The Black Ledger

By: D.G. Allen

Narrated by: Donald G. Allen

Ron Pickles was having a bad day, but then again, no one working or living in Chicago’s ghetto ever really has a good day.

He needed one more sale for his black ledger before he went home, but suckers in business suits were easy targets, especially at night, and it was getting dark.

He could just go home, but it was Friday night, and that meant his mom—who lived in the apartment unit next door—would be liquored up and waiting to pounce with a barrage of obscenities directed at her mortal enemy: his wife.

Of course, his wife would be waiting in the doorway on the other side of the hallway, cold and expressionless, like a puritan saint preaching a sermon about the “disgusting drunk” ranting on the other side of the hall.

It was a tough choice: stay in the ghetto and risk his life trying to keep clear of the gangbangers, drug dealers, and prostitutes, or go home to a wicked wife and a drunken mother just waiting for his arrival. He decided to stay a little longer.

©2017 Donald G. Pickel (P)2024 Donald G. Pickel

Critic reviews

“I can’t say enough about The Black Ledger. It is superbly written and it’s a compulsive page turner. A book like this is especially rare. They don’t come along that often. So, grab it and hang on for a unique experience you might never, ever have again.”–Bob Gelms, 365ink Magazine

“This novel breaks barriers of the thriller genre. I have never read something so unique as this world that D.G. Allen has created.”–John Franklin, screenwriter of Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return and author of Prime Cuts (graphic novel)

Gritty story with a twist.

I liked this novel. I am from the southside of Chicago, so, I can relate to the locations in the story. Great characters and voices of the characters. Kind of a cross between Glengarry Glen Ross and an Elmore Leonard novel. You will enjoy!

Wow - Fantastic Sound and Great Story

The gripping crime thriller checks all the boxes. It's got a great narrative, awesome voice acting, fantastic pacing, and everything you could want from a book on tape. Loved it!

Just a Wow!

I didn’t want it to end. The interactions between Ron, Otis, and Meadows had me cracking up throughout the entire book. Then out of nowhere, a heartbreaking murder occurs turning the story into a compelling and thrilling mystery. The story itself is very well written but the character voices really brought this book to life for me. It was such an intimate listening experience, you almost feel like you’re eavesdropping on real people’s conversations. Superb!

Chicago reality in the 70's and 80's

As someone who grew up on Chicago's South side, the BLACK LEDER brought back so many memories. D.J. Allen voice was that of a true Chicago native. I stayed up late every night listening to the Ledger. Every chapter left me wanting to hear more. The challenges of being a young married man desperate to support his family and doing whatever ot took until a new opportunity came about. I could only imagine being a white young man working in the getto trying to sell life insurance. The way corruption was finally exposed had me hanging on to every word. I stared listening to The BLACK LEDGER again. This is the first time that I have ever done this. I hope that D. Allen writes another novel. I would recommend reading The BLACK Ledger to anyone that enjoys listening to a soothing voice telling an realistic story of life romance and doing whatever it takes to survive without compromising your character.

Fantastic audiobook with a shocking ending

I read the paperback version of this book and was excited when the audiobook was available. It only took me 3 days to listen to this one (it sucked me in and before I knew it I'd been listening for more than 5 hours!) and WOW! it was even better than reading the book. The voices of the characters are exactly like my mind imagined! DG Allen's gifted narrative was spot on and came across like he actually lived this life. A must have for your collection!