The Mayor of Maxwell Street

De: Avery Cunningham

Narrado por: Bahni Turpin

"A debut novel everyone will be talking about", Avery Cunningham's epic love story is "a triumph" and "a tale of intrigue, racial tension, and class warfare, set against the glamorous and gritty backdrop of early 20th century Chicago".

When a rich Black debutante enlists the help of a low-level speakeasy manager to identify the head of an underground crime syndicate, the two are thrust into the dangerous world of Prohibition-era Chicago.

The year is 1921, and America is burning. A fire of vice and virtue rages on every shore, and Chicago is its beating heart.

Nelly Sawyer is the daughter of the “wealthiest Negro in America”, whose affluence catapulted his family to the heights of Black society. After the unexpected death of her only brother, Nelly becomes the premier debutante overnight. But Nelly has aspirations beyond society influence and marriage. For the past year, she has worked undercover as an investigative journalist, sharing the achievements and tribulations of everyday Black people living in the shadow of Jim Crow. Her latest assignment thrusts her into the den of a dangerous vice lord: the so-called Mayor of Maxwell Street.

Born in rural Alabama to a murdered biracial couple, Jay Shorey knows firsthand what it means to be denied a chance at the American dream. When a tragic turn of fate gave Jay a rare path out, he took it without question. He washed up on Chicago’s storied shores and forged his own way to the top of the city’s underworld, running Chicago's swankiest speakeasy, where the rich and famous rub elbows with gangsters and politicians alike.

When Nelly’s and Jay’s paths cross, she recruits him to help expose the Mayor and bring about lasting change in a corrupt city. But Jay also introduces a whole new world to Nelly, one where her horizons can extend beyond the confines of her ivory tower. Trapped between the monolith of Jim Crow, the inflexible world of the Black upper class, and the violence of Prohibition-era Chicago, Jay and Nelly work together and stoke the flames of a love worth fighting for.

Debut author Avery Cunningham’s stunning novel is at once an epic love story, a riveting historical drama, and a brilliant exploration of Black society and perseverance when the ‘20s first began to roar.

©2024 Disney Enterprises, Inc. (P)2024 Audible, Inc.

I loved the narrator!

So…Nelly, Nelly, Nelly! She is something else! I found myself going back and forth with Nelly both loving her and screaming at her all the same time. Her youth is what made her so recognizable. Nelly’s strength as a young woman is a reminder that we all eventually grow up. Life will do that. Some reviews had me not wanting to listen to this book, but after the prologue and the narrator’s ability to carry every accent, I was taken away. Avery Cunningham is a great storyteller. I’m looking forward to the next book!

An Amazing Debut

I rounded up to a 5 because overall I really really enjoyed the book. The writing is great, very descriptive. I love the time period and the overall premise of the characters being wealthy and intelligent because it did exist in the 1920s for AA’s and I believe those stories should be told just as much as the poor/slave/down trodden stories are told. The only thing I didn’t like was the ending.

*SPOILERS*

*SPOILERS*

Ok that should be enough distance for me to mention my spoilers. Who was Sam and why was there no story on him? I knew who the Mayor was from the start but I wish the author would’ve written more about him and why he did all that he did in the book. The devastating events with her parents were skimmed over. What happened to Sequoia? I wish there was more told in the last hour of the book to really wrap it up and it would have been perfect. That really is my only complaint.

Very satisfying

Brilliantly read! Fabulously written! Deep history brought to life. Wish there were more by this author on Audible.

This was kind of intense

I love that this took place in Chicago. I love that this took place in the twenties and I love that this not only surrounds black people and their struggle in Chicago in the Twenties (because we were not safe ANYWHERE) but I love that this story explored allies, passing and wealthy/elite black society. I enjoyed this.

4.5 stars

Narration saved the story.

Interesting characters. Storyline was intriguing until it wasn’t. The author did tie all loose ends . It was just very long and seemed repetitive. Not a complete waste of time but not one I will listen to again .

Went From Slow Burn Into a Barn Burner!

When I say I didn’t think this book would keep my attention, I was dead wrong. The exposition wasn’t the most compelling, but it indeed played its part in weaving a tapestry of generational wealth, trauma, and demons. I had a suspicion of who the Mayor of Maxwell Street was and the Cunningham didn’t disappoint all whilst getting me to the reveal. Great read, especially for those historical fiction fans.

Plot twist?

The story was quickly paced but not too much that it’s unable to be followed. The ending plot twist was a great teaser. While Bahni Turpin is a fantastic narrator, multiple voices would have given the story more depth.

Captured, Engaged and wanting more

Bravo! Great first novel. Nelly’s story kept me engaged and wanting more. The narration was masterful. The historical references were inspirational and enlightening, I’ll be waiting on the next masterpiece from this brilliant author.

What a story!

This story captured me from the very beginning both from a writing and performance perspective.

Better Ending next time!

For a debut novel it was well done & the narrator (Audible) was excellent!

I knew nothing about the book except a small excerpt online so I had no expectations. I enjoyed the history, the insight and the character detail, however the plot fell very short for me.

Nelly is a wonderful character I enjoyed greatly, but her choices & plot line didn't line up for me. The romance she follows wasn't believable & the one in front of her that made the most sense fell flat.

I guessed who the Mayor was immediately & thought it would be fun to see if I could find clues throughout the story. Sadly I don't think any of them lined up once the Mayor is finally revealed. What should have been a major moment in the story left me so confused.
In addition the final chapter added further confusion & the epilogue which could have helped with the ending wasn't believable at all when it's not that it's only one year later.

All this to say, I would grab Avery Cunningham's next book and read it with an open mind. There was plenty of good in this book that I believe could be worked out with a second go around.