This was a really good read. It was very interesting and reflected the lives of so many immigrants who found themselves down on their luck in the USA, turning to crime as an alternative to get by, to make end meet and to try get on in life, unfortunately though often with disastrous consequences. I loved the relationship that we saw between Irish Colin & Cuban Johnny as the story developed and I could picture their relationship deteriorating as their values changed and their bond widened. Johnny was very likeable in the beginning but I really liked Johnny's character. He was popular with the ladies but lost them all. It was like his life went around in circles and nothing about him ever developed to fruition. This story told of love, crime, and responsibility. It told the story during the 1930s, 40s and 50s and the research was done very well as it gave a wonderful insight into that era in New York. I really enjoyed this read. I give it 4 stars.

A tale of Irish gangland New York. From Northern Ireland to LA we follow Colin, his family, his loves, and his life

What is so powerful about this novel is the voice - it does not change as Colin's circumstances from immigrant boy with a soft heart to grown-up killer in a gang - people betray each other and are cruel as they all scrabble to stay afloat - starting from Colin's father and only friend, Johnny, to the women he meets along the way - to protect his family he does unspeakable things until a tragic finale. Very authentic New York tenement life experience (I think - well, it feels that way), and despite some repetitions and sometimes incredible ways people relate to each other - it clips right along as we want to know what Colin gets up to. It could end in no other way, and he seems to know that. The constraints of poverty lead our mane to crime inexorably. This is a strong one.

A well written and obviously well researched book. Colin's life was an interesting story. The story of the New York gangs was fascinating and had me hooked from the start. Colin's journey from Kilrea to New York and his life in New York is a good believable story. I will be looking out for more books by this author.

The book is mainly about the indignity of being poor. From Ireland in the 20s to New York into the 50s. The only way to better yourself as a young man is to be affiliated with a gang. Irih, Irish/American, Cuban, Italian, but none of them can make life better for the women and children.
This is a history of who got there first.

This book is not so much about immigrants in New York in the 1930's but is also a story of family and friendships as well as trust and history. Set in New York, it tells the tale of Colin, an Irish immigrant, and Johnny, a Cuban immigrant. The story is, at times, gritty but it is more about childhood friendship through to adulthood. It is not just a gritty crime novel but is quite emotional and very well written. Some excellent descriptions had me transported to New York and I would recommend this book to lovers of crime and historical books. Thanks to Net Galley for my copy. I reviewed on Goodreads, Amazon and Facebook.

E R Fallon brings 1920's New York to life in a truly authentic prose about the Irish,Italian, Cuban immigrants who all strived to rule the underworld.
Central character is a boy called Colin O'Brien born in northern Ireland but comes to New York with his family looking for a better life. He befriends a boy called Johnny Garcia whose mother is Irish but his father was Cuban. They grow up together but when Colin is faced with a huge problem his actions and subsequent punishment means the boys are separated and don't meet up again until they are grown men.
Colin becomes attached to a 'gang' of southern Irishmen and Johnny is aligned to another 'gang' of Cubans. As time goes by the expectations of their contribution to the cause makes Colin question who his allegiance should be with and to what lengths he will go to to prove himself.
Loved this book so much and found it difficult to put down it actually seemed as this was a history book it was so real - well deserved 5 stars.

This book was so WELL written! I was addicted to the life of this Man whose fate you could see coming but you kept hoping you were wrong. I didn't want to the story to end. It was so good.