Allegedly

By: Tiffany D. Jackson

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin

Orange Is the New Black meets Walter Dean Myer's Monster in this gritty, twisty, and haunting debut by Tiffany D. Jackson about a girl convicted of murder seeking the truth while surviving life in a group home.

Mary B. Addison killed a baby.

Allegedly. She didn't say much in that first interview with detectives, and the media filled in the only blanks that mattered: a white baby had died while under the care of a churchgoing black woman and her nine-year-old daughter. The public convicted Mary, and the jury made it official. But did she do it?

There wasn't a point to setting the record straight before, but now she's got Ted - and their unborn child - to think about. When the state threatens to take her baby, Mary's fate now lies in the hands of the one person she distrusts the most: her momma. No one knows the real Momma. But does anyone know the real Mary?

©2017 Tiffany D. Jackson (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Bahni Turpin’s stunning narration of this audiobook at some points seems like a multivoiced performance.... Turpin excels at giving dimension to even minor characters - bullying housemates, pretentious and cruel housemothers, and the lawyer who is determined to get Mary justice.... From the gripping beginning to the unsettling ending, Turpin maintains the intensity of this compelling story." (AudioFile)

Good story, GREAT narrator, ending a bit unreal.

I started thinking this book was going along adhering to the accepted formula, but it didn't quite do that. On the other hand, the main shift to the ending was done too abruptly, and while it was consistent with the story, it simply just happened, and that was a bit unsatisfying.

Bahni Turpin is a very fine narrator, and is a large part of why the book is a very enjoyable listen. Maybe the narration could have provided the forshadowing that was missing, but I don't think so---it's meant to be a last page reveal.

On the whole, though, pretty darned good!

Highly entertaining, thrilling read

While the narration of the book was excellent; perhaps the best I have heard in an audiobook, I felt strung along when I reached the ending. The author spends so much time developing this character and providing vignettes of who she is and how she reacts in different situations, only to betray us in the end without any explanation.

Surpisingly Good

This is the best narration I have listened to so far. Excellent story as well!

Unexpected ending!

I was routing for Mary. I was totally shocked in the end. For well written book.

What an ending!!!

What a book. I loved this book. Mary is a very complex character. The ending is so shocking. I have to listen to this book again

The “excepts” almost made me stop and Google!

I loved the format of this book! I love true crime stories and podcast and the “excepts” almost made me stop and Google if this was a true story! Many reviews have said the ending wasn’t good or a part two is needed. The ending left me wondering, but Mary & her momma are so messed up who can you believe. Great storyline with great character development.

Totally engaging

The characters reel you in until you are hooked!!!!
This is a tour de force narrator... with a juicy mystery story to tell. She nailed every accent made every scene live.
Crazy twisted ending! I loved it.
I’m going to listen to everything this narrator does. She’s an artist.

Love!!!

Started out a little slow but ended up being a great book! I just hate that it ended on a cliffhanger.

cleverly crafted

This book leaves you hoping for an unrealistic ending and rooti g for the thinga you know are wrong.

Amazing red for me and my 15 yr old

My 15 year old doesn’t like to read so I felt if I gave her something interesting she may be more willing to indulge. I got the audiobook for myself first and immediately ordered it for my daughter!!!! This is a must read!