I am a fan of the Carter and Tempest families from previous series the author has written, this one has a mix of the two as well as extended family and other families. A vast cast and a daring robbery amidst daily life for the gang members in this first book of a new series.
With such a large cast this took me a while to get into, introducing the various members of the families involved and how they link together did take the edge off this book at the beginning for me. But, knowing this author's writing as I do, I knew it would soon pick up and the story "proper" as such would then get going. And boy did it ever!
When Carla Carter overhears something about diamonds from her stepdad she finally sees a chance to get back at him. Jonny Carter is the ideal person to approach about stealing these diamonds as he has just been given the family's leadership, the businesses and the other illegal activities they are part of. Seeing this as a chance to make his mark he decides to take the risk. Diamonds have always been bad luck for the family and now he is in charge he thinks he has the chance to break the bad luck.
There is a rival gang and these are notorious, vicious and slightly warped in the way they treat people and think of others. To be fair though I think anyone that lives in this type of environment has to have something in them that is broken. With everyone being on edge there are frayed tempers, words exchanged and with this is bitterness and this makes it easy for people to do rash things or take undue risks.
The author has provided another amazing story, it is complex but reads well and there are many twists to keep you on your toes. A lot is going on in this book and for me it was exciting and dangerous. But there are also some very poignant moments when you read about loyalties and respect. Families are in danger and there are going to be risks, so trying to keep all the potential weak spots covered is going to be a challenge. This becomes evident towards the latter stages of the book.
This is a fabulous start to the series, it would have been handy to have a quick run-down of the families at the beginning. I do think this would have made it a little easier to get to grips with all the characters. But, as I mentioned earlier, when I got to know them it became easier. I did find that some of the similarities in names were another thing that caught me out.
If you are looking for a series that is full of excitement, the unexpected, danger and action-packed and unpredictable then this is a book you want to keep an eye out for. It is one I would happily recommend.