A vulnerable kid. A brutal enemy. An addled ally.Blood runs cold on Harlem’s hottest summer night when drive-by assassins shoot up a crowded playground, killing the teenaged friend of private eye SJ Rook. Only fourteen, the kid was smart, affectionate, and alive with potential. His sudden death strikes Rook through the heart. Was this boy the victim of a cruel accident or was he targeted by gang … gang hitmen in a ruthless display of power? To find the killers, Rook must enlist the help of another teen, Whip, a mysterious runaway witness. Whip is a transgender boy whose life on the streets has drawn him into the realm of a violent mob kingpin. Bruised and discouraged by his mother’s rejection, Whip doesn’t want to be found. Not by the cops or by community do-gooders. And certainly not by Rook, a resolute stranger with vengeance on his mind. Rook’s search for the elusive kid requires persistence, street-level diplomacy, and guts. The quest becomes a dangerous trek through the meanest corners of his neighborhood. Racing from desolate homeless camps to urban swamps, from settlement houses to high-rise palaces ruled by greed and corruption, the determined Rook pursues his quarry. An unexpected twist in the detective’s relationship with his crime-fighting partner, Sabrina Ross, threatens to derail his mission while deepening their personal connection. In this fourth book in the Ross Agency Mystery series, Rook confronts his toughest assignment yet. Noble tramps, vicious thugs, and a pint-sized trigger woman complicate Rook’s efforts to protect Whip. When a crime prince and a hobo hold the boy’s life in the balance, will Rook’s grit and imagination be enough to save Whip and bring the killers to justice?
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When his young friend is gunned down yards away from him in what appears to be a drive-by shooting, a jaded PI is determined to find those responsible. He’s not prepared for his investigation to lead him into a large-scale high finance conspiracy that even has government agencies perplexed.
As he tracks his only lead in the shooting, a transgendered boy, the PI encounters street people who live by a code, henchmen who don’t, and the realization of just how far he’ll go for street justice.
SJ Rook is not the slick, polished, alpha-male private detective of pop culture. He’s divorced, broke, war-wounded, and trying to eke out an existence as the muscle of a neighborhood detective agency. He has good gut instinct, but his life is plagued by bad luck and bad decisions. Rook owns his part in the path his life took, even if he’s almost out of optimism. But fourteen-year-old Zaire had potential and a chance at a good life and someone took his chance away from him… and they need to pay for that.
Characters are well-developed and relatable. As he struggles with his identity and place in the world, young Whip has a breezy, youthful outlook on life, even as his life is in jeopardy. Sabrina, daughter of detective agency owner, is a strong female character who proves women can be feminine and tough. She has Rook’s back even though her life… and his could make a drastic change. Street people Odette and Eddie tugged at my heartstrings because, despite their meager existence, they didn’t wallow in self-pity and looked out for their tribe in a way even some blood relations don’t.
This fast-paced read is gritty and unapologetic. While it is the fourth book of the series and I have read none of the others, strong, detailed writing delivered a story I didn’t feel was missing anything. Rook’s journey to justice will appeal to lovers of crime fiction and suspense, and I do recommend Pauper and Prince in Harlem.
Enjoy!
Pauper and Prince in Harlem by Delia C. Pitts
The Ross Agency Mystery Series #4
Gritty, grim, and rather dark this is a gripping story. It drew me in from the first few pages and held my interest till the very end. Each character grew as the story progressed becoming more and more real to me. I could see that there was more to most of them than met the eye and I wanted to know them all better as I wished more than one had an easier and better life.
Zaire, killed in the first few pages, deserved a longer life than he was allotted. The need to find out who killed Aire motivated Rook to find out who killed his young friend while also trying to balance the scales of justice in the process. Whether or not he will without lose a portion of his own soul made for a riveting read.
What I liked:
* Rook: an intriguing character. I am sure that if I had read previous books I would know him even better but really did come away liking this man. Loved how he thought things through and what he was willing to do to keep those he cared for safe. I like him a lot.
* Brina: One of Rook’s bosses and his love interest. She seems to be strong, independent, intelligent and a good partner for Rook.
* Norment Ross: did not see enough of him to form a true opinion but liked what I saw. He seemed savvy, friendly, a good father, and interesting.
* Eddie and Odette: homeless people with interesting stories and were both integral to the story
* Whip: a young person faced with big decisions
* The story line dealing with the mob boss
* The way Rook decided how to save Whip
* That not everything was easy
* The way the book ended – but also wondering what will happen after the last page
* That it was a standalone story – made sense without reading previous books
What I did not like:
* Being reminded of the homeless people that are legion and knowing how difficult their lives must be
* Knowing that for some killing others is easy
* Saying goodbye to the characters and having to wait to read more in the series.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in the series? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC – this is my honest review.
5 Stars