The VIPs

With his first novel, Poulson-Bryant, a founding editor of Vibe magazine, reveals the complicated lives of four old friends who've grown apart. When we meet the VIPs, they've been called to a meeting with the young rapper, TNT. Barry Chambers runs a huge New York cosmetics company; Leo Bradford is a bestselling author; Duke Maynard, a former football star, has made a killing on the Internet; and superstar designer Joey Ramirez is often called "the Latino Calvin Klein." They arrive separately and are surprised to see each other. But surprise turns to shock when TNT demands to know, "[W]hich one of you bastards is my father?" The question sends the four men chasing past indiscretions, mistakes, and successes, and by the story's end, the old friends will have to deal with the cost of keeping secrets and face tragedy head-on. Although Bryant's page-turner is full of melodrama, violence, betrayal, and sex, the central relationships never jibe, and the characters' unmotivated actions will leave readers perplexed. Still, Bryant excels at creating a fine sense of place, suggesting a burgeoning talent in the street lit game. (July)