Someone Had to Do It: A Novel by Amber and Danielle BrownPublication Date: December 27, 2022
Pages: 352
Add on: Goodreads
Rating: ★★★
Source: Edelweiss
Genre: Fiction / Thrillers / Suspense
Publisher: Graydon House / HarperCollins
A fast-paced suspense novel about a young Black woman whose internship experience at the fashion house of her dreams is cut short after overhearing the owner's daughter plotting to kill him; when he actually turns up dead, she's framed for his murder and must race to seek justice for herself before it's too late, for fans of THE OTHER BLACK GIRL, SUCH A FUN AGE, and WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING.
"A dark and riveting page-turner with an intelligent twist." —Nadine Matheson, author of The Jigsaw Man
SOMEONE HAD TO MAKE HIM PAY. SOMEONE HAD TO TAKE HER DOWN.
Brandi Maxwell is living the dream as an intern at prestigious New York fashion house Simon Van Doren. Except “living the dream” looks more like scrubbing puke from couture dresses worn by hard-partying models and putting up with microaggressions from her white colleagues. Still, she can’t help but fangirl over Simon’s it-girl daughter, Taylor. Until one night, at a glamorous Van Doren party, when Brandi overhears something she shouldn’t have, and her fate becomes dangerously intertwined with Taylor’s.
Model and influencer Taylor Van Doren has everything…and is this close to losing it all. Her fashion mogul father will donate her inheritance to charity if she fails her next drug test, and he’s about to marry someone nearly as young as Taylor, further threatening her stake in the family fortune. But Taylor deserves the money that’s rightfully hers. And she’ll go to any lengths to get it, even if that means sacrificing her famous father in the process.
All she needs is the perfect person to take the fall…
REVIEW
Amber and Danielle Brown’s debut, Someone Had to Do It, delivers a high-voltage ride through the ruthless corridors of New York’s fashion elite. Brandi Maxwell, a young Black woman hungry for her shot at the top, lands an internship at the iconic Simon Van Doren fashion house. She expects glamour; what she gets is grit, chaos, and a front-row seat to the industry’s darker games. When Brandi overhears a conversation that should’ve stayed private, she’s drawn into a web of secrets and betrayals that puts everything on the line. Across the board, reviewers agree: this book is packed with twists and gasp-worthy moments, making it hard to put down.
Brandi’s story is both a pulse-pounding thriller and a pointed exploration of race, privilege, and power. She’s a standout protagonist—smart, tough, and complex—navigating a world where her every move is scrutinized. Taylor, the heiress with everything to lose, is far more than a spoiled rich girl; the Browns give her enough depth to keep readers guessing about her motives. Together, their stories reveal the sharp contrasts (and surprising overlaps) between their lives, all while pulling back the curtain on the toxic underbelly of high fashion.
The writing is sleek and propulsive. Dialogue snaps, scenes move fast, and the dual perspectives give readers a front-row seat to both ambition and anxiety. The authors keep the plot tight, layering suspense with sharp social commentary, but never letting either slow down the pace. It’s a rare thriller that has something to say and knows how to entertain.
Some readers wanted even more depth from the supporting cast and felt a few emotional moments didn’t fully land. There’s also a dose of R-rated content not for every taste. Still, most agree: this is a smart, addictive debut with teeth.
If you want a thriller that’s both stylish and substantial, one that takes on big issues without losing its sense of fun, Someone Had to Do It should be next on your list. It’s a bold, compulsively readable start from the Brown sisters, and it’ll leave you hungry for whatever they cook up next.
