Dutch

Dutch Trilogy #1

by Teri Woods

Newark-NJ, District Attorney Anthony Jacobs is confident of the witnesses and associates he has gathered to testify and vows to bring to justice Bernard James, Jr.-Newark's most notorious gangster. James, also known in the streets as "Dutch", is noted to be the most dangerous criminal to come up in Jersey in the last 30 years. From his experience and skill as a young car thief, Dutch recognized the opportunity to become the ruler of the streets and seized it. Feared by all, and completely fearless, Dutch and his dangerous clique take over the lucrative heroine trade from the clutches of Nigerian drug lord Ojiugo Kazami. With both the respect and protection of the Italian Mafia, Dutch becomes the most terrifying force on the streets. Now he's on trial for allegedly masterminding what the press has dubbed "THE MONTH OF MURDER", a brutal, thirty day, killing spree where none were spared. With Dutch facing multiple life sentences and a possibly death penalty, the streets are in a mixed uproar of celebration and dread. Will this be the end of Dutch's reign of terror or just the beginning?

Genres: Urban, Fiction, Crime, Thriller, African American, Adult, Suspense

229 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2004

About the author

True to the Game by author and publisher Teri Woods has been undisputedly titled a classic. While working as a legal secretary for a law firm and juggling motherhood in Philadelphia, PA, Teri Woods completed her first novel, True to the Game. Teri Woods submitted her story over a period of six years to more than 20 different publishers, all of whom rejected her. When major publishing houses refused to embrace True to the Game she wasn’t discouraged. In 1998 instead of giving up, Teri Woods printed, bound, self-published and began selling hand to hand her first book True to the Game. . . . Her grassroots tactic paid off; Teri Woods became a self-made millionaire in just three years selling her novel, True to the Game. She landed a major motion picture deal for the book as well. With the release of True to the Game, Teri Woods has reinvigorated the urban fiction market and created a growing trend in publishing.
--from the author's website

Reviews

[Diane (IF U'RE PRIVATE, PLEASE SKIP ME!!!) Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series! authentic gangsta storytelling...incredible well rounded characters and writing..recommend (paperback!)

[Lasonya]

All three books read like a movie. The author is very talented

[De'Kari De'Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book! One of the best urban books I have read!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in one week. This book keeps you wanting more. Terry Woods is a great author and so far all the books I've read have been excellent reads.

[Gaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernard James, Jr., a.k.a. Dutch, grew to become the most dangerous criminal in New Jersey. Street smart and ruthless, Dutch was gifted at reading people. With careful positioning and luck, Dutch was able to win the attention and respect of Italian mobsters. Planning, luck, and guts help Dutch move up from teenage carjacker to drug lord. With the help of criminal bosses and Dutch's past associates, District Attorney Anthony Jacobs is intent on taking Dutch down. As the action unfolds and blood flows, how will it end?

Dutch is a fast-paced and carefully crafted thriller. Each of the main characters are well fleshed out. Unwilling to accept traditional rules and authority figures, Dutch and his friends develop their own code of honor. Despite his ruthless and criminal acts, I found it easy to understand and sympathize with Dutch's choices. Overall, Dutch was a fast and engrossing read. I'd highly recommend it to persons who enjoy action and mafia-type novels.

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Collectors edition (September 23, 2009), 256 pages.
Courtesy of Hatchette Book Group.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book back in the day and forgot about all this shit!

Dutch ass was fucking nuts! But every sick, violent, crazy thing he did served a purpose. I know it's fiction, but I wonder how a person can do the things he's done and still maintain themselves and their humanity. He was so determined to be with Nina. They never even had sex. He treated her so good. The only reason he stepped off was because she really wanted him to out of respect for her dead brother. But otherwise he would have continued to pursue her. How can he be the person hacking off heads to gain favor with the Italian mob, killing innocents, women and children to prove a point or get what he wants, and also be the person willing to do anything for his woman and treating an old racist Italian woman like a 2nd mom?

[Joyce Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was OK. I would have liked less flashbacks in time, that made it hard to get into the story. Also there were too many characters it was hard to keep up with who is who.

[Shaleena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well at first I was saying to myself this book is dry. I was looking for some flame, fire, spice,... don't get me wrong this was a great book. I got so into I thought it was a true story. But it took a while to get me there but can someone tell me who Dutch is? But for real though Dutch was off the chain no one to be played with the only parts I didn't like was his mother she was heartless and you why in this life these young men are dying in the streets and going to jail because there are some mother like that! Secondly Nina, I mean I don't understand her pain because my brother is still living but to turn down a man who wants you to be the leading lady in his life is crazy now she crying cause he dead. What's the saying " Give me my roses while I'm living because I'm dead I can't smell them" something like that. But anyway about 2 read part 2!!! See what's next.... fyi I did cry when they said he was dead though! Lol

[D'vante Carlson]

This is not a book for everyone. Therefore if u like alot of action this is what u should read. on a scale of one to ten this book is a 9. In addition, Dutch is a drug lord that has alot of accompilshments on his mind. Dutch had to take over the whole drug flow that was coming in from mexico, But then everything got real heckted. Dutch had a connect that he whent to and rellied on all the time intil this one day. Dutch to his connects house to pay his dept, but once Dutch walked throw the door he was grabbed by 2 guys. He broke free and killed them both, and then whent after the connect. The connect was in the room with hit 6 month old kid. Therefore dutch whent in there, but right before he killed him he was told by his connect that Dutch was going to be killed by his son. so Dutch just looked and laugh at him. Then Bang, his connect was dead and thats how the first book ended

[Pilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dutch by Kwame Teague is a street classic. The main protagonist is Bernard James, who goes by the name of Dutch, moves up the ranks by first stealing cars with his crew. He gets caught and thrown in jail on his first major heist at the port, and swears to never return to prison again. He devises a plan with his crew to go after a major kingpin who everyone feared, that's until Dutch discovers his weak link and kills him.

After he kills him, he makes a visit to the Italian mafia, to presented them with a surprise. The leader is convinced Dutch is ruthless, and decides to reluctantly agree to his proposition of working in collaboration with him. It was then that Dutch becomes the most feared man on the streets.

To read the rest of this review, please visit http://www.ordinaryservant.com.

[Beverly Mccarter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so bomb! I read it twice.While waiting 4 the last installment I had Dutch WITHDRAWL so I began 2 read it 4 the 3rd time N 1/2 wy 2 a 3rd finish UPS knocked on my door with book lll. I IMEADIATLLY begain 2 read it. Sorry 2 say no dissapointment Ms.Woods well yes there was DISSAPOINTMENT I wanted more Didn't want it 2 END.

[Christa Sigman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Teri should have hired an editor and proofreader. The typos and mistakes were extremely distracting from an already not so interesting story. I picked this up because it was the first of a trilogy and so I thought it would be a complex story. I do not have any desire to read the next two books. Best thing I could say is that the "story" was only 189 pages with large typeset.

[Vi Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teri Woods was an excellent choice for my return to urban lit. While I didn't always agree with Dutch's actions, his character is developed enough for me to understand his motives; I'm committed enough to complete the trilogy. The narrator does an excellent job with male and female voices.

[Vee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is entertaining.
Typical urban lit book? Yeah, sure.
Unrealistic ending? Check. So what!

The nihilistic violence and unintended humor truly makes this book a page turner.

I think I will read more books by Kwame Teague.

[YupIReadIt · Rating 5 out of 5]

AHHHH!!!!! I loved this book! I'm sooo ready to read the next two in the trilogy! Dutch was GANGSTA!!!! I loved that the book was short and to the point! Def recommend this book to any and everyone I know!

[Adjoa Ife · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the series. I enjoyed it.

[Iesha Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series was five stars..this is the book that inspired me to write professionally.

[Resse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved...finished all three in 5 days!!!!

[LyfeChanges · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first installment is mystique ,poor righteous teachers and plain janes!! Makes you ponder on several urban legends then leads you to an HUSTLAZ dream!!

[Lee Davis]

I like this

[Ashely Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this

[_ Cash_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

dis dat work

[Dione Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic hood novel..

[Kaya W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

All three of the Dutch books should be movies.
Well written.

[Lindaisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

-.- …. this isn’t even going to be a review. smdh

This book is supposed to be a “Hood Classic”…..it was HORRIBLE! like seriously. I’m not even gonna lie to myself. i was trying to convince myself that despite its MANY misgivings, that it was a good book…but I’m not about to get into the habit of allowing myself to be delusional…it was TERRIBLE!

talk about plot holes! my GOD. alright so the main character Dutch is the ruthless, crazy, smart, killer/drug lord/og/ everything else illegal and he’s supposed to be so respected and feared yet…the book only gives a MINIMUM amount of detail of his actions to prove this….it basically said. ‘Dutch is a gangster, he should be feared, that’s it. no there’s no proof just believe what i shove down your throat.’

He’s also supposed to be so crazy, like he’ll kill anybody any time any place. ie: in order to take over the drug operation in Newark NJ, he went and murdered the then, top drug lord in the game, and then chopped his head off…at age 16. now for someone to do something as crazy as this you have to think “oh some crazy ish must have happened to him when he was a child” NO…..NOT AT ALL! like…i don’t believe a person can be that crazy, and CONCIOUS of the fact that they’re crazy without a REASON. it was just….no.

what i MOST disliked about the book is that it’s basically full of flashbacks..that’s it. there’s about 10 pages accumulated that is actually happening in the present time in the story, the rest is straight up flashbacks which annoyed the HELL out of me.

Then there’s the unnecessary introduction of irrelevant characters….Nina…like what the hell was the PURPOSE of introducing her as his love interest when NOTHING HAPPENED BETWEEN THEM! i mean NOTHING at all. it was just….dumb!

Also….the author completely FAILED at building any type of emotional connection to Dutch for the reader. Usually in books there’s something about the main character and the characters around them that make you begin to care for them…NOPE. not with this book. i honestly don’t give a damn about ANY of the characters. If Dutch dropped dead right now in the book, i wouldn’t care less. i actually DONT really like him much at all. he just goes around doing random stuff and killing people senselessly.

i made a few notes as i was reading because some of the things that happened was just like WAAAAA????

1. Dutch was sent to a adult prison at the age of 16 for stealing a car and it was his first ever offense: wtf! That’s not even HALFWAY believable…like if you’re going to depict the goings ons of the hood…do it correctly please. he should have only gotten probation or been sent to JUVI, not a maximum security ADULT prison…

2. The author mentions that Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is one of Dutch’s favorite books: i swear im so sick of these urban writers dropping that book in their story as one of their characters favorite book to make them seem smart….NO! ugh. find a different book geez.

3. When Dutch went to kill the head drug lord at the moment Kazami…he gave Kazami a gun so he could kill the people who set him up. Kazami did just that….and then turned the gun on himself and killed himself before Dutch could: who the HELL would believe something like would go down….if a someone came to kill me in my house and gave me a gun….im going try and take his ass out before i go like wtf!?

4. When dutch first got home from Jail his mother said she was mad at him because he “let” the cops take him to jail: he was 15…what the hell was he supposed to do????

5. The “Current” parts of the book [the parts that weren’t flashbacks] were of Dutch being on trail….for God knows what because the damn author never really explains what he’s being charged for: the whole time Dutch’s lawyer doesn’t say a DAMN thing…the DA is bringing out witnesses just PILING evidence on him and he’s just taking it….why the hell would you hire a lawyer if they aren’t going to do anything??? Dutch says at one point he knew the jury was going to find him guilty….YA THINK?! he didn’t even TRY to defend himself.

6. The irrelevant and unnecessary character i mentioned before Nina: its revealed through a flashback -.- that she didn’t want to be with Dutch because Dutch was in the drug game and she lost her brother to the game….and she didn’t want to be associated with all that [this is understandable] HOWEVER, later on in the book she’s racing to the court room where Dutch is, to profess her love for him talking about she’s ready to do his bid with him and she’s going to stand by his side no matter what…wtf! huh?? like how does that even BEGIN to make sense???

7. A character name Young World is introduced in like the third to last chapter and he’s supposed to be Dutch’s protégé: there’s absolutely NO relationship development between these two. The author literally just said this kids name and then said Dutch was mentoring him and left him 500,000 in cash and his chain so he could take Dutch’s place when he went away….there’s no mention of how they met, there’s no mention of them spending time together. NOTHING!

8. Like every crime lord/drug lord, Dutch has a crew. his main crew consists of Angel, Roc, Zoom, Qwan, and Craze: Angel, and Roc are spending life in prison for associating and working with/for Dutch and the things they did while doing so. Zoom died while trying to run from the cops. Qwan left years back after realizing he wasn’t bout that life. Craze…..gets away unscathed! talk about believable huh!? When a person is on the level that Dutch was supposedly on, with the Mayor, the Cops, the Governor and everybody and they mama in his pocket and on his payroll….with a death toll he racked up and with the amount of money he was making, not ONE person in his team should be free. yet the cops didn’t even COME for Craze and he was Dutch’s right hand man! if anything he should’ve been the FIRST person hauled off to jail….

this whole story was just a MESS. I cant believe this is considered a "hood classic"

just UGH

this will be the last book i EVER read by Teri Woods….

[She.That.Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book by Terri Woods. This was a short and easy read but I did not like this book. There was a lot going on and nothing going on at the same time. This book was all over the place. I enjoyed her character descriptions, but that is it. The characters were relatable but the storyline was not my favorite.
Dutch is a street kid who wants to make a name for himself. Once he finds a way to do it, there is no stopping. He finds ways to out smart members of the mob and makes them his allies. He has a lot of heart and is not scared of anything. This man is the definition of gangster. He will take out anything in his way. This includes gangsters, hustlers, police officers, innocent family members, judges, and any one else he deems worthy of his wrath. He's not completely heartless, it seems babies are off limits, even if their mothers' aren't. Bottom line, Dutch is serious about his money.

[Chassity Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book five stars because the ending was off the chain!!! The twist and turns is what kept me going. This book felt like one big blockbuster, gangster movie!!!!! I loved every minute of it too. Angel was one of my favorite characters because even tho she was the only female in the crew she carried herself like a real one. Ooooooh and Dutch! Dutch was one crazy mf that was cocky and ruthless. I think that's what I loved about him the most was that trademark smile and that cockiness. I liked Craze because even tho he was a little off he was still was good at foreshadowing the unknown. But I really liked World!!!! Now he was one REAL nigga and the way Dutch left him the chain, Kazami's head, and the money was a great parting gift. The ending was crazy tho with the shootout in the courtroom and I can't wait to read put 2.

[LaToya Grier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book here!!

Terri did her thang with this book. From Angie, to Quam, to Roc, to Craze, to DUTCH....I loved every character. The friendship that was built from a young age and how everyone still kinda had each other’s back in the end. They underestimated Dutch so bad that I really thought they was gonna give him the business in court until he said those magic words “Fuck all ya’ll”. Right there I knew he was coming out on top. This book had me going from the jump. I wish he had gotten a chance to meet his father tho’ and let his momma or Mrs. Piazzo know he is still alive. And then there’s Nina. Baby girl I think your a day late and a dollar short. Should have just let him love you like he wanted to. Is there a Dutch II? I’m ready.

[Jasmine Tuttle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book Three Stars Simply because this book started off slow for me and I was a little bored , but as I continued to read things started to pick up for me . Dutch was a very loyal and intelligent man and I love his character and how ruthless he could be at times . I wish I couldv'e seen more interaction with him and angel , I see something on the rise with those two ! One thing Everyone did was underestimate him and that's exactly why he outsmarted and came on top . The Underdog always wins in my eyes . Can't wait to start reading Book two.

[KayBee's Bookshelf · Rating 1 out of 5]

I re-read this book this month before I listened to part 2

I'm not sure what it was missing exactly. The story did not come together in a way that was entertaining or believable. The characters lacked development. You almost feel like you're following someone on blind faith. I'm going to list part 2 in hopes that this story improves and kicks in to explain why it's a hood classic.