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Falling Into the Mob
At fifty-nine, facing a dull and lonely future, Phillip Vail yearns for a way to put vigor and purpose into his remaining years. Then he finds the Mafia.
While riding a commuter train, enjoying a chat with a younger woman sitting next to him, he encounters three violent drunks. Phil is powerless and terrified but the woman is neither; her father is the caporegime of New York's Sforza crime family and a quick call brings her three mobster brothers who deal out brutal punishment. Phil is appalled but fascinated. In subsequent contacts with the woman, he finds himself falling in love and deeper into the Mob. Then comes the game-changer: a crazy-seeming offer to become a crime boss himself, an offer he cannot refuse.
Phil sees the dark comedy in his situation but tells the story earnestly describing his emotions, reflections, and surprising leadership, As well as his adventures--including a sensational brawl with a Mafia kingpin in a posh Manhattan restaurant, a near-death experience in a karate dojo, and a spectacular stunt to force the hand of the FBI.
Meanwhile, his respectable life intrudes. An ex-client, the retired CEO of a blue-chip corporation, decides to run for president, with Phil as a key member of his staff. He must now find his way between two preposterously conflicting purposes: leading a crime family or serving a potential president. Which is more worthy of his allegiance? Which offers a better life?
While riding a commuter train, enjoying a chat with a younger woman sitting next to him, he encounters three violent drunks. Phil is powerless and terrified but the woman is neither; her father is the caporegime of New York's Sforza crime family and a quick call brings her three mobster brothers who deal out brutal punishment. Phil is appalled but fascinated. In subsequent contacts with the woman, he finds himself falling in love and deeper into the Mob. Then comes the game-changer: a crazy-seeming offer to become a crime boss himself, an offer he cannot refuse.
Phil sees the dark comedy in his situation but tells the story earnestly describing his emotions, reflections, and surprising leadership, As well as his adventures--including a sensational brawl with a Mafia kingpin in a posh Manhattan restaurant, a near-death experience in a karate dojo, and a spectacular stunt to force the hand of the FBI.
Meanwhile, his respectable life intrudes. An ex-client, the retired CEO of a blue-chip corporation, decides to run for president, with Phil as a key member of his staff. He must now find his way between two preposterously conflicting purposes: leading a crime family or serving a potential president. Which is more worthy of his allegiance? Which offers a better life?
319 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2017
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218 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 22, 2017
This was a fun read!
December 21, 2016
From the publisher: At 59, facing a dull and lonely future, Phil Vail yearns for a way to put vigor and purpose into his remaining years. Then he finds the Mafia. He is riding a commuter train, enjoying a chat with the younger woman sitting next to him when they encounter three drunks threatening violence and rape. Phil is powerless and terrified but the woman is neither: her father is the caporegime of New York’s Sforza crime family and a cell call brings her three mobster brothers who deal out brutal punishment. Phil is appalled but fascinated. In subsequent contacts with the woman he finds himself falling in love and his fall takes him deeper into the Mob. Then comes the game changer: a crazy-seeming offer to become a crime boss himself, an offer he cannot refuse. Phil sees the dark comedy in his situation but tells the story earnestly in a first-person account describing his emotions, reflections and surprising leadership as well as adventures including a sensational brawl with a Mafia kingpin in a posh Manhattan restaurant, a near-death experience in a karate dojo, and a spectacular stunt to force the hand of the FBI.
This novel had me hooked from the first page, something that seldom happens, I must admit, But the opening scene, which has our protagonist falling in love and falling into the mob in quick succession, is written in so engaging a fashion that it has the reader swiftly engaged in the tale.
Phil, divorced for 3 tears and with a 26-year-old son, is 20 years older than Sylvia, the woman who entrances him immediately. A former client, who also was his last-remaining client, decides he wants to run for the presidency of the US. His description in this regard may sound familiar to many: “He had no elected-office experience, no campaign experience, no voter constituency, and no political agenda.’ The author also speaks of a high-lever meeting which takes place in a venue whose guests include “a celebrity real estate mogul who pushed to the front eager for camera time,” a description which might also sound familiar.
Our protagonist muses that he “was finally getting the hang of gangster rock ‘n’ roll.” The novel references writings and writers including John LeCarre and William Shakespeare, just an example of the erudition and simply wonderful writing found here. A very fast and terrific read, the novel is highly recommended.
This novel had me hooked from the first page, something that seldom happens, I must admit, But the opening scene, which has our protagonist falling in love and falling into the mob in quick succession, is written in so engaging a fashion that it has the reader swiftly engaged in the tale.
Phil, divorced for 3 tears and with a 26-year-old son, is 20 years older than Sylvia, the woman who entrances him immediately. A former client, who also was his last-remaining client, decides he wants to run for the presidency of the US. His description in this regard may sound familiar to many: “He had no elected-office experience, no campaign experience, no voter constituency, and no political agenda.’ The author also speaks of a high-lever meeting which takes place in a venue whose guests include “a celebrity real estate mogul who pushed to the front eager for camera time,” a description which might also sound familiar.
Our protagonist muses that he “was finally getting the hang of gangster rock ‘n’ roll.” The novel references writings and writers including John LeCarre and William Shakespeare, just an example of the erudition and simply wonderful writing found here. A very fast and terrific read, the novel is highly recommended.
December 9, 2016
Falling Into The Mob is fun, crazy, zany, exciting and intriguing. It’s a novel with a 59-year-old protagonist, graphic mob violence, a beautiful, intelligent love interest, big business, perfect dialog, writing and speechwriting, and possibly even some presidential influence. It’s innocent and guilty together, light and dark, humorous and scary, well-reasoned in a world of unreason, and a truly absorbing and surprising read.
The narrator is first seen running for a train. His self-deprecating humor is quickly forgiven for slowing the action down because, after all, we’ve most of us run for busses or taxis or trains, and we know how he feels. We’re happy to run along with him, until the world falls apart. Then we draw back and wonder how he’ll survive, but survive he surely will.
Sudden violence is perfectly balanced with well-wrought humor, introspection is spiced with romantic tension, and speechwriting’s lies are sprinkled with fearsome threats and promises. The voice is smooth and convincing, as is the dialog. Threats feel scarily real while something oddly surreal whispers behind them. The choice of clothes for Thanksgiving (with the mob) is as important as the choice of words for a (politician’s) speech. And the choice to love works in more than one direction.
Of course, in the end, how a speech is received is all about knowing your audience. 59-year-old Phil reads his surroundings well, most of the time. He survives the odd misstep with the help of unexpected friends, allies himself wisely, and surely will find a way to win the girl, or at least to survive. Meanwhile the reader is carried along on a ride of epic proportions, in a world as small as a city’s streets and as large as romantic redemption. Self-deprecating Phil just might have to find the strength to speak his own words, and sweetly intriguing, cleverly powerful Sylvia might achieve her dreams. But what those dreams are and who is manipulating whom—these are questions to be pondered by the reader as the action races on, so fast, so fun, and so seriously cool.
Disclosure: I was given a preview edition by the publisher and I offer my honest review.
The narrator is first seen running for a train. His self-deprecating humor is quickly forgiven for slowing the action down because, after all, we’ve most of us run for busses or taxis or trains, and we know how he feels. We’re happy to run along with him, until the world falls apart. Then we draw back and wonder how he’ll survive, but survive he surely will.
Sudden violence is perfectly balanced with well-wrought humor, introspection is spiced with romantic tension, and speechwriting’s lies are sprinkled with fearsome threats and promises. The voice is smooth and convincing, as is the dialog. Threats feel scarily real while something oddly surreal whispers behind them. The choice of clothes for Thanksgiving (with the mob) is as important as the choice of words for a (politician’s) speech. And the choice to love works in more than one direction.
Of course, in the end, how a speech is received is all about knowing your audience. 59-year-old Phil reads his surroundings well, most of the time. He survives the odd misstep with the help of unexpected friends, allies himself wisely, and surely will find a way to win the girl, or at least to survive. Meanwhile the reader is carried along on a ride of epic proportions, in a world as small as a city’s streets and as large as romantic redemption. Self-deprecating Phil just might have to find the strength to speak his own words, and sweetly intriguing, cleverly powerful Sylvia might achieve her dreams. But what those dreams are and who is manipulating whom—these are questions to be pondered by the reader as the action races on, so fast, so fun, and so seriously cool.
Disclosure: I was given a preview edition by the publisher and I offer my honest review.
February 10, 2018
The book started out amazing, I thought this would be a 5-star review for sure; however, as the story unfolded it seamed to lose steam. The first half of the story was fun, entertaining, and easy to read with a plot that made sense. As the story progressed, it became less fun and the main character behaved in a way that seamed out of character. The biggest flaw from my perspective is that the main character knew he had to make a decision between the mob and a legitimate life - he even said this in the book; however, he he continued to have a foot in both spheres, something that was out of character and made the book "good" instead of "great".
If you are looking for a light read and this book happens to fall into your lap then I would recommend it, but I wouldn't go searching for this book.
If you are looking for a light read and this book happens to fall into your lap then I would recommend it, but I wouldn't go searching for this book.
May 29, 2017
Finally! A fresh and novel concept with great writing, a well drawn cast of zany characters, and a plot that is astounding! I have not read much lately that truly made me think (Lots of Greek mythology references) and made me laugh. Sympathizing with Phil, and understanding where he is in life because I am close to that age. You don't want to be old, boring, and put out to pasture. You have a lot of thoughts on "is what I have done so far in life all there is? Was it enough?". And no one can say if they are put in the same situation as Phil they would go down the criminal road. Read this book!
September 2, 2017
-dry toast-
Writing style: careful and dry. Main character: middle-aged, careful, dry man. Love interest of main character: fantasy of a middle-aged, careful, dry man. The absurd scene when they make love for the first time was the end for me. Reading other reviews, maybe I should have stuck with it but I just couldn't.
The premise of the story sounded fun, but the reality was dry toast.
Writing style: careful and dry. Main character: middle-aged, careful, dry man. Love interest of main character: fantasy of a middle-aged, careful, dry man. The absurd scene when they make love for the first time was the end for me. Reading other reviews, maybe I should have stuck with it but I just couldn't.
The premise of the story sounded fun, but the reality was dry toast.
June 16, 2017
Excellent read!
This was a fast read and the authors use of comic relief made it a joy to read. I highly recommend this book
This was a fast read and the authors use of comic relief made it a joy to read. I highly recommend this book
January 8, 2019
A very interesting book with an incredulous plot. I really enjoyed it.
April 15, 2022
Different point of view
Interesting book to read - sort of a romance, but written from the man's point of view. I enjoyed it.
Interesting book to read - sort of a romance, but written from the man's point of view. I enjoyed it.
February 1, 2017
Falling into the Mob , looks at the life of a speechwriter facing a challenge in his life. Phil Vail, has only one client left and is searching to find meaning in the end of a career. When while trying to save a younger women from three thugs on a train, suddenly the women's brothers appear from nowhere, he finds himself a witness to their beating. With a hijacking to remove him and the mystery women from the scene, Phil starts to discover a Family Connection to organized crime.
Falling for each other, Phil struggles to maintain an identity of being a good citizen, and saving his friend, and her brothers, from criminal charges. Phil's life now leads to being a presidential campaign writer, or a mob capo, involved with a Mafia Princess he has fallen in love.
Steve Zousmer's book, Falling into the Mob, is a journey into crime families, self-sacrifice, love, and the choice of dealing two very different careers. Well written with a slew of casts, a page turner you don't want to peek at the ending.
Falling for each other, Phil struggles to maintain an identity of being a good citizen, and saving his friend, and her brothers, from criminal charges. Phil's life now leads to being a presidential campaign writer, or a mob capo, involved with a Mafia Princess he has fallen in love.
Steve Zousmer's book, Falling into the Mob, is a journey into crime families, self-sacrifice, love, and the choice of dealing two very different careers. Well written with a slew of casts, a page turner you don't want to peek at the ending.
February 10, 2017
I will just cut right to the chase with this one... I LOVED IT! This is a well written Mob novel that keeps you wanting more by the turn of every page. I could not say it any better than all the other 5 Star reviews, which are all right on target. I won this great book on GoodReads and like I do with most my wins I will be paying it forward by giving my win either to a friend or library to enjoy.
Read
February 3, 2017I want to be a gangster! A former speech writer gets involved with a mafia bosses daughter and become a mafia boss himself. He learns how to manipulate the cops, the FBI and the other mob bosses. A great story about a culture I know nothing about. I recommend this book to all gangster wannabes and those who like fast action stories. I still want to be a gangster. I received this book from Goodreads for free.
Want to read
July 28, 2017Booklist PW
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews