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rosseroo's review
Edward Bunker is the real deal when it comes to crime writers, having served hard time in the California penal system, and it shows in this bleak work. A trio of reform school friends are reunited many years later, when the leader is released after 12 years in jail. One is a Teamster thug/family man, the second is a junkie psychopath, and the leader is the brains and charisma. The tension builds, and the threat of violence is everywhere as they embark on a few scams together and dislike between the family man and junkie becomes more and more open. In a story like this, there is only possible outcome, so the bleak ending comes as no surprise. It's reminiscent of the movie "Heat", where the reader starts to like some of the criminals and then sees them topple for almost absurd reasons. One small caveat about this book is that Bunker is none too subtle in preaching his critique of the criminal justice system. Points that are made over and over through the character's mouths are: (1) They were bad kids, but the system made them into adult criminals; (2) There is no such thing as justice; (3) In the criminal world your best friend can turn on you at the drop of a hat; (4) The "3 strikes" law only serves to make career criminals more desperate when down tot he last strike. If you don't mind the proselytizing, this is a great, nasty, page-turner.
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