Tiffany D. Jackson is an author I always appreciate for tackling heavy, vital topics with a gripping narrative style. While I may not love every book she writes, her ability to balance weighty themes with intrigue is undeniable. With Allegedly, Jackson dives into the broken child services system and the devastating ways it perpetuates harm, particularly for children who are deemed guilty or undeserving by society. Unfortunately, while the premise held immense promise, the ending fell short for me, undermining the impact of the message she aimed to deliver.

This is my third book by Jackson. I absolutely loved The Weight of Blood, but, much like Monday’s Not Coming, I found myself frustrated by the way the story was executed here. The book’s direction became predictable to me about halfway through, and while I hoped to be proven wrong, the ending landed exactly where I feared it would. For me, the twist felt less like a revelation and more like a cheap attempt to shock the reader.

The story centers on Mary, a young girl in a juvenile detention home after being convicted of killing baby Alyssa, a child under her mother’s care. From the start, it’s clear that Mary is withholding significant parts of the truth, and as the narrative unfolds, so do the layers of her story. However, by the midpoint, when key details about Alyssa’s death and Mary’s mother’s involvement are revealed, it still feels like an incomplete account—one that strongly suggests Mary isn’t as innocent as she’d like others to believe.

One of the more intriguing aspects of the book is its commentary on white saviorism, which is subtly woven into Mary’s relationships and perceptions. She often looks to white individuals, such as Alyssa’s mother, Ms. Richards, or the “white father” she imagines, as potential rescuers from her mother’s abuse. This dynamic added a layer of complexity to her character, but it wasn’t explored as fully as it could have been.

Where the book faltered for me was its pacing and payoff. The slower moments felt like they dragged on toward an ending that was both predictable and unsatisfying. I almost wish Jackson had committed fully to Mary’s character and the conclusion rather than trying to pull the rug out from under the reader at the last minute. A more decisive approach could have allowed for deeper exploration of Mary’s intelligence, resourcefulness, and moral ambiguity, making her a more compelling character overall.

Additionally, some aspects of the plot strained credulity, such as the introduction of a lawyer whose career was supposedly deeply impacted by Mary’s case but who only reconnects with her after Mary reaches out. This inconsistency made it harder to stay fully invested in the story.

That said, Jackson’s writing does hold your attention, even through the slower parts, and her willingness to spark difficult conversations about systemic failures is commendable. I appreciate the focus on underdeveloped systems, poor care, and the corruption that stifles the rehabilitation of abandoned and troubled kids. However, the message here eventually felt like a vehicle for the mystery rather than the other way around, which weakened its impact.

I’m giving this book three stars. While it wasn’t my favorite, I respect Jackson’s ability to hold a reader’s attention and her dedication to raising awareness of important issues. Allegedly will undoubtedly spark conversations, even if it didn’t fully land for me.