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Whiskey Devils
Managing a criminal enterprise isn't all it's cracked up to be: Little has changed in Nick Grady's secretive marijuana growing business since the late '60s, which is just the way the aging hippie would like it to remain. However, Nick's complex past comes full circle, thrusting his new manager, Evan Powers, in a scramble to decipher the truth behind the chaotic lives of the people he holds dear. "A large marijuana growing operation, Russian mobsters, undercover drug agents, and a biker gang, wraps up with a series of unexpected and shocking plot reversals that brings the book to a violent, surprising, and powerful end." (BookLife Prize in Fiction, by Publishers Weekly)
Winner in the 2016 Global Ebook Awards
Winner in the 2016 Global Ebook Awards
160 pages, ebook
Published January 15, 2016
130 people are currently reading
440 people want to read
About the author
Brandon Zenner
13 books229 followersBrandon Zenner is an American fiction writer and an Amazon best selling author. His short fiction has been published in both print and online publications, the first being submitted when he was 19 years old. THE EXPERIMENT OF DREAMS, his debut thriller, has reached Amazon's best seller list many times. His second novel, WHISKEY DEVILS, was a winner in the Global Ebook Awards. THE AFTER WAR, a post-apocalyptic thriller, was a semi finalist in the BookLife Prize in Fiction, a contest run by Publishers Weekly. His genres of choice are thrillers, crime, dystopian, and science fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 30, 2018
The outskirts of New Jersey set the stage for this thrilling, non-stop action novel. The main character was well-drawn. With precision accuracy, the scenes effortlessly sliced through the engaging storyline. This well-written narrative made for an excellent read.
Evan Powers lived with his roommate and best friend Nick Grady. One day, Powers called it quits with his go-nowhere job and hooked up with Nick for his new career path - growing and distributing marijuana. It was a large-scale enterprise. The author did a bang-up job with the way he presented intricate details of the marijuana industry. Just reading the novel gave me the munchies.
Before they knew it, their operation had been forcefully taken over by a group of Russian mobsters. It was like watching the big fish eat the little fish. Is there no honor among thieves? Oh, that doesn't apply here. They're not thieves; they're well-respected drug dealers, practically, leaders of the community.
Powers and Nick were backed up against a brick wall, either work for the Russian syndicate or die a slow painful death, not much of a choice. This was one partnership that would not stand the hands of time. With no further delay, they needed to come up with a plan; otherwise, their business would go up in smoke.
Ultimately, they knew it would have to come down to a final showdown. The ending failed to appear as I had predicted; it threw me a curve. I can't be right all the time! Taken by surprise, there was a devilish twist lurking just around the corner.
I extend my thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this digital copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
Evan Powers lived with his roommate and best friend Nick Grady. One day, Powers called it quits with his go-nowhere job and hooked up with Nick for his new career path - growing and distributing marijuana. It was a large-scale enterprise. The author did a bang-up job with the way he presented intricate details of the marijuana industry. Just reading the novel gave me the munchies.
Before they knew it, their operation had been forcefully taken over by a group of Russian mobsters. It was like watching the big fish eat the little fish. Is there no honor among thieves? Oh, that doesn't apply here. They're not thieves; they're well-respected drug dealers, practically, leaders of the community.
Powers and Nick were backed up against a brick wall, either work for the Russian syndicate or die a slow painful death, not much of a choice. This was one partnership that would not stand the hands of time. With no further delay, they needed to come up with a plan; otherwise, their business would go up in smoke.
Ultimately, they knew it would have to come down to a final showdown. The ending failed to appear as I had predicted; it threw me a curve. I can't be right all the time! Taken by surprise, there was a devilish twist lurking just around the corner.
I extend my thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this digital copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
July 19, 2018
In a world where we have Nancy Botwin, the suburban housewife in Weeds selling dope to pay her mortgage and the science professor Walter White in Breaking Bad doing likewise, we meet cubicle-dweller Evan Powers who one day up and quits office hell and joins his roommate's marijuana empire. What starts out as a cool hippie scene with bonfire parties and such morphs into something else when Nick's empire turns out to be rooted in dirty deals with scary players.
January 14, 2016
Review: WHISKEY DEVILS by Brandon Zenner
Marijuana meets the Mafiya--of course, there's much more. Friendship and loyalty, disloyalty, cubicle stiflement, abuse and murder, betrayal and abandonment, corruption and crime. Criminals and victims.
Poor Evan Powers--quits his stultifying office position to work for his long-term housemate' s marijuana growing/selling operation. More cash, much less boredom, plus he enjoys the horticulture. It's not long though till the final silent partner dies, and the Russians muscle in. From there it's road trip time, and the whole ball of wax begins to melt. Nobody is trustworthy and nobody is who they seem. One thing's for sure: the action never stops.
Marijuana meets the Mafiya--of course, there's much more. Friendship and loyalty, disloyalty, cubicle stiflement, abuse and murder, betrayal and abandonment, corruption and crime. Criminals and victims.
Poor Evan Powers--quits his stultifying office position to work for his long-term housemate' s marijuana growing/selling operation. More cash, much less boredom, plus he enjoys the horticulture. It's not long though till the final silent partner dies, and the Russians muscle in. From there it's road trip time, and the whole ball of wax begins to melt. Nobody is trustworthy and nobody is who they seem. One thing's for sure: the action never stops.
January 20, 2016
I received a free copy from the author, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Brandon Zenner!
To be honest, novels about drug dealers and mobsters usually bore me. The fact that Whiskey Devils blew me away makes it, in my opinion, an exceptional book. The characters are so defined that I have clear pictures of them in my head, as well as of the places where the action takes place: the descriptions are so vivid that you can practically smell the dirt. Evan Powers is a loser who takes a job in the marijuana operation that belongs to his friend Nick. When the Russian mob comes calling, the twists keep coming and the non-stop action doesn't let up. What I liked most of all is the evolution that Evan, "Powers" to his friends, suffers: from unbearable loser to... well, something much different. I did see coming parts of the plot, but others truly surprised me. This is a quick read that is also satisfying.
To be honest, novels about drug dealers and mobsters usually bore me. The fact that Whiskey Devils blew me away makes it, in my opinion, an exceptional book. The characters are so defined that I have clear pictures of them in my head, as well as of the places where the action takes place: the descriptions are so vivid that you can practically smell the dirt. Evan Powers is a loser who takes a job in the marijuana operation that belongs to his friend Nick. When the Russian mob comes calling, the twists keep coming and the non-stop action doesn't let up. What I liked most of all is the evolution that Evan, "Powers" to his friends, suffers: from unbearable loser to... well, something much different. I did see coming parts of the plot, but others truly surprised me. This is a quick read that is also satisfying.
March 9, 2017
*I was given a free copy from the publisher in exchamge for an honest review*
Wow! This book is. ......so believable. Powers lives with his friend Nick, who just happens to run a massive Marijuana growing business. Powers ends up quitting his job and working full time for Nick. But within days everything comes crashing down and Powers is about to find out he's in deeper than he thought in a situation that he could never fathom happening.
Strong believable characters with an even stronger storyline. Perfect mix
Wow! This book is. ......so believable. Powers lives with his friend Nick, who just happens to run a massive Marijuana growing business. Powers ends up quitting his job and working full time for Nick. But within days everything comes crashing down and Powers is about to find out he's in deeper than he thought in a situation that he could never fathom happening.
Strong believable characters with an even stronger storyline. Perfect mix
March 5, 2016
Evan Powers is a young man who is swept into a world of drugs once he leaves his boring desk job. Along the road to being management many new developments occur and him and his partners find themselves in danger.
This is not normally the type book that I read, but I'm glad I was able to review it. From the very first page it is action packed. It was a hard book to put down. I read it in one day. It was written very well. I really enjoyed it!...Stormi
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This is not normally the type book that I read, but I'm glad I was able to review it. From the very first page it is action packed. It was a hard book to put down. I read it in one day. It was written very well. I really enjoyed it!...Stormi
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August 2, 2022
( Format : Audiobook )
"The sweet scent of vanilla."
What a great book : brilliant narration by Jack Dr Galia, who slips seamlessly into the personality of Evan Powers, the character telling the story in the first person. With perfect pacing and various individual voices for other protagonists, his recounting is both reflective, funny, and enquiring, amongst others. A fine cohesion of performance and storyline.
And what a terrific story. Bored with his tedious office grind, Evan Powers finally resigns to take up the offer of his reprobate old hippy friend and housemate to work for him in his thriving marijuana business. Everyone locally knows 'Happy Nick', his end of week parties sometimes attended by the Fire Chief who brought fireworks, and the police chief would monitor the radio for possible noise complaints. And since Powers enjoyed gardening, he fitted right in to the business.
Until things went wrong.
This book has everything: great characters well developed, a vivid sense of location, humour, intrigue, a tiny touch of romance, a hint of something in the past, and an avalanche of violence and action, all superbly narrated. My thanks to the rights holder of Whiskey Devils, from whom, at my request, I received a freely gifted complimentary copy via Free Audiobook Codes. This is the first book I have read by author, Brandon Zennor. It will not be my last: i.loved it.
"The sweet scent of vanilla."
What a great book : brilliant narration by Jack Dr Galia, who slips seamlessly into the personality of Evan Powers, the character telling the story in the first person. With perfect pacing and various individual voices for other protagonists, his recounting is both reflective, funny, and enquiring, amongst others. A fine cohesion of performance and storyline.
And what a terrific story. Bored with his tedious office grind, Evan Powers finally resigns to take up the offer of his reprobate old hippy friend and housemate to work for him in his thriving marijuana business. Everyone locally knows 'Happy Nick', his end of week parties sometimes attended by the Fire Chief who brought fireworks, and the police chief would monitor the radio for possible noise complaints. And since Powers enjoyed gardening, he fitted right in to the business.
Until things went wrong.
This book has everything: great characters well developed, a vivid sense of location, humour, intrigue, a tiny touch of romance, a hint of something in the past, and an avalanche of violence and action, all superbly narrated. My thanks to the rights holder of Whiskey Devils, from whom, at my request, I received a freely gifted complimentary copy via Free Audiobook Codes. This is the first book I have read by author, Brandon Zennor. It will not be my last: i.loved it.
February 9, 2018
I received this book through the goodreads giveaways program.
Overall it was okay, but it kept losing my interest. I guess it tied together in the end, but it was kind of confusing along the way.
Powers quits his job to go work with his buddy/roommate, Nick, full time in his marijuana operation. Right after, some Russians show up to muddy the waters, and he ends up wishing to be back in his cubicle.
Overall it was okay, but it kept losing my interest. I guess it tied together in the end, but it was kind of confusing along the way.
Powers quits his job to go work with his buddy/roommate, Nick, full time in his marijuana operation. Right after, some Russians show up to muddy the waters, and he ends up wishing to be back in his cubicle.
January 4, 2019
The author Brandon Zenner keeps surprising me and he have done it again with this short story.
I’ve learned that to get a short story done write is not so simple, you must grab the reader instantly or you’ll lose him and this author have perfectly have done exactly that.
I was hooked from page one all the way to the ending, truly a masterpiece beautifully done!
Recommended without a doubt !
In exchange for an honest review I’ve received this audiobook.
I’ve learned that to get a short story done write is not so simple, you must grab the reader instantly or you’ll lose him and this author have perfectly have done exactly that.
I was hooked from page one all the way to the ending, truly a masterpiece beautifully done!
Recommended without a doubt !
In exchange for an honest review I’ve received this audiobook.
October 6, 2017
Whiskey Devils
I really, really enjoyed this book. It was a book I read in a day, couldn't put down till I learned what happened.
A little disappointed, there is a question that wasn't answered, I'm sure it was planned that way.
Highly recommend this to anyone that likes some action, a few laughs, and a very good book!
I really, really enjoyed this book. It was a book I read in a day, couldn't put down till I learned what happened.
A little disappointed, there is a question that wasn't answered, I'm sure it was planned that way.
Highly recommend this to anyone that likes some action, a few laughs, and a very good book!
February 17, 2018
This was my first goodreads giveaway wins! Some of the pacing and timing was a little awkward. I was able to predict a few of the twists but the main shocker still took me by surprise. I was surprised by how much I actually ended up liking this book as it's not my usual type of read. Writing needs a little work and a good editor but has some great potential!
June 16, 2018
My first read from author Brandon Zenner. An audiobook gifted to me by the author and since I also own the Kindle edition I was able to follow along while being read to. It ended up being a good read, but it took a while. The book began slowly, built slowly and ended up being a good read. Narrator Jack de Golia did a good job with the book.
June 12, 2017
Be prepared...
Sometimes a twisted story comes along and proves to be, not so twisted.
Mr. Zenner, did not disappoint. A tale of youth, love, greed, starting over, and how every action has a reaction.
Sometimes a twisted story comes along and proves to be, not so twisted.
Mr. Zenner, did not disappoint. A tale of youth, love, greed, starting over, and how every action has a reaction.
February 22, 2018
This book doesn't mess around. Tells a really good story without a lot of distractions. Not too many characters and not too long. Lots of surprises for a short book. I received this book for free from the Goodreads first-reads giveaway.
July 15, 2018
My review is based on the audiobook
I enjoyed Whiskey Devils. It was slow in the beginning but that is where we learned about the characters. The second half was more action packed. The narration was on point. This was my first read from this author and I would definitely read more of his work.
I enjoyed Whiskey Devils. It was slow in the beginning but that is where we learned about the characters. The second half was more action packed. The narration was on point. This was my first read from this author and I would definitely read more of his work.
May 31, 2024
This story was pretty good. If you e ever read or listened to Armand Rosamilia’s LowDown series you’ll enjoy this story. The characters were good and left you wondering if there would be a second story to come. I love this narrator as well.
January 21, 2018
A Fine Book
Quite an intriguing story with some really interesting characters. I enjoyed the read and look forward to other works from this author.
Quite an intriguing story with some really interesting characters. I enjoyed the read and look forward to other works from this author.
January 19, 2019
Crime Thriller
Non stop action from the first chapter to the last,great character development and violent,not to be missed,Read this book now
Non stop action from the first chapter to the last,great character development and violent,not to be missed,Read this book now
March 25, 2020
Read this in a day. Nice easy read... good story.
February 7, 2021
this was a good book. some parts funny some parts sad.
February 5, 2022
I was given a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Although this is not a genre of a book I would usually read, I must say that this book got me hooked. Extremely good plot!
January 2, 2021
A freewheeler leaves his day job and joins his roommate in growing and selling marijuana.
One thing leads to another and they are soon running from a bunch of Russian goons.
How the protagonist survives the Russian Drug mafia forms the most of the book.
Not a very great read.
One thing leads to another and they are soon running from a bunch of Russian goons.
How the protagonist survives the Russian Drug mafia forms the most of the book.
Not a very great read.
March 30, 2016
It’s 2003 and Evan Powers has finally quit his mind-numbing office job to join his roommate, former hippie and long-time friend, Nick Grady, full time in the marijuana trade. The idea is to have a relaxing, carefree existence where the days are lucrative business and the nights are good times, particularly with the beautiful and mysterious Becka, who has become much more than a friend with benefits. Unfortunately, things don’t go according to plan. Within days, Evan’s world rapidly spirals out of control, having grave consequences for those he cares about most.
Whiskey Devils shows how quickly a young man gets in over his head with the illicit drug trade. Zenner does an excellent job of capturing Evan’s early frustration with his seemingly pointless existence and fervent longing for a more meaningful life, spent enjoying all his world has to offer. The reader not only understands but relates to Evan’s decision to chuck the 9-5 and fly under the radar. This premise draws on widely-held, deep-rooted sentiments and thus hooks the reader within just a few pages.
The characterization is also strong. The principal players come to life and are multi-dimensional, with both strengths and weaknesses. Evan, for example, almost simultaneously has delusions of grandeur and recognition of his own inadequacy. Again, this is something to which many readers can relate.
That said, language, particularly during tense conversations (of which there are several), occasionally lets the story down. Though emotions are meant to be running high, the characters often speak as if they are writing a paper. Word choices frequently seem stilted and unnatural for what is meant to be emotionally charged speech (e.g. “They’re threatening us, and yet paying us handsomely” or “I’ve thought long and hard about the best course of action”). This breaks the illusion. A similar problem exists with passive voice slowing the pace of dialog and action scenes.
Plausibility is also an issue. For example, the Russian mob was only beginning to emerge in the late 1960s, which was the height of the Soviet regime and Cold War. Given Federal vigilance concerning the USSR at the time coupled with the omnipresent fear of Communism during that period, it seems unlikely that Russian criminal elements would be able to establish the strong and longstanding foothold on U.S. soil then that later becomes so pivotal to the 2003 story.
Such issues aside, Whiskey Devils is an enjoyable read with engaging and interesting characters. While the final climax may be a bit too much like an Arnold Schwarzenegger film for some readers, the plot remains entertaining and satisfying.
Whiskey Devils shows how quickly a young man gets in over his head with the illicit drug trade. Zenner does an excellent job of capturing Evan’s early frustration with his seemingly pointless existence and fervent longing for a more meaningful life, spent enjoying all his world has to offer. The reader not only understands but relates to Evan’s decision to chuck the 9-5 and fly under the radar. This premise draws on widely-held, deep-rooted sentiments and thus hooks the reader within just a few pages.
The characterization is also strong. The principal players come to life and are multi-dimensional, with both strengths and weaknesses. Evan, for example, almost simultaneously has delusions of grandeur and recognition of his own inadequacy. Again, this is something to which many readers can relate.
That said, language, particularly during tense conversations (of which there are several), occasionally lets the story down. Though emotions are meant to be running high, the characters often speak as if they are writing a paper. Word choices frequently seem stilted and unnatural for what is meant to be emotionally charged speech (e.g. “They’re threatening us, and yet paying us handsomely” or “I’ve thought long and hard about the best course of action”). This breaks the illusion. A similar problem exists with passive voice slowing the pace of dialog and action scenes.
Plausibility is also an issue. For example, the Russian mob was only beginning to emerge in the late 1960s, which was the height of the Soviet regime and Cold War. Given Federal vigilance concerning the USSR at the time coupled with the omnipresent fear of Communism during that period, it seems unlikely that Russian criminal elements would be able to establish the strong and longstanding foothold on U.S. soil then that later becomes so pivotal to the 2003 story.
Such issues aside, Whiskey Devils is an enjoyable read with engaging and interesting characters. While the final climax may be a bit too much like an Arnold Schwarzenegger film for some readers, the plot remains entertaining and satisfying.
July 31, 2016
I will admit to having a "type"; most of us do. We have a type of food we prefer, a type of drink, a type of potential partner... those of us who read voraciously also tend toward a type of book. I, myself, am very fond of romance novels with the happily ever after ending. I read those like popcorn. I enjoy other types of books, to be sure, but it takes a special, well-written novel for me to enjoy a book outside my comfort zone. Brandon Zenner's novel made me forget I even had a comfort zone.
This book is about as far from a happily-ever-after book as it's likely to get, and yet, I devoured it in one sitting. The first-person narration just added to the gritty nature of the story. Because I read so much, and have done so for a very long time, it is difficult for me to find a book that surprises me, but this one definitely did.
The central plot of the novel centers around a drug operation. For that alone, I would hesitate to recommend the book to anyone under the age of 17, and even then only to mature readers. There is a significant amount of violence and adult language, which is another point in favor of keeping it to older readers. The plot is tight, and there are minimal grammatical or typographical errors to distract the reader. Very well done!
Reviewed by HR Duby for Romance Authors that Rock
This book is about as far from a happily-ever-after book as it's likely to get, and yet, I devoured it in one sitting. The first-person narration just added to the gritty nature of the story. Because I read so much, and have done so for a very long time, it is difficult for me to find a book that surprises me, but this one definitely did.
The central plot of the novel centers around a drug operation. For that alone, I would hesitate to recommend the book to anyone under the age of 17, and even then only to mature readers. There is a significant amount of violence and adult language, which is another point in favor of keeping it to older readers. The plot is tight, and there are minimal grammatical or typographical errors to distract the reader. Very well done!
Reviewed by HR Duby for Romance Authors that Rock
June 23, 2017
I really enjoyed this crime thriller..should I call it. Evan Powers lives with his best friend Nick, a seemingly harmless hippy that lived through the 60's and 70's. They lived in a rented house way out in the country, had bonfires, shot guns, tended their garden and mainly just had fun. Evan quits his job at a company which had him in a cubicle from 9-5 and tells Nick he'd like to work for him full time. Nick has his own construction company but he is also hiding some big secrets..only one that Evan knows about is selling marijuana. He met Nick and his crew in a bar called Whiskey Devils during which a hippy band would play. He doesn't work there anymore but still has a good reputation with his boss and their clientele. Evan falls for Becky, a girl his age that used to go to the shows at Whiskey Devils and actually has know Nick longer, they both work for him. But then their is a huge twist I never saw coming!! It was awesome!! Russian mobs, Bikers, Vengenance and Redemption...! I thought the end was a little short...all that action and then bam..driving into the sunset..I want to know more!!
Read
January 27, 2016This book is not for everyone. There are drugs, violence and good old fashioned friendship. I guess you had to be around in the 60's and 70's to really appreciate what goes on in this novel. Nick--an aging hippie rents a house where he and all his friends congregate and party. But Nick's background is shrouded in mystery and is only slowly, very slowly revealed. You really won't see the ending coming. Evan has just quit his day job to join Nick's enterprise full time. Then Nick's past shows up to haunt them all.
All is not as it seems and Evan is left to find out the truth about all of these friends. But not until all hell brakes loose!
Yes, I did enjoy this book and am very glad I read it--but please do read the chapter below first and this book is definitely for adults--it is NOT for teens or young adults at least in my opinion.
Whiskey Devils
All is not as it seems and Evan is left to find out the truth about all of these friends. But not until all hell brakes loose!
Yes, I did enjoy this book and am very glad I read it--but please do read the chapter below first and this book is definitely for adults--it is NOT for teens or young adults at least in my opinion.
Whiskey Devils
March 16, 2019
Powers finally quits his cubical, time clock job to go to work for his best friend and roommate Nick. But is the grass really greener on the other side of the grow lamp? When Nick's secrets come out things get complex and Powers is stuck in the middle.
This book is full of action, twists and turns that will keep you in suspense and hanging on to your seat with both hands at times. Audio narrator Jack de Golia will make you feel as if you are there and a part of Nick's group. This book was wonderful and would have you up past your bedtime to see what would happen next to the guys or in my case with the audio sitting in the parking lot a bit extra before work or at lunch listening to see what happened next. I will be looking for more books by this author and narrator as both were awesome.
This book is full of action, twists and turns that will keep you in suspense and hanging on to your seat with both hands at times. Audio narrator Jack de Golia will make you feel as if you are there and a part of Nick's group. This book was wonderful and would have you up past your bedtime to see what would happen next to the guys or in my case with the audio sitting in the parking lot a bit extra before work or at lunch listening to see what happened next. I will be looking for more books by this author and narrator as both were awesome.
February 8, 2016
Friendship, drugs, the Russian mafia, blood, sex (not much!), death, alcohol, guns, hostages and so many twists especially near the end that it's like reading a pretzel. I loved it! The pacing was fanatically done. The characters seemed real (except the girl - it took a long time to get to understand the girl a bit and then it was the end) and had unique personalities. I truly enjoyed this story.
January 23, 2016
Whiskey Devils
Well an education.. didn't know that growing pot was so much work.. The book is mainly about a lot of drugs , drinking and the people or players involved. Not a lot of story as such but is entertaining. Not my genre but I'm pretty sure younger people than I will enjoy it. Oh , I'm in my 70's..
Well an education.. didn't know that growing pot was so much work.. The book is mainly about a lot of drugs , drinking and the people or players involved. Not a lot of story as such but is entertaining. Not my genre but I'm pretty sure younger people than I will enjoy it. Oh , I'm in my 70's..
February 3, 2017
Powerful story.
Evan has a day job he hates so he quits to work full time for his friend and housemate. Unfortunately it all goes downhill from there.
Evan and Nick are two powerful characters and, despite their unlawful actions, I felt bad for them as things spiraled out of control. A look at the drugs trade that you don't want to miss.
Evan has a day job he hates so he quits to work full time for his friend and housemate. Unfortunately it all goes downhill from there.
Evan and Nick are two powerful characters and, despite their unlawful actions, I felt bad for them as things spiraled out of control. A look at the drugs trade that you don't want to miss.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews