Casanegra follows the adventures of Tennyson Hardwick, a gorgeous, sexy former actor and gigolo living on the fringes of the good life in Hollywood. This story combines the glamour of Hollywood with the seedy hopelessness of the inner city.
In this hot and steamy mystery, Tennyson is an actor struggling to hang on to his career and redeem his sex-for-pay history that estranged him from his family—especially his father, a decorated LAPD captain who raised Tennyson to call him "Sir." Now, in the wake of his father's sudden stroke, Tennyson has to save himself from taking the fall for a murder. In the process he discovers his hidden talents—the hard way.
Blair Underwood, a Golden Globe–nominated actor and the author of Before I Got Here, joins bestselling novelists Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes to create a cool, irresistible character in Tennyson Hardwick, and this gritty, provocative mystery will keep readers craving more.
Download and start listening now!
"Despite the fact that things teetered on the highly unlikely at times, I still loved me some Tennyson! lol He got beat down quite a bit but I liked that he always managed to win the fight and get the girl. I found this one very entertaining."
— Kayt (4 out of 5 stars)
“Casanegra is a wild ride through Hollywood, heart-pounding in every way. Smooth, ultra-sexy Tennyson Hardwick is a man readers will want to meet up close. He is all heart and danger, a knight in battered armor. You will love this novel!”
— E. Lynn Harris, New York Times bestselling author of I Say a Little PrayerRichard Allen moves sleekly into the beguiling character of Tennyson Hardwick.... Allen narrates...with aplomb.
— AudioFile" Similar writing style to Walter Mosely and Valerie Wilson Wesley with a hint of sexy. It's a good page turner and it did keep me guessing til the end. "
— LaShaune, 2/11/2014" I liked it. It felt like a modern Easy Rawlins mystery. "
— Angela, 2/9/2014" Not the best work by Tanarive Due and Steven Barnes, in fact, the text reads is so tame that it reads like nothing either of them has written. Never the less, I enjoyed this book, it was like eating a Big Mac, not cuisine but fast food, very tasty but not nutritious. I did like the concept, kind of an updated take on an Easy Rawlins character - a very sexy struggling actor, former call boy who gets caught up in solving his friend's murder. The mystery was not well set up, not enough sublte clues to lead you to the "who did it" at the end. All this said, I still look forward to reading the sequel. "
— Tracey, 2/5/2014" I agree with the review by Ms. Sparrow. Not an awesome book, or especially challenging, but it is a good quick read. It's good for a plane ride, car/train trip, or when relaxing at home. What drags this book down is the bragadocious way Tennyson speaks of himself--a little irritating. "
— Malika, 2/3/2014" This was a great read. It started off a little slow but it definitely did not disappoint in the end. "
— Denise, 1/22/2014" I was traveling and didn't want to take this book as it was a hardcover and I found a way to shove it in my carryon. Excellent book with lots of twists and turns. Who knew that Blair U. had it in him??? "
— Carolyn, 1/17/2014" A bit X rated at times but it had an interesting plot that kept my attention. "
— Stephanie, 1/14/2014" I'm still in the process of reading this, but it's not terribly complicated. "
— Sharon, 1/13/2014" "Steamy?" A lot more than steamy in my opinion. Couldn't get past the first disc. Let's just say it's not for family listening - even when your son in the back seat is 29! "
— Debbie, 1/10/2014" This book was okay. I guess I'm just not into the whole actor, rapper, murder bit. Although I think Ten should change his field of work and do more of the bodyguard type thing. "
— Violet, 12/1/2013" This book was ok. I expected more from it, sense Tananarive Due aided Blair Underwood in writing it. Nice book to past the time, but I dont look at Mr. Underwood as a phenomenal writer. "
— Nakia, 9/18/2013" Just opened the book, I might read from beginning to end. "Good Read" from the start. "
— Mr.TramueL, 9/16/2013" I truly enjoyed this read, great read I am a fan of the Tennyson Hardwick novels read all three novels. "
— Linda, 8/20/2013" Mindless, lite, and Blair Underwood! Life is good! On to the second. . . "
— David, 5/7/2013" Casanegra intrigued me for a first-time mystery reader. I do not understand why it took three people to write this one book. However, the plots and storylines were really good. "
— Lanetta, 3/25/2013" My younger Easy Rawlins, both seem to have trouble find them when least expected and yet are willing to go the distance to uncover the truth. Love the way the story was told "
— Ade, 3/10/2013" This was a real surprise. About to crack open the other ones. "
— Blakkbryd, 1/17/2013" This book was interesting.....to say the least. Too much sex! It is written by Blair Underwood who should have stayed an actor, because his books are not great. Not worth the read or the time spent on it. "
— Mary, 8/2/2012" This was a pretty good first attempt for Blair Underwood. I enjoyed the Hollywood backdrop very much, however, the sex scenes were over the top, some unnecessary. Overall, it was good though, looking forward to reading the next book in the series. "
— Kellea, 7/14/2012" Each book in this series is better than the last. I encourage you to read this initial book so you can be introduced to the characters. The storyline is very entertaining and I had no idea who did it until the very end. "
— Chayako, 6/23/2012" I could not put down this book...it was so engrossing; i finished it in three days. "
— Shae, 5/6/2012" Just started, but enjoying. Lots of LA references...hey, it was written by Blair Underwood. So, you have to check it out, right. "
— Nicolejanne, 4/25/2012" Sometimes the fight scenes were a bit much but overall a good read. "
— Bookloverdojc, 8/27/2011" Oh, a really fun book to read. About Hollywood, the "underground trade," murder and private detective Tennyson Hardwick is hard to forget. Love the novel. Hope it does make it to the silver screen. "
— Minnie, 8/12/2011" Good Read! I can see Blair Underwood playing the main character. Tennyson had that swagger that most men would envy. "
— Rhonda, 7/30/2011" i can not wait for the next book very good "
— Cassandra, 7/13/2011" Just opened the book, I might read from beginning to end. "Good Read" from the start. "
— Mr.TramueL, 4/23/2011" Good Read! I can see Blair Underwood playing the main character. Tennyson had that swagger that most men would envy. "
— Rhonda, 4/12/2011" I liked it. It felt like a modern Easy Rawlins mystery. "
— Angela, 3/8/2011" This book was okay. I guess I'm just not into the whole actor, rapper, murder bit. Although I think Ten should change his field of work and do more of the bodyguard type thing. "
— Violet, 10/4/2010" I truly enjoyed this read, great read I am a fan of the Tennyson Hardwick novels read all three novels. "
— Linda, 9/21/2010" Great book. The main character has many layers but charms the reader throughout his misadventures from the beginning to the end. "
— Valerie, 9/13/2010" My younger Easy Rawlins, both seem to have trouble find them when least expected and yet are willing to go the distance to uncover the truth. Love the way the story was told "
— Ade, 8/28/2010" Really good for his first novel. "
— Tiffany, 7/20/2010" Each book in this series is better than the last. I encourage you to read this initial book so you can be introduced to the characters. The storyline is very entertaining and I had no idea who did it until the very end. "
— Chayako, 3/30/2010" Similar writing style to Walter Mosely and Valerie Wilson Wesley with a hint of sexy. It's a good page turner and it did keep me guessing til the end. "
— LaShaune, 3/11/2010" This book was ok. I expected more from it, sense Tananarive Due aided Blair Underwood in writing it. Nice book to past the time, but I dont look at Mr. Underwood as a phenomenal writer. "
— Suga, 2/25/2010" This was a pretty good first attempt for Blair Underwood. I enjoyed the Hollywood backdrop very much, however, the sex scenes were over the top, some unnecessary. Overall, it was good though, looking forward to reading the next book in the series. "
— Kellea, 11/28/2009" i can not wait for the next book very good "
— Cassandra, 10/4/2009" Mindless, lite, and Blair Underwood! Life is good! On to the second. . . "
— David, 8/21/2009
Steven Barnes is a prolific author and scriptwriter who has been nominated for the Hugo, Nebula, Cable ACE, and Endeavour awards. His work for television includes episodes of The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, Stargate SG-1, and Andromeda. A lifelong student of human-performance technologies, he holds black belts in judo and karate, has an instructor certificate in Circular Strength Training, and is a trained hypnotherapist.
Tananarive Due is a former features writer and columnist for the Miami Herald. She has written two highly acclaimed novels, The Between and My Soul to Keep. Ms. Due makes her home in Longview, Washington.
Blair Underwood is an author and award-winning actor, director, and producer. He lives in Los Angeles, California.
Richard Allen is an accomplished and respected theatrical actor whose work includes Ragtime and PBS’ Great Performances: Play On! His voice can be heard on numerous television and radio productions, as well as the animated series Jumanji. Allen is also the winner of seven AudioFile Earphones Awards.