AC

AC, short for Atlantic City, is a mystery novel written by Alan Lieberman.  The author is a friend of a very good friend of mine, so when he recommended the book I jumped right in.  But I must say that because of the current situation with Black Lives Matter and all the recognition of inherent racism in this country I had trouble enjoying this book and I find it hard to recommend it to others.

I  understand totally that the author is trying to write with a flavor that reflects the time period he is writing about.  I understand completely that that may have been the way people of a certain social and economic group spoke in the '60s and '70s and that he is setting an atmosphere and creating the characters that would be realistic to that situation, but it is still very uncomfortable to read now.

I grew up in Northern New Jersey, we visited relatives in Atlantic City every spring and summer.
I loved driving to Atlantic City and the smell of brackish water as you came over the last bridge that said you had arrived at your destination.  We would walk along the boardwalk and visit Mr Peanut, James Salt Water Taffy, Nathans and the Steel Pier.  We would watch the rolling chairs and rent bicycles to ride.  We would see the Jitneys and visit the Knife and Fork and Hackneys, our favorite restaurants. 

As yo can see I have wonderful fond memories of Atlantic City and was very sad to see it change into the casino capitol of NJ.  So I guess was Alan Lieberman.  This book is all about growing up on the boards and on the streets made famous by the game of Monopoly and what happened when the crime families and other greedy politicians took over and ruined a beautiful seaside city with racketeering .

This is a mystery about a young man named Jake Harris who falls in love with the sister of the gang leader, Michelle.  Her brother Joey Nardo is the leader of the pack of guys they spend their summer nights with.  As they all grow up and follow different paths, with Joey now in jail and Jake a local police detective, and other members of the gang part of the corruption that is happening to Atlantic City.  When an old murder is uncovered while excavating for a new hotel, Jake starts to uncover some the secrets from his last summer before going to college. 

This is a coming of age story about true love and also about who has your back and who you need to protect.  So if you can get past some of the rough speech and want a trip down memory lane or want to learn a little about what happened to Atlantic City... read this book.