Customer Reviews

Race Traitors

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Chicago is being overrun with gangs and they are fighting each other; it's
the Blackstone Rangers against the Devil's Disciples. The homicide rate is
climbing and the victims are black males between the ages of 15 and 24.
Detectives Aristotle Ashford and Myles Sivad are on the job with the Gang
Intelligence Unit. Myles is a bit upset with his partner, Aristotle, also
known as DoubleA, for his seeming hatred of young black men but as they get
deeper into gang territory and more and more young men die, Myles has his
own problems with the job. Will he be forced to break the law to enforce the
law? Eventually, because of their ability to bring gang members to justice,
Myles and DoubleA become targets.

Mark Davis has created a real thriller in RACE TRAITORS. It has suspense,
romance, tension and some interesting political views. It is easy to
identify with Myles and his partner as they travel through the ghettos and
the police stations. It shouts for a sequel. It was a very interesting read
and those who love mysteries will find it very appealing.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

An extremely exciting and suspenseful novel. This book has it all: tension, complex characters, sex, violence, and a moving plot. What really makes this book stand out is the way it is guided by music--Jazz music. The infusion of jazz, which becomes a character itself, is a delightful force in the book. Davis' insights into police procedures seem genuine and authentic--as does his understanding and explanations of gang life. Moreover, his development of the characters' battle with morality and justice--of being true to their people while being officers of the law--make this an experience where you'll find yourself rereading pages. All of this is coupled with Davis' obvious flare for humor and dead-on Chicago lingo. At times, the book serves as a history map of Chicago's South Side and its people. This was a really enjoyable book. I can't wait to read the next one. I look forward to this author becoming a mainstay in this genre.

Race Traitors explores in-depth the tragedy of black on black crime. The author catapults the reader into the historic reality of gang violence on the south side of Chicago in the 70's. His fictionalized account of the epidemic illustrates the effects of gang warfare on the family unit, community and law enforcement. Mark Davis has created believable characters whom the reader can agonize and evolve with, and most importantly in the end triumph with.

Race Traitors is a must read. It explores the Chicago Police Department and the depths of crime, gangs, and violence on the south side of Chicago. Mark Davis has done an excellent job bringing the main characters to life. I enjoyed the smooth traits of Double A and Myles Sivad. These two partners made a great team. This book definitely commands your attention and if you are a true native of the South Side of Chicago then you will be able to relate to gangs and crime in the 70's.

Race Traitors is a fresh, suspenseful, crime-drama which compellingly depicts gang warfare in 1970 Chicago. This book commands your attention from the first page to the final page!

The main characters are brought to life as you experience the story through their perspectives. Their lives are intricately paralleled as they attempt to carry out their jobs and a "precarious mission" to solve the treacherous gang crimes that had overwhelmed the black communities on the Southside of Chicago.

I particularly enjoyed the intimate development of the female characters. The writer masterfully demonstrated his ability to create characters that are emotional and purposeful.

This book is highly recommended!

Compelling quick-read about real-life experiences in the Chicago Police Department. Tough and tender; sad and, at times, sweet story of a young detective, Myles Savid, as he grew under the tutelage of his partner, Detective "DoubleA." Chicago's gang warfare, its participants and its victims, create the setting. Learn why the city's approach to the problem exacerbated rather than eradicated the problem.

For anyone familiar with this chapter of the Chicago Police Department, you'll recognize the slightly revised names of many of the important "players" of the era from the superintendent on down.

Race Traitors re-creates the action in a way that gives the reader the feel of riding shotgun with these two detectives.

Having grown up in the James Bond era I found the book to be a roller coaster ride of James Bond proportions. It kept me engaged and up late for a couple of nights because I didn't want to put it down. It makes you want to move. For those of us in the chicago area it brings to life experiences and smells and sounds of days past. It awakens the senses. Whether you lived in the communtiy or not, as an african american from chicago you can relate and you were effected by the events of the 70's in chicago.This book tells a story worth experiencing through the vivid visual images conjured up by the author.

In the 1970's, Don Cornelius, the host of a very popular dance show called Soul Train, and a former policeman himself, ended every episode of the program with the optimistic words, "Peace, Love and Soul". On the streets of Southside Chicago, however, there was anything but peace and love. The Black Stone Rangers street gang, still in its infancy, had a stranglehold on the black community. Extortion, drugs and shootings permeated the fabric of everyday life in the black community. The leading cause of death for black males between the ages of 18-25 was murder. And there were more murders in any given year than had occurred during the entire Al Capone era.
Mark Davis does an outstanding job reconsturcting the era and giving us some insight as to what it was like for a working black policeman. Not the hollywood, rebellious, anti-establishment black policeman stereotype, just a hard working stiff trying his best to do the right thing for the right reasons. A guy who has to endure the dichotomy of sometimes being called an "Uncle Tom" by the community he loves while still not being fully accepted by his white brothers in blue. Mark Davis walked that walk, talked that talk, and now, wrote that book. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of "Race Traitors". Peace, Love and Soul.

Being a Investigator for over 10 years its about time that a book has looked into the real thoughts and life of a detective instead of another shoot em up. The author gave his charecters real thoughts,feelings and basscally realistic dialouge.About time not only the sensational story of the investigation was told..but the effects that it has on the investigators themselves .refreshing.The book as compelling and demanded the reader to continue reading.For a change the human side of investigators was told.Can't wait for the continuation of this book,the author can't leave us hangng like this! The book was tech. correct both in its description of locations and the tech information concerning the crimes themselves was flawless,I should know!The personal life of the detectives as explored
in a very insiteful way with out becomming a baby moma daddy drama opra wndfrey hug a tree counsel session.This was not a soap opra this was realism accurately depicted.This book also was interesting in its study into the social study aspect of the times...without becomming a dry text book pulpit preaching look at the wrong the world does to create it own monster platform that would have turned off any reader. Obviously there was intensive reasearch done. The struggles the detectives had with their relationships,alcohalism,sleepnessdays,frusrtation with the legal system,prior emotional baggage(pre -cop),were all explored and the author did it in such a way not to debase his charectors. I cannot accurately describe in writing the proper accolades this book deserves if there is any book that needs reading this would be it!