City In Ruins, Danny Ryan Trilogy #3

Author: Don Winslow
Genre: Crime Fiction
380 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins, 2024

Synopsis
Sometimes you have to become what you hate to protect what you love.

Danny Ryan is rich. Beyond his wildest dreams rich.

The former dock worker, Irish mob soldier and fugitive from the law is now a respected businessman – a Las Vegas casino mogul and billionaire silent partner in a group that owns two lavish hotels. Finally, Danny has it all: a beautiful house, a child he adores, a woman he might even fall in love with.

Life is good. But then Danny reaches too far.

When he tries to buy an old hotel on a prime piece of real estate with plans to build his dream resort, he triggers a war against Las Vegas power brokers, a powerful FBI agent bent on revenge and a rival casino owner with dark connections of his own.

Danny thought he had buried his past, but now it reaches up to him from the grave to pull him down. Old enemies surface, and when they come for Danny they vow to take everything – not only his empire, not just his life, but all that he holds dear, including his son.

To save his life and everything he loves, Danny must become the ruthless fighter he once was – and never wanted to be again.

My review
City in Ruins by Don Winslow is a gritty, engrossing, and captivating finale to the Danny Ryan trilogy, written by one of America’s most compelling storytellers. Reading this book was a bittersweet experience for me. Winslow, known for his exceptional crime fiction, delivers a solid conclusion to the trilogy, marking the end of his brilliant career as he steps into retirement. Both this novel and the series offer a solid 4-star reading experience!

This novel offers a compelling look at organized crime, spanning from Providence, Rhode Island, to Southern California, and Las Vegas. The cast of characters is extensive and well-crafted, with Danny Ryan being the standout. Winslow masterfully portrays Ryan’s internal struggle between starting a new, clean life and reverting to old mafia tactics to protect his empire and loved ones. The heat of the past still burns at his heels, and instead of the familiar Italian versus Irish conflicts, Danny now faces the Las Vegas establishment, financial backers, the Detroit mob, and the Nevada Gaming Commission. These might be his most ruthless enemies yet.

True to Winslow’s style, the narrative is direct and unflinching, vividly illustrating the harsh realities of the worlds he depicts. He excels in creating an authentic atmosphere and believable characters, with the inner struggles of his main protagonists being mostly unpredictable and always thoroughly entertaining.

City In Ruins is a fast-paced, enjoyable, and compelling read and brings the Danny Ryan story arc full circle. Some of my favorite novels in recent years include Winslow’s The Cartel Trilogy and The Force. While this trilogy may not quite match those in scope and complexity, this is a strong crime fiction novel and a fitting ending to the trilogy . Thank you Mr. Winslow for your words, your writing style, your stories – I wish you every success in your new adventures!

My recommendation: read it!