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God Don’t Play by Mary Monroe — book cover

God Don’t Play

by Mary Monroe
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Overview

From Mary Monroe, beloved author of God Don't Like Ugly and God Still Don't Like Ugly, comes the entwined stories of two lifelong friends, their secrets and lies, and a new challenge that could destroy their relationship once and for all. . .

With a handsome husband, a beautiful daughter, and a lovely house to come home to every night, forty-five-year-old Annette Goode finally has it all. Heaven knows she paid her dues—from a childhood filled with abuse to a rocky start as an adult. Annette's friend Rhoda knows too, for Rhoda has been both her savior and her greatest fear. Their erratic relationship has survived some serious bumps in the road. But now that things are good, someone apparently thinks they're a little too good. . .

When Annette receives an anonymous—and menacing—birthday gift, it's just the beginning of a slew of hostile letters, vicious phone calls, and vile packages from a female who is obviously disguising her voice. Gaining comfort from the support of Rhoda and Rhoda's teenage daughter, Jade, Annette hopes that somehow the problem will go away. But when the threats extend to her little daughter, Annette realizes the situation is dire. And she's right, for soon her tormentor reveals exactly what she wants—and how it could destroy everything Annette has built. . .

Praise for Mary Monroe

"Monroe's richly drawn characters will stay with readers..."—Booklist

". . .reminiscent of Zora Neale Hurston. . ." —Publishers Weekly

"Watch out Toni Morrison, there is a new sister in town." —Rapport

About the Author, Mary Monroe

Mary Monroe
MARY MONROE is the New York Times bestselling author of Deliver Me From Evil, God Don't Play, In Sheep's Clothing, Red Light Wives, God Still Don't Like Ugly, Gonna Lay Down My Burdens, God Don't Like Ugly, The Upper Room, and the novella "Nightmare in Paradise" in Borrow Trouble. An avid traveler, Mary currently lives in Oakland, California.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

In this third novel in Monroe's bestselling God Don't series, Annette Goode finally has it all: a sexy husband who adores her, a beautiful young daughter, a comfy house, a good job and a perfect best friend. But why is someone suddenly sending her anonymous hate mail? As the poison pen letters and threatening phone calls become more ugly and violent, Annette takes her friend Rhoda's advice and sets out to discover and expose the culprit. Along the way, she is forced to dust off some of the skeletons in her closet-including childhood poverty and sexual abuse, a brief stint turning tricks as a teenager, and being an accessory to murder. Annette also confronts gnawing insecurity: obese and unfashionable, she wonders how long she can hang onto a husband who, according to gossip from the local beauty parlor, still has his name tattooed on the buttocks of Annette's prime suspect, the town femme fatale. Monroe squeezes everything she can from this novel's melodramatic plot, but it never feels as ominous as it should, nor does the tidiness of the conclusion enhance the book's already-faint sense of verisimilitude. What was interesting about Annette is covered in the earlier books. (Aug. 29) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

After many years of struggling with poverty, self-image, and molestation at the hands of her mother's boarder and friend, Mr. Boatright, classic underdog Annette Goode has finally achieved the American dream: a good job, a lovely home, a handsome husband who adores her, and a beautiful daughter. But in this sequel to God Don't Like Ugly and God Still Don't Like Ugly, something is chipping away at Annette's idealistic new world. When she begins receiving strange letters and packages from someone who clearly hates her and wants her gone, she turns to old friend and sometimes deadly sidekick Rhoda and her daughter, Jade. Readers are left on edge wondering if anything will be left of Annette's former life after her search for her unknown enemy. Monroe once again skillfully delivers a crafty story wrapped around a host of heartwarming characters battling everyday struggles and obstacles, even as she entertains readers with spurts of unexpected comedy and tragedy. Recommended for public libraries with contemporary African American collections.-Opalisa L. Jones, Birmingham P.L., AL Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Book Details

Published
June 10, 2026
Publisher
Kensington Publishing Corporation
Pages
256
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780758231499

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