summary: Love Thy Brother
Review: How can two brothers who come from the same tragic background turn out so differently? In author E.D. Johnson's The Mark of Cain this is exactly what happens. Marshall Garnett is an R&B superstar who has everything going for him: a beautiful young wife, a solid singing career, money, and and a penchant for excess. Marshall is so caught up in himself that he does not see things happening right in front of his face.

One thing is for sure with Marshall, he will not go back to being the poor boy from Newark, NJ that he began life as. Michael Garnett, who is also known as Malik, has decided that he is going to change the world and make it a better place for Black people. He so believes in his cause to rid the world of all bad white people, that he joins an underground group called the Cell. Malik has decided to sacrifice everything in favor of the cause. Malik and Marshall have been out of touch for years. But even though Marshall wasn't exactly sure of where his brother was he always managed to support him finacially and Malik has followed Marshall's singing career.

The Mark of Cain is a story that has a little bit of everything going on: death, drugs, and destruction. Some parts of the story dragged and a lot of the questions were left unanswered. This story has a lot of potential, but it just seems to fizzle out at the end. On the RAW scale it is a 3.

Reviewed by Simone


Rating:
Summary: Love Thy Brother
Review: How can two brothers who come from the same tragic background turn out so differently? In author E.D. Johnson's The Mark of Cain this is exactly what happens. Marshall Garnett is an R&B superstar who has everything going for him: a beautiful young wife, a solid singing career, money, and and a penchant for excess. Marshall is so caught up in himself that he does not see things happening right in front of his face.

One thing is for sure with Marshall, he will not go back to being the poor boy from Newark, NJ that he began life as. Michael Garnett, who is also known as Malik, has decided that he is going to change the world and make it a better place for Black people. He so believes in his cause to rid the world of all bad white people, that he joins an underground group called the Cell. Malik has decided to sacrifice everything in favor of the cause. Malik and Marshall have been out of touch for years. But even though Marshall wasn't exactly sure of where his brother was he always managed to support him finacially and Malik has followed Marshall's singing career.

The Mark of Cain is a story that has a little bit of everything going on: death, drugs, and destruction. Some parts of the story dragged and a lot of the questions were left unanswered. This story has a lot of potential, but it just seems to fizzle out at the end. On the RAW scale it is a 3.

Reviewed by Simone


Rating:
Summary: Politics and Entertainment!
Review: I truly enjoyed The Mark of Cain. The characters seem so real, that I actually thought I knew them. After reading this interesting story it left me thinking about the following questions. Can money really buy happiness? Am I my brother's keeper? When do my brother become his own keeper?

Rating:
Summary: Am I my brother's keeper?
Review: I truly enjoyed The Mark of Cain. The characters seem so real, that I actually thought I knew them. After reading this interesting story it left me thinking about the following questions. Can money really buy happiness? Am I my brother's keeper? When do my brother become his own keeper?

Rating:
Summary: Excitement at it's very best !!!!!!
Review: Let me start by saying that my family is happy that I'm a fast reader, because with this book being so intense I could not put it down. Which means PB& J for dinner until I'm done reading. There are characters that you will cry with, laugh with , relate to, love, hate and sympathize with. This book has it all. There were so many twist and turns just when you think you have something figured out, it's much deeper than you imagined. My emotions were all over the place. You will be on the edge of your seat from start to finish ! I loved the excitement and the ever so clever way this book was written !

*** Very well done***

Keep them coming E.D Johnson!!!

Rating:
Summary: Politics and Entertainment!
Review: The Mark of Cain by E.D.Johnson is an intriguing and suspenseful debut novel. I read an excerpt for the first few chapters which left me wanting more so I knew I had to read the rest of the novel to see how the story would end. Johnson introduces us to brothers Marshall and Malik who were separated during childhood and would go on to become very different individuals. E. D. Johnson has written an intriguing tale of national conspiracy and fraternal deception. As you roam the pages with Marshall and Malik, Johnson will take you inside the scintillating environment of the entertainment industry and the Black paramilitary underground. Johnson will introduce us to divas, drama, drugs, death as well as music, madness, mayhem and murder.

Johnson will take us on one rollercoaster after another as we twist, dip and turn through this suspenseful read. As I mentioned earlier it was the intrigue and suspense that enticed me and made me want more of this novel'unfortunately the characterization left me hanging'I felt like there were too many loose ends which didn't make any sense and which weren't tied up. Maybe a sequel is in the works but right now I feel like I was just left hanging. Additionally, I felt the book went overboard with the stereotypical portrayal of African Americans'I know there are some folks who think that all African Americans are lazy, slothful and unintelligent, however, I don't like being portrayed or leaving that impression with anyone. On a positive note, Johnson does provide insight into the world of glitz, glamour and politics and his writing makes you want more.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: This book will have you literally on the edge of your seat, when you think the ultimate has happen, there are more twist and turns. You can relate this book directly to the Bible, (Am I my brother's keeper?) Malik will keep you guessing. Marshall and his life style in the entertainment business will give you some insight into the world of money, glitz, glamour, and the price you pay sometimes for being successful!

Rating:
Summary: Almost missed my train stop!
Review: You ever read a book that was so good, that you became engulfed in it? This is exactly one of those. The descriptive writing of Mr. Johnson makes you believe that you are right there. This story has everything that a true reader could ever want. This is truly a must have on your book shelf! He is rated right there with Eric Jerome Dickey,Omar Tyree, and Marcus Majors!