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Kings of America
Fleeing to America following a terrible crime, Irish-born fighter, Danny McCabe, throws in his lot with Nicolas and Lucia Mariani, siblings who have emigrated from Corsica in search of their fortunes.
Adrift in the tough and unforgiving world of 1930s New York, they rely on Danny's bareknuckle fighting skills to survive. While Nicolas is tempted ever deeper into the underworld, Lucia can think of little but her obsessive drive to succeed in Hollywood.
When Danny McCabe's dreams of boxing stardom become a terrifying nightmare, fate compels them to escape westwards to Los Angeles. On the run, the trio are bound together by blood, by shared secrets, and finally by love, as Danny and Lucia embark upon an affair that is as profound as it is dangerous.
Nicolas, driven by greed, soon finds a welcome home in the dark world of corruption and vice that lies behind the glitzy facade of America's city of dreams. Danny McCabe is desperate to bury the dark secret of his past, while Lucia is caught in the crossfire between her brother and the man she loves.
From the author of A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS comes an epic new novel that will span the Golden Age of Hollywood, from the 1930s to the 1960s, and will include appearances from Raymond Chandler, William Faulkner, Mickey Cohen and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
433 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 18, 2017
12 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
R.J. Ellory
51 books458 followersRoger began his first novel on November 4th, 1987 and did not stop, except for three days when he was going through a divorce from his first wife, until July of 1993. During this time he completed twenty-two novels, most of them in longhand, and accumulated several hundred polite and complimentary rejection letters from many different and varied publishers.
He stopped writing out of sheer frustration and did not start again for eight years.
In the early part of September 2001 he decided to start writing again. This decision was based on the realization that it was the only thing he had ever really wanted to do.
Between August 2001 and January 2002 he wrote three books, the second of which was called ‘Candlemoth’. This was purchased by Orion and published in 2003. ‘Candlemoth’ was translated into German, Dutch and Italian, and has now also been purchased for translation in numerous other languages. The book also secured a nomination on the shortlist for the Crime Writers’ Association Steel Dagger for Best Thriller 2003. His second book, ‘Ghostheart’, was released in 2004, and his third book, ‘A Quiet Vendetta’, was released in August 2005. In 2006 he published ‘City of Lies’, and once again secured a nomination for the CWA Steel Dagger for Best Thriller of that year. His fifth book – ‘A Quiet Belief In Angels’ - was published in August 2006, and in the latter part of the year it was selected for the phenomenally successful British TV equivalent of the Oprah Winfrey Book Club, the Richard and Judy Book Club.
‘A Quiet Belief In Angels’ went on to be shortlisted for the Barry Award for Best British Crime Fiction, the 813 Trophy, the Quebec Booksellers’ Prize, The Europeen Du Point Crime Fiction Prize, and was winner of the Inaugural Prix Roman Noir Nouvel Observateur. It has since been voted Best Thriller of 2009 in The Strand Magazine. The book was also optioned for film, and Roger has recently completed the screenplay for Oscar-winning French director, Olivier Dahan.
Following on from ‘A Quiet Belief In Angels’, Roger released ‘A Simple Act of Violence’, again securing a nomination for Best British Crime Fiction of 2008. In late 2009 he released ‘The Anniversary Man’ to rave reviews.
He stopped writing out of sheer frustration and did not start again for eight years.
In the early part of September 2001 he decided to start writing again. This decision was based on the realization that it was the only thing he had ever really wanted to do.
Between August 2001 and January 2002 he wrote three books, the second of which was called ‘Candlemoth’. This was purchased by Orion and published in 2003. ‘Candlemoth’ was translated into German, Dutch and Italian, and has now also been purchased for translation in numerous other languages. The book also secured a nomination on the shortlist for the Crime Writers’ Association Steel Dagger for Best Thriller 2003. His second book, ‘Ghostheart’, was released in 2004, and his third book, ‘A Quiet Vendetta’, was released in August 2005. In 2006 he published ‘City of Lies’, and once again secured a nomination for the CWA Steel Dagger for Best Thriller of that year. His fifth book – ‘A Quiet Belief In Angels’ - was published in August 2006, and in the latter part of the year it was selected for the phenomenally successful British TV equivalent of the Oprah Winfrey Book Club, the Richard and Judy Book Club.
‘A Quiet Belief In Angels’ went on to be shortlisted for the Barry Award for Best British Crime Fiction, the 813 Trophy, the Quebec Booksellers’ Prize, The Europeen Du Point Crime Fiction Prize, and was winner of the Inaugural Prix Roman Noir Nouvel Observateur. It has since been voted Best Thriller of 2009 in The Strand Magazine. The book was also optioned for film, and Roger has recently completed the screenplay for Oscar-winning French director, Olivier Dahan.
Following on from ‘A Quiet Belief In Angels’, Roger released ‘A Simple Act of Violence’, again securing a nomination for Best British Crime Fiction of 2008. In late 2009 he released ‘The Anniversary Man’ to rave reviews.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 29, 2017
I’m a big fan of RJE’s, I believe he’s written a whole collection of interesting and often brilliant novels. They’re sometimes quietly mysterious and at other times violently gripping, racing along at breakneck speed. My personal favourite is A Dark and Broken Heart, but I could have named any one of half a dozen. But this one… well, it just never took off for me.
It’s a tale of an Irish boxer and a brother and sister from Corsica who find themselves in America to either escape (the boxer) or to seek fame and fortune (the siblings). Spanning a period from the 1930’s to the 1960’s we follow the fortunes of this trio. The trouble is that the whole thing is just way too predictable. I kept waiting for the surprise, for the twist – it never came. It’s all entertaining enough, in a television movie kind of way, but I lost interest in the fate of the characters fairly early on and just drifted through the majority of the book.
Ellory remains a talented writer and everyone is allowed an off-day. This is one book I’ll forget very quickly but I’ll be back for his next offering, all the same.
It’s a tale of an Irish boxer and a brother and sister from Corsica who find themselves in America to either escape (the boxer) or to seek fame and fortune (the siblings). Spanning a period from the 1930’s to the 1960’s we follow the fortunes of this trio. The trouble is that the whole thing is just way too predictable. I kept waiting for the surprise, for the twist – it never came. It’s all entertaining enough, in a television movie kind of way, but I lost interest in the fate of the characters fairly early on and just drifted through the majority of the book.
Ellory remains a talented writer and everyone is allowed an off-day. This is one book I’ll forget very quickly but I’ll be back for his next offering, all the same.
May 26, 2017
Absolutely Brilliant
Mr Ellory you have written another great novel loved the characters. I have read all your books. Look forewarned to your next one. But my favourite is still Candlemouth.
Mr Ellory you have written another great novel loved the characters. I have read all your books. Look forewarned to your next one. But my favourite is still Candlemouth.
June 21, 2017
When Danny McCabe causes mayhem in Ireland and winds up in New York City, to meet up with fellow immigrants Nicky and Lucia Mariani, so begins a wonderfully intriguing tale, incorporating mob rule, Lucia’s longing to become a Hollywood star, and Danny Mccabe fighting with his conscience.
Yet again I find myself reviewing another R J Ellory book, full of admiration for the class of his storytelling, the clever clever way he gets under each character’s skin, underlining the situation at every step with astute summaries of how the land lies in and around every character, how the past, present and future impacts the story as you ride the rollercoaster of every magical page.
How good Mr Ellory is I judge by my ratings: I’ve read every book that he’s written, and the lowest rating, on my scale, is 8 out of 10. Six of his books I’ve rated 10 out of 10.
My favourite of his books – A Quiet Vendetta.
It’s a genius at work.
It all began with his A Quiet Belief In Angels, back in 2008, and the sheer power of that book hooked me in for all time. That story stuck in my head long after I’d turned the last page, and every book since has resonated one way or another.
You could be nitpicking and say that in many cases his emphasis on certain points are repeated throughout his books: from my viewpoint that’s one of his great strengths – that emphasis merely cranks up the tension, drags you along to the very point where Mr Ellory wants you to be; gripped like a vice, to the point where it’s almost painful to put the book down.
Nobody does it better.
Yet again I find myself reviewing another R J Ellory book, full of admiration for the class of his storytelling, the clever clever way he gets under each character’s skin, underlining the situation at every step with astute summaries of how the land lies in and around every character, how the past, present and future impacts the story as you ride the rollercoaster of every magical page.
How good Mr Ellory is I judge by my ratings: I’ve read every book that he’s written, and the lowest rating, on my scale, is 8 out of 10. Six of his books I’ve rated 10 out of 10.
My favourite of his books – A Quiet Vendetta.
It’s a genius at work.
It all began with his A Quiet Belief In Angels, back in 2008, and the sheer power of that book hooked me in for all time. That story stuck in my head long after I’d turned the last page, and every book since has resonated one way or another.
You could be nitpicking and say that in many cases his emphasis on certain points are repeated throughout his books: from my viewpoint that’s one of his great strengths – that emphasis merely cranks up the tension, drags you along to the very point where Mr Ellory wants you to be; gripped like a vice, to the point where it’s almost painful to put the book down.
Nobody does it better.
December 19, 2019
I liked Kings of America a lot and read it very fast. Ellory has a very good turn of phrase that is thoroughly enjoyable and his plot is “alive” and continuously interesting.
This story is about 3 immigrants from Europe, who started a new life in the USA in the 1930s. One of them had no choice but to escape an unlawful past and the other two had big aspirations, that were not quite fulfilled. Their story has to do with blooming Hollywood and Italian mafia and the info included in the book regarding these two themes is very well researched and interesting.
The book is a drama but pleasantly read, mostly because of the quality of writing and the adept psychological profiling of the characters.
I would definitely recommend the book for a light read, which also offers some insight into the legendary post-prohibition era in the States.
An example of Ellory’s good and not just superficial writing is the following quote:
“...when it came to territory and political convictions a ruthless lack of mercy started to colour the thoughts of men. To prove themselves right, even when terribly wrong, there was little that some men would not do.” (Regarding WWII)
This story is about 3 immigrants from Europe, who started a new life in the USA in the 1930s. One of them had no choice but to escape an unlawful past and the other two had big aspirations, that were not quite fulfilled. Their story has to do with blooming Hollywood and Italian mafia and the info included in the book regarding these two themes is very well researched and interesting.
The book is a drama but pleasantly read, mostly because of the quality of writing and the adept psychological profiling of the characters.
I would definitely recommend the book for a light read, which also offers some insight into the legendary post-prohibition era in the States.
An example of Ellory’s good and not just superficial writing is the following quote:
“...when it came to territory and political convictions a ruthless lack of mercy started to colour the thoughts of men. To prove themselves right, even when terribly wrong, there was little that some men would not do.” (Regarding WWII)
December 16, 2017
This Goodreads win is my first experience of Ellory's writing. As a piece of crime fiction it's more of a linear story rather than whodunnit. We know whodunnit in graphic fashion, it's the web of crime that slowly gets more tangled that is the glue in this thriller.
Danny McCabe flees Ireland for New York after becoming a wanted IRA fighter. Landing Stateside he meets Nicky and Lucia Marioni and together they start their life together in the land of dreams. At first Danny's boxing skills and Nicky's management looks to be their way to riches and the method of bankrolling Lucia's desires to get into the movies. Another bad turn sees them leave New York quicker than planned and the remainder of the story sees their lives move on in Hollywood as Danny changes identity to avoid the authorities and Nicky sinks into the underworld.
Now, I'm wondering if the publication of this book has been rushed. I'm happy for someone to point out to me that I've missed something but there are huge issues with the scope of the story and it's development. The blurb of the book states that it is set over 3 decades and the Goodreads description states it is an 'epic that spans the 1930s to the 1960s' (which is actually 4 decades) and yet it doesn't reach the 1950s. This wouldn't be an issue if the descriptions weren't read, I wouldn't have picked up on it otherwise, but it does also pick up on another nagging problem I had with the plot.
The second world war is pretty much mentioned in passing and the real action jumps from America's entry into the war in the early 40s to the end of the war. With a deeper plot this could be explained but for no reason we skip a few years. If Danny doesn't go back to Ireland and Nicky back to Corsica to fight then the same plot could be continued during the war but for some reason it is important that the war ends. Here comes the other hole that bugs me..
Louis Hayes is a detective determined to bring down the whole mob running Los Angeles. He's got his eyes on Nicky and doesn't let go in bringing him to book. So why take so long? 6 or so years after a crime is committed Hayes is still trying to resolve it. I'm wondering if there is a much more epic story here and an entire section set in the Second World war back in Europe so that the action in LA is put on hold for a while. Has this been cut? There may well be a finale that has been ditched that covers the later years - or maybe a sequel that hasn't been alluded to.
Given my criticisms above it could be a surprise that I gave as high as three stars. Well, the book is with it's high points. A bit of mob culture is always a good piece of escapism and this helps with that escape. The main characters are believable (although Hayes is clumsily brought into the story) and the lesser characters have their parts to play and play it well.
The biggest seller of all is the era. The glamour of Hollywood in the years either side of the war is fascinating and this story tells not of those that made it big in the pictures but who made a living around the edges - legally and illegally; easily and desperately. Real life people such as Lucille Ball and F Scott Fitzgerald appear at differing ends of careers and many, many references are made to classic movies. Film buffs might like the setting and it's a fair novel, but crime purists are going to be disappointed.
Danny McCabe flees Ireland for New York after becoming a wanted IRA fighter. Landing Stateside he meets Nicky and Lucia Marioni and together they start their life together in the land of dreams. At first Danny's boxing skills and Nicky's management looks to be their way to riches and the method of bankrolling Lucia's desires to get into the movies. Another bad turn sees them leave New York quicker than planned and the remainder of the story sees their lives move on in Hollywood as Danny changes identity to avoid the authorities and Nicky sinks into the underworld.
Now, I'm wondering if the publication of this book has been rushed. I'm happy for someone to point out to me that I've missed something but there are huge issues with the scope of the story and it's development. The blurb of the book states that it is set over 3 decades and the Goodreads description states it is an 'epic that spans the 1930s to the 1960s' (which is actually 4 decades) and yet it doesn't reach the 1950s. This wouldn't be an issue if the descriptions weren't read, I wouldn't have picked up on it otherwise, but it does also pick up on another nagging problem I had with the plot.
The second world war is pretty much mentioned in passing and the real action jumps from America's entry into the war in the early 40s to the end of the war. With a deeper plot this could be explained but for no reason we skip a few years. If Danny doesn't go back to Ireland and Nicky back to Corsica to fight then the same plot could be continued during the war but for some reason it is important that the war ends. Here comes the other hole that bugs me..
Louis Hayes is a detective determined to bring down the whole mob running Los Angeles. He's got his eyes on Nicky and doesn't let go in bringing him to book. So why take so long? 6 or so years after a crime is committed Hayes is still trying to resolve it. I'm wondering if there is a much more epic story here and an entire section set in the Second World war back in Europe so that the action in LA is put on hold for a while. Has this been cut? There may well be a finale that has been ditched that covers the later years - or maybe a sequel that hasn't been alluded to.
Given my criticisms above it could be a surprise that I gave as high as three stars. Well, the book is with it's high points. A bit of mob culture is always a good piece of escapism and this helps with that escape. The main characters are believable (although Hayes is clumsily brought into the story) and the lesser characters have their parts to play and play it well.
The biggest seller of all is the era. The glamour of Hollywood in the years either side of the war is fascinating and this story tells not of those that made it big in the pictures but who made a living around the edges - legally and illegally; easily and desperately. Real life people such as Lucille Ball and F Scott Fitzgerald appear at differing ends of careers and many, many references are made to classic movies. Film buffs might like the setting and it's a fair novel, but crime purists are going to be disappointed.
November 7, 2018
Een echte Ellory, spanning, gekwelde personages en angst die overal doorheen kruipt. De 4 hoofdpersonages komen afwisselend aan bod en soms zit je heel erg uit te kijken naar het vervolg van de een terwijl je eerst nieuwe ontwikkelingen voor enkele andere mensen moet verwerken. Het boek doet je wel heel erg aan allerlei films over de jaren '30 en de maffia denken, maar ja, het speelt zich ook af in de jaren '30 en in Hollywood...
August 30, 2017
Another very satisfying read from RJ Ellory.
September 14, 2019
Het boek speelt zich voornamelijk af in Los Angeles in de jaren '30 en '40 van de vorige eeuw. Amerika is een land van hoop voor velen en de filmindustrie trekt veel jonge meisjes. De maffia viert er hoogtij.
Nicky en Lucia zijn vanuit Corsica naar het beloofde land gekomen. Nicky om rijk te worden en Lucia om een ster op het witte doek te worden. In New York maken zij kennis met Danny McCabe die gevlucht is uit Ierland. Gedrieën vertrekken zij naar Hollywood. Nicky belandt in de schimmige wereld van de misdaad en Danny begint een filmagentschap. Louis Hayes, een jonge rechercheur, wil een einde maken aan de corruptie, afpersingen en moordpartijen van de georganiseerde misdaad. Deze vier mensen hebben allemaal hun eigen dromen en het is de vraag of ze hun doel zullen bereiken. Maken ze de juiste keuzes of laten ze die door het lot bepalen?
Het boek is zeer beeldend geschreven. Het is alsof je naar een film zit te kijken al is het taalgebruik af en toe wat wonderlijk. Als er staat: hij heeft een gezicht als 4 rauwe karbonades, dan weet ik niet goed wat ik me erbij moet voorstellen. Er is een duidelijke verhaallijn, er wordt regelmatig van perspectief gewisseld en met alle avonturen die het viertal beleeft is het een boek waarin je geboeid blijft lezen.
Nicky en Lucia zijn vanuit Corsica naar het beloofde land gekomen. Nicky om rijk te worden en Lucia om een ster op het witte doek te worden. In New York maken zij kennis met Danny McCabe die gevlucht is uit Ierland. Gedrieën vertrekken zij naar Hollywood. Nicky belandt in de schimmige wereld van de misdaad en Danny begint een filmagentschap. Louis Hayes, een jonge rechercheur, wil een einde maken aan de corruptie, afpersingen en moordpartijen van de georganiseerde misdaad. Deze vier mensen hebben allemaal hun eigen dromen en het is de vraag of ze hun doel zullen bereiken. Maken ze de juiste keuzes of laten ze die door het lot bepalen?
Het boek is zeer beeldend geschreven. Het is alsof je naar een film zit te kijken al is het taalgebruik af en toe wat wonderlijk. Als er staat: hij heeft een gezicht als 4 rauwe karbonades, dan weet ik niet goed wat ik me erbij moet voorstellen. Er is een duidelijke verhaallijn, er wordt regelmatig van perspectief gewisseld en met alle avonturen die het viertal beleeft is het een boek waarin je geboeid blijft lezen.
July 25, 2017
Worth the wait
I waited a long time for this but it was definitely worth the wait. R J Ellory is on top form as usual. Kings of America is a complex tale of a young boxer who escapes to America after killing a man. His life there is very different from the one he imagined. Highly recommended.
I waited a long time for this but it was definitely worth the wait. R J Ellory is on top form as usual. Kings of America is a complex tale of a young boxer who escapes to America after killing a man. His life there is very different from the one he imagined. Highly recommended.
Read
September 25, 2019A mixed bag.
I am a great fan of R.J. Elliott and have never given his books less than a 5 star rating but initially, at times, I found myself doubting that I was reading one of his books. Fortunately by the end, confidence was restored.
To use the early boxing theme of the book, a nervous jabbing beginning, followed by a barnstorming, commanding knockout finish.
I am a great fan of R.J. Elliott and have never given his books less than a 5 star rating but initially, at times, I found myself doubting that I was reading one of his books. Fortunately by the end, confidence was restored.
To use the early boxing theme of the book, a nervous jabbing beginning, followed by a barnstorming, commanding knockout finish.
February 23, 2021
Erg teleurstellend boek van één van mijn (vroegere) favoriete schrijvers.
Niet-uitgewerkte of erg onsympathieke (Lucy) karakters, doodlopende verhaallijnen (niets meer gehoord van de schuld die Madden op zekere dag ging moeten inlossen vanwege het IRA, dat 'meadow'-gedoe) en een al bij al flets verhaal. De boeken van Ellory lijken met de jaren minder te worden. Jammer.
Niet-uitgewerkte of erg onsympathieke (Lucy) karakters, doodlopende verhaallijnen (niets meer gehoord van de schuld die Madden op zekere dag ging moeten inlossen vanwege het IRA, dat 'meadow'-gedoe) en een al bij al flets verhaal. De boeken van Ellory lijken met de jaren minder te worden. Jammer.
October 13, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this gangster story. There are murders, of course, but no investigation to find out the culprit because we, the reader, know.
The characters are well described and I could feel their emotions.
When I meet R.J. Ellory next week in Mulhouse I will have lots to discuss with him.
The characters are well described and I could feel their emotions.
When I meet R.J. Ellory next week in Mulhouse I will have lots to discuss with him.
April 2, 2024
A really enjoyable saga type novel, set in 1930s and 40s New York and Los Angeles detailing the strifes and journey of three recent immigrants. Some great insight to the Hollywood world of that period of time along with some really engaging characters make for a really good book. Highly recommended..
August 2, 2017
received this book as part of Good Reads first reads
a thoroughly enjoyable book - not at first what I thought it was going to be - it had me engrossed through a long plane journey - definately recommend
a thoroughly enjoyable book - not at first what I thought it was going to be - it had me engrossed through a long plane journey - definately recommend
December 4, 2017
i won a copy of this book in the good reads giveaway, its not normally the kind of book i would go for, but i really enjoyed it, its a story of the dark underworld of Hollywood and about family, it has interesting characters and good plot.
April 12, 2020
The first chapters and the build up to the plot is brilliant. The characters as well as their origins and background are very entertaining.
The climax and enfing is utterly disappointing considering the build up and the potential
The climax and enfing is utterly disappointing considering the build up and the potential
January 9, 2022
Ellory is one of my very favorite crime authors. This wasn't his best effort but was still quite strong.
It makes better sense if its part of a trilogy. But its been a minute. Where are the other two books?
Please and thanks. 4/5 stars.
It makes better sense if its part of a trilogy. But its been a minute. Where are the other two books?
Please and thanks. 4/5 stars.
September 11, 2017
This book was gripping from start to finish. The book had a very dark undertone and a decent plot to boot. Unpredictable and exciting.
December 26, 2017
Boring, plot holes.. Felt rushed and didn't span three decades. What's up with the 'foreign meadow'? Is this part of a series?
November 27, 2018
Een van dé beste schrijvers van dit moment heeft weer een pageturner geschreven. Lees hier mijn recensie: https://perfecteburenleesclub.blogspo...
February 1, 2019
Erg goed boek! Ik ben enorme van fan de boeken van R.J. Ellory en dit boek hoort bij een van de toppers. Ik had met veel plezier nog een driehonderd pagina’s verder willen lezen ...
July 1, 2019
Not bad but a bit disjointed overall. When it ended it was like the story just stopped. A few things unresolved, I think.
February 25, 2018
This is a real slow-burn of a novel. I found the first half to be quite slow and I wasn't honestly enjoying it.
Once the action moved to LA however, I really began to care about the characters and what happened to them. I think the time invested in the first half of the novel was worth it for that reason.
Plot wise, this is really clever. There are a lot of mafia-style 'hits' and menace runs from chapter to chapter. The bigger story though is whether the characters can truly escape the lives they left in their native countries and in New York. I was surprised that but that in itself forces the reader to reflect on the whole question of fate and payback. Certainly could certainly be seen as payback for Frankie
Many thanks to Goodreads for providing a copy for review.
Once the action moved to LA however, I really began to care about the characters and what happened to them. I think the time invested in the first half of the novel was worth it for that reason.
Plot wise, this is really clever. There are a lot of mafia-style 'hits' and menace runs from chapter to chapter. The bigger story though is whether the characters can truly escape the lives they left in their native countries and in New York. I was surprised that but that in itself forces the reader to reflect on the whole question of fate and payback. Certainly could certainly be seen as payback for Frankie
Many thanks to Goodreads for providing a copy for review.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews