Headley's debut is more interesting for its portrayal of London's Jamaican immigrant criminal subculture than it's straightforward tale of the rise and fall of one hood. Basically if you've seen "Scarface," you'll know the story. Headley's authentic vision of the milieu, with vivid descriptions of the role of music and food in the immigrant community, is what makes it worth reading. The thick Jamaican patois gets a little hard to follow at times, but it's no harder than "Trainspotting," once you get used to it. Other than the descriptive element, the writing and plotting is extremely elementary.

I read this book under recomendation from a freind. The tale is particularly unoriginal, but moves at a fair old lick which makes up for it. The characters are also from the old-skool similar to the italian and cuban style of hardnut gangsta. Being a Londoner i am more empathatic to the story but the style of writing is pretty poor. The other two books also follow in his gangsta antics with the typical shootout at the end! If you want to read a real yardie book then "The Harder They Come" is the one for you. END

This is one of the most vivid books ive read. Perhaps it wass because i had been there (lived the yardie story) and done that. But this book really came alive for me, and I was unable to put it down. I literally read the entire book, in maybe 3 or 4 sitting during one particularly cold winter in London. Would-be movie producers need to take a serious look at this novel.