Official Review: The 63rd Heist by Darren Smith

Stephanie Runyon · Post by **Stephanie Runyon** » 27 Jul 2020, 14:01

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The 63rd Heist" by Darren Smith.]

2 out of 4 stars

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When a crime is committed, whose view would you want to see it through? Darren Smith's book, The 63rd Street Heist, gives the reader the chance to witness all angles from start to finish.

The book opens from the point of view of Deon Green. Deon is described as being a criminal that uses his muscle to achieve his goals. His best friend, Angelo Marcella is a cold, calculating individual that has high aspirations of being a mob boss. As childhood friends, the duo grew up pulling off multiple low-level crimes. On this day they are going after the money from a local drug dealer known for his association with the Mexican Cartel. Little do they know that their success of robbing JFreeze catapults them into becoming the targets of the law and the Cartel.

After the robbery, the duo parted ways. Deon is paranoid about the backlash from the robbery and remains on the move. Angelo joins a mob in Chicago and begins working his way up the ladder. JFreeze goes to meet with Pedro, "The Plug," and commences the manhunt and development of his personal drug business. Add in the drug field agents, Vincent and Alexis infiltrating the operation with informants; Smith creates a story full of action and suspense.

I enjoyed how each character's physical appearance and thoughts are described throughout the book. Deon seems remorseful of his actions and attempts to go on a straight path. Angelo becomes sneakier and loses the trust of the mob boss he aligned with. My favorite description was of the field agents' personalities: "Vincent itches for an arrest and Alexis itches for her hair-trigger." They have different tactics but want to end drug trafficking.

The major fault I discovered with the book was excessive repetition causing a slow progression of the story. There are also a lot of distracting errors like "Angelo pulls out a pistol and sticks it in Angelo's face." Obviously, Angelo didn't put a pistol to his own face, but there are several instances in the book similar to this issue. Smith also rarely used pronouns and a lot of the story seemed declarative. He would use a character's name at the beginning of every sentence in a paragraph describing the individual's actions. I was not fond of the ending because of how it rapidly summed up everything, especially since it took a long time to build up to the major climax of the entire story.

I am rating The 63rd Street Heist a 2 out of 4 stars. I deducted for the errors and repetition. Another round of editing would make the story flow more smoothly and hold a reader's interest better. There is a lot of violence, detailed drug references, and several sex scenes throughout the book. I wouldn't recommend this novel for young readers. I also think that many female readers would be offended by negative descriptions of women that range from prostitution to drug-addicted girls in their underwear working for the Cartel.

I would recommend this book to readers that are interested in seeing both sides of the drug industry from start to finish. The extensive details of how drugs are brought into the United States and end up on the street are strong points in the book. Smith also went in-depth about the amount of work law enforcement agencies perform to stop drug trafficking.

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The 63rd Heist
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Elvis Best · Post by **Elvis Best** » 28 Jul 2020, 08:31

The concept of this book sounds rather intriguing, but it seems it lacks in proper delivery. Thanks for the insightful review. Good job!

Bendover12 · Post by **Bendover12** » 28 Jul 2020, 11:23

Sound like this story is not only inspired by Pablo Escobar's life but his biography being told over again, but with a different character's name.

rahilshajahan · Post by **rahilshajahan** » 28 Jul 2020, 14:39

The book title seems to have less connection with what is going on in the book. This is an idea I'm getting from the review. Thanks for an informative review nonetheless.

Dayodiola · Post by **Dayodiola** » 28 Jul 2020, 16:38

A great theme spoilt by errors.

Stephanie Runyon · Post by **Stephanie Runyon** » 28 Jul 2020, 20:31

rahilshajahan wrote: ↑28 Jul 2020, 14:39 The book title seems to have less connection with what is going on in the book. This is an idea I'm getting from the review. Thanks for an informative review nonetheless.

To be honest, that is true. It is more like a slow build up. That's why I scored it lower.

Stephanie Runyon · Post by **Stephanie Runyon** » 28 Jul 2020, 21:42

Bendover12 wrote: ↑28 Jul 2020, 11:23 Sound like this story is not only inspired by Pablo Escobar's life but his biography being told over again, but with a different character's name.

I may have check his biography out to see the similarities. Most of the book involves Deon Green's experiences with tying in a bunch of other characters.

A Y reviews · Post by **A Y reviews** » 29 Jul 2020, 08:43

Seems like an intricate and well-woven book that gives the reader the pleasure of seeing and knowing everyone's mindset. Cool stuff. Awesome review

María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda · 29 Jul 2020, 10:32

I hope the author takes your comments into account and polishes the novel because the premise is very interesting. Looking at the drug problem from different perspectives might help us gain a better understanding to solve it.
Great review!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 29 Jul 2020, 10:43

This seems a crime thriller with an interesting potential let down by a lack of editing. Working some more on the book might improve it significantly. Thank you for your honest review!

Wy_Bertram · Post by **Wy_Bertram** » 01 Aug 2020, 07:36

Angelo pulls out a pistol and sticks it in Angelo's face

Angelo seems quite confused. Great work on the review.

Bendover12 · Post by **Bendover12** » 01 Aug 2020, 07:49

Mounce574 wrote: ↑28 Jul 2020, 21:42
Bendover12 wrote: ↑28 Jul 2020, 11:23 Sound like this story is not only inspired by Pablo Escobar's life but his biography being told over again, but with a different character's name.
I may have check his biography out to see the similarities. Most of the book involves Deon Green's experiences with tying in a bunch of other characters.

Um i mean, with 2 youngsters in this book aspiring to be big bosses in the criminal world, and how they pulled multiple low-level crimes - this is very similar to Pablo Escobar and his cousin

Priyanka2304 · Post by **Priyanka2304** » 02 Aug 2020, 01:43

Proper execution could have really made this book quite a wonderful read. Thanks for the amazing review.

Patrick Maina1 · Post by **Patrick Maina1** » 07 Aug 2020, 12:14

Drug trafficking is such a complicated web.Law enforcers must have a very tough time fighting drug Lord's.I must read this book.

AvidBibliophile · Post by **AvidBibliophile** » 08 Aug 2020, 23:55

Childhood friends, criminals, and tenuous associations with the Cartel?! Now that would certainly stir up a convoluted mix of devious depravity and ill intentions. Sounds like the content might be a bit too raw and graphic for my liking, but I enjoyed hearing your honest impressions of this one!