8 x Award-Winning Filmmaker and critically acclaimed author A. L. Smith
Behind Closed Doors Series: A.L. Smith's Crime Fiction Masterpiece
"Behind Every Closed Door Lies a Story Worth Telling.."
Critically acclaimed author A.L. Smith re-introduces her Best Selling Behind Closed Doors Series. In criminal law, a crime of passion is typically one that is committed in response to a provocation (heat of passion) as opposed to one that was premeditated. The protagonist in the series is Attorney Alexandra Phillips. Alex is a world-renowned crime of passion defense attorney who has a knack for turning open and shut cases for the prosecution into not-guilty verdicts for her clients, all of whom are forced to face charges related to the murder of their abusers. Attorney Phillips never loses.
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AMAZING piece of literary art!!!! A phenomenal author with obvious personal insight to the urban community. Mind gripping work.
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Book 2! This book provides education while entertaining the reader. I'm impressed with how A.L. Smith is able capture the reader's attention without losing focus considering each character speaks from 1st person. That is not easy to do! The story line is great! It ties with Book 1 but has a major twist! All I can do is recommend #BehindClosedDoors...you will not be disappointed!
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A.L. Smith is an author that has an outstanding imagination. She chooses to educate while entertaining and that is truly a God given talent. She exhibits her knowledge of world events and history as she creates characters that individuals can relate to in one way or another. She is AMAZINGLY and TRULY a well-rounded author!
Behind Closed Doors Series: Book 1 (Urban Lit)
"Every Family Has a Secret. Every Secret Has a Cost..."
Sierra, Alex, and Latrice choose significantly different paths as they struggle to deal with the psychological effects of abuse. The three are eventually driven apart and they transition into womanhood carrying a secret that would influence their lives and threaten to destroy their family. Through a series of unlikely circumstances, the three are reunited. The meeting would ultimately set the stage for atonement. For Attorney Phillips, this one is personal.
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Different... it keeps you gripped until the end. Not what is happening but what is going to happen. I found myself holding my breath in places. Overall very good.
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A difficult topic for a novel but dealt with well. What made it readable was that the focus was on the three girls lives and not the abuse.
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It's not often that such a serious subject as sexual abuse can be tackled in a fictional tale and be done with dignity and grace, while also entertaining the reader with a good story.
Behind Closed Doors Series: Book 2 (urban lit)
"Sometimes the Strongest Among Us Are the Ones Who Cry Behind Closed Doors..."
The Novel That Became an Award-Winning Short Film:
Based on a true story, 'Behind Closed Doors 2 Dana's Story' is the riveting tale of one little girl’s struggle to overcome circumstances beyond her control. At the age of 12, Dana is forced into human trafficking, and her mother-a heroin addict-brokers the deal. Years later, Dana comes face-to-face with her abuser and ultimately a murder charge. Fortunately, her college roommate is Attorney Alexandra Phillips.
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The author is a master storyteller and should be commended for crafting a plot that is so absorbing. I look forward to reading more books in this series. For a time, I felt like I was transported to East St. Louis and Dana's world. Maybe her world wasn't such a good place to be, but I had no choice. Really good books can do that to a reader—Onlinebookclub.org
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Smith’s voice is both sturdy and elegant, delivering blunt, edgy prose that’s never lurid...An uncompromising but profound urban tale from an incisive author.
—Kirkus Reviews
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Law & Order: SVU, Taken (2008), Criminal Minds, & Tricked (2013). These are just a few examples of trafficking that we see in America (East Coast, West Coast, & internationally). But, rarely is it that we hear about this issue in the South (Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, etc.). A.L. Smith has broached this issue unapologetically with unwavering focus. This book has made me a lifetime fan that looks forward to any interpretation of life around us that the author provides.
Behind Closed Doors Series: Book 3 (medical Thriller)
"The Deadliest Diagnosis is Deception..."
Malicious Intent is a stand-alone novel that represents the third installment of the Behind Closed Doors Series. A post-COVID 19 medical murder mystery with an urban twist where murder was the plan, but survival was the outcome.
A deadly strain of HIV escapes the protected confines of the CDC, and an adulterous Dallas housewife is accused of murder. World-renowned crime of passion defense attorney, Alexandra Phillips takes the case and discovers an exonerating piece of evidence; however, her client is innocent, which means the crime of passion defense is no longer an option. With her client's freedom hanging in the balance, Attorney Phillips concedes to the fact that the only viable defense is to find the killer.
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Smith weaves a complex and unpredictable story that will captivate fans of detective novels and legal procedurals...a gripping novel that will leave many readers demanding a sequel. A work with a strong, likable protagonist and a plot that will keep readers guessing.
—Kirkus Reviews
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I kept going back to Smith’s bio while I was reading Malicious Intent because I kept checking to see if she’s a doctor or a lawyer. In fact, she’s a health care professional and a really good writer. A tremendous amount of knowledge and research on both medicine and law went into the storytelling without the plot ever getting bogged down or pedantic. The plot keeps twisting, the dialogue rings true and some of the all-too-true social issues are woven seamlessly into the story telling. You won't soon forget Attorney Alexandra Phillips.
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Malicious Intent is a gripping medical murder mystery that expertly blends suspense with important social commentary. The fast-paced plot keeps you guessing until the end, while providing an educational look at topics like HIV prevention and the justice system. With its compelling protagonist and relevant themes, this page-turner from A.L. Smith is a must-read for fans of gritty crime fiction with substance.
Southern Strategy: A quick lesson in race and politics
"Uncovering the Strategy That Changed America's Political Landscape"
A.L. Smith offers a concise yet thought-provoking examination of one of the most influential political strategies in modern American history. Through accessible analysis and historical context, Smith explores how race became intertwined with political messaging, party realignment, and voter engagement in the United States.
Written for students, educators, political observers, and everyday citizens, Southern Strategy serves as an engaging introduction to the complex relationship between race and politics in America—providing historical perspective that remains highly relevant in the twenty-first century.
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I downloaded this book because of the description and I was not disappointed. I have a Masters degree but the book was filled with information that was completely foreign to me....I know about Nixon and the Watergate scandal, but I never knew the whole story...nor was I aware of a “Southern Strategy”. This book is less than 50 pages long but every page offers something of value.
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This is a great and informative book! I highly recommend it to anyone wanting a clear understanding of how the Democratic and Republican Parties came to be. It’s an eye opener about the importance of voting not only in the presidential election but Local and State elections as well.
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I enjoyed the read but would be remiss to not mention the painful reminder of the demoralizing and brutal treatment of African Americans by people who label themselves as civilized and God fearing.
I am not a person who place my hopes and dreams on the political leadership being National, State or County; but I am in agreement with the author that a greater need, emphasis and awareness of the truth behind why majority of African Americans changed from voting Republican to Democratic.
The book should be available to school age students for historical read, and not just children of color but all students .