Bad Seeds

Praise for Mary Monroe

“This is a touching examination of the commitment to love, or lack of it, within a marital relationship and the roads down which our emotions lead us ahead of our intellect. It speaks to the pillars of support provided by unshakeable female friendship in difficult times. An enjoyable book with a poignant title which speaks directly to the content.” —Historical Novel Society on Bent But Not Broken

“Her willingness to do anything for her loved ones is relatable, and the emboldening influence of her desperation and the incremental gravity of her deceptiveness heighten the narrative’s mesmerizing effect. Although scenes of rape and sexual abuse shape Monroe’s unflinching dramatization of difficult but important themes of sexuality, sexual trauma, and survival, they do not weigh down the story, but rather enrich its resonance.” —Booklist on Mrs. Wiggins

“Drama, suspense, small town charm…Mary Monroe packed it all into the finale of her beloved Neighbors series that transports readers back to 1930s Alabama.” —Woman’s World on Across the Way

“Tackling themes of domestic violence, racism, infidelity, and religious hypocrisy, Monroe crafts a plot full of deception, tragedy, and murder against a backdrop of the Great Depression. . . Monroe also skillfully gives readers gems highlighting Alabama’s culture and the history of the United States.” —Alabama Writers’ Forum on Bent But Not Broken

“Monroe brings her exciting Neighbors trilogy to a dramatic and memorable conclusion, as she explores how social tension and conflict complicate jealousy and romance in an African American enclave in a small Alabama town during the Great Depression.” —Booklist on Across the Way


“Monroe extends Hubert’s story in a drama laced with suspenseful twists and tension. The novel’s gritty narrative delves into themes of moral relativism, intimacy, and sexuality, capturing the intensity of suppressed passion and the discontent of unexpressed expectations in a drama sure to please award-winning and bestselling Monroe’s many fans.” —Booklist on Love, Honor, Betray

“Love a wild romp between the pages? Then you’ll be overjoyed with the opening two-thirds of Love, Honor, Betray, where infidelity becomes an art form.” —Washington Blade on Love, Honor, Betray

“In this first volume of her new series, New York Times bestselling author Monroe convincingly portrays a time and place where desperation is the norm.” —Library Journal on One House Over

“A very believable portrayal of the African American experience in a hard place at a hard time.” —Historical Novels Review on One House Over

“Mary Monroe is an exceptional writer and phenomenal storyteller!” —Kimberla Lawson Roby, New York Times bestselling author on One House Over

“Mary Monroe is a fantastic writer and has a real knack for creating characters with substance and dimension.” —This Black Girl Reads on Over the Fence

“Monroe brings the Deep South Prohibition-era world to life in a captivating tale of greed and consequences and primes readers to find out what happens among these complicated neighbors in the next book.” —Booklist on Over the Fence

“Monroe reveals sympathetic aspects and complex motivations for each character in this engrossing setting.” —Booklist on One House Over

“Mary Monroe deftly captures the steamy intrigues of her characters’ complicated lives in this Depression-era story that readers will find impossible to put down.” —Susan Holloway Scott, author of I, Eliza Hamilton, on One House Over