Bloodline
New York City in the 1920s: a time when La Costra Nostra is just beginning to evolve and their influence is felt in every section of the city. The story of the Mob’s start is told through an immigrant family named the Falcones. The father, Tony, is a cop with an impeccable reputation. His two sons, Tommy and Mario, choose to follow his lead in helping others. One becomes a policeman and the other becomes a priest. Their sister, Tina, is a gifted singer but with no money to enroll in music classes. Then their cousin, Nilo, arrives from Sicily with a sordid past, and quickly becomes ensnared in the allure of becoming an American gangster.
As the plot unfolds, Nilo willingly dives into the shady world of the Mob yet still yearns for respect from the Falcones. As he gives in to his violent side, his criminal deeds fuel the start of a vicious gang war in which criminals like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano suddenly appear in New York City. The Falcones suspect Nilo’s criminal involvement but try to stay neutral until the day comes when that is no longer possible.
This is a fast-paced story with each chapter pulling the reader in more deeply. I especially liked how the author ended the chapters with italicized notes of the real current events happening in New York at that exact time. This was a great read.
