Title: The Real Gangster's Wife

Author: Macka Diamond

Publishers: Page Turner Publishing House

Macka Diamond looks to action, violence and intrigue to turn heads in her second novel, The Real Gangster's Wife.

The dancehall diva surprised fans late last year with the announcement that she was in the process of writing her second novel, but took persons off guard by not following up her first novel Bun Him with the sequel. Instead the writer takes a slightly different route, sticking with a heavy dancehall base but adding a little spice.

Launched last week at the Moulin Rouge Club in Kingston, The Real Gangster's Wife follows the main character, Gina the 'Mumma', as her life takes a sudden turn. Married to the 'Don of Dons', Tony, who is currently incarcerated in England, Gina is trying her best to carry on with her life and to continue living the way she and Tony are used to - but through legitimate means.

While pursuing her dreams and having the occasional chat with her husband, Gina's fate takes a sudden turn when a trusted friend 'violates the order'. With no Tony to turn to Gina takes matters into her own hands which leads to a *lo**bath, showing that she is the 'real gangster's wife'. Macka Diamond leaves fans with two endings, both promising more to come in the sequel of the novel.

dancehall novel

Similar to Bun Him, which claimed to be Jamaica's first official dancehall novel, this novel sticks close to current dancehall issues such as the Gully/Gaza conflict which is seen in action at Uptown Mondays where selector Richie Feelings is beaten for his choice of Gaza songs.

Constant extracts from popular songs such as Mavado's Hope and Pray, Chino's From Mawning, Beenie's Gaza Mi Sey and of course Macka's own Think Bout Mi are used throughout the novel. So too are references made to popular figures such as sprinter Usain Bolt and hurdles queen Melaine Walker.

Although the story is an interesting one like Bun Him, but much shorter, some of the same problems are evident. One would expect in the second novel to see a vast improvement in writing technique, but there are a number of errors, spelling and otherwise, that should have been corrected before release. Although the popular culture-references are fun, there are some that seem too forced and don't flow naturally.

Outside of those details, more time could also have been spent on the plot development, giving readers more to read and exploring more of the history between the characters - who are few in number. Otherwise, Macka Diamond gives most of her fans a story that is familiar to many Jamaicans and an interesting read.