Net Galley Reviewer

Professional Reader

Sunday, August 28, 2016

The Strivers' Row Spy Review

  • Series: The Renaissance Series (Book 1)
  • Hardcover: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Dafina (August 30, 2016)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1496701763
  • ISBN-13: 978-1496701763

Stunning, suspenseful, and unforgettably evocative, Jason Overstreet’s debut novel glitters with the vibrant dreams and dangerous promise of the 1920s Harlem Renaissance, as one man crosses the perilous lines between the law, loyalty, and deadly lies…

For college graduate Sidney Temple, the Roaring Twenties bring opportunities even members of his accomplished black bourgeois family couldn’t have imagined. His impulsive marriage to independent artist Loretta is a happiness he never thought he’d find. And when he’s tapped by J. Edgar Hoover to be the FBI’s first African-American agent, he sees a once-in-a-lifetime chance to secure real justice.

Instead of providing evidence against Marcus Garvey, prominent head of the “dangerously radical” back-to-Africa movement, Sidney uses his unexpected knack for deception and undercover work to thwart the Bureau’s biased investigation. And by giving renowned leader W. E. B. Du Bois insider information, Sidney gambles on change that could mean a fair destiny for all Americans...

But the higher Sidney and Loretta climb in Harlem’s most influential and glamorous circles, the more dangerous the stakes. An unexpected friendship and a wrenching personal tragedy threaten to shatter Loretta’s innocent trust in her husband—and turn his double life into a fast-closing trap. For Sidney, ultimately squeezed between the Bureau and one too many ruthless factions, the price of escape could be heartbreak and betrayal no amount of skill can help him survive.


When I first read the synopsis of this books months ago, I immediately added it to my list of books to read because I'm a lover of Historical Fiction. I love giving new authors a chance because soon I'll be a new author and I want readers to give me a chance. Jason Overstreet proved that I made the right choice. The book started off slow, but it soon took off and had me wondering what was going to happen next. He did a great job of developing each character and showing the dimensions of each. I gave this book four stars and can't wait to read his next novel.








Jason Overstreet grew up in Colorado, Texas, and New Mexico. He attended two Southern California universities, earning a B.A. and M.S. before spending ten years in the field of education. After attending UCLA's Professional Program in Screenwriting, he turned to writing fiction full-time. He lives in Los Angeles.
Twitter: JasonOverstreet