Step into the pulse-pounding world of Murderville, where love battles the darkest corners of human trafficking, drug cartels, and urban grit! This electrifying urban fiction trilogy by New York Times bestselling authors Ashley Antoinette and JaQuavis Coleman follows Liberty and A’Shai, two souls from war-torn Sierra Leone, as they navigate a treacherous journey to America’s unforgiving streets. With raw emotion and relentless drama, Murderville hooks readers from the first page.
Known for their gritty storytelling, Ashley and JaQuavis craft a saga that’s equal parts heart-wrenching romance and high-stakes thriller. If you’re craving a story that blends love, redemption, and survival with a fearless look at life’s underbelly, Murderville is your next obsession!
How Murderville Began
Born in the notorious neighborhoods of Flint, Michigan, Ashley Antoinette and JaQuavis Coleman drew from their surroundings to create Murderville. Discovered at 17 by author Carl Weber, the duo landed publishing deals as college freshmen, quickly becoming urban fiction royalty. Their 2011 brainchild, Murderville, emerged from their knack for weaving real-world issues—like human trafficking and street life—into gripping narratives. The trilogy’s raw authenticity reflects their roots and their mission to spotlight marginalized voices.
Their collaboration, sparked by a competitive writing challenge during Ashley’s recovery from illness, blends JaQuavis’s knack for suspense with Ashley’s emotional depth. Murderville’s unflinching look at global and urban struggles set a new standard for the genre, cementing their status as “the most successful literary couple” per the New York Times.
The Heart of Murderville
The trilogy kicks off with Murderville: First of a Trilogy (2011), introducing Liberty and A’Shai, childhood friends torn apart by Sierra Leone’s violence and sold into human trafficking. As Liberty battles a fatal heart condition and A’Shai rises in a drug empire, their love defies all odds—until their past threatens to destroy them. Murderville 2: The Epidemic (2012) dives deeper, with Liberty forging a new path alongside Po, a hustler, as betrayal and new foes like the cunning Dahlia loom large.
The saga concludes in Murderville 3: The Black Dahlia (2013), where Dahlia’s ruthless ascent in the black market clashes with Liberty’s quest for revenge. Themes of love, loyalty, and redemption pulse through the series, set against vivid backdrops from Sierra Leone’s war zones to America’s gritty streets. Ashley and JaQuavis’s fast-paced style, rich character arcs, and unflinching portrayal of sex trafficking and crime make each book a page-turner.
The series stands out for its emotional rollercoaster—read Nimble Fingers calls it “a soap opera, plot twists, adventure, action.” Fans praise its addictive mix of romance and suspense, though some note occasional clunky prose, best savored via audiobook to focus on the story’s raw power.
Why Murderville Resonates
Murderville’s impact lies in its fearless exploration of real-world horrors—human trafficking, drug cartels, and urban survival—wrapped in a love story that tugs at the heart. It’s resonated with urban fiction fans for its authentic voice, drawing from the authors’ Flint roots and shedding light on marginalized communities. The trilogy’s blend of global issues and street-level drama has inspired devoted readers, many of whom binge the series in days, hooked by its emotional depth and shocking twists.
Its legacy endures in its influence on urban fiction, proving the genre can tackle heavy themes with commercial success. Ashley and JaQuavis’s storytelling has paved the way for more diverse narratives, earning them a loyal fanbase and critical acclaim. Murderville remains a testament to love’s resilience in the darkest of worlds.
- Publication Years: 2011–2013
- Number of Books: 3
- Authors: Ashley Antoinette and JaQuavis Coleman
- Genre: Urban Fiction
Ready for a wild ride? Grab Murderville: First of a Trilogy and dive into a world where love fights to survive against all odds!