⭐⭐⭐⭐
After loving the finale of the Danny Ryan trilogy, I circled back to the beginning with City on Fire—and it was fascinating to see how it all started.
Set in Providence, Rhode Island in the late 1980s, the novel opens with a fragile peace between the Irish and Italian crime families that control the city. That peace shatters when a reckless romantic entanglement ignites a full-blown mob war.
Danny Ryan, a dockworker who has tried to stay on the edges of the criminal world, finds himself pulled into the conflict through family loyalty and circumstance. As violence escalates and alliances shift, Danny begins a transformation that will shape the man readers eventually see in the later books.
Don Winslow’s writing is sharp, lean, and cinematic. The pacing is brisk, the dialogue crackles, and the gritty Providence setting feels completely authentic. Danny is also a terrific protagonist—thoughtful, loyal, and far more strategic than the mobsters who underestimate him.
Knowing where Danny’s story ultimately leads adds an extra layer of enjoyment when reading this first installment. You can already see the seeds of the leader he will become.
If you like crime fiction with strong characters and a sweeping saga feel, this is an excellent starting point—or, as in my case, a rewarding trip back to the beginning.
Beer Braised Corned Beef with Yellow Potatoes and Carrots
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
- Trim excess fat off corned beef and put in a large Dutch oven.
- Add the garlic, shallots, spices, and beer.
- Cover and braise for 3 hours, turning the meet once.
- Add the carrots and potatoes and cook for an additional 2 hours.
- Slice and serve with vegetables.