Review of The Real Mr. Big

[khaulah]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Real Mr. Big" by Ron Chepesiuk with Jesus Ruiz Henao.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Born in a humble family in Trujillo, a small town in Colombia, Jesus Ruiz Henao was the fifth of ten children. His father was a farmer who grew cocaine to bribe the guerrillas in exchange for protection. Jesus became involved in drug trafficking to live a better life and relocated to the United Kingdom. He became one of the most prominent cocaine traffickers in the United Kingdom and established a billion-pound drug empire. As his empire expanded, so did the scrutiny from the law enforcement officials, eventually leading to his incarceration.

The Real Mr. Big is an interview-based non-fiction account of the rise and fall of Jesus Ruiz Henao. It describes how Jesus became involved in the drug trafficking business, the logistics of his drug operation, and his ultimate downfall. You also gain a picture of the United Kingdom's drug trafficking history, as well as the drug scene in Colombia after the fall of the Medellin cartel. Therefore, it blends drug trafficking history, analysis, and personal story into a highly engaging page-turner.

While Jesus' ascension to overwhelming success in the ruthless drug trade is remarkable, his fall is equally dramatic and well-documented. Jesus' success story differs from that of other drug lords in that he did not rely on violence to solve his problems. He put up a well-organized crew. How Jesus successfully operated his business and handled millions of money without getting caught for so long is the heart of the story.

The informative book shows the challenges confronted by smugglers and the sociology of the smugglers’ worlds in the 1990s and early 2000s. The account of drug smuggling through the eyes of a high-level drug smuggler made it more fascinating. I also enjoyed following the chapters which detail Jesus’ experience in prison in the United Kingdom.

The author Ron Chepesiuk partnered with Jesus Ruiz Henao after his release from jail to write this book. Not only does the book take into account Jesus' perspective, but it also includes first-hand accounts from law enforcement officials who were involved in Jesus' case. At the end of the book are citations of articles, documents, and images related to Jesus' case, lending credence to the story.

The book's prose is enjoyable. I never found the reading to be monotonous. Unfortunately, the number of grammatical errors exceeded ten. Therefore, I give The Real Mr. Big 3 out of 4 stars. I recommended another round of editing. There was not anything that I disliked about the book.

Those who enjoy reading true crime stories or liked the Netflix series: Narcos will undoubtedly find this engaging. It is a must for readers who want to understand how drugs were smuggled from Colombia to the United Kingdom in the 1990s.

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The Real Mr. Big
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[Michelle Menezes]

This seems like an interesting read and reminds me of a similar kind of memoir I read a while ago. Your review is well written and detailed which has helped me get an idea about the book. Thank you.

[khaulah]

This seems like an interesting read and reminds me of a similar kind of memoir I read a while ago. Your review is well written and detailed which has helped me get an idea about the book. Thank you.

You're welcome @Michelle Menezes !
Thanks for stopping by

[Reader-247]

This story is fascinating to say the least, and your recommendation fits the bill:). Thanks for a brilliant review.

[khaulah]

This story is fascinating to say the least, and your recommendation fits the bill:). Thanks for a brilliant review.

You're welcome @@Reader-247 ! Thanks for stopping by