Christopher Johnson’s life is privileged in every aspect. He attends an exclusive boarding school, drives an expensive car, wears the latest styles and vacations often in exotic locations. Christopher is smart, handsome, well spoken and liked by everyone that meets him. When he decides to leave his upscale boarding school and attend the local high school near his home, he quickly forms a friendship and special bond with Tony Pagliano Jr.

Born as underworld royalty, Tony Pagliano Jr.’s life appeared pre-ordained. Like many fathers, Big Tony had lofty aspirations for his only son. Aspirations that included succession in the “Family” business. A lifetime sentence by the Feds ensured that Jr. was Big Tony’s last chance to cement a legacy and remain connected.

The depth and sincerity of the boys’ bond draws in everyone they encounter; everyone except for the Paglianos. The friendship and the disapproval of letting in someone not only an outsider but deemed less in pedigree to the Sicilian bloodline, tested the boundaries of loyalty in family versus friendship.

Part of a trilogy, "Thicker Than Blood" is Richard Ray's first novel. The gripping tale of commercial fiction follows the parallel, yet divergent lives of Tony and Christopher and their attempts to maintain a true friendship amongst societal and familial pressures while surrounded by an atmosphere best described as “The Sopranos” meets “The American Gangster.”