King Virus: A Gangster's Tale

by Neil Raymond Ricco

What do Mexican-American gangsters and Covid-19 have in common? In King Virus, Neil Raymond Ricco brings the pandemic to life in a Southern California setting where gang members struggle to find a legendary treasure, while wreaking havoc on an innocent population. One player, Billy Cruz, recently released from prison, is forced to deal with not only rival gang members, but a vicious disease that nobody really knew how to control. While his loved ones fall prey to both relentless gangsters and an unfeeling virus, he struggles to find justice and retribution. Although the “bad guys” in this novel are very bad indeed, we come to learn that there are many complexities in their histories and characters that have shaped them, rendering them – in the final analysis – merely as human, flawed, and vulnerable as all of us. And even with our good intentions, we are no match for a mindless viral avenging angel who cares not a whit about our morals or motivations as it wields the winnowing scythe.

Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2021