Review: A Touch of Charles Dickens in New York City, 2025
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 31, 2014
Two most excellent thieves, Gutter Punks, are on a meds drive, nobnobbing with the the pampered Scraper Babies.  The team of Dodger and Twist are n the simple meds run to steal from the rich and give to the poor who need the antibiotics to lengthen their risky lives on the streets of Manhattan.  This drug run is different.  They team up with a former member Smith, get chased and separated, to meet later on.  It doesn't quite out that way this time: Smith disappears, Dodger is hit with a virus for a mission to get the stash in Smith's possession.  The too often used word "quest" takes the reader through the area of Manhattan to the turfs of the Runts, Red and her Tribe, the murderous Sons of Adam, and into the dangerous realm of Lord Chrysler.That is just the action for the charm of the book lies in the characters.  The mischievous team of Dodger and Twist are a wonder to read.  The rescue by the heroes saving the honor of Gia cements her to them and she isn't about to leave.  The intro of the Runts in Central Park adds to their strength as a mission by Red and the Tribe.  The mission brings them more than trouble with a vendetta yet to be played out.  Overshadowing the little people on the streets are two big boys: Reynolds, the mayor of Manhattan and his rival Lord Chrysler in Brooklyn.  The characters are nicely melded in with the story in the giant rumble towards the end.This is a novel not easily forgotten with a plot that moves swiftly, blends in a good amount of humour, dealings and deceptions, and schemes from the powers that be which will push for a bigger conflict yet to come.  I have nothing but admiration for this book.  Wilbert Stanton is a powerful writer weaving in good characters in a deadly and delicious plot,  Summer is coming and it is time to get your reading list together; this is one book that should be on it,.