Suspenseful and gritty crime story. I liked this book, but I didn't feel that it lived up to the reviews I read early on. Still, it's wort a read.

Canaryville is the latest from Charlie Newton, set in his native Chicago birthplace. It is a busy story with an intense, pulsating narrative that evokes the south side Irish, former livestock slaughterhouse darkness. Full of action with a double homicide, bomb blast and city ready to explode, it’s up to detective Denny Banahan to stop the potential explosion of violence. Despite its tantalising premise, Canaryville was disappointing and so only a two-star rating. With thanks to NetGalley and the author for a preview copy for review purposes. All opinions expressed herein are freely given and totally my own.

Charlie Newton marries the writing chops of Elmore Leonard to an over-the-top, gritty thriller sensibility that feels old-fashioned to me, perhaps channeling Alistair MacLean. Last year's Privateers was a hoot to read without transcending its extravagant plot, but now this underrated author has written the standout book of his career. "Canaryville" is at once an ode to an iconic Irish-American suburb of Chicago and a kinetic thriller plucked straight from the headlines. When a bomb massacre occurs in Canaryville, accompanied by lurid killings nearby, the great industrial city is poised on the edge of a new white-black war, and the only one who can track down the killer is police officer Denny Banahan, child of Canaryville and now embroiled in controversy, ready to retire and in love. The author is a master of controlled pell-mell plotting, the huge cast of riveting characters is wonderfully portrayed, and the bleak, black, humorous dialogue enriches every page. Throw in a villain creepy enough to out-creep Hannibal Lecter, and Canaryville is an immersive triumph that must be read in one sitting.

Wow did I want to read this book and enjoy it. I can't say that I did, unfortunately. With our success with "Murder in Canaryville" (a non-fiction book) and such interest in the neighborhood as a result, I thought it was a no-brainer. But I literally can't go on, as I lost interest in the characters and the plot. For me, almost every character was a stereotype -- the local, powerful black priest, the murderer who has to fake emotions, the Irish cop who grew up in the neighborhood he serves, even the strong Irish girlfriend. I wanted to like some of the characters, but I am abandoning the book. There are some outdated terminologies used to describe gangs in the area (real gangs that exist). There are some inaccuracies about things as simple as days on which certain parades are held (so close to the beginning of the book). I can tell the author spent some time in Chicago. He knows the city -- at least part of it. I actually think he's a decent enough writer, as I found the story mostly gripping and kept reading as long as I could. I actually AM going to carry this book, and I am certain I'll be able to sell some books telling the absolute truth. I'm even going to look into his other titles. It was certainly worth it to learn of this author. This book just wasn't for me. I may return to it and finish it, but I have so much to read!

An intense hard read. Full of violence and rising tensions. Reflected during the times. Worth delving into.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc