Mycket bra och väl berättad handling. Varje karaktär känns levande och det är intressant hela vägen till slutet. ( )

Wizard is a high ranking gang member, who is tasked with killing a dealer named Scrappy, who is in a competing gang. Meanwhile, a strung-out addict Augie, is pestering Scrappy for a score, witnesses the shooting, and saves Scrappy's life with a tourniquet. When a parole officer finds Scrappy's drugs and the weapon at Augie's apartment, Officer Petrillo seized the opportunity to nail Wizard and get Wizard's buddy/roommate Dreamer jailed as an accomplice. Meanwhile, Dreamer was being dumped by his attractive girlfriend Angela (Wizard's cousin), whom is coveted by Petrillo. Petrillo is despicable through and through, with incredibly racist opinions, but the cops and prosecutors have a tough time figuring out what happened as Scrappy won't talk, except with Little, one of Dreamer's buddies, who is trying to find who ratted on Wizard. Gattis does a realistic job of depicting gang life, police indifference, the horrors of jails and the justice system, but like others, I was not very interested in the novel's characters. ( )

sobering account of gang and law enforcement activities, prison life and legal representation in Lynwood. ( )

Wow! I have had the good fortune to read several great books so far this year, and this one goes right to the top of the list of most enjoyed. I actually got into trouble with the wife, because I would not put it down and go to bed. It was that mesmerizing.
The book is set in Los Angeles in 1993, after the Rodney King riots. The plot follows an attempted murder of a young gangster drug dealer, and of the two men arrested for the crime. It uses multiple voices, that of the person shot, of the two arrested men, of parole agents, detectives, District Attorneys, Public Defenders, and other gang (or wanna-be's) members. I think there are about a dozen different characters.
The story is excellent. Entirely believable. Riveting. The confusion of the crime scene, the motives of some of the law enforcement, the political maneuverings to get ahead in careers (and in gang reputations), the jail scenes, the prison scenes, the courtroom scenes, descriptions of the gang (I think it's the Mexican Mafia). All were spot-on!
The author expertly uses the multiple characters voices to make you feel like you are there.
I spent seven years as a Deputy Sheriff, then another 21 years in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (in various positions). I can vouch for the author's descriptions. He really hits the nail on the head!
All in all, this is an incredible book. After finishing the book (and taking a day to catch my breath), I immediately ordered some more of his books. I think I have a new favorite author to follow.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an Advance Reading Copy of this book.
Highly, highly recommend! ( )