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Down in the Dirty

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Childhood friends, Keisha, Desiree, Tasha and Pam quickly learn how to use their beauty and sexual prowess to manipulate men. Each woman has suffered abuse at the hand of a man, and decides to make a life-long pact. These gorgeous, but scandalous women turn the tables by making any man that cross their path pay for their womanizing behavior; especially if their not from the Dirty.After pulling several heists and practically getting away with murder, these ruthless and cold hearted women will stop at nothing to get what they want until...one of them begins to fall for her prey.J.M. Benjamin's freshman novel is pure fire! Down In The Dirty takes urban literature to a new high. -Nikki Turner, National Bestselling author of Hustler's Wife and The Glamorous Life.J.M. Benjamin is a new and exciting underground writer making noise, destined to solidify his spot in urban literature. -Susan Hampstead, Senior Editor, Don Diva MagazineDown In The Dirty will vindicate authentic street literature. -Asante Kahari, National Bestselling author of Birth of a Criminal & Homo Thug.

268 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2006

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About the author

J.M. Benjamin

30 books58 followers
J.M. Benjamin is an ambitious and witty writer from Plainfield, New Jersey. He is the author of Down in the Dirty, which won the Best Street Novel of the Year Award in 2006, an honor bestowed to him by the African American Literary Awards Show. His sophomore novel, My Manz and ‘Em was released in early 2007 and he has contributed to several anthologies: Menace II Society, Christmas 'N The Hood with Nikki Turner, and Hood Legends.
J.M.Benjamin has been compared to two literary greats; Claude Brown and Donald Goines for his ability to entertain and educate, and his passionate work ethics. J.M. Benjamin was released from prison, fully loaded and prepared to enter into a new game with the same drive and approach he had when he ran the streets. However, this time he has a different product to offer.
Susan Hampstead, Senior Editor of Don Diva Magazine is quoted as calling J.M. Benjamin "A new and exciting underground writer making noise, destined to solidify his spot in urban literature."
Readers familiar with Mr. Benjamin's work enjoy his uncanny ability to keep you in suspense, engulfed and entertained, and new fans will not be disappointed by his outstanding stories.

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5 stars
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15 (19%)
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11 (14%)
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Kia Chanel.
Author 1 book
July 1, 2026
This was an incredible read from beginning to end. J.M. Benjamin created unforgettable characters, nonstop drama, and a story that kept me completely invested. Every chapter had me wanting to know what would happen next, and I couldn't put it down. If you enjoy urban fiction with strong characters, suspense, and plenty of twists, I highly recommend this book. Definitely one of my favorites!
16 reviews
November 1, 2017
Great book!

Lots of cussing, learned some street slang... Graphic sex, was on a plane so I had to skip some pages... But the story was great! I'll look for more by J.M. Benjamin
Profile Image for OOSA .
1,802 reviews237 followers
January 2, 2009
The Game Never Changes, Only the Players

Down in the Dirty, hustlers, ballers, and shot callers are sleeping and getting slept on. For some the penalty is the loss of their stash. For others not so fortunate, it's the loss of their life. Guys are looking out for other guys never suspecting that beauty is the brains behind the operation. That's right. Your stick-up kids are none other than women! Keisha, Desiree and sisters Pam and Tasha are four sexy bombshells. Underneath the beauty are women scorned; women that feel that all men should pay for the transgressions of a few. They use their looks and the power of the p***y to ensnare men into their trap and then it's light out.

Hustler Stacks, his brother Styles and his boy Don P have left their home up top in New York to make some fast cash down south in the Dirty. Stacks is no rookie in the game. He knows that snakes can come in any shape or form....including the opposite sex. Have the ladies met their match in Stacks and his crew? Or will Stacks get caught sleeping?

Grimy is as grimy does as JM Benjamin puts it down in black and white with no apologies. He effectively takes readers into the lives of four vengeful money hungry women. While Down In the Dirty didn't quite pack the punch of his contribution in Menace II Society, the brother still handles his business and gets down and dirty. Down In the Dirty is a solid debut novel and JM Benjamin is a natural storyteller. I look forward to his future releases.

Reviewed by: Toni
Profile Image for Nardsbaby Reader.
415 reviews74 followers
January 8, 2009
This elite moneymaking foursome features some of the south's best bred females. Laced with beauty, booty, and mad head game, Desiree, Keisha, Pam and Tasha are leaving the masses guessing.

Stimulated by pain, guided by greed and hunger each member of the ambitious dirty seek out heist -after -heist hoping that they'll finally score that one major hit freeing them from the taxing task of eradicating the weak.

Lust, drugs, guns and blood battle hard as the merciless team shows no love for those highly-acclaimed street thugs with the big boy status.

Partners in crime find that one of the members is catching feelings. Be careful because ain't no do overs in the end.


Profile Image for Eva-Marie Nevarez.
1,722 reviews139 followers
August 12, 2009
J.M. Benjamin's writing reminds me a lot of Treasure E. Blue's and since Blue is a favorite writer of mine, Benjamin is also now.
Down In The Dirty was full of suspense, full of characters you love and love to hate and even had a great ending. Most of the conversations were ones you can really hear people having, not stilted, like you're reading. When you can really hear the words than you know you have a talented writer. I think Benjamin is going to be around for awhile.
278 reviews3 followers
July 16, 2015
Greatness

I really loved this story. All of the characters were well developed. The females lived by the sword and died by the sword. Stacks and Styles had chances to get out of the game but they didn't. Vanessa seemed to learn the lesson through her personal losses and got her life together. Great book Mr. Benjamin.
Profile Image for JazzyRacquel.
233 reviews2 followers
December 23, 2010
This Was A Great Read ! Although I Hated The Way It Ended ! ...... I Totally Had Hate For A Manly Girl Like Vanessa ! .... I Was Hoping That Desiree & Stacks Would Have Ended Up Together ! ♥
Profile Image for ❤️❤️Dawn❤️❤️.
609 reviews14 followers
November 24, 2019
⭐⭐⭐

It had really good storyline but the story could have been told better. I didn't like how in some places it was repetitive. It also had a lot of grammar errors and typos.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews