Overview

When justice fails, the fight begins. Exiled boxer Marco Carreira thought he'd left Montreal behind for good. Rebuilding his life in Havana, far from the city that let his son's killer walk free, he wants distance. Then a Mexican cartel pulls him back with a job that's supposed to be simple. Clean. Fast. But it never is. Meanwhile, undercover cop Valérie Rochefort is fighting to dismantle Montreal's criminal networks from the inside, just as her teenage daughter vanishes into the night. When she finds out a cartel has crossed the border, a name from her past resurfaces: Marco Carreira. As Marco races to finish the job and Valérie searches for her daughter, their paths collide in the city's darkest corners. What they uncover leads them into the heart of a system where judges, prosecutors, and criminals sit at the same table. To survive, they'll have to choose: the law, or what's right. Gloves Off is a gritty, emotional noir thriller about two broken souls and the cost of fighting back for those you love when the system itself is the enemy. Set against the electric backdrop of Montreal and Havana, in the tradition of Stieg Larsson, Michael Connelly, and Dennis Lehane. It was written by someone who knows exactly what it costs to fight a broken system. In 2017, Johan survived a violent murder attempt that left him in a wheelchair. While his attacker walked away practically free, he rebuilt his career, returned to running 365 days a year, earned a Cannes Lion and a Grand Clio Award, and fought for justice for over six years, including three in the Quebec Superior Court. Gloves Off isn't inspired by the justice system. It was written inside it.

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9781067398323

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Reviews

""One of the most powerful and impactful books of the year."" - ★★★★★ Goodreads ""Prose that is incredibly sharp, cinematic, and unflinching."" - ★★★★★ Goodreads ""It would make a blockbuster of a movie."" - ★★★★★ Goodreads ""So gripping I didn't want it to end. Please consider turning it into a series."" - ★★★★★ Goodreads ""Gloves Off by Johan af Ström is an absolute masterpiece of modern noir, delivering a raw, white-knuckle thriller that grips you from the first page and is as impactful as a well executed uppercut. Set against the vivid and contrasting backdrops of Montreal and Havana, af Ström crafts a gritty tale of justice, survival, and pure emotional defiance. Why is this book a Must-Read? Brilliant Execution: The prose is incredibly sharp, cinematic, and unflinching, perfectly capturing the dark underbelly of a corrupt legal system. Deeply Authentic: Written by a survivor of the justice system's ultimate failures, the story carries a profound sense of truth that elevates it far above standard fiction. Compelling Characters: The emotional stakes are high, pulling readers directly into the complex minds of two broken souls forced to choose between the law and what is truly right. Unstoppable Pacing: A masterfully engineered plot that balances high-intensity action with deeply moving moments, keeping readers completely hooked. Johan af Ström's personal experiences breathe authentic life into this noir thriller, turning it into one of the most powerful and impactful books of the year. If you are looking for a story with real weight, high stakes, and unforgettable tension, preorder Gloves Off. (...) I am a professional editor, and I wouldn't change a word of this stellar novel."" - ★★★★★ Goodreads ""t was actually the back story about this book that captured my interest: the author was a victim of violent crime who rehabilitated himself after being wheelchair-bound, eventually ending up writing this debut novel. The setting in Montreal and Havana also interested me: I grew up in the former and I do not know much about the latter but would like to learn more through spending time there in my mind. I'm glad I gave this one a chance, as it's a great short read with much to recommend about it. This raw crime thriller sucked me into the story immediately, and the author weaves his own back story into his protagonist's, making him quite sympathetic as a noir anti-hero. The cop who is chasing him is also a strong character who is easy to root for. Watching their cat-and-mouse game unfold was lots of fun. I found this story compelling and easy to read, and I enjoyed learning about the underworld of both Havana and Montreal. This fast-paced thriller offers a great deal of action in and out of the boxing ring and all over the streets of both cities. I would recommend it to fans of gritty crime thrillers who enjoy debut novels with much promise."" - ★★★★★ Goodreads

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