I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Roaring Ridleys
by K.M. Colley
Published by Thomas & Mercer on May 1, 2026
Setting: New York
Genres: Historical Thriller
Pages: 276
Format: Audible Audiobook, Audio CD, Kindle, Paperback
Source: the Publisher
Goodreads
Get Your Copy at: Amazon
In Jazz Age New York, a shocking murder shatters the privileged life of the city’s most elite family in a propulsive mystery-thriller debut from author K.M. Colley that spans from Harlem to Long Island’s Gold Coast and high society’s glittering world of deadly secrets.
In the glittering world of 1920s New York, the seven Ridley heirs seem to have it all: wealth, status, and protection as the city’s most powerful family. But when notorious gossip columnist Dale Caimen is found dead during their family’s renowned summer soiree, their carefully constructed world begins to crack.
Behind the champagne and jazz, each adopted Ridley sibling harbors secrets that could destroy them. There’s Amelia, the responsible eldest trying to hold it all together; Adesua, whose artistic ambitions in the Harlem Renaissance threaten her family’s expectations; and wild child Kavita, whose dangerous nights in speakeasies may have finally caught up with her.
As the murder investigation intensifies, long-buried tensions surface and family loyalties unravel. Someone knows the truth about the Ridleys—and they’re willing to kill to expose it. In a world where appearance is everything and power comes at a deadly price, the siblings must decide what matters more: protecting the family name or each other.
The Roaring Ridleys by K.M. Colley is the bee’s knees. I thoroughly enjoyed the story.
Will the Seven Wonders make it in New York?
Edward and Caroline Ridley adopted seven children of different ethnic backgrounds. I ballsey move for the 1920s. Yet, I so enjoyed each of their stories. I find it sad that their situation wasn’t everything that they had hoped for. The father who seemed so forward in his thinking wasn’t the great father that he tried to portray. Their mother tried to be what each of them needed. I believed that her intentions were true.
The Seven Wonders
Four boys and three girls make up the Ridleys’ children. They all come from poor backgrounds but now have extreme wealth. But that wealth doesn’t give them the respect of high society, or even the lower classes. It also keeps them in the newspapers, because even if the press is bad, they are still in the news.
Each of the Ridleys has a talent; their mother ensured they all had access to the arts and were educated at the best institutions. But money and education don’t bring happiness. Self-reliance and courage can, though.
My Favorite Character
Kavita Ridley is my favorite. She has a free spirit and isn’t afraid to be herself. However, she does want love very much. Kavita likes to walk the line and cross it whenever it suits her. She also likes bad boys, but that may hurt in the long run. I hope she finds someone who can give her the excitement and the love that she craves.
The other siblings are fantastic too, each special in their own way. My second favorite would be Amelia, probably because she and I are a lot alike. I hope that she finds happiness and everything that she is looking for.
Five Stars
My rating for The Roaring Ridleys by K.M. Colley is 5 stars, and I highly recommend it. Once I started this book, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. The story is so wonderfully written. I love all of the characters, even the seedy ones. The settings are magical, and I felt like I was going to each of the marvelous locations with the siblings. I will be looking for Ms. Colley’s next book.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Roaring Ridleys by K.M. Colley.
Until the next time,
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About K.M. Colley
K.M. Colley writes thrillers, contemporary mysteries, and cinematic stories that explore legacy and ambition. Her work often centers around powerful families, glamorous settings, and complex characters. She is also known as Keturah Maree for her online presence and for her appearances in The Other Black Girl, Queen Sugar, Atlanta, New Amsterdam, along with other hit shows, and is a member of SAG-AFTRA.
Born in Mobile, Alabama, she’s currently based in Tampa and Philadelphia. When not writing or reading, K.M. enjoys traveling, learning new languages, and building a creative legacy. She’s also passionate about raising her autistic daughter, who dreams of creating her own comic book one day.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
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