Forty Acres

May 5, 2014
A bold if over-the-top premise nearly overwhelms the plot of Smith’s entertaining debut thriller. Damon Darrell, an internationally famous former trial lawyer, recruits lawyer Martin Grey, a courtroom rival, into a secret conspiracy of powerful black men determined to redress the wrongs of slavery in America by taking revenge on the descendants of the oppressors. Grey is revolted at what form this revenge takes, but his own life and the life of his family is on the line. A terrible final initiation tests all that he holds dear. Smith deftly lays the story’s foundation with potent arguments that the legacy of slavery is far from over, and is a shadow that still haunts America. But these justifications ring hollow for Grey when he confronts the reality of slavery for any human being, regardless of the guilt or innocence of society at large. Unfortunately, a hurried conclusion dissipates much of the power of the intriguing set-up. Agent: Molly Friedrich, Friedrich Agency.

June 1, 2014
Screenwriter Smith tackles the brutality of slavery in this debut novel.Up-and-coming attorney Martin Grey is involved in the trial of his career, a racial discrimination case that pits the young lawyer against another black attorney, Damon Darrell, a Johnnie Cochran-type with a reputation for winning. Much to everyone's surprise, Martin manages to snatch victory in court, instantly catapulting himself into the limelight and into a new and prestigious circle of friends, which includes Damon. Those friends are rich and powerful African-American men with beautiful wives, prestige, lots of money, and a deep, dark secret that they share. When Martin is invited to tag along for a weekend of whitewater rafting, his wife, Anna, begs him not to go. She thinks it's dangerous and isn't comfortable with his newfound buddies. But Martin goes anyway, assuring Anna he'll be fine. Anna doesn't buy it, though, and after digging around on the Internet, she finds that a famous novelist died on one of the group's trips. Her fears are well-seated. When Martin steps off the private jet that whisked them to the private stronghold where these men spend their vacations, he discovers they're harboring a secret that could bring down their whole world: The compound, called Forty Acres, is much more than a retreat; it's a prison camp for dozens of whites held against their wills and forced to work for their black overlords, as a way for African-Americans to exact revenge for slavery. Smith's screenwriting roots are evident from the first paragraph-he writes for actors, not for readers. Action-oriented but short on character development, the tale Smith spins is earnest but contrived and laced with clumsy sex as well as murky philosophical meanderings.While inventive, Smith's writing lacks the polish and depth this plot needs to succeed.

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June 15, 2014

Attorney Martin Grey just won the biggest racial discrimination case of his career, putting his law firm in the media spotlight. The opposing counsel, superstar lawyer Damon Darrell, invites Martin and his wife, Anna, to a small party at his estate. Martin is welcomed into Damon's small group of friends, all of them powerful, extremely wealthy African American men. Despite Anna's growing suspicions that all is not right, Martin goes on a men-only retreat to a plantation-style mansion called Forty Acres. A horrified Martin is offered membership into a secret society that aims to avenge the past injustices of slavery through the kidnapping and enslavement of descendants of slaveholders. Knowing his refusal would mean his death, Martin desperately plans his escape not only to save himself and the slaves but to expose the immorality of all he sees. VERDICT With an intriguing premise and gripping action scenes, screenwriter Smith presents a satisfying thriller in his debut novel.--Joy Gunn, Paseo Verde Lib., Henderson, NV

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2014
After young attorney Martin Grey trumps celebrity litigator Damon Darrell in a multimillion-dollar civil rights suit, Darrell inexplicably welcomes him into his circle of influential African American men. For Martin, acceptance into this circle is the realization of a life's dream. He's even invited on their men's retreat, and Darrell cryptically promises a life-altering experience. But when they arrive at their secret destination, a secluded plantation called Forty Acres, Martin enters a horrific alternate reality. The group's charismatic leader, Dr. Kasim, promises to free Martin from the legacy of slavery by avenging his ancestors. At Forty Acres, the slaves are captive descendants of plantation owners and slavers, and Martin's new friends are their masters. Martin has no intention of initiating, but his life and the slaves' freedom depends on convincing these new masters that he shares their brand of brutality. Like Grisham's The Firm (1991), Forty Acres pits a sharp legal mind against a deadly conspiracy of elites, and Martin's survival strategizing builds top-grade suspense. The disturbingly powerful, well-wrought story easily overshadows the few minor improbabilities. Highly recommended for book groups.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)