The Situation: It is 1971, and Ray Carney is done being a fence. Now, when men show up at his furniture business with goods to unload, he confidently tells them that he is no longer the man who can help them. He has managed to do quite well for himself. The business has expanded, Ray is now a landlord, and he has managed to move his family into nicer dwellings. By 1973, the furniture store is picked by an up and coming director as the setting for a few scenes in a movie. Ray might be doing well, but it is clear that the city is moving in a dangerous direction. More and more buildings are being burned down in mysterious fires, that everyone seems to know are not exactly accidents. Things are about to get worse before they get better, and despite his previous resolve, it is not long before Ray is once again entangled in the business he said he left behind.
The Problem: Ray may have decided to become a legitimate businessman, but when his daughter desperately wants Jackson 5 tickets, he figures one less than legitimate favor is worth making his little girl's dream come true. Unfortunately, one of his old contacts has other ideas. In 1973, when his furniture store is being used for a movie, Ray's old friend, and seasoned crook, Pepper, finds himself surrounded by Hollywood types who do not seem to realize how dangerous he is. And in 1976, as Harlem is literally burning to the ground, Ray figures it is time he and Pepper team up to hopefully, and finally, make someone pay. But there is always someone else watching; always someone who knows more than they are saying; and always someone willing to start another fire.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set in 1970s New York City. Much like with Harlem Shuffle, Ray Carney is the center of focus for most of the novel. Told in three separate sections, 1971 finds Ray attempting to give up the crooked life and focus on his family and growing business, only to be drawn back in. In 1973, the focus shifts to Pepper, a straight-faced and seasoned crook put on a mission to find a missing actress. And in 1976, Ray and Pepper must work together to take down one of the city's biggest crooks, as Harlem burns down around them. The book is an exploration of the big city and those that ran it. Betrayal and corruption seem to be the bedrock of nearly every deal, and the worst mistake a crook can make is believing they are untouchable.
My Verdict: From the first few pages, it is clear that Ray's attempt to stay on the straight and narrow is not going to last much longer. It is a theme that will remain throughout the entire novel: this undercurrent of tension and knowing that things can (and will) go south at any moment, and that not everything is as it seems. Possibly the most stable and reliable figure in the book is Pepper, and even he is caught by surprise occasionally, despite his commitment to being observant and aware at all times. It is a setting where anything can and does happen, with all three sections of the book containing unforeseen turns and adventures. Personally, I enjoyed it more than the first book, and was glad to see Ray's story extended as he continues to build his life.
Favorite Moment: There are many, many characters that readers will be eager to see get what they deserve. When it happens, it is never predictable, and almost always a surprise, though it often should not be.
Favorite Character: Zippo (yeah, that is what he likes to be called) is a ridiculous individual. Dressed in snake-skinned pants, a bright yellow blouse, and black and white leather boots the first time the reader meets him, he has a vision for the next big blaxploitation film, and wants to use Ray's furniture store as a location.
Recommended Reading: I know I recommend this book a lot, and I will continue to do so, because The Sellout by Paul Beatty is just that good.
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