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4.31

Based on 204 Goodreads ratings

CROOKS

by the rules.” So says small\u002Dtime criminal Raymond “Buddy” Mercurio as he rises through the ranks of the Vegas mob and courts and marries Lillian Ott, a glamorous salesgirl and nimble pickpocket. Ten years and four kids later, they’re on top of the world when Buddy gets a midnight phone call: “Go.” They escape a shootout and retreat to Lillian’s hometown of Oklahoma City. With another baby on the way, it seems like a place where they can lie low “till [they] get back on [their] feet.” Then, a comedy of errors during a restaurant robbery elevates Buddy as a local hero, and he capitalizes on his celebrity by opening up a disco that becomes a surprising hit. Gangsters be gangsters, though, and when one of his investors discovers Buddy’s skimming from the profits, it looks like it could be time to cut and run—until he realizes it’s his wife behind the takedown. After a chase, a gunshot, and a heavy kiss in the freezing rain, they make up (in full view of the children). The rest of the novel follows each of the five children and the effect of their unconventional upbringing on their own choices and paths in life. From beautiful idiot hustler Jeremy to restless adrenaline chaser Tallulah to staid and earnest mob enforcer Ray to tight\u002Dlaced strategic planner Alice and lonely writer Piggy, they’re all shaped by their criminal parents in different ways. They also move in and out of each other’s stories in appealing ways, emphasizing their loyal bonds even as they keep getting pulled back into their own versions of criminality. As is almost always true in anthology\u002Dstyle works, some stories are more engaging and effective than others, but Berney continues to expand the genre of Western noir with style, humor, and a deep understanding of human frailty and flaw."

Book Details

Publisher:Vegas in the
Published:1960-01-01
Pages:378
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9780063445

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This gritty crime thriller plunges readers into the high-stakes world of professional heists and the complex moral codes of those who operate outside the law. The narrative follows a crew of skilled ...

Our Review

This gritty crime thriller plunges readers into the high-stakes world of professional heists and the complex moral codes of those who operate outside the law. The narrative follows a crew of skilled thieves as they plan their most ambitious job yet, weaving together tense action sequences with deep character studies of individuals bound by loyalty and desperation. Young adult readers will be gripped by the intricate plot twists and the constant tension between the pursuit of wealth and the heavy cost of a criminal life. The author masterfully builds a shadowy urban landscape where every character has secrets and every alliance is fragile.

What sets this crime novel apart is its refusal to glamorize its subjects, instead presenting a raw and psychologically nuanced portrait of people trapped by their choices. Teen readers fascinated by antiheroes and complex moral dilemmas will find themselves deeply invested in the crew's fate, while the relentless pacing and high-stakes scenarios will keep pages turning late into the night. The book ultimately delivers a powerful exploration of redemption and consequence that will linger with readers long after the final heist unfolds.

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