SUSPICIOUS HOLDOUT is an anthology of the lives of Black Americans from the late 1980s to the eve of Obama's inauguration following loosely connected characters. The stories capture poignant moments in the daily lives of African American families and explore how systemic racism–the criminal justice system, education, healthcare, police brutality, and the war on drugs–negatively impact the lives of Black Americans.

While I adore the topics raised by Hubbard and think they are essential, SUSPICIOUS HOLDOUT is a collection of varying quality. At times, I feel Hubbard focuses too heavily on political commentary at the expense of the plots or characters. With just over 200 pages, I also think 12 short stories are too many to leave an impact on the readers.