Turf War

by Renay Jackson

Big Ed is in prison for murder. As gang leaders grapple for dominance in the power vacuum he's left behind, Big Ed plots his comeback through the murder of the only person who saw his crime. Though she's in the witness protection program, Vanessa is still vulnerable to Big Ed's extended network of thugs as he becomes increasingly determined to beat the system and avoid trial. Meanwhile, Silky has to take time out from his sexual escapades to vie for leadership of the Eastside Empire, as the rivalry between it and Shakey's gang grows increasingly violent.

Offering a gritty, complex rendition of gang rivalry and drug trade on the streets of Oakland, California, Renay Jackson's newest novel shows off his keen storytelling abilities, raw descriptive power, and vivid depiction of urban reality in modern-day America.

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 18, 2005

Reviews

[grundoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Following directly on the heels of the events of the prior, the bloodshed unsurprisingly continues as power abhors a vacuum. Too much focus on clothing and sexual prowess is somewhat balanced with the introduction of new players and a bit more police POV. If you can't stand the heat, delicate and easily offended sensibilities, best stay clear of unapologetic urban anthropology.