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  • City on Fire

  • The City, Book 1
  • By: Don Winslow
  • Narrated by: Ari Fliakos
  • Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (263 ratings)

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City on Fire

By: Don Winslow
Narrated by: Ari Fliakos
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Summary

“One of America’s greatest storytellers.” – Stephen King

“No one fuses action with emotion like Winslow.” – The Times

The new thriller from the #1 international bestseller – the start of a brand new trilogy

‘Superb. This is storytelling with a keen edge. City on Fire is exhilarating to read.’ — Stephen King

A Times Best Book for 2022

Providence, RI, 1986.

Twenty-nine-year-old Danny Ryan is a hard-working longshoreman, loving husband, loyal friend, and occasional “muscle” for the Irish crime syndicate that oversees much of the city. He yearns for something more and dreams of starting over fresh, someplace far away.

But when a modern-day Helen of Troy triggers a war between rival mob factions, Danny is embroiled in a conflict he can’t escape. Now it is up to him to step into the breach to protect his family, the friends who are closer to him than brothers, and the only home he’s ever known.

Exploring classic themes of loyalty, betrayal, honour, and corruption on both sides of the law, City on Fire is a contemporary Iliad from Don Winslow, “one of America’s greatest storytellers” (Stephen King).

©2021 Don Winslow, Simburo inc (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers
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Critic reviews

‘No one fuses action with emotion like Don Winslow.’ The Times Best Books to Read This Summer

‘A superior example of the gangster genre.’ Sunday Telegraph

‘Many would now describe Winslow as one of the masters of American crime writing, and this remarkable novel … is both breathtakingly panoramic and infinitesimally focused.’ Financial Times

‘Winslow’s previous “Cartel” trilogy is an astonishing achievement that will be hard to beat, but on the strength of this immersive and humane tale of fate, free will, loyalty and betrayal, his new series will rank alongside it.’ Guardian

‘This superb novel, by the writer of the Cartel trilogy of narco-thrillers, is a bloody tale of greed, lust and violent retribution, and based on various Greek myths, including Helen Of Troy.’ Sun

‘Winslow’s next juggernaut of a modern-day epic’ LA Times

‘Pure genius! Nobody can bring such grit and such heart to crime fiction as Don Winslow—and with such a unique and compelling stylistic voice.’ Jeffery Deaver

‘This is can't-put-it-down crime fiction. If you've read it, you know. If you haven't, maybe go out and get it.’ Stephen King

‘Gritty, moody, and totally immersive, CITY ON FIRE is the first installment in an epic new series that is sure to grip readers from the start. This is Winslow at his very best.’
Karin Slaughter

‘Winslow is our Dickens of modern crime. I can’t think of anyone better at what he does.’ Linwood Barclay

‘Breathtaking.’ Anthony Horowitz

‘Superb. This is storytelling with a keen edge. City on Fire is exhilarating to read.’ Stephen King

"City on Fire is the best gangster novel since The Godfather."
Steve Cavanagh

‘Epic, ambitious, majestic, City on Fire is The Godfather for our generation.’ Adrian McKinty

What listeners say about City on Fire

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Master storyteller.

Don Winslow is one of America’s best authors in any genre.
Cinematic at its best and no wastage of words;
A genuine artist at work, he knows how to tell a story and delivers another knockout, apparently the first of three.
A master at work again.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping, and gritty.

I enjoyed this book very much. The setting and characters are so well depicted I was gripped from the beginning. Apparently the first in a trilogy so looking forward to the next one. Excellent narration.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another good one

Well history of Rhode Island and the Irish and Italians. So real with the raconteur.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Solid gangster novel

Well written. Well narrated. Good mob tale. Violent obviously. Occassional dark humour. Worth a credit.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great Plot

Great book up to the standards of the cartel trilogy Only slight issue is that a long time is given to giving character backgrounds it slows the pace and plot tension

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Sad to say not his best work…

As a confirmed aficionado of both Don Winslow’s output, as well all things Mafia, I had looked forward to CITY ON FIRE with great anticipation. On this occasion I was disappointed & have to agree with a minority of other reviewers that the author fell short with this New England tale of the Irish Mob v local Cosa Nostra. I found many elements of the story contrived & full of mob cliches that sounded like clips straight out of other classics such as DONNIE BRASCOE & GOODFELLAS.

If there was one star of the show it was Art Fliakos’ superb narration without which I might have found the book a struggle. That said, even though the story lags well behind the standard of the POWER OF THE DOG trilogy I will no doubt follow Danny Ryan’s progress in the sequel to come. It is, after all, Don Winslow…..

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant thriller

If you like a fast thriller
With great twists and turns
This is the book for you .

This is my first Don Winslow book
And I intend listening to them all

Probably the most enjoyable book I v heard in years

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Solid story , well written but a little unoriginal

This very much feels like the opening of a bigger story.

It all felt a little rushed like a quickly edited film.

The narrator is great and I did thoroughly enjoy the story and would definitely come back for more. It just felt a little cliched and shallow.

Still well worth listening to or reading

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Solid crime thriller

Not quite in the class of some of his recent work, but an enjoyable read with some sparkling dialogue expertly narrated. Wouldn't be surprised to see it shortlisted for the bad sex award and gender politics not the author's strong suit.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good yarn

Don Winslow does not disappoint with his gritty and engaging writing style. The narrator Ari Fliakos does an excellent job. The story line / plot was not as great as the Power of the Dog trilogy or the Force. I guess it is a hard act to follow. Fans of Don Winslow will find it a satisfactory listen.

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