BLACK PEARL by Alvin Vincent Grimes
March 23, 2008 by Daniel
He stared at his hands, hands which had spilled so much blood and rubbed them together in a washing motion. Snake, intuitive as ever, placed a friendly hand on his shoulder and said, “The only thing that will make that damned spot go away is time, Jackson. Time and the love of a good woman.”
In his life, Jackson Blaze has been many things: hustler, prizefighter, leg breaker, and decorated war hero. Upon returning from World War I to his adopted home of Harlem, New York, he finds himself in the middle of the war between gangster boss Jimmy Rose and the Jewish Mafia for control of Harlem’s lucrative underworld.
After recruiting a handful of his World War I comrades to aid him, Jackson wages guerilla warfare against some of the toughest hoods in New York City. As if he doesn’t have enough to work about, he also finds himself in a passionate love affair with the beautiful and mysterious dancer known only as Tamara.
When the stakes are life and death, the slightest mistake could spell disaster. If he has any hope of survival, Jackson must decide whether to follow his head or his heart.
Find more street lit by Alvin Vincent Grimes.
Already read this book? Was it good or bad? Share your thoughts and do a review for Street Fiction. Tell us what you think of this book or author in the Comments section. Thanks.
Mr. Grimes has written a powerful old school street thriller. Black Pearl will appeal to fans of authors like Chester Himes whose work built the foundation for current street fiction authors.
Black Pearl offers a tightly written fast-paced story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Each of the story’s characters are well-developed, especially Jackson Blaze, the main character of the book.
Mr. Grimes stands out in creating a vivid historical picture of Harlem and his book is full of well-researched details that enrich the reader’s experience.
If you like old school, you won’t be disappointed with Black Pearl. Get it, enjoy it, and let’s hope that Mr. Grimes is hard at work on another book!