Unique Gritty Mob Fiction

This book surprised me. It was offered for free as part of the 'Plus' catalogue and showed up on my "Recommended" list. The reviews are decent and the sample sounded good, so I gave it a chance. I am ecstatic that I discovered this gem.
Tod Goldberg put together a captivating, clever story about a Chicago hitman who kills three FBI Agents and is "sold" to a Las Vegas gangster to get him out of the way. The hitman ('Sal Cupertino') is given plastic surgery and trained to pose as a believable Rabbi ('David Cohen') to help set up an elaborate scheme to "launder" mob bodies (while actually learning how to help people from his synagogue). Simultaneously, Goldberg follows a pair of FBI Agents conducting a convincing investigation to track Sal down and exact revenge. When the two plot-threads meet, it's markedly anticlimactic.. but incredibly true-to-life.
The criminal activity is well-conceived & realistic (the murders are gut-punch affecting, for instance), the characters feel authentic (whether unscrupulous hitmen, hardened LEOs, or honest practicing Jews), the dialogue is relatable (including extremely natural-sounding expletives), and the plot is sinuous (unpredictably twisty and filled with unexpected deaths).
Goldberg furthermore displays skills as an author by employing a fascinating technique: the Sal Cupertino parts are told from the First-Person perspective, but after his "conversion" into David Cohen, Goldberg switches to Third-Person to underline the difference. It's amazingly effective.

Additionally in this audiobook's favor: Johnny Heller's performance is among the best that I have heard in a long time. Heller's diction, timbre, cadence, and voice-acting are superlative. Most impressive, however, is his tone - gritty, emotive, and a balance of sombre, sardonic, and matter-of-fact that matches the text perfectly. It's an exemplary read.

This engrossing Crime Fiction novel (using a clever "identity-change" plot device) occurs in a truly original setting: a wealthy Jewish community in Nevada. Goldberg's vision is told with brilliant story-crafting and performed nearly flawlessly. I give this book 9 stars out of 10 (points lost for the disappointing climax).

[To be honest, I wasn't intending on reading the sequel to this book when I got it. I was simply going to listen to 'Gangsterland' and leave it in my library.. but it won me over. In fact, I decided to download Book Two ('Gangster Nation') by the time Chapter Three was done. The premise, characters, and writing are legitimately captivating]

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New reader of Tod Goldberg

I could not stop listening. What a bizarre plot in which the author made every character a real and believable person. This was an education into dark and light places and individuals. Is anyone purely good or evil or do people just DO good or evil things? I am hooked. On to the next Tod Goldberg book. Thank you so much for having opened my eyes.

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1 person found this helpful

Engaging

That was kinda good,,, had an unexpected ending, which, I found to be a plus...Speaking of that,, I got it out of the plus catalog,, and if I had got it for the price of a credit,, I would not have felt cheated.

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A wonderful surprize

I was trying new authors and this was a bit out of my wheelhouse but thoroughly enjoyed both the story and the narration. Some humour amidst the gangster story line. Give it a try.

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Story had credibility issues

Had to imagine the lead character had to take up a new life as a rabbi in Las Vegas. Also would have preferred a more finite ending.

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