Title: Rude Boy USA
Author: Victoria Bolton
Publisher: Hairummat Books
ISBN: 1518754333
Pages: 261
Genre: Fiction/Crime
Reviewed by: Carol Davala
Hollywood Book Review
In “Rude Boy USA”, Victoria Bolton offers a compelling take on the popular crime dramas that draw readers into the harsh, enigmatic world of organized crime. While such works are often rooted in the traditions visited in the likes of the renowned Godfather saga or the more recent landmark HBO series, The Sopranos, here the focus is on a new criminal element known as The Chimera Group. While these debonair players may engage in unlawful activities, there are no Sunday night gatherings around the dinner table for shared platters of baked ziti, sausage & peppers, or cannolis. This engaging, fictional storyline follows an eclectic mix of four key associates. Two of the men are black, and one is a second-generation Italian. The founder and CEO, Bernie Banks, is of Greek heritage. Obsessed with cultural mythology, his company moniker represents the perfect hybrid symbol featuring a lion’s head, goat’s middle, and snake’s tail. Amidst the operation of their shell Investment firm and nefarious sideline ventures, these so-called “Rude Boys” (a nod to the sophisticated subculture of slick, young street gangsters popular in Jamaica and the UK), look to equal or surpass the rival crime families of the day, in particular the Ambrosino clan.
As mob culture is often male dominant, the Rude Boy collective appears to follow suit. Yet Bolton weaves strong female characters into this world. We see Celia, a beautiful Playboy Bunny’s transformation into an “unofficial” member of the macho group, and another socialite wife’s ill-fated clamber for control. The assertion of these women, whether for self-preservation or in a quest for money and power, speaks to the ground-breaking feminist movement of the time. These are clearly women looking to make their own mark. Readers will witness male/female relationships playing out in a variety of forms, from a passive-aggressive marriage, to infidelities, mere sexual gratification exchanges, and those hopeful for a future offering love, honesty, and commitment.
Bolton has clearly fashioned a well-paced plot with evolving characters. The narrative smartly unfolds within a historic context of a turbulent 60s and 70s timeframe. In fine detail the author references the war in Vietnam and the PTSD and related concerns relevant to those returning home. We witness a rampant drug culture, protests across college campuses, and the cities in major turmoil. Violence on urban streets becomes so caustic that local gang leaders ultimately gather in a peaceable summit-of-sorts, in an effort to restore crumbling neighborhoods.
While The Chimera Group may not represent the familial mob culture relevant to an old country lineage, their associated underworld deeds are no less sinister. From racketeering to money laundering, arson to kidnapping, readers get a ringside view of their Mafioso intentions. One particularly violent act is delivered in such a subtle, yet chilling heart-stopping moment, that enthusiasts of this literary crime genre are sure to be impressed. There are often consequences to this lifestyle. While some characters move to higher ground, we witness others becoming casualties of their own greed. At the heart of this inner sanctum is a code of honor. It is a ritualistic notion brought full- circle in the book’s final moments. Ultimately we see that when lines are crossed it can be the downfall of a community and a character. One takeaway reveals that “Egos and poor planning, not smart business decisions get bosses and associates killed.”
Against the backdrop of a chaotic decade, Bolton captures our attention and puts a new face on a criminal microcosm that challenges the grander scale. With unpredictable characters, natural dialogue, and a progressive plot, the final result is right on target.
“Rude Boy USA” is a provocative and direct hit.