Garrard Hayes

FOR 18+ READERS ONLY! Bill Conlin, a recent Afghanistan war veteran, is back home in New York City, living in a one-room dump of an apartment with no job prospects, when his cousin, Jimmy, practically forces him to meet and take a gig as an enforcer for an Irish mob boss. The position seems to come with ready cash, a luxury apartment and a female bedmate, but it is strongly implied that rejection of the job will lead to a round of torture and death, so Bill is caught in an ethical trap of survival. As conflict arises between a Mexican drug cartel and later a dangerous set of Russian mobsters, Bill struggles to determine who he can trust and just where his greatest danger lies. The story, as told as a personal account, races through a roller-coaster ride of danger and thrills that keeps the reader thoroughly engaged. The pace is quick and editing is well done. However, it was difficult at times to empathize with Bill Conlin as a strong anti-hero in a deadly game, as his ethical insecurities appeared too erratic at times. Nearly all other characters from mob, gang, FBI or local police appear tainted, dangerously corrupt, or basically unreliable. Most of the action is basically theatrically hyper-realistic, but I did find one table-turning moment that was more forced than usual. Still, the hyper-action will keep most thrill junkies enraptured from start to finish.… (más)