IR VERDICT:
THE ALCATRAZ OPTION is a masterly crafted cartel thriller set after the dethroning of El Chapo when an unknown cattle rancher picks up the keys to Guzmán’s empire. The novel follows the rise of Hector Morales from awkward teenager to kingpin where the threat of digitalized drugs, betrayal and an all-consuming addiction of his own might just be his undoing. Using the premise and moral dilemmas of fringe science, Jay Belger repackages the traditional mob boss tale and gives it a refreshing sci-fi twist, while still staying true to the unfathomable and unyielding nature of cartel law.