2 shades of Vice documents the relationship of Alla Mae Briggs and Gordon Reynolds in 1960s Kansas City. The writing is a bit stilted for true crime, has a tendency to jump from one subject to another rather jarringly, and in the case of the Kindle download, abruptly end when Ms. Briggs has to be taken to the hospital with an asthma attack. The other issue I had with this book is the poorly written erotica aspect where the author felt the need to graphically describe the activities some of the hookers are engaging in with clients of Briggs and Reynolds "good time" house. It was gratuitous to add these scenes and did nothing for the actual story.

The characters of this book hook me with their schemes and chemistry. I did not want this book to end.. Very well written.

I love these type of books and very rarely do they disappoint, loved it and would recommend this book

3.5 Stars. A kind of quirky yet readable true crime book about an interracial couple who seem to work rather well together in early 60's crime in Kansas City crime together. Alla Mae had been working the streets as an independent hooker when Gordon Reynolds offers her a job managing one of his two bawdy houses. She finds herself falling for him and being suited for the work, dangerous though it is. Liked the book, despite the violence, racism of the times, and too abrupt ending.

(Thanks to NetGalley, the Publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC for review)

This book is not exactly what I was expecting when I picked it up in the "true crime" section. I should have paid more attention to the smaller print "Based on the true story" which is not at all the same as a factual account.

Personally I like my facts separate from my fiction. Are these names real? Did all of these people even exist? I don't know. I do know that this reads like a novel, not a true crime, and any facts seem to be heavily embellished.

As far as the story itself, the 60s were already a tumultuous time to be a part of an interracial couple. Even more so when you are a mom and want to muscle in on other criminals territory. It was fast paced, with lots of sex and violence. The ending was strangely abrupt. which left me wondering if there will be more to follow, and what the future held for Alla Mae's children.

This book is an awesome read. It chronicles an inter-racial couple who were there for each other, even during crimes. This book is about 2 people that are involved in a criminal life but it is also, believe it or not a love story. We see how they dealt with being an inter-racial couple, the stigma of this type of relationship from others but how they stuck it out. You have action, romance and an all around dynamic read in this book. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.