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In Powder Blue
Vincent never had a chance.
He lost his mother in the South Tower.
He lost his father to a bottle.
The rest, he gave away slowly—to heroin, silence, and survival.
Vincent LoCicero never planned to become a criminal. But when you grow up in post-9/11 Long Island, raised by a grieving alcoholic and groomed by your uncle—a bitter ex-Marine with a hand in every local hustle—you learn grief doesn’t kill you quick. It hollows you out from the inside.
At sixteen, Vincent is dealing heroin.
At twenty, he’s committing robbery at a lawyer’s office and walks out with a USB drive filled with secrets powerful men would kill to keep buried.
He doesn’t know what’s on it—just that his uncle wants it gone, and the men chasing it don’t ask questions before they shoot.
Years later, clean but still haunted, Vincent tries to disappear with Lucy—a woman who knows what it means to live with ghosts. But by the time he realizes the USB holds an encrypted Bitcoin wallet tied to powerful, dangerous people… it’s already too late. Bodies start turning up. Unfamiliar cars follow him. And when the FBI finally tackles him to the pavement, he the past doesn’t let you go. It collects.
In Powder Blue is a literary crime novel about addiction, grief, legacy, and the illusion of escape. Set in the emotional wreckage of post-9/11 Long Island, it blends the atmospheric weight of Mystic River with the tragic pull of Breaking Bad and the psychological depth of The Sopranos. It’s not just about crime—it’s about the boys left behind by fathers, systems, and silence.
This book deals with opioid addiction, emotional violence, the rot under suburban respectability—and the rare, human moments that still break through. It’s raw, cinematic, and unflinching.
I grew up in Levittown. I lost friends. I buried parts of myself to survive. I wrote this book over five years, not as therapy, but as truth. I'm a father of four now. A husband. A builder of homes instead of excuses. But this book is the last thing I had to get out before I could really move on.
He lost his mother in the South Tower.
He lost his father to a bottle.
The rest, he gave away slowly—to heroin, silence, and survival.
Vincent LoCicero never planned to become a criminal. But when you grow up in post-9/11 Long Island, raised by a grieving alcoholic and groomed by your uncle—a bitter ex-Marine with a hand in every local hustle—you learn grief doesn’t kill you quick. It hollows you out from the inside.
At sixteen, Vincent is dealing heroin.
At twenty, he’s committing robbery at a lawyer’s office and walks out with a USB drive filled with secrets powerful men would kill to keep buried.
He doesn’t know what’s on it—just that his uncle wants it gone, and the men chasing it don’t ask questions before they shoot.
Years later, clean but still haunted, Vincent tries to disappear with Lucy—a woman who knows what it means to live with ghosts. But by the time he realizes the USB holds an encrypted Bitcoin wallet tied to powerful, dangerous people… it’s already too late. Bodies start turning up. Unfamiliar cars follow him. And when the FBI finally tackles him to the pavement, he the past doesn’t let you go. It collects.
In Powder Blue is a literary crime novel about addiction, grief, legacy, and the illusion of escape. Set in the emotional wreckage of post-9/11 Long Island, it blends the atmospheric weight of Mystic River with the tragic pull of Breaking Bad and the psychological depth of The Sopranos. It’s not just about crime—it’s about the boys left behind by fathers, systems, and silence.
This book deals with opioid addiction, emotional violence, the rot under suburban respectability—and the rare, human moments that still break through. It’s raw, cinematic, and unflinching.
I grew up in Levittown. I lost friends. I buried parts of myself to survive. I wrote this book over five years, not as therapy, but as truth. I'm a father of four now. A husband. A builder of homes instead of excuses. But this book is the last thing I had to get out before I could really move on.
504 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2025
402 people are currently reading
2843 people want to read
About the author
Nikolas Pleiadi
3 books21 followersNikolas Pleiadi is a Long Island-born author whose work explores grief, addiction, legacy, and the weight of silence. His debut novel, In Powder Blue, is a gritty, emotionally charged literary crime story set in post-9/11 Levittown — a place where loyalty runs deep, and ghosts never stay buried.
Blending the psychological depth of Mystic River with the raw tension of The Sopranos, Pleiadi writes fiction that feels personal, cinematic, and uncomfortably real. He believes in flawed characters, haunted places, and stories that hit like a fist to the chest.
When he's not writing, he's probably driving too fast down the Wantagh Parkway, lifting heavy things, or building something that hurts a little to talk about.
Visit him at: www.nikolaspleiadi.com
Blending the psychological depth of Mystic River with the raw tension of The Sopranos, Pleiadi writes fiction that feels personal, cinematic, and uncomfortably real. He believes in flawed characters, haunted places, and stories that hit like a fist to the chest.
When he's not writing, he's probably driving too fast down the Wantagh Parkway, lifting heavy things, or building something that hurts a little to talk about.
Visit him at: www.nikolaspleiadi.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
May 13, 2025
What makes this novel truly exceptional is its emotional depth.The writing is so detailed, cinematic, and layered with symbolism. These details built a world that feels heartbreakingly real. The ending can be happy or somber or even both at the same time depending how you look at it. The ambiguity behind it when you hear the repetitive phrase of Maria saying “See Vin, it’s okay here” sent chills down my spine. Did Vincent really make it out? Or was peace just another illusion? Leaving that question lingering in the air makes this story unforgettable. You can tell Nikolas Pleiadi put his all into writing this.
If you’re looking for a crime drama with heart and soul, In Powder Blue is a must-read. Five stars, without hesitation.
If you’re looking for a crime drama with heart and soul, In Powder Blue is a must-read. Five stars, without hesitation.
March 26, 2026
Trigger Alerts:
– Addiction
– Toxic relationships
– Emotional manipulation
– Identity struggles
– Mental health
In Powder Blue by Nikolas Pleiadi is a literary fiction novel set in the modern-day United States, centered on a relationship that becomes increasingly complicated and emotionally intense. The story follows a narrator caught in a relationship that blurs the line between love and control. As things unfold, you see how attachment, insecurity, and personal struggles start shaping the dynamic in ways that aren’t always healthy. It’s character-driven, focusing on emotions and internal conflict. It’s not a light read, and it definitely leans more into mood and feeling than action. I never connected with the book. I can’t say a lot of what it was about. A lot slower than probably needed
– Addiction
– Toxic relationships
– Emotional manipulation
– Identity struggles
– Mental health
In Powder Blue by Nikolas Pleiadi is a literary fiction novel set in the modern-day United States, centered on a relationship that becomes increasingly complicated and emotionally intense. The story follows a narrator caught in a relationship that blurs the line between love and control. As things unfold, you see how attachment, insecurity, and personal struggles start shaping the dynamic in ways that aren’t always healthy. It’s character-driven, focusing on emotions and internal conflict. It’s not a light read, and it definitely leans more into mood and feeling than action. I never connected with the book. I can’t say a lot of what it was about. A lot slower than probably needed
May 28, 2025
I got to read In Powder Blue early as an ARC reader and I’m still trying to catch my breath, honestly. The whole book pulled me in.the characters, the setting, the way it handled grief and addiction and family but it was the ending that really got ne.
It’s not just sad or shocking..its earned. It feels like you’ve lived a whole life by the time you get there. I won’t spoil anything, but I sat there with the book closed in my lap for like ten minutes after. Just… sitting with it.
I’ve read a lot of books, but this one felt personal. Even if you didn’t grow up on Long Island or lose someone on 9/11, there’s something universal here .about pain, love, silence, legacy. It reminded me of The Sopranos, but it also reminded me of people I love. People I’ve lost.
If you’re looking for something that stays with you.not just a good story, but something that matters , read this.
It’s not just sad or shocking..its earned. It feels like you’ve lived a whole life by the time you get there. I won’t spoil anything, but I sat there with the book closed in my lap for like ten minutes after. Just… sitting with it.
I’ve read a lot of books, but this one felt personal. Even if you didn’t grow up on Long Island or lose someone on 9/11, there’s something universal here .about pain, love, silence, legacy. It reminded me of The Sopranos, but it also reminded me of people I love. People I’ve lost.
If you’re looking for something that stays with you.not just a good story, but something that matters , read this.
July 25, 2025
10/10. The music linked to the story is the coolest concept that I’ve seen. I love an underdog story, especially involving addiction, trauma, etc. Had all the makings of classic literature with heartbreak and redemption
June 20, 2025
This powerful and honest book follows the journey of someone who battles and ultimately overcomes drug addiction. It’s a raw, emotional story of struggle, relapse, and resilience. The author’s vulnerability makes their transformation feel real and inspiring. A must-read for anyone seeking hope, understanding, or a reminder that recovery is possible.
July 23, 2025
Very relatable
I grew up in an Sicilian family on Long Island with some very similar relatives and neighbors.
Some of thks story brought back happy,
scary, crazy memories.
Excellent job!
I grew up in an Sicilian family on Long Island with some very similar relatives and neighbors.
Some of thks story brought back happy,
scary, crazy memories.
Excellent job!
March 23, 2026
Kudos to the author. The writing is beautiful. This is a story that you don’t read as much as you feel. To say it’s gritty is doing it a disservice. At times I was in despair. I desperately wanted different choices and even within the poor choices I desperately wanted different outcomes.
I can only recommend committing to this and going in a bit blind.
I can only recommend committing to this and going in a bit blind.
March 9, 2026
A really well written books that touches on a lot of really heavy topics in a way that feels VERY true to life.
May 21, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of In Powder Blue, and I can honestly say it’s one of the most emotionally layered and unforgettable books I’ve read in a long time. On the surface, it’s a crime novel.. but that doesn’t begin to cover what this story actually is. It’s a coming-of-age epic set in post-9/11 Long Island. It’s about addiction, survival, grief, and masculinity, but also about family, and how the people who shape you can save you or destroy you (sometimes both.)
The main character, Vincent LoCicero, is the kind of narrator who gets under your skin. He’s raw, self-aware, wounded, and often funny as hell..especially in the early scenes with his friends or while navigating his chaotic world with that dry, burned-out humor that only trauma survivors seem to master. And yet, there are passages in this book that absolutely crushed me. The scenes with his father, especially when they don’t talk, when they can’t talk felt so real that I had to put the book down.
Then there’s Uncle Joe, one of the most compelling and disturbing characters I’ve read in recent fiction. He’s magnetic, bitter, terrifying, and familiar in a way that’s hard to admit. You can feel his damage spilling onto Vincent’s life. And Anthony, his cold, quiet shadow. The way he moves behind everything, the power he has without raising his voice..it’s chilling. Every time he shows up, you tense up, because you know something big is about to happen. Their dynamic, especially when you realize who’s pulling the strings, is masterful.
And somehow, amidst all that darkness, there’s beauty. There are sentences in this book that feel like poetry. The powder blue Mercedes that becomes more than just a car. It becomes memory, hope, grief, legacy. The symbolism in this novel doesn’t hit you over the head. iOt sinks in, slow and permanent, like scars.
If you’re looking for a book that’s just action, this might not be for you. But if you want something that feels like real life that’s messy, funny, heartbreaking, and beautiful then read this. If you’ve ever loved someone you couldn’t save, or grew up around silence instead of softness, this will hit you deep.
In Powder Blue is the kind of book you underline. The kind you remember. And trust me: by the time the last scene fades out, you’ll want to sit in the dark for a minute, just letting it settle.
The main character, Vincent LoCicero, is the kind of narrator who gets under your skin. He’s raw, self-aware, wounded, and often funny as hell..especially in the early scenes with his friends or while navigating his chaotic world with that dry, burned-out humor that only trauma survivors seem to master. And yet, there are passages in this book that absolutely crushed me. The scenes with his father, especially when they don’t talk, when they can’t talk felt so real that I had to put the book down.
Then there’s Uncle Joe, one of the most compelling and disturbing characters I’ve read in recent fiction. He’s magnetic, bitter, terrifying, and familiar in a way that’s hard to admit. You can feel his damage spilling onto Vincent’s life. And Anthony, his cold, quiet shadow. The way he moves behind everything, the power he has without raising his voice..it’s chilling. Every time he shows up, you tense up, because you know something big is about to happen. Their dynamic, especially when you realize who’s pulling the strings, is masterful.
And somehow, amidst all that darkness, there’s beauty. There are sentences in this book that feel like poetry. The powder blue Mercedes that becomes more than just a car. It becomes memory, hope, grief, legacy. The symbolism in this novel doesn’t hit you over the head. iOt sinks in, slow and permanent, like scars.
If you’re looking for a book that’s just action, this might not be for you. But if you want something that feels like real life that’s messy, funny, heartbreaking, and beautiful then read this. If you’ve ever loved someone you couldn’t save, or grew up around silence instead of softness, this will hit you deep.
In Powder Blue is the kind of book you underline. The kind you remember. And trust me: by the time the last scene fades out, you’ll want to sit in the dark for a minute, just letting it settle.
May 28, 2025
I got to read In Powder Blue early as an ARC reader and I’m still trying to catch my breath, honestly. The whole book pulled me in.the characters, the setting, the way it handled grief and addiction and family but it was the ending that really got ne.
It’s not just sad or shocking..its earned. It feels like you’ve lived a whole life by the time you get there. I won’t spoil anything, but I sat there with the book closed in my lap for like ten minutes after. Just… sitting with it.
I’ve read a lot of books, but this one felt personal. Even if you didn’t grow up on Long Island or lose someone on 9/11, there’s something universal here .about pain, love, silence, legacy. It reminded me of The Sopranos, but it also reminded me of people I love. People I’ve lost.
If you’re looking for something that stays with you.not just a good story, but something that matters , read this.
It’s not just sad or shocking..its earned. It feels like you’ve lived a whole life by the time you get there. I won’t spoil anything, but I sat there with the book closed in my lap for like ten minutes after. Just… sitting with it.
I’ve read a lot of books, but this one felt personal. Even if you didn’t grow up on Long Island or lose someone on 9/11, there’s something universal here .about pain, love, silence, legacy. It reminded me of The Sopranos, but it also reminded me of people I love. People I’ve lost.
If you’re looking for something that stays with you.not just a good story, but something that matters , read this.
June 20, 2025
This compelling book tells the story of a person’s fight to overcome drug addiction. It’s a heartfelt and unflinching look at the challenges of recovery, marked by setbacks and strength. The honesty throughout makes the journey feel deeply personal and inspiring. A powerful read for anyone looking for hope or insight into addiction and healing.
November 29, 2025
This book was tough to get through. As someone who has never touched drugs, not even Marijuana, I had a difficult time, thankfully, understanding the choices Vin and Joe made. I don't understand how people get pulled into that life and even when they see that it's killing those they love and probably them, too, they stay in it. I understand heartbreak, sadness, and hopelessness, but not on that level, again, thankfully. However, I believe it's important to read books like this, to experience these kinds of situations vicariously, so that I can be empathetic to people I meet who live like this so that I can try to help them in any way I can, if they allow me to do so, even if it's just listening to them. Again, for me, this was a tough read, but I'm glad the author was able to pull himself out of this life, create a new life, and provide credible fiction for people to understand the devastation and despair addicts face, especially in today's chaotic world.
March 26, 2026
This was our book club read for March and ok not my usual read at all, so definitely got me trying something new and also a new author.
This was a dark addict story, of a boy who after losing his mother in 9/11 is led down a road of drugs and other things his uncle pull him into. Along the way we see the dark side of being a drug dealer, user and crime, while watching his world fall apart around him, with deaths and being led to what can only be his death bed or prison.
This was full of grief, trauma, suspense, death, theft, crime and so much more, but there are also elements of comedy, love, family and self worth. This is definitely a trigger warning book with the drugs, death, as it does go into a lot of detail and shows how one moment can change your life for either the good or bad.
I found the writing style easy to read and follow and expressive the author seems to grasp the additive behaviour in this book. It was a good overall book and glad I read it.
This was a dark addict story, of a boy who after losing his mother in 9/11 is led down a road of drugs and other things his uncle pull him into. Along the way we see the dark side of being a drug dealer, user and crime, while watching his world fall apart around him, with deaths and being led to what can only be his death bed or prison.
This was full of grief, trauma, suspense, death, theft, crime and so much more, but there are also elements of comedy, love, family and self worth. This is definitely a trigger warning book with the drugs, death, as it does go into a lot of detail and shows how one moment can change your life for either the good or bad.
I found the writing style easy to read and follow and expressive the author seems to grasp the additive behaviour in this book. It was a good overall book and glad I read it.
March 3, 2026
Engrossing!
Wow. I honestly don’t know how autobiographical this book is. I understand that Nikolas Pleiadi knows what he was writing about. This story is not for the faint of heart, it’s heavy. Pleiadi is a wonderful writer …. His prose is so easy to follow. He gives us the character Vincent, who you get to know intimately and just want to knock some sense into him. You want to scream at him to come clean and stop being such a jerk. Why? Because you like him. You want so much more for this poor guy. Excellent book, excellent author.
Wow. I honestly don’t know how autobiographical this book is. I understand that Nikolas Pleiadi knows what he was writing about. This story is not for the faint of heart, it’s heavy. Pleiadi is a wonderful writer …. His prose is so easy to follow. He gives us the character Vincent, who you get to know intimately and just want to knock some sense into him. You want to scream at him to come clean and stop being such a jerk. Why? Because you like him. You want so much more for this poor guy. Excellent book, excellent author.
October 24, 2025
Wow! Just wow! I was intrigued by this book only by being from NY. I grew up on Long Island and have passed through many of the same places mentioned. This story was personal, heart breaking, emotional and showed perseverance. I had a love hate relationship with 1-800-UNCLE JOE. The Midget understood the game. Trauma and heartbreak led to a life of love and a new game.
November 5, 2025
In Powder Blue
A gripping, pull at your heart novel. A young boy with the loss of a mother due to the tragic event of 9/11, and a world of narcotics. Many references to Godfather and Sopranos and this novel is just like those shows and movie but in a reality.
A gripping, pull at your heart novel. A young boy with the loss of a mother due to the tragic event of 9/11, and a world of narcotics. Many references to Godfather and Sopranos and this novel is just like those shows and movie but in a reality.
February 22, 2026
I thought this was phenomenal. Very well written. A story of loss, addiction, recovery, hope. Sad to see how easily a young child can be pulled down the wrong path at such a vulnerable time of life. Highly recommend!
December 27, 2025
Touching, poignant, and so real - so raw. It kept me turning page after page hoping for the happy ending - a light at the end of an endlessly dark tunnel. Absolutely loved!
February 22, 2026
Very Heavy
This book really pulled me in. The more I read the more it pulled me in. I could not put it down.
This book really pulled me in. The more I read the more it pulled me in. I could not put it down.
March 24, 2026
Raw and unfiltered, this story takes you into the underground of drugs and the life of someone who probably never had a chance at living it any other way.
March 25, 2026
Riveting
Sal's life is a amazing.Everything he went through would end an ordinary person. He Persevered. It's an amazing book that you won't want to put down.
Sal's life is a amazing.Everything he went through would end an ordinary person. He Persevered. It's an amazing book that you won't want to put down.
March 28, 2026
Best book I’ve read in quite awhile. It should be a movie; I’m hoping it will be.
April 1, 2026
This is the best book I have ever read!! Keeps you locked in from the start. Great story! High recommend
October 25, 2025
The perfect mix of crime and real life scenarios that we can all resonate with. This book was fast paced and grabbed you the minute you started reading.
Read
October 1, 2025great book and relatable
It was an easy read,fast paced and exciting while also raising awareness of the drug problems in this country. I am a long islander and from queens originally. I !loved the references to all love the island.
It was an easy read,fast paced and exciting while also raising awareness of the drug problems in this country. I am a long islander and from queens originally. I !loved the references to all love the island.
September 19, 2025
great book
I enjoyed this book immensely, especially since it took place on Long Island where I grew up and currently live. Well written, kept me coming back for more.
I enjoyed this book immensely, especially since it took place on Long Island where I grew up and currently live. Well written, kept me coming back for more.
August 28, 2025
Wow! What a ride!
One of the best books I've read! The authors writing puts you right there with Vin. His words describe the emotions: grief, love, fear, anger, redemption beautifully. Describes the extreme discomfort and unbearable hell of addiction like nothing I have heard or read before. I will be reading again to catch the nuances that I'm sure I missed.
One of the best books I've read! The authors writing puts you right there with Vin. His words describe the emotions: grief, love, fear, anger, redemption beautifully. Describes the extreme discomfort and unbearable hell of addiction like nothing I have heard or read before. I will be reading again to catch the nuances that I'm sure I missed.
August 8, 2025
The story keeps you hooked till the last page and then boom!
Soulful, realistic and what not. Written beautifully, every scene feels so real. The characters are top notch, each one is relatable in a way or too. A solid 5 STAR book.
Soulful, realistic and what not. Written beautifully, every scene feels so real. The characters are top notch, each one is relatable in a way or too. A solid 5 STAR book.
August 2, 2025
truly one of my favorite books of all time. ive read it 3 times and im still finding things that make me go "oooo thats what that meant"
May 21, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of In Powder Blue, and I can honestly say it’s one of the most emotionally layered and unforgettable books I’ve read in a long time. On the surface, it’s a crime novel.. but that doesn’t begin to cover what this story actually is. It’s a coming-of-age epic set in post-9/11 Long Island. It’s about addiction, survival, grief, and masculinity, but also about family, and how the people who shape you can save you or destroy you (sometimes both.)
The main character, Vincent LoCicero, is the kind of narrator who gets under your skin. He’s raw, self-aware, wounded, and often funny as hell..especially in the early scenes with his friends or while navigating his chaotic world with that dry, burned-out humor that only trauma survivors seem to master. And yet, there are passages in this book that absolutely crushed me. The scenes with his father, especially when they don’t talk, when they can’t talk felt so real that I had to put the book down.
Then there’s Uncle Joe, one of the most compelling and disturbing characters I’ve read in recent fiction. He’s magnetic, bitter, terrifying, and familiar in a way that’s hard to admit. You can feel his damage spilling onto Vincent’s life. And Anthony, his cold, quiet shadow. The way he moves behind everything, the power he has without raising his voice..it’s chilling. Every time he shows up, you tense up, because you know something big is about to happen. Their dynamic, especially when you realize who’s pulling the strings, is masterful.
And somehow, amidst all that darkness, there’s beauty. There are sentences in this book that feel like poetry. The powder blue Mercedes that becomes more than just a car. It becomes memory, hope, grief, legacy. The symbolism in this novel doesn’t hit you over the head. iOt sinks in, slow and permanent, like scars.
If you’re looking for a book that’s just action, this might not be for you. But if you want something that feels like real life that’s messy, funny, heartbreaking, and beautiful then read this. If you’ve ever loved someone you couldn’t save, or grew up around silence instead of softness, this will hit you deep.
In Powder Blue is the kind of book you underline. The kind you remember. And trust me: by the time the last scene fades out, you’ll want to sit in the dark for a minute, just letting it settle.
The main character, Vincent LoCicero, is the kind of narrator who gets under your skin. He’s raw, self-aware, wounded, and often funny as hell..especially in the early scenes with his friends or while navigating his chaotic world with that dry, burned-out humor that only trauma survivors seem to master. And yet, there are passages in this book that absolutely crushed me. The scenes with his father, especially when they don’t talk, when they can’t talk felt so real that I had to put the book down.
Then there’s Uncle Joe, one of the most compelling and disturbing characters I’ve read in recent fiction. He’s magnetic, bitter, terrifying, and familiar in a way that’s hard to admit. You can feel his damage spilling onto Vincent’s life. And Anthony, his cold, quiet shadow. The way he moves behind everything, the power he has without raising his voice..it’s chilling. Every time he shows up, you tense up, because you know something big is about to happen. Their dynamic, especially when you realize who’s pulling the strings, is masterful.
And somehow, amidst all that darkness, there’s beauty. There are sentences in this book that feel like poetry. The powder blue Mercedes that becomes more than just a car. It becomes memory, hope, grief, legacy. The symbolism in this novel doesn’t hit you over the head. iOt sinks in, slow and permanent, like scars.
If you’re looking for a book that’s just action, this might not be for you. But if you want something that feels like real life that’s messy, funny, heartbreaking, and beautiful then read this. If you’ve ever loved someone you couldn’t save, or grew up around silence instead of softness, this will hit you deep.
In Powder Blue is the kind of book you underline. The kind you remember. And trust me: by the time the last scene fades out, you’ll want to sit in the dark for a minute, just letting it settle.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews