Crook Manifesto

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Colson Whitehead continues his Harlem saga, capturing the seedy glory of 1970s New York. In 1971, with crime soaring and the city on the brink of bankruptcy, furniture store owner Ray Carney attempts to maintain a low profile and a thriving business. Having left his past of dealing in stolen goods behind, Carney's resolve is tested when he seeks Jackson 5 tickets for his daughter May and turns to his old police contact, Munson. However, Munson's demands complicate Carney's efforts to stay out of trouble, leading him into a dangerous game. By 1973, the counter-culture movement has reshaped society, but Carney's violent partner, Pepper, remains a constant. As assembling a reliable crew for various criminal activities becomes increasingly difficult, Pepper takes a side job providing security for a Blaxploitation film shoot in Harlem. This venture introduces him to a bizarre mix of Hollywood stars, comedians, and drug dealers, alongside familiar hustlers and mobsters who underestimate his experience. In 1976, as Harlem faces rampant fires and the nation prepares for Bicentennial celebrations, Carney grapples with a July 4th advertisement while his wife Elizabeth supports her friend, a rising politician. When a fire injures one of Carney's tenants, he recruits Pepper to investigate the cause, leading them through a decaying city rife with corruption and violence.