Reviewed by Author, Leigh McKnight

Returning home after seven year, Nefertiti is faced with a number of unresolved issues with the men in her life, including her father who did the unthinkable—forcing her to give up her daughter at birth. Though she returned home seeking answers, she also knew she owed some answers as well—her husband from whom she had kept a secret that could have ruined her marriage.

Hostage of Lies is a powerful portrayal of African-American lives with all the ingredients for a best seller. Maxine Thompson engages you from page one to page 310 with a rich mixture of love, lies, secrets, believable characters, rich African-American history, skeletons, betrayal, pain, racial issues, status, humor, lost loves, infidelity, mental illness, black sheep in the family and many other family issues that leave you wanting more—much more.

Titi’s quest to find her daughter after decades is very real and moving. It lets one know that very often when love is involved, time stands still. I was deeply touched by the warm spirit, perhaps the forgiving or just moving forward and live attitude of Zora Desiree Fairchild, Nefertiti’s daughter.
The structure of this story was brilliantly and flawlessly executed by Thompson, the voices of the characters were strong and believable and I love all the back story that brought me to where Nefertiti’s journey ended. Hostage of Lies is so rich in African-American history that it wouldn’t surprise me if it becomes a required reading piece in schools. This story crosses all kinds of lines. Any and everyone will enjoy.

Fantastic Maxine Thompson—–5 *****