City On Fire, Winslow - B+

                  This is an absolutely fabulous novel set in Providence in the late 1980's.       The city is divided, with the Irish running the docks, the longshoreman's union and some loan sharks. The Italians hold the upper hand with the teamsters, construction unions, vending machines, gambling, and prostitution. The Moretti's and the Murphy's have long maintained an easy peace that falls apart when a young Murphy gets involved with a woman who was with one of the Moretti's.  The odds are against the Irish, who are now led by Danny Ryan, son-in-law to the fading John Murphy. Danny decides the only way to compete is to offer the Blacks what the Moretti's have, and Danny partners with Marvin Jones against Peter Moretti. The Italians hit the Blacks, and then set up the Irish with the FBI. Danny manages to get away with his dad and two-year-old son. This is apparently the first in a trilogy. As the author wrote the magnificent Cartel Trilogy, I'm certain we have much to look forward to. Once again, thanks to Wendell Erwin.