You Get What You Pay For

Tony Casella #2

by Larry Beinhart

Probes the world of shady construction, real estate deals, and murder as private investigator Tony Cassella uncovers the murky past of the nation's attorney general

Genres: Crime, Mystery

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Larry Beinhart is an Edgar Award-winning author whose American Hero became the movie Wag the Dog."

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many things in life, I am reading this series of three “detective” novels backwards. I began with the excellent Foreign Exchange. Although it did make a decent standalone novel, there were several hooks back into this novel and its still-unread predecessor.

You Get What You Pay For is fairly straight-ahead American Mystery Fiction. There is a PI; there is his mentor/partner and a rich ensemble of supporting villains, corrupt politicians, friends, and lovers. Because it’s set in New York and the protagonist is Italian-American, we have the building trade, then politicos, and the Mafia involved, also. Because it’s Larry Beinhart writing, there is pointed (perhaps even scathing) satire of our elected officials and their cadre.

Set in 1984-85 although written a bit later, it wraps its plot into the Regan White House and the levers of power during his “Morning In American” feel-good nation gloss. Since these critically-acclaimed early novels did not sell as well as the author and his publisher would have hoped for, Mr. Beinhart moved on to books that are centered on their socio-political “messages” and greater acceptance and fame. Like many others I hope that he might return to his “roots” and give us one or two more entries in this series.

It’s a fast read full of fast action (much of it directed against the protagonist) and lots of sub-plot details. It does get tied back together pretty nicely by the final chapter and that sets us up for the aforementioned “Foreign Exchange”. It’s not a 4-star book, but it is a solid 3-3.5.

I hope to read the opening volume No One Rides For Free before too long.

[Marti · Rating 2 out of 5]

having tried 'a tony cassella mystery' as this one was subtitled, i feel that i don't have to read another one. the book was interesting, then banal, then incredible, but i liked the character of the dog, mario cuomo, who deserved better treatment than he got. this was a book that i kept in a drawer in the bathroom to read during my 20 minute soaks, with the exception of the final pages which i just wanted to complete, so i can find a better book to read.

[Brandalyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't particularly fond of the style of writing. While the subject was somewhat interesting, there was a lot of language and some explicit content that I could have done without.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a trip to read, politics, extortion and all. The author's style is not easy, but the main character is funny in a Woody Allen way.