In The Deadbeat Club by Dietrich Kalteis the reader is immediately sweep up in the street life and developing turf wars surrounding the business of drugs. The style is sharp and quick, it almost takes the reader's breath away. For avid readers this will likely be a one or two sitting read, both the prose style and the use of short focused chapters keeps the pages turning.

The main reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is because one aspect of this delivery when there are quite a few characters is a tendency for the reader to have to pause and remember who is who. This doesn't last more than maybe a third of the book and is not a major issue. For those put off by this it could keep them from getting through the first third, which would be a shame. For those okay with it then the book is just fine. Either way, once you're hooked, you will finish.

Those who don't like the roughness of street language or the violence might want to stay away, though I think if you can bracket your discomfort you'll be rewarded with a story that is much more than just profanity and violence. For others who like crime stories this will be one you want to talk about with friends.

Reviewed from a copy made available through Goodreads First Reads. ( )