A medley of female voices supplies different perspectives as gang warfare explodes in Memphis. Centered on sisters LaShelle and Ta'Shara Murphy, this wild ride by the co-author of the "Desperate Hoodwives" series has a definite Romeo and Juliet vibe. LaShelle wants to move from wifey to wife of Python, head of the Gangster Disciples. Python is so into snakes he had his tongue surgically split, and his two pet serpents are active participants when he sexes up LaShelle. That scene is either creepy or erotic; readers will have to make the call. Problem is sister Ta'Shara is all over Profit, a gang-banger from the rival Vice Lords. The Capulets and Montagues have nothing over these star-crossed love affairs barreling out of control to a blood-splattered climax. Verdict Diamond's ear for street talk comes across loud and clear in this violent and profane tale, which launches a gritty new series. The divas here are realistic characters, and the pacing zooms in what is one of the best constructed street lit stories of 2010. Don't be surprised if you have to order extra copies. [Unabridged library, audio CD, MP3 CD, and cassette editions available from Blackstone Audiobooks, http://bit.ly/bv8vY4.-Ed.]-Rollie Welch, "The Word on Street Lit," BookSmack! 9/16/10 (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.