Dive into the electrifying world of The Cartel, where Miami’s cocaine empire pulses with betrayal, love, and raw ambition! Crafted by Ashley Antoinette and JaQuavis Coleman, this New York Times bestselling series redefines street fiction with its gritty realism and Shakespearean drama. From family legacies to deadly rivalries, The Cartel hooks readers with its vivid characters and high-stakes action.
Picture Miami’s sun-soaked streets, where power is currency and loyalty is tested daily. The Cartel series, launched in 2008, follows the Diamond family as they navigate the treacherous underworld after the death of their patriarch, Carter Diamond. With its blend of romance, crime, and suspense, this saga has captivated fans worldwide, earning a cult following for its unflinching look at urban life.
How The Cartel Began
Ashley Antoinette and JaQuavis Coleman, a dynamic husband-and-wife duo from Flint, Michigan, birthed The Cartel from their own experiences in a tough urban landscape. Discovered by author Carl Weber at just 17, they channeled their street-smarts and storytelling flair into a debut novel, Dirty Money, before unleashing The Cartel in 2008. Their goal? To craft authentic, pulse-pounding tales that resonate with readers who know the hustle firsthand.
Drawing from Flint’s gritty reality and Miami’s vibrant chaos, the couple wrote with a raw, cinematic edge. Their collaboration—fueled by competitive banter and shared dreams—produced a series that’s as much about heart as it is about heat. By 2009, The Cartel’s second book hit the New York Times bestseller list, cementing their status as street lit royalty.
The Heart of The Cartel
The Cartel series spans eight main novels, with prequels and spin-offs, each diving deeper into the Diamond family’s empire. The Cartel (2008) kicks off with Carter Diamond’s death, leaving his wife Taryn, twin sons Mecca and Monroe, daughter Breeze, and secret son Carter Jones to grapple with his legacy. As rival gangs and contract killers like Miamor’s Murder Mamas close in, betrayal and romance collide in a thrilling showdown.
Tale of the Murda Mamas (2009) ramps up the chaos, exploring Miamor’s quest for revenge after losing her sister, all while her forbidden love with Carter Jones deepens. The Cartel 3: The Last Chapter (2010) tests the family’s resilience as kidnappings and secrets threaten to tear them apart. Later, Long Live the Cartel (2020) introduces a new era, with Breeze stepping into power. Themes of loyalty, power, and redemption weave through every book, set against Miami’s vivid backdrop of decadence and danger.
The series’ style is unapologetically bold—think slang-heavy dialogue, steamy romance, and visceral violence. Ashley and JaQuavis paint characters who evolve, like Carter Jones’ shift from outsider to leader or Miamor’s battle between love and vengeance. This depth, paired with Miami’s pulsating energy, makes The Cartel a standout in urban fiction.
Why The Cartel Resonates
The Cartel’s impact lies in its raw authenticity and cultural mirror. It reflects urban struggles—ambition, betrayal, and survival—while celebrating Black resilience and complexity. Fans praise its addictive pacing and layered characters, with the series earning Street Literature Book Award Medals and a Cash Money Content deal. Its influence extends beyond books, inspiring film and TV talks, with JaQuavis directing projects like Everything is Both.
By blending street lit’s edge with universal themes, Ashley and JaQuavis have elevated the genre, drawing readers from all walks. The Cartel’s legacy endures as a bold saga that doesn’t shy away from life’s darker corners, yet finds humanity in the chaos.
- First Published: 2008
- Books: 8 main novels, plus prequels and spin-offs
- Awards: Street Literature Book Award Medals (2010, 2014)
- Authors: Ashley Antoinette and JaQuavis Coleman
Ready to get hooked? Grab The Cartel and plunge into Miami’s thrilling underworld today!