Three residents of Harlem's fictitious Ida B. Barrett Wells Tower lead different but intersecting lives in this charming, paint-by-the-numbers novel from Essence
bestselling author Miller (Satin Doll
). A tightly knit bunch in their 20s, Brenda, Rosa and Sharif grew up in the "Ida B.," both the beloved centerpiece of their community and a "prison" they want to escape. Brenda is a would-be writer and a caring mother of four on welfare; Puerto Rican Rosa is a foul-mouthed aspiring actress; and Sharif is a gay political activist who never even checks a guy out and whose behavior is so constantly ingratiating that he borders on parody. The book has many similar problems in characterization, but its great strength is the spirited banter—the gossip, the teasing, the insulting—that goes down between everyone at Ida B. Whether it's from a young wannabe gangster who secretly excels at science or a grandmother who sells stolen goods out of her apartment, the talk is juicy and fun. A twist-and-turn plot Miller inserts midway through involves a murder and the very fate of the building itself, but the real questions are about the three friends: will Rosa make it as an actress? Will Brenda write her book? Faced with a crucial choice, will Sharif make the right one? This is a spunky, speedy read. Agent, Liza Dawson
. 10-city author tour. (Aug.)
