City on Fire

The City, Book 1

By: Don Winslow

Narrated by: Ari Fliakos

“One of America’s greatest storytellers.” – Stephen King

“No one fuses action with emotion like Winslow.” – The Times

The new thriller from the #1 international bestseller – the start of a brand new trilogy

‘Superb. This is storytelling with a keen edge. City on Fire is exhilarating to read.’ — Stephen King

A Times Best Book for 2022

Providence, RI, 1986.

Twenty-nine-year-old Danny Ryan is a hard-working longshoreman, loving husband, loyal friend, and occasional “muscle” for the Irish crime syndicate that oversees much of the city. He yearns for something more and dreams of starting over fresh, someplace far away.

But when a modern-day Helen of Troy triggers a war between rival mob factions, Danny is embroiled in a conflict he can’t escape. Now it is up to him to step into the breach to protect his family, the friends who are closer to him than brothers, and the only home he’s ever known.

Exploring classic themes of loyalty, betrayal, honour, and corruption on both sides of the law, City on Fire is a contemporary Iliad from Don Winslow, “one of America’s greatest storytellers” (Stephen King).

©2021 Don Winslow, Simburo inc (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

‘No one fuses action with emotion like Don Winslow.’ The Times Best Books to Read This Summer

‘A superior example of the gangster genre.’ Sunday Telegraph

‘Many would now describe Winslow as one of the masters of American crime writing, and this remarkable novel … is both breathtakingly panoramic and infinitesimally focused.’ Financial Times

‘Winslow’s previous “Cartel” trilogy is an astonishing achievement that will be hard to beat, but on the strength of this immersive and humane tale of fate, free will, loyalty and betrayal, his new series will rank alongside it.’ Guardian

‘This superb novel, by the writer of the Cartel trilogy of narco-thrillers, is a bloody tale of greed, lust and violent retribution, and based on various Greek myths, including Helen Of Troy.’ Sun

‘Winslow’s next juggernaut of a modern-day epic’ LA Times

‘Pure genius! Nobody can bring such grit and such heart to crime fiction as Don Winslow—and with such a unique and compelling stylistic voice.’ Jeffery Deaver

‘This is can't-put-it-down crime fiction. If you've read it, you know. If you haven't, maybe go out and get it.’ Stephen King

‘Gritty, moody, and totally immersive, CITY ON FIRE is the first installment in an epic new series that is sure to grip readers from the start. This is Winslow at his very best.’
Karin Slaughter

‘Winslow is our Dickens of modern crime. I can’t think of anyone better at what he does.’ Linwood Barclay

‘Breathtaking.’ Anthony Horowitz

‘Superb. This is storytelling with a keen edge. City on Fire is exhilarating to read.’ Stephen King

"City on Fire is the best gangster novel since The Godfather."
Steve Cavanagh

‘Epic, ambitious, majestic, City on Fire is The Godfather for our generation.’ Adrian McKinty