Payback: The Return of C.R.E.A.M.

January 12, 2009
At the start of Jones's explosive sequel to C.R.E.A.M
. (2007), just as a Philadelphia judge is about to rule that Karima “Cream” Thomas must stand trial for the murder of her boyfriend, Duane Faision, who died defending her in the previous book, a scream is heard outside the courtroom. Practically everyone in the court, including Karima, rushes into the hallway, where Karima's mother, Sharon Thomas, lies dying with a puncture wound in her neck. Karima vows vengeance on the ice pick murderer, who turns out to be fiendishly clever Troy Williams, a former FBI profiler with a long grudge list. In the next 24 hours, as Troy starts bumping off all those he believes have wronged him, it becomes clear only Karima can stop his rampage. Jones's African-American female avenger breathes fresh air into a stale stereotype.