Book review: Don Winslow's "City of Dreams"

 

I'll begin by saying I'm a Don Winslow fan. Whatever the subject of his writing (in this case, the mob in Providence, Rhode Island--although most of the action in this book doesn't take place there), he's a great writer whose style has me tearing through each book. I can't claim to be the fastest reader, but I was done with "City of Dreams" in two days.

This installment in his latest trilogy has us following Danny Ryan as he tries to escape his old life and "go straight." He finds himself on the west coast, involved in business he never would have dreamed of in the past. With twists and turns that leave the reader wondering who will survive and who won't, the book is suspenseful, while delivering an ending that I found a bit abrupt and unexpected. I also found at least one segment (thinking of the returning Marine son of one mob boss and his actions when he returns) somewhat disjointed, like it just got dropped in there almost without context. Perhaps there will be a tie-in later, but that didn't seem like it fit well. With that said, Mr. Winslow is an author who can provide surprises, so I will see what the next book brings.

Don Winslow's books aren't for the squeamish. There's some rather graphic violence, although "The Power of the Dog" et seq. were more brutal. In any case, if you're overly sensitive about such things, be warned. But really, this is a good story in a good series about damaged people doing bad things (and occasionally some good things), and I very much enjoyed this installment. Is it his best book? No, but it's very good and better than most of what I've read by other authors lately.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me to read and review this advance copy.