This is a gritty, kaleidoscopic portrait of 1970s Harlem, equal parts crime saga, social commentary, and character study. In this follow-up to Harlem Shuffle, Whitehead returns with a novel structured in three linked novellas, each capturing a slice of Harlem life in 1971, 1973, and 1976 through the shifting lens of former fence-turned-legit businessman Ray Carney and his loyal but volatile associate, Pepper.

What the novel does exceedingly well is atmosphere. Whitehead’s Harlem pulses with trash strikes, corruption, pop culture references, and political tension. It’s a city on the brink, simmering with decay, yet vibrant with hustlers, filmmakers, activists, and crooks, all chasing survival or reinvention. The writing is sharp and laced with sly humour, and the social critique, particularly of racism, power, and capitalism, feels both era-specific and eerily current.

The standout, arguably, is Pepper. His sections carry real bite and momentum, offering a compelling blend of menace, loyalty, and dry wit.

However, the fragmented structure means that the novel sometimes loses narrative cohesion. The emotional through-line for Carney, who is trying to walk the line between respectability and the underworld, can feel a bit muted compared to the colourful backdrop and the livelier supporting cast. The stakes, while ever-present, don’t always land with urgency.

Still, Crook Manifesto is a smart, stylish chronicle of a city and its people on the edge. It is a worthy addition to Whitehead’s genre-blending catalogue, especially for readers who enjoy noir with social weight and a wry smile.

Firstly I want to thank the publishers for allowing me to read a copy of this excellent book.
It completely captivated me from the first page to the last. I must confess I had not previously heard of this author but now I will be sure to look out for any of their future work.

I loved Harlem Shuffle and this is more of the same, without feeling like it retreads old ground. We see how Ray Carney's life continued after he tries his best to leave a life of crime, and you are totally absorbed in the Black neighbourhood of Harlem in the 1970s. He is more of a family man in these books, and I enjoyed seeing how his relationships had panned out. Well written.

A great follow on from Harlem Shuffle. The novel is broken up into three sections in the 1970's .Once again we meet the characters and players that depict the society that inhabit the brownvsandstone buildings of Harlem .I am looking forward to the third book in this trilogy.

**Thank you so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review**

Colson Whitehead is brilliant, that cannot be denied! I adored Underground Railroad and was so excited for this when I saw it was available to request.
Unfortunately, it appears I was illiterate as I didn't realise it was a sequel. I was lost and had to put the book down. Until we meet again, and until I read Harlam Shuffle, I have had to DNF.

3 Stars for being beautifully written in the pages I did read before I put it down.

I'd never read Whitehead having heard about him for years .. and, yes, all the acclaim is worth it. This is a writer with confidence and fluency .. maybe too much!! But extra verbiage, and excess well-delineated characters (and humour@) are no bad thing. I hadn't realised until I looked further that this is a sequel .. so, evidently at least for this reader, its a standalone read!! Maybe the plot winds around a lot (and sometimes I forget where we were at in the narrative sequence) but I was intrigued (even looked ahead) by all the nuances and shadings of petty, and not-so-petty crime. Recommend for sure, and now I've got a backlist to look at!!

if you like his previous books including harlem shuffle, you will love this! he continues to sharpen his craft and is excellent

Well written sequel to Harlem Shuffle, worth a read. I'm looking forward to seeing what else Colson Whitehead will write.

Crook Manifesto is an inspiring novel that I really enjoyed. It was interesting to carry on with the characters from Harlem Shuffle with the character development being impressive. The writing really transported me to New York. An interesting and captivating read.

I don’t know how he does it but each book just gets better. There is no subject matter that Whitehead cannot bring to life in his inimitable, vivid way. I loved every page.

A great follow on from Harlem Shuffle, looking forward to whatever Whitehead has in store for us next!

After Harlem Shuffle, we follow Ray Carney into the Harlem of the 1970s. The furniture business is booming and Carney has gone legit, extricating himself from his days as a fence.

However, Carney discovers that escaping a life of crime is not that easy and finds himself in some frightening and life-threatening situations. The middle section of the story shifts focus to Pepper, a long time friend and associate of Carney’s father.

Three stories in one, all equally satisfying and a definite improvement on its predecessor.

A very enjoyable novel set in the seamy underside of 1970s Harlem. Brilliantly depicted characters, clever plotting. Colson Whitehead's writing style is very entertaining, a humorous slant even when dealing with the spectrum of crime. Someone must be wanting to film this book! Now I have to read Harlem Shuffle...

Crook Manifesto" by Colson Whitehead

Carney is a furniture salesman in 60s Harlem and he falls back into the criminal world when he tries to secure some tickets to the sold-out Jackson Five concert for his daughter.

I really enjoyed Colson Whitehead's previous books and was so excited to be approved for this one on @netgalley. I really enjoyed the first two sections of the book and I loved the character of Pepper. Tbere was quite a lot of violence in these sections too which made me cringe a bit when reading some of the evey descriptive writing! I found that the last few chapters lagged a little and I just wanted to get to the end of the book. This is the second in a trilogy but I don't think I'll be reading the third installment.

I had not read and Colson White, but saw his name in the same frame as Amor Towles, whose work I do enjoy. I am very pleased that I decided to read this book, especially as it is not the normal type of subject matter that would usually appeal to me. I think it is the first time I have read about Harlem criminals and life in the 1970s New York black community.

It is a triumph of writing. I had wondered if it would be heavy, difficult or intimidating as the author is so renowned, but it is written superbly well and engages from the beginning. Despite the sometimes shocking backdrop of criminality and political corruption, there is humour and love in the story. The reader cannot help but feel what Ray feels as he navigates what life throws at him.

Highly recommended.

This is the second book in the author’s Ray Carney series, and in my opinion, you don’t necessarily need to have read the first book to dive right into this one.

The series unfolds against the backdrop of Harlem in the early 1970s, a gritty, grimy, and somewhat shady setting. Within this vibrant yet tumultuous world, the novel introduces us to a cast of characters, all navigating their way through a fiery landscape teeming with drama, love, and the struggle for survival.

Reading a Whitehead novel is like embarking on a unique journey. His books straddle the line between fiction and non-fiction, as they are brimming with a wealth of historical and cultural references. He crafts a world that truly stands apart, immersing you in the streets of 1970s Harlem.

However, I must admit that I faced a challenge with the abundance of historical context. At times, I found myself absorbed in the world itself, somewhat to the detriment of the characters. I did crave a bit more emphasis on plot and a tad less on backstory.

3.5 stars rounded unto 4!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I requested this ARC I didn't realise this was book 2 in a planned trilogy, since my reading list is already out of control it is unlikely I can read book 1 & then this one to review any time soon. Hopefully I can do so in the not too distant future.

Since I thoroughly enjoyed reading Underground Railroad I will give star rating based on that.

This is the sequel to the authors book Harlem Shuffle which I haven't read but Crook Manifesto does work as a stand alone.
I love New York and will always be drawn to books set there and really enjoyed getting a glimpse of life there in the 70s, this is full of interesting colorful characters, its quiet dark and violent at times as the author delves into the hardships and corruption of that time in New York.
I'm definitely going to go back and read Harlem Shuffle and look forward to the planned third installment.

The sequel to Harlem Shuffle this is an excellent read with an array of larger than life characters, excellent writing and a storyline that makes this book very difficult to put down. Hopefully there’s a part three in the works.

I requested this book from Netgalley, as I’d read Nickel Boys from the author and loved it. I tried a second book, Harlem Shuffle and I did not finish it. I was hoping this boom would bring me back to the Nickel Boys enjoyment. I also had an audio version and switched a bit between the two. But no matter what way I tried it, I couldn’t get it. I got lost with all the characters, couldn’t figure out what was happening and didn’t gel with any of the characters. I know other people have loved it, but I won’t be hanging around for Carney book 3. I do love how atmospheric Whitehead is in his writing, and this has stood out for me in all his books, you really feel immersed in Harlem in this book. Thanks to Little, Brown Book Group Uk. @littlebrownbookgroup_uk