Nightcrawling - Leila Mottley

Kiara is seventeen, living with her brother, their dad's dead, mum's in a halfway house.
Kiara is trying to get by and avoid being evicted, while she's searching for work a chance encounter leads her into prostitution, another chance encounter drags her into a Police sex ring.

It's frequently bleak, often harrowing and maintains an honesty and sense of truth. There is a real depth and introspection to Kiara's character as she struggles to survive and care for those around her.

No spoilers, but this is far from a fairy tale, and it doesn't all end happily ever after.

A remarkable and important book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

This had me from page one. Gives a voice to the voiceless females out there. I’ve read this in one sitting and it was brilliant. Love to find talented new authors and I’ll be recommending to all of my friends.

For a debut, this is fantastic work. For a debut by a writer who was seventeen at the time, I'm hoping it's a sign of great things to come. Nightcrawling is dark and affecting, not just in the subject matter but also in knowing that Mottley pulled this harrowing story straight from the headlines of her own hometown. We have to be confronted with these truths in a world where systemic abuses against women by men in positions of power is normalised.

On occasion I felt that the overly florid language was more distracting than the flow I think the author intended- Kia as a character thinks and feels in poetry even sometimes in her darkest moments but at other times the purple prose distracts from what should be hard hitting moments. There is still power behind the words that I think will only get sharper as this young writer hones her craft. If Nightcrawling is just the beginning I can't wait to see what comes next.

Had I known that the author was a 17-year-old girl, I would have approached this book with more caution. As it stands, this is a YA book at best with narrative and dialogue style jarring uncomfortably. It’s not about “nightcrawling” and “General Fiction (Adult)” it ain’t. A DNF.

This is an interesting novel, both in terms of content and narrative style. Like many very good novels, it takes some effort from the reader to engage - and here, with this novel, that's because of a narrative choice made by the writer. I was looking forward to reading it because the synopsis looks excellent, but the actual novel is less well put-together. There is an attempt at what I guess you'd call 'literary fiction' here, but it's forced and persistent. Basically, it tries too hard and what happens is a very good plot is cloaked by an apparent necessity to be (not quite, but almost) 'experimental' with the narrative style. A good plot like this doesn't need any of that, because here, the two work against each other instead of together, which is a shame.

I'm grateful to the publishers and Netgalley for the pre-pub copy.

I’m sorry to say this book just wasn’t for me - I could not past the first chapter I think it was the style writing

4.5 rounded up

Oakland, Ca. Seventeen year old jobless Kiara (Kia) Johnson lives with her brother at the Regal-Hi. It sounds glamorous but its so far from that in its squalid, run down, high rent grubbiness. She lives with her brother Marcus who has delusions of making it big as a rapper which means no money is coming at all. She's worried, she's frustrated, she has to get a job but she has no resume so she's trapped. She does what she has to do in order to survive, in other words, nightcrawling. The inevitable vulnerability leads to her becoming ensnared by those more powerful than herself. This is based on a true story of a major scandal of sexual exploitation by members of the Oakland PD, though the character of Kiara is entirely fictional.

This novel stuns you in several ways. First of all, the way it's written is amazing as the quality of the prose is outstanding. The author makes you feel what Kia feels and I can hear her voice via the dialogue. She's a survivor with a heart of gold. Secondly, you are stunned by the horrifying and shocking abuse, how a human being is treated like trash and is powerless to do anything about it as the system is stacked against her. The injustice angers and sickens you. Thirdly, the author started writing this book when SHE WAS 17!!! What a phenomenal talent has just emerged, I'm in awe of her literary ability as it's so accomplished.

This is a debut of raw honesty, it's very powerful as not only does it demonstrate the grinding poverty and mouth to mouth existence that some people have to live day to day but it reveals the rotten underbelly and corruption of the justice system and how it's manipulated by those who should know better. It's obviously a very dark topic but it's extremely moving, compelling and devastatingly heartbreaking. I really like the way it ends - there is some hope, I have my fingers crossed.

Overall, I can't deny this is a tough read but it's one I recommend for the sheer quality of the writing and with what it reveals.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bloomsbury Publishing PLC for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

A gripping and emotive read that I couldn't put down and I didn't want to. Well written with a compelling and heart-wrenching storyline and well developed characters - some of which I truly hated, but I think that was the point. It is a tale as old as time of females selling themselves to make ends meet but Kiara is just barely an adult which is even more heartbreaking.
This was such a good read, I cannot wait to read more by this author.

I can't say I enjoyed this, but I think it was great, and it's hard to believe it's written by a 17-year-old. The writing is occasionally overwrought but often beautiful, with some lines hitting like a gut punch. The rage, weariness, cynicism and despair are painful to experience, and there are moments of love which hurt equally powerfully.

One to look out for.

My thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley is the story of 17 year-old Kiara,struggling to keep a roof over the head of herself and her older brother Marcus,already struggling to pay the rent of their Oakland, California apartment which is about to double and scratching a living doing casual work when she can find it. Marcus dreams of making it big in the music industry.,seeing work beneath him. With her Dad dead , her Mother in prison and acting as a de facto parent for a drug addict neighbour's young son life is an ongoing battle for Kiara.

After a drunken encounter with a man who mistakes her for a prostitute and hands her 200 dollars Kiara decides that the streets is one place she can make steady money. While plying her new found trade she is stopped by rogue policemen ,the beginning of systematic exploitation by local "law officers".

Shockingly this is based on a true story,amazingly it's Leila Mottley's first novel,one that she started at the age of 17. For such a young author the book shows an amazing level of maturity and insight into human nature.
Kiara is quite an amazing young woman trying to do her best for everyone while they continually let her down. The book shows the tawdriness of her life on the streets without being overly explicit. It does almost drift into a catalogue of misery but Kiara never gives up hope,she comes close but while her spirit is bent almost to breaking point she keeps going against the odds.

This isn't a book that will brighten your day,it seems life is against Kiara,something she really doesn't deserve. Everyone seems to let her down but ultimately it's uplifting...........and not in the way most readers will be expecting..
An exceptional book from an exceptional young author.

What a powerfully compelling story.

Hard to believe that this is Leila's debut novel.

It's made me very excited for what she has to offer in the future.

This is a tale of so many things. Drugs, trafficking and family struggles all feature and although the subject matter is rather dark and perhaps hard to hear about, Mottley has written with sensitivity and care.

My heart felt for all involved, knowing that for many what I was reading was actually an all too real reality.

Kia is an inspiration. Strong, brave and determined. Even when faced with the worst of situations, she never gave up, on herself or others.

Nightcrawling is an honest portrayal of a life that forces some to grow up faster than they'd ever hope to do.

But even when faced with difficult decisions, the hope is always there.

An influential read.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Bloomsbury Publishing plc, for the ARC.

Now, this book will not be everyone's cup of tea and in all honesty I wasn't sure I could continue to read it as the "street-talk" style of writing was very hard to get to grips with - at least for me, that is. However, read it I did; though I can't say in any sense of the word that it was "enjoyable" - it transports the reader into another world: Inspired by a high profile case brought before a Grand Jury in Oakland, California, this story is written by a 17yr-old black girl about a 17yr-old black girl, Kiara Johnson. The accused were members of the Oakland PD, as well as others in the area and potential charges were child sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Kiara is three months from her 18th birthday. She lives in a studio apartment with older brother Marcus. Her mother is in a half-way house after being released from prison following her killing of Kiara's baby sister. Her father is dead. Marcus can't hold down a job, preferring to hang out with mates Cole and Tony in their recording studio where he has aspirations of becoming a Rap star. Vernon, the apartments' landlord is doubling the rent. They have no money, Marcus won't get a job, Kiara relies on her best friend to supply her with some food or they regularly attend funerals just so they can get free food at the wake. Kiara also assumes a role of looking after 9yr-old Trevor from next door as his mum Dee is mostly off her head on drugs and stays away for days on end. She needs money - there is only one way to get it - but one night she's picked up by two police officers who, along with their colleagues, systematically abuse and traffic her.

Nevertheless, Kiara is a survivor - a fighter - and through it all she's a caring young woman just trying to beat the odds which are stacked against her, and countless other women of colour.

An absorbing read.

This is a challenging story given its real life truth from the streets of Oakland, California. Kiara is seventeen with no income. She has to pay the rent and her mother is in prison and her older brother won’t earn money as he pursues his dream to be a star singer. She also cares for Trevor, her neighbour. So she goes nightcrawling, thus the title of the book. Then she becomes with a group of local police who exploit underage girls. Kiara is depicted as a determined youth determined to deliver on her responsibilities. The book is well written but probably not the kind of story many readers will want to experience. It does not have the plot twists or exciting climax that readers might be looking for. If you want to understand the detail of child prostitution, this will be a learning curve.

A slow paced look at the struggles of young Kiarw, barely more than a child herself, who takes on looking after her older Brither Marcus and her neighbours neglected 10 year old son. A difficult read at how she takes to the streets to earn money for rent and groceries and gets caught up in a high profile court case.

Hard to read at times and eye-opening.

This follows the life of Kiara, a young women, barely out of childhood, who becomes responsible for keeping a home for both her and her older brother, Marcus, and for feeding them too. To add to these burdens, she also takes on Trevor, a 10 year old boy, who lives in the same apartment block after he is abandoned by his mother.

Kiara takes to the streets, earning money the only way she can, and is abused, used and demeaned by those who should have been looking out for her, the local police.

This is a dark, unsettling book which at times is a difficult read. I can’t say I enjoyed it, as that is too flippant a comment for something like this which, although in this case fiction, is actually based on a factual case. For a first novel it is extremely well done, and, though not to my taste, I do see the appeal it will have and it will no doubt be a huge success.

Thank you NetGalley.

Inspired by a real crime that happened in Oakland, California this is a truly visceral and revealing story where absolutely no punches are pulled. Leila Mottley is to be congratulated on the maturity of her writing which draws the reader remorselessly into the dangerous life that Kiara endures in order to survive.
Kiara, a 17 year old girl of colour, finds herself supporting her older brother in a seedy flat in which they continue to live following their mother going in to rehab. Her money worries pile up and she is forced onto the streets to make a living. As if that's not enough her next door neighbour runs off leaving her 11 year old son behind. And Kiara also takes on caring for him.
Her street-work ends up badly with her being repeatedly abused by a group of policemen. Ultimately her case goes in front of the grand jury and, just when it seems things can't get any worse, they do.
Don't expect happy endings as this novel is too faithful to the original case to allow that, albeit, Ale, Kiara's only real friend does offer hope of a better future.
This is certainly a novel to make you think about the damage circumstance and broken families create. Truly haunting and grim though Kiara's life is, Mottley's excellent portrayal means you really share and can smile with her at the brief moments of sunshine she occasionally enjoys.

Although Nightcrawling is a work of fiction, it has its basis in fact. As the author’s note tells us, she was inspired by very real events involving the exploitation of a young woman in Oakland by members of the police force and this seed of truth makes Nightcrawling all the more powerful and devastating. It is searingly bold and written with a sharp yet lyrical feeling to it. Kiara is a character that is very easy to root for, which makes every harsh reality the world forces upon her even more difficult to read. There is a constant violence, darkness and heartbreak present in Nightcrawling but it is not an overwhelmingly depressing read. There is hope to be found here, however distant, in Kiara’s bravery and unfailing love for those she cares about. This is not an easy read but it is a necessary and provocatively honest story about how little the world offers some people and the horrific choices people who do not deserve it are forced to make.

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review


Kiara is a 17 year old living in a motel apartment with her older brother Marcus. Marcus wants to focus on making it in music like their Uncle Ty so Kiara tries everyday to keep their life afloat and a home over their head. This fight leads her to walk the streets and an unfortunate encounter forces her down a darker path.
This is an outstanding debut novel and Kiara is amazing character. At first appearances she appears aloof and maybe cold but as the story progresses we see how full of love she is and the lengths she will go to for those she loves. We gradually learn more about Kiara's parents and the path that has led Kiara and Marcus to this point and the possibility of them ever escaping.
It is a powerful sorry of the fight to survive and escape poverty, the societal challenges and barriers that black women in particular face and the hypocrisy of the police system that is supposed to protect and serve.

This story follows Kiera living in Oakland with her brother. They live in a apartment complex and they like many of their neighbours, friends and family around there , are struggling to survive.

When Kiera finds herself in a bad situation we begin to find out about how her and her family got to this place and the need to fight for survival doesn't always turn out as planned.

This book pack punches. It focuses on how young black women are treated by society and the police the very people who are meant to be there to protect them. It covers strong topics such as rape, prostitution, violence, death and racism.

I loved how Leila gave a voice to girls who are so often not heard.

it gives hope that there is still a place for love, laughter and joy in a sometimes very dark world

I really enjoyed this book and I will be recommending this book to others and looking out for more from this author

To think that Leila Mottley was only 17 years old when she started writing her debut novel, Nightcrawling, is mind-blowing. Her writing is exceptional as she shares the story of Kiara, a 17 year old who finds herself solely responsible for keeping a roof over her family's head. Desperate, she takes to the streets to meet rent where she becomes the favourite of a team of local law enforcement officers. Before she knows it, she is a witness in a Grand Jury investigation. Inspired by the Oakland Police Department's 2015 attempted cover up where members of police departments in the local area had participated in the sexual exploitation of a young woman, Nightcrawling is a heart-breaking novel whose events are sadly all too real in the world today.

An incredible debut. My only complaint is that the ending felt quite rushed, but perhaps I just wasn't ready to leave Mottley's writing just yet.