Shaun Sinclair

In Fayetteville NC, Leader is a legend. Using the skills learned in Special Forces, Leader created a successful security company – a front for his work as a renowned assassin. When his 17-year-old son Justus graduates, Leader bringing him into the “family business”, making a life from dealing death. While Justus learns the necessary emotional detachment and skills, Sinclair interweaves the community’s multiple criminal enterprises, sexual entanglements, and family connections. Ford does an excellent job providing unique voices to both male and female characters, while also code-switching character’s dialog based upon the group. Ford makes both Leader and Justus simultaneously empathetic and ominous. Each memorable character adds layers of loyalty, brutality, and betrayal which Ford fiercely intones. The tension peaks when Leader and Justus are captured by a rival “cleaner” who painfully exposes the reality of their past. Fans of thought-provoking antiheroes will clamor for a sequel after the dramatic ending.

The improved review was published in Booklist May 1, 2019 issue.… (altro)