CITY IN RUINS

DON WINSLOW

Mr. Winslow generously sent me five of his backlisted books a long time ago. After reading one whose title I now forget, I wrote," I wish I could quit teaching and read every one of Mr. Winslow's novels." I feel the same way, only more vehemently. Starting with Isle Of Joy and ending with City In Ruins, the last entry in the Danny Ryan trilogy. No other writer comes close to Mr. Winslow's ability to assemble a story and people it with characters that will be long remembered after those reading it have died.

As to the book itself, hang on. It is the last of an incredible crime tale that starts in Rhode Island, relocates to Los Angeles, and ends in Las Vegas, the land of drugs, money, women, sex, and violence. City in Ruins is equal to every crime novel, including Puzo's Godfather and the underrated Fools Die.

Don Winslow needs no review from me. He is like my boyhood heroes: Sandy Koufax, Magic Johnson, and Wayne Gretzky. All of them were the best at what they did, and knowing that is an experience I will remember until I die.