“Anti-Drug Matter” written by Deviled Tongue is a fast paced novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they follow along with police officers Preacher and Shamel. The protagonist in this book is Mstislab, the head of the Russian Mob. Mstislab has little patience; any mistake can and usually does lead to death, hence his nickname, Slab. Mstislab is an ambitious man with plans to branch out into a more lucrative field of crime. Only two people stand in his way: Shamel, an NYPD undercover narcotics officer, and his twin brother Preacher, a member of the Police Department drug enforcement team.

“Anti-Drug Matter” is a great crime novel filled with car chases, violence, shoot outs, and dramatic police action. I would consider this book Urban Fiction because of the heavy use of street language. Shamel and Preacher reminded me a bit of Starsky and Hutch. Deviled Tongue is a very talented writer; his plot could have easily been ripped from today’s headlines. The best part of this book is the recognition Deviled Tongue gives to the hard working police officers that keep us all safe.

Drug busts, car chases, murders – “Anti-Drug Matter” by Deviled Tongue has it all. It all begins with a sort of drug-deal-gone-bad. Crime boss Mstislab/Slab kills his Russian driver for screwing up his Ecstasy shipment. Then, we meet Shamel, the main character, undercover cop and member of B.L.I.N.G., Bringing Long Incarceration to Narcotics Gangs in NY City. Shamel’s family includes his mother, Georgia and his twin brother, Preacher. Both sons take after their father, Henry, a police officer killed in the line of duty. Another chapter swings into action as Preacher pursues four guys sporting backpacks and pistols coming out of the federal credit union. This fast-paced, nonfiction book deals with crime and violent subject matter. But readers will find page after page of the Deviled Tongue’s special brand of humor.

I believe the cover photo of the gun was too simplistic. However, Deviled Tongue really captured a slice of the African American lifestyle. I’m glad that amidst all the gun shots, there was a depiction of close-knit, middle-class families. The cast of characters made the story; Nova, Sequoia, Seryoga, Claudine were people you knew or had known. The author did his homework; the details of the weapons, crime scenes, a cop’s job, etc. were real. A brief “About the Author” section would have given his readers much-needed background. This was Deviled Tongue’s first book but I would like to see more of his work in the future. “Anti-Drug Matter” is highly recommended.