I had heard the name Stephanie St. Claire, or "Madame Queen," mentioned several times, usually in passing when discussing other figures of Harlem's storied past. However, I knew very little about this infamous woman who allegedly ruled the streets of Harlem. I was excited to dive into this book, hoping it would provide more insight into her life and legacy.

While I did learn some new information about St. Claire, I found that the book didn’t quite deliver the in-depth exploration I was hoping for. The author offers a disclaimer early on, acknowledging the difficulty of finding concrete information about St. Claire, which set realistic expectations. However, what followed were several moments where the narrative seemed to shift into speculation, with the author stating, "This is what I believe happened, knowing her." These passages felt less like solid research and more like assumptions, which left me feeling unsatisfied.

Additionally, there were sections of the book that felt like they dragged on, leading me to skim through portions of it. Despite the intriguing subject matter, the pacing and occasional lack of clarity in the narrative left me feeling somewhat underwhelmed by the end.

While this book offers a decent introduction to St. Claire’s life, it falls short of being the comprehensive and engaging account I was hoping for. If you're interested in her story, this book may provide some value, but it may leave you craving more detailed and grounded information..