Mr. Bible, my AP English teacher, introduced me to the world of Edgar Allen Poe and when Danielle Allen dropped The Cask, a Poe inspired book; I knew I had to move it up on my TBR (To Be Read) list. Like Poe's short story, this book is about one feeling insulted and seeking revenge. "But when he ventured on insult, I vowed revenge."
Ebony Montresoe is the owner of The Cask, a bar and she seeks revenge when the handsome Omari Fortune opens a bar right across the street from The Cask, and he does so the week of the annual festival. Little does she know, as she's setting up her traps to ruin his business, Ebony becomes smitten by her "nemesis." "Punish without impunity felt good and right when I said it a week ago."
This was my first read by Danielle Allen, but it most definitely won't be my last. I loved how she put her own twist to Poe's The Cask of Amontillado. It reminded me of my favorite teacher reading it to his students. This one was absolutely a 5-star read for me.