The Trouble Boys

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 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.

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.

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.