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Richard Barton is a soldier for hire in the world of organized crime. His bosses rely on his thoroughness and discretion. His latest mission isn’t at the behest of any crime lords but rather a humanitarian mission. His friend Wilma is a drug addict who is being trafficked by a local crime boss named Declan. Barton manages to liberate Wilma while roughing up Declan’s minions, but Wilma’s gratitude is nonexistent as her addiction has claimed her. Declan wants Barton found and killed for his assault, but Barton is soon faced with another quandary. Someone has targeted his father for assassination, and Barton must utilize his underworld contacts to locate the assassin and the shot-caller. Meanwhile, a possible war looms amongst the disparate factions of gangland.
The duplicitous nature of gangsters is on full display in this vibrant mystery narrative. Barton has served as a loyal soldier both in the armed forces and as a mob enforcer, but friendship and loyalty have forced a turnabout. Barton’s concern for Wilma and, later, his family conveys his selfless nature. His parents view him as a lost cause as he spurned a legitimate life for the illegitimate. Comic relief is provided as Barton is often frustrated with his parent’s stubbornness in understanding the threat they are under from a faceless killer. The book ushers in an extensive cast of mobsters who provide a lot of the story’s color while serving as foils for Barton. This book is consistent in its ability to keep the reader engaged with every scene. This is a winning effort from start to conclusion.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review