Speaking of Rachel Holt..."She is like a hung jury all wrapped in one; filled with dogged determination to do the right thing, but wanting more than anything just to be left alone." J.Margolis

Rachel Holt returns to her childhood home in Jackson Heights Queens NY, to ready it for sale. She feels a deep gnawing pain in her gut, but continues to rifle through her recently deceased father's affects. Rachel comes across an envelope addressed to her, with a picture and note inside. 

The photo is from 1980 and it is in front of the big globe in Corona Park. Her parents always took her there to talk over things or just hang out. A place she went to immediately upon hearing of his death as if he would be there waiting to console her.

Those memories of that day fade away, and she opens the letter.

"Dearest love, I have no need to lie, I'm not married to ya... Rachel I am writing this because I fear my time is near. Yes I know I am not that old, but I somehow managed to cram 80 into 50. I write this as I live and breathe, however if you are reading it then I am long gone, no worries.

All of my life I have hated bad guys, and now that I am dead it's your turn. Look up in my attic, behind an old brown leather satchel; there is a cold case file that I have labeled No Brakes. It is a metaphor for the times of the day in 70s NYC, when our lives seemed like a runaway train with no brakes. Inside you will find five cases I could never solve before my retirement in 97.

I believe there is a common thread between them all, at least that is what I tell myself. Delusions can keep us warm I guess. Rachel you have a keen eye for the abstract, please put this to rest so that I may finally have peace. Each case comes with a brief synopsis and more of my own observations.

P.S.; Oh, Rachel if this leads to some old schmuck, now living in a retirement home somewhere in Bensonhurst show no pity. Use both barrels!! Loving you from the other side pops-“

‘This is an odd letter, never knew pops to write let alone type out a letter. How long did you know you were sick pops?' As she looks upon a distant memory, a tear rolls down her cheek.

"Once again the mind of JLN3 thrills me as he entertains my thoughts with yet another glimpse into a page turner! I'm honored to have read much of what James has to offer, and I have never been disappointed. If you want to read something that takes you to another place and time and keeps you enthralled along the way, read anything by this author!! You won't be disappointed!!" Goodreads review Trudyluvn

It is the winter of 1987, and on a lonely damp side street

in the east village, Raymond Chevis feels the cold metal

of a sawed off shot-gun placed snugly at the base of his neck.

His eyes click eagerly to the side only to see that another

shotgun is now firmly lodged in the back of his Samoan

bodyguard. Most human beings when faced with similar options,

would either be shitting or pissing in their pants. But not

Raymond,he is only consumed with the notion that he has been

set up. but by whom? And why? Have his efforts to distribute hip

hop globally come back to haunt him? His mind wanders to a

different time, and to another place in the city. He seeks a

resolution to his current dilemma in the recesses of his memory,

to his childhood in East Elmhurst Queens NY. Quickly Raymond

think back....

As his brain synopses fire, he quickly recalls a scene from his

youth. Its 1972, and his father has just been assaulted in

front of him. At the time this was a very traumatic event that

taught young Raymond a valuable lesson. "Know how to get help,

when there is none". His father’s actions on this day provided

him with a signal, which he seeks to use now. Raymond

provides the signal, that only Masons are familiar with, and

quickly the crews minder calls them off. The minder is an

associate of a crime family and a big earner for them.

Raymond knows him as Uncle Vinny, from the neighborhood. Vinny

informs Raymond that he was not "the Mark." Vinny also explains the

further orders to "Send a Violent Message" to the mark about "Growing

too Fast." Vinny and Raymond take a walk, and negotiate a price on

Raymond's future. What Vinny shares with Raymond

will cost him 50k and 10% of his next venture, but it will also

set him on a path of finding out who has set him up. The

problem? He has 72 hours to put this right. Fortunately for

Raymond, he has always had a plan b. something that he never

thought he would need to use but now is the time to put this

intricate plot in play. It starts with his best friend on earth,

whipping his ass, and a bit of technology that has yet to

emerge around the world, the compact disc.

Friends will fall, would be lovers, and snakes in the grass all

exposed. Plans turn into plots that morph into schemes which end

up in double crosses. Raymond has a riddle to solve, and it

will take most of his memories, courage, and experiences to do

so, because the Rise of the Chulo cannot be stopped.

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be” Lao Tzu

CRIME-PHYTER is a non-stop scifi trip, that spans three decades in the lives of four different people. All of whom are being manipulated towards one singular purpose, JUSTICE. 

Story 1 revolves around the discovery of a mystical plant in south America and the life of one Kieran Church. He loses his wife and son to street violence and when the court system fails to convict, he strikes out on his own. But that is not the end or beginning of Mr. Church's problems. 

Story 2 is No free rides. It begins with the savage assault on a female member of the special forces. But the perps and their protectors, did not count on the involvement of a friend of hers. His justice is swift, but it comes with a cost. 

Story 3 - I need an ALIBI, continues the story of Rachel Holt and her protector Paco, as the plant takes a full grip of both of their lives.

The final story is all about regret. It is called Not 4 Nuthin; when a reluctant arms dealer sells access and arms to terrorists that attempt to blow up the World Trade Center in 1993, he seeks not only revenge but redemption. 

The mysterious plant is highly involved in the lives of all the main characters and the stories culminate in an unlikely conclusion.

No capes, no masks, only JUSTICE