The King’s Cartel by Frank Gresham
Mario King is serving a bid when things go awry between he and some other inmates. Cal steps up to help him straighten out the problem. But Mario is wise and knows that people don’t just do favors for each other at that level without expecting something in return. Back on the streets, Mario is a huge kingpin who holds high rank and esteem and Cal uses this opportunity to come into business with him. Looking at the future, Cal sees himself as being next in line when it becomes time for the Cartel to change hands. But you know what they say about making assumptions.
Damar is Mario’s younger brother and when he comes on the scene Cal is pushed further down the hierarchy than he wants….and he’s none too happy about it. After a hit is put out on Mario and his wife inherits everything, less a portion for Cal, things really get crazy. Damar steps in to run things on his brother’s behalf and handle all the affairs so Vida, Mario’s wife, could focus on raising their son.
Damar is set on revenge for anyone who had anything to do with Mario’s death. He goes to the only people he trusts, a band of rag tag folks from his past that he’s done illegal dealings with as they grew into adulthood. Now Damar has to learn quickly how to fill his brother’s shoes and maintain the empire that has been laid in his lap.
Although Frank Gresham writes well, the story seems unrealistic and in the first half of the book, the story goes too fast. There are things that should be expected to be place for someone who has reached kingpin status. Despite what business they are operating, they are still businessmen at the core of their beings and would make decisions based on that fact. Someone doesn’t reach kingpin status doing the things that are expressed in the story. Example: Why is there no surveillance system at the club where the hit takes place? Why is there no security or surveillance systems at either Mario or Damar’s homes? Where is the cleanup crew to get rid of the evidence after the murders have taken place? Why are these people using their own highly visible trucks to take on the scene knowing that they are there to do dirty work? And if they were going to use their own vehicles, why weren’t the cars torched? Damar uses small time street hustlers to run a multi-million dollar enterprise, knowing they are not skilled or prepared for that level. On a positive note, there were some beautiful nuggets laced throughout the story, like the love Damar has for the woman in his life and the devotion he has to his wayward sister. The story lacked depth and the details needed to make it seem real. Again, the author’s writing is fine, but the story itself needs more development.
3 stars
_____
Reviewed by Tumika