Step into the electrifying world of Carl Weber’s Family Business series, where luxury cars and secret criminal empires collide in a whirlwind of drama, loyalty, and betrayal! This African American crime saga follows the Duncans, a prominent family from Jamaica, Queens, who run a thriving auto dealership by day and control a dangerous underworld by night. Packed with plot twists and complex characters, this series hooks readers with its blend of family ties and high-stakes intrigue.
With its vibrant urban setting and morally ambiguous cast, Family Business offers a fresh take on the crime drama genre, exploring the cost of power and the pursuit of the American Dream. Ready to dive into a world where no secret stays buried? Let’s explore the heart of this addictive series!
How Family Business Began
Carl Weber, a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Urban Books, launched the Family Business series in 2012, co-writing the first novel with Eric Pete. Inspired by his love for urban fiction and family dynamics, Weber crafted a story that mirrors the intensity of classic mafia tales like The Godfather, but with a distinctly African American perspective. Set in his hometown of Jamaica, Queens, Weber’s series reflects the gritty glamour of urban life, drawing readers into a world where loyalty is tested at every turn.
Weber’s background as a publisher and bookstore owner gave him a keen sense of what readers craved: fast-paced narratives with relatable characters. The Family Business series quickly became a fan favorite, spawning a BET television adaptation in 2018 that brought the Duncans’ saga to a wider audience.
The Heart of Family Business
The series kicks off with The Family Business (2012), where patriarch L.C. Duncan faces a recession and a tough choice: which of his children will inherit his auto dealership and secret drug empire? His workaholic son Orlando seems the obvious pick, but siblings like the fiery Paris and flamboyant Rio have other plans. The stakes skyrocket as rival families and hidden secrets threaten to unravel the Duncans’ legacy.
Subsequent books, like The Family Business 2 (2013, co-authored with Treasure Hernandez), amp up the drama with new family members and a groundbreaking drug called HEAT that could make the Duncans billionaires—or destroy them. Later titles, such as The Family Business 5 (2018), introduce fresh threats like the fanatical Brother X, keeping readers on edge. The series’ urban setting, vivid dialogue, and themes of power, betrayal, and family loyalty create a cinematic experience that’s hard to put down.
Weber’s storytelling shines through morally complex characters like Paris, a trained assassin with a supermodel’s charm, and L.C., a patriarch wrestling with racism and legacy. The series tackles heavy themes—racism, greed, and the cost of ambition—while delivering soap-opera-style twists that fans adore. Whether it’s a shocking betrayal or a steamy romance, there’s never a dull moment in the Duncan clan.
Why Family Business Resonates
The Family Business series has left a lasting mark on urban fiction, offering a compelling African American lens on the crime drama genre. Its relatable characters and high-octane plots have earned it a loyal fanbase, with over 3 million books sold and a successful BET series that ran for five seasons. The show’s 2018 debut and 2024 spin-off, The Family Business: New Orleans, prove the story’s enduring appeal.
Beyond entertainment, the series resonates by exploring the tension between legitimacy and crime, a universal struggle for families chasing success against systemic odds. Weber’s ability to blend heart-pounding action with emotional depth keeps readers and viewers coming back, cementing Family Business as a cultural touchstone in African American storytelling.
- Publication Years: 2012–present
- Number of Books: 7 main novels, plus companion titles
- Adaptation: BET series (2018–2024), with a New Orleans spin-off in 2024
- Authors: Carl Weber, with co-authors Eric Pete, Treasure Hernandez, and La Jill Hunt
Grab The Family Business and dive into a world of glamour, grit, and jaw-dropping twists! Whether you’re a fan of crime dramas or family sagas, the Duncans’ story will keep you hooked from page one.