My perception of the books written by Don Winslow has been that they are the kind of books my husband loves: full of action, violence, drugs, sex, and maybe even some rock ‘n roll, but I could be wrong about that…in any case, I hadn’t read any of them, although I had started both The Cartel and The Power of the Dog. When William Morrow and Netgalley offered the opportunity to read the latest, City of Dreams, in exchange for an honest review, I was READY! 

Then when I read about it and realized it was the SECOND in a projected trilogy that began with City On Fire, I decided I should start with that book, so I bought it and settled in. And holy crap, I nearly gave up. I read about 10% but felt I was lost and overwhelmed – there were SO MANY characters, I kept getting confused. I decided to go back to the beginning and settle in to a book that was obviously not going to be one of those blaze-through-it-in-a-day novels. I mean, I had already recommended them to my husband – after all, the phrase “The Godfather for our generation” is a pretty strong selling point.

First off, I DID read both City books. And I liked City of Dreams MUCH more than City On Fire. Frankly, I think I would have liked Dreams just as much if I’d read it as a standalone. Winslow does a GREAT job bringing the reader up to speed, summarizing the Providence, RI-based war between the two organized crime factions (Irish and Italians), briefly telling us who all died in the frenzy, and introducing the primary characters who are the focus of book #2. 

Kind-of-a-spoiler coming: the war that broke out in Providence ended (or did it?) with the Irish on the losing side, and Danny Ryan going on the run to escape the wrath of the Italians. He is being chased by the cops and the FBI in addition to The Mafia. If that isn’t bad enough, Danny’s wife has just lost her battle with breast cancer, he has a toddler-age son, his elderly father is showing signs of dementia, and he isn’t sure who (if anyone) he can trust. 

He lands in California and, after a transition period in San Diego, finds himself in Hollywood, where a major studio is making a “gangster film” based on the war in Providence. 

Danny visits the set and soon falls in love with a beautiful, troubled movie star. What could possibly go wrong? It’s a gangster story, a family saga, and a thriller all in one. I liked it a lot. Four BIG stars and I am hoping book #3 in the trilogy is more like City Of Dreams than City On Fire.