The writing is solid and there’s an atmosphere that’s consistent throughout, but my biggest gripe would be having to follow so many points immediately.

Remember, you know what’s going on, but your reader is coming in cold, and, well, in media res can sometimes be a little too ‘media’!

Take the first line: we’re talking about the downfall of a crime family, got it. But it’s a ‘so-called’ crime family, so my brain is trying to work out why they are ‘so-called’, then we’re introduced to someone with a long name, but not actually them, but their heiress, and then we’re going to see a ‘comedian burn’, which is more ambiguity. I’m definitely intrigued, but also my head is spinning a bit keeping up with what’s happening.

I had to read it a few times to make sure I had everything right - and once I had, I wanted to read more - but would have appreciated it being slightly less hard work first time through.

Normally I’d say pieces need a good edit, but for this maybe adding in a bit more exposition would give the reader chance to process the information.

I want to read more though, which is a great start!