Dan Ryan is back in Don Winslow’s third volume in his trilogy, “City in Ruins”. This epic adventure, starting with “City on Fire” and continuing with “City of Dreams” and ending with this volume follows our protagonist, Danny Ryan from his early adventures in the Irish Mafia in Rhode Island, then to California and in this novel, Las Vegas. In “City in Ruins”, Danny is an executive in a casino conglomerate, looking to expand his empire. He has an aging casino adjacent to his hotel and wants to replace it with a brand new state of the art, customer centric unique property.

As we learned in the first two volumes of this trilogy, Danny has a number of enemies who want to impede his dreams. Winslow has a great writing style developing great character studies while keeping the story being told at a rapid pace. As the this plot proceeds, we follow several story lines that build up to an exciting conclusion that will keep you reading for hours. Both his enemies and the government are looking to knock Dan off of his perch.

If you have not read this trilogy, you are missing excellent volumes similar to the “Godfather” for its action and William Kent Kreuger’s character building novels like “This Tender Land” and “Ordinary Grace”.

Winslow is a five star author in my opinion, so do not hesitate to pick up theses books for a fantastic ride.

Thank to NetGalley for proving this book in exchange for an honest review.

A strong finish to the Danny Ryan Trilogy.

Years after fleeing Providence, Danny has found success in Las Vegas. As he tries to expand his business, his past comes back to haunt him.

I really enjoyed this entire series. I found Danny to be a flawed, likable character. He’s has made some horrible choices, but has a good heart. .

Many thanks to Wiliam Morrow and NetGalley for this advance reader's copy.

In the final book of the riveting Danny Ryan series, "City in Ruins", Danny has power, money and a successful empire of gambling casinos in Las Vegas. In order to increase his footprint in Vegas, Danny must abandon his legitimate instincts and achieve his goals using the "old ways" of his past. As Danny faced each challenge in this book, I found myself reminded of the journey of Michael Corleone in "The Godfather". Torn between supporting Danny's actions and repulsed by his violent past resurfacing, I was spellbound and found it very hard to put this book down. I highly encouraged everyone who enjoyed this engrossing series to read "City in Ruins" to find out the final resolution of Danny Ryan's odyssey. Thank you, Don Winslow, for creating a gripping crime family series that I enjoyed immensely!

This is a series that started very strong. The last book was entertaining but unfortunately a bit predictable as it was very obvious to see where the story was going. Still a good fast read.

What a way to conclude a successful writing career. In this, Don Winslow's final novel, he satisfyingly ends the Danny Ryan Trilogy and leaves this reader hoping he will decide retirement is too dull and begin writing again.

Danny Ryan thought he had left his Irish mob days behind him. He has become a wildly successful casino partner, has a great relationship with his son, and has a woman he could love. Still, his past resurfaces as an FBI agent out for revenge stirs the pot; he must go on the offensive again to preserve his world. Calling on old friends for help, Danny tries to outwit the government and the Italian mafia while keeping his family safe. His life and business empire are on the line; failure is not an option.

I first became a fan of the character Danny Ryan in "City on Fire" and continued in "City of Dreams." Both left me wanting more, and I'm happy to report that "City in Ruins." is the icing on this trilogy cake: it resolves storylines and characters' lives fittingly. The writing is excellent, the plot is twisty, and the pacing is fast - a Don Winslow signature novel. I wish Mr. Winslow well in whatever he does next, but I will miss the worlds and characters he created. 5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of "City in Ruins" in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is April 2, 2024.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

Don Winslow’s "City in Ruins" brings the Danny Ryan trilogy to a gripping and satisfying conclusion. The fast-paced narrative effortlessly balances action, intrigue, and character development, ensuring a fitting end to the saga. Echoing the cinematic brilliance of "Casino," with undertones reminiscent of "The Godfather" and "Goodfellas," Winslow crafts a tale that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The intricate web of power struggles, alliances, and betrayals keeps readers on the edge of their seats, much like a high-stakes game in a smoky backroom.

For me, what truly sets "City in Ruins" apart from other thrillers is its nuanced portrayal of Danny Ryan. As the central figure in this trilogy, Ryan evolves from a street-smart hustler to a formidable player in the criminal underworld to a casino mogul trying to go straight. Winslow deftly navigates Ryan's moral ambiguity, presenting him as a flawed yet compelling protagonist whose decisions reverberate throughout the series finale. Moreover, Winslow’s prose crackles with authenticity. Whether describing the neon-lit glamour of the casinos or the seedy underbelly of organized crime, Winslow paints a vivid picture that feels both familiar and unsettling.

"City in Ruins" is a masterfully crafted conclusion to the Danny Ryan trilogy. With its blend of pulse-pounding action, complex characters, and evocative setting, Winslow delivers a tour de force that will leave readers clamoring for more. Highly recommended for fans of the previous books in the series, crime fiction and anyone seeking a thrilling, thought-provoking read.

Don Winslow writes the way your charismatic friend tells stories. He knows when to use long sentences, he knows when to keep things short, he knows how to be conversational, and he switches between all of these effortlessly. I have never had so much fun with an author's character development as I have with the people in Winslow's stories. Winslow is the author that writes characters you only need to read one time. I rarely backtrack for character details when I'm reading a Winslow novel. In this trilogy filled with flawed and broken characters, it is the way he writes them so realistically that keeps you hooked.

I read the first 2 Danny Ryan books as they were published. I felt like the second book pushed me from casual passive reader to eager fan, so much so that I signed up for NetGalley in the hopes of reading the 3rd novel early. Big thank you to NetGalley, Don Winslow, and William Morrow for this DRC.

The story is violent, the characters are devastating, the premise is plausible, and the writing is superb. City in Ruins is the best conclusion I could have hoped for, and I'm sad to see Winslow ending his writing career with this novel. Winslow expertly tracked this man, Danny Ryan, through the passion-duty-burden stages of his life in a way that felt genuine. My life had no real parallels to Ryan's (beyond growing up and becoming a father), but I felt like this character was someone I could understand and commiserate with in all 3 books.

Outstanding book and series!

This 3rd and final book in the Danny Ryan trilogy did not disappoint me. I really enjoyed this mafia story of Irish vs Italians starting in Rhode Island. Danny is in his heart a good guy, a dedicated husband and devoted dad who was brought up into this family war! His travels and desperation to be separate from this life, takes us to California and Las Vegas, to ending old ties, to reaching out to family and bringing love into his life as his salvation.
I was on his side throughout the entire trilogy.
If you like mafia wives, guns, retribution tropes and good vs evil. This is a story for you!

A Las Vegas end to the Danny Ryan trilogy, and perhaps the send-off to Winslow's crime writing career? After Ryan left New England and Hollywood, he became one of the biggest casino moguls in Vegas. But Vegas is trying to clean up its mobster image, and the other fat cats aren't about to let Danny Ryan muscle his way in. So he even though he gets the literal gang back together, with closet skeletons like deranged assassins, gang grudges, and a RICO case, Ryan sets himself up for an Ozymandias story. Winslow's novels run through so many flavors of crime, from surfer noir, border noir, police procedural, detective, and now Vegas. If you enjoy Vegas crime, like the Scorsese movie Casino or the very good 1950s Steve Fisher noir novel, No House Limit, you'll like this book.

Powerful, Intense And Highly Recommended Conclusion To Winslow’s Excellent Trilogy!

City In Ruins is the final book in the Danny Ryan trilogy that starts off essentially where City On Fire ended. And, what a finale to this crime series - and to Winslow writing career - it is!!

I won’t describe the plot of City In Ruins since this can be read about in the Amazon or Goodreads Book Descriptions. I’ll just say that it is a very well-written page-turner with memorable characters and a well-above average amount of excitement. If you enjoy a book that offer a sweeping saga of family, love, revenge, corruption and survival that provides the fierce reality behind “the dream…and its ruins”, then I’d strongly recommend you read City In Ruins …but only after reading City On Fire and City Of Dreams. To me, City In Ruins is not only the best book I’ve read so far in 2024, it is among the best books I read in 2023!

I enjoyed City In Ruins for many reasons, but my two most important reasons are as follows. One is that Winslow masterfully captures the sounds, sights, smells, violence and corruption within the entertainment and gambling world within Las Vegas, as well as in the organized crime world in which Danny Ryan’s career began in Rhode Island, in such a way that you feel you are 'right there' as the plot unfolds and concludes. The second, and at least equally important, reason is that Winslow fills City In Ruins with extremely well-developed, complex, real-world characters that will likely stay with you long after you finish reading the book.

Do yourself a big favor and put City In Ruins on the top of your reading list if you’ve already read the first two books in the trilogy; and, if you haven’t read these books, put the entire trilogy at the top of your TBR list. You’ll be glad you did.

#City In Ruins. #Net Galley

First time reading Don Winslow and City in Ruins was a very good, but not amazing. The 3rd book in the trilogy and supposedly the author's final book. The plot was good, great cast of characters, and it actually ended...in a nice way.
I do recommend reading the book, it's very entertaining, and there are a lot of ups and downs to keep you guessing.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC of the novel and will have to checkout Winslow's catalog.

The final novel of Don Winslow’s Danny Ryan Trilogy, CITY IN RUINS, is a fitting end to a great trilogy. Winslow once again weaves an epic tale into a relatively short novel. Danny Ryan’s story captures the American Dream via crime fiction so well, it could easily be a masterclass in how to do it. Winslow’s prose is tight, sharp, and his ear for dialogue is on point.

Full of surprises and heartache, I recommend CITY IN RUINS without reservation.

A big step up from the unfocused City of Dreams, City of Ruins is a tidy wrap-up of the Danny Ryan trilogy. We follow Dan(ny) Ryan as a power player in Las Vegas and his improbable rise as a hotel magnate. To varying degrees, Ryan's past comes calling and the question is whether he break free of his past and his sins.

But there's something perfunctory, almost mechanical about this last book of Winslow's career (if we are to take Winslow at his word). Loose ends are cleaned up (a murder trial that never overlaps with the main story), characters who were central to other installments are given cameo appearances (Danny's mom). The story doesn't rush to a conclusion as much as is checked off from a story outline. Individual scenes work wonderfully; but the book has no real momentum, no passion other than to finish the story.

It's hard to capture my reaction - what do you do when you love a writer's prose but not as much what he did with it? This book flew by, but I'm not sure it will have any lasting impact on me. Certainly The Power of the Dog still hangs around my mind far more, and I read that more than a decade ago, not a day ago.

If you're a Winslow fan, this book is worth your time - the man can write - but this is most assuredly a minor work no matter how this may be framed as a crowning achievement.

Many thanks to Wiliam Morrow and NetGalley for this advance reader's copy.

City on Fire, the first book in Don Winslow’s crime trilogy (part homage to the story of Helen of Troy) was a revelation to me. Clearly, one of my favorite books read in s023, I devoured it. No surprise it received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist and Kirkus. Trust me, if you were a fan of the television show Sopranos, you will love City on Fire, along with the rest of the trilogy.

Immediately after reading City on Fire, I read the sequel, City of Dreams, which transports Danny Ryan—after suffering a personal tragedy—from the organized crime turf war in Rhode Island to the glitzy world of showbiz in California. Coming up for air, I began my patient wait for the third and final book in the trilogy, City in Ruins…

(Fortunately, that anticipated long wait became much shorter when I noticed the final book was available for review through NetGalley. I promptly logged my request for a review copy—and was overjoyed when I received an approval.)

It’s fair to say that Danny Ryan—despite his rebound from hunted fugitive to financial success in City of Dreams, bolstered by even more success leading up to City in Ruins and his move to Las Vegas—is a haunted man. Haunted by the personal tragedies that befell him at the end of the first and second books in the “City…” trilogy.” But also haunted by the sins of his past, and the burden of his bad reputation, which he can never completely shake no matter how much he tries to go legit. And though he acknowledges the mistakes of his past and tries to suppress his own conscience, the debt that goes along with that guilt takes physical form in the vengeful FBI agent who refuses to let him off the hook, despite multiple ‘hands-off’ warnings from her superiors.

Despite all attempts to avoid repeating the mistakes of his past, Danny Ryan gets pulled back into the vicious circle of attacks and reprisals that marked his mobster days in Rhode Island. But can he escape before paying the ultimate price? Much of the suspense in the final volume of the trilogy is waiting to find out if there is any hope for Danny or if he is doomed to an inevitable collapse into the titular ‘ruins.’

I highly recommend you read City in Ruins—but only after reading City on Fire followed by City of Dreams. This trilogy is the arc of a life seeking redemption along with success, with this final book informed by the events of the past that helped shape Danny Ryan’s personality, while also showing how he affected—and continues to influence—those around him. Rest assured, all three books are highly entertaining, filled with colorful (criminal and otherwise) characters, humorous situations and dialogue, unexpected twists, pleasant surprises, sudden violence, and more than a few gut punches. And, in the final pages, there is hope and satisfaction to be found… but maybe not in the way the reader expects. Though I have a special appreciation for City on Fire, all three books in the trilogy are thoroughly enthralling.

Fantastic book by Winslow. I’ve never read anything else by him but by goodness this one is absolutely fantastic featuring the inability to escape from your past: thanks for the arc

Knowing all series eventually come to an end and being content with this aren’t the same. Add to that the retirement of a legendary author brings me literally to tears. The finale of this trilogy was phenomenal! Mr. Winslow saved the best for last and poured his years of creativity into this one. It has everything I enjoy about a thriller incorporated into the plot. It’s down and dirty, gritty and dark, much like it’s setting in Vegas. Danny must finally face the Rhode Island mob connection from his past. Along the way there will be love, loss, heartbreak, death and murder. There will be fortunes made and lost, friends come, leave and turn into enemies.
I barely slept or ate trying to get to the end. What a privilege this was to read, not to be missed! I would rate it at ten stars if I could. You need to put this one on your TBR list and preorder now! Sincere gratitude to NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy of “City In Ruins” by Don Winslow, Danny Ryan trilogy #3, published by William Morrow, expected publication April 2, 2024.

“Just when I think I’m out they pull me back in” - Michael Corleone

City in ruins picks up years after City of dreams and finds Danny Ryan a legitimate businessman and casino owner trying to leave his old life behind him and seems to have succeeded but fate has other plans. Don Winslow has written some of my all time favorite books/series so when I found out this was his magnum opus I had to get my hands on an advanced copy. The cartel trilogy was until this trilogy my favorite, and I had doubts it would be usurped but I was wrong. City in ruins is absolute fire!

Incredible! This is my first Don Winslow book and I loved it! Extremely well-developed characters and such an engrossing story that I didn’t want it to end. The moral and ethical dilemmas presented were wrenching in the context of the organized crime families, lifestyles, and quest for dominance.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read this amazing ARC.

Don Winslow, author of some of the most inventive and satisfying noir novels of the past 40 years and heir to the legacy of the great Elmore Leonard, has pledged that this conclusion of a trilogy will be his final work of fiction. The man is entitled to a sabbatical, and it’s understandable if he wishes to step back from his prolific output. That said, “City in Ruins” is a far cry from Winslow’s best work. It’s not entirely correct to surmise that he has run out of things to say, but this oddly half-hearted tale is a pale, formulaic echo of earlier plots, dialogue, characters, and themes. It reads like another uninspired novelization of the Godfather III film, undertaken by a writer far less talented and less committed than Winslow. This is a page-turner to be flipped through during airplane travel, not a suitable elegy for the creator of the Neal Carey novels and unforgettable Cartel trilogy. The good news is that Winslow is still a somewhat young fellow and you can always hope that one day he’ll return to fiction-writing and return to his previous form. Thanks to NetGalley for making this novel available pre-publication.