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A shared traumatic childhood of tragic loss and maternal neglect created an enduring bond between Declan O'Neill and his older brother Sean. But when Sean commits suicide, nineteen-year-old Declan finds himself not only mourning his loss but also on the hook for Sean's considerable debt to the Russian mafia. Seeking to escape, Declan leaves England to disappear in crowded New York City. However, he soon finds that the Big Apple at the start of the twenty-first century is also fraught with peril. Declan's perception of America as a land of opportunity is quickly replaced by the reality of rampant crime, violence, and corruption. Determined to carve out a future for himself, Declan perseveres. He finds friendship and even romantic love. But a devastating secret from the past sets in motion a cataclysmic sequence of events that threatens to destroy the future he has worked so hard to build. Meanwhile, the Russian mafia remains an ever-present menace, sending violent reminders that Declan is still on their radar.
This novel is the engaging first installment of the Declan O'Neill series. An Englishman living in the US, Polin delivers an incredibly authentic view of America's gritty underbelly from an expat's perspective. Using immersive storytelling, well-developed characters, and a compelling plot, the author tackles difficult topics like homosexuality, racism, inaccessibility to healthcare, anti-immigrant prejudice, police misconduct, gun accessibility, campus sexual assault, and suicide. The book paints a disturbingly vivid picture of America's economic and racial disparity. The luxuries of the affluent are starkly contrasted with the prevalence of prostitution, illicit drugs, gang violence, and hazardous working conditions in low-income communities. Polin skillfully draws readers into Declan's roller coaster ride of desperation, determination, momentary hope, and crushing despair. He sets the foundation and builds anticipation for the next volume in this mystery/thriller series.