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An Upstate New York Mafia Tale #1
For Nothing
Undercover cop Alex Vaughn goes deeper than ever into the organized crime family of Buffalo, NY. Motivated by justice and revenge, he seeks out the assassin that laid his friend, Jack, low.
Professional killer Rafael Rontego traverses the deadly politics of Buffalo's mafia underbelly. In a city whose winter can be just as deadly as those wielding power, Rontego tries to stay ahead of the game.
Their two worlds collide in this epic thriller that takes the reader on a search for self, justice, and truth.
Professional killer Rafael Rontego traverses the deadly politics of Buffalo's mafia underbelly. In a city whose winter can be just as deadly as those wielding power, Rontego tries to stay ahead of the game.
Their two worlds collide in this epic thriller that takes the reader on a search for self, justice, and truth.
300 pages, Paperback
First published May 13, 2011
230 people are currently reading
2757 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Denmon
4 books397 followersNicholas Denmon studied English at the University of Florida. He started story telling from the moment he could talk and has spent a lifetime perfecting the art.
His life has been varied, giving him no shortage of material. Some of his unique experiences include growing up with an eccentric mother, having six brothers and sisters (of which he is the middle-younger child), a perfectionist father, an evil step-mother, a college life to rival Tucker Max, and working for politicians on the Presidential as well as local stage. He has been, at times, a devout Catholic, a closet atheist, and an honorary member of the Jewish tribe.
Nick's joy of art knows little in the way of limitations, as he loves unique paintings, music, acting, film, and of course writing.
His life has been varied, giving him no shortage of material. Some of his unique experiences include growing up with an eccentric mother, having six brothers and sisters (of which he is the middle-younger child), a perfectionist father, an evil step-mother, a college life to rival Tucker Max, and working for politicians on the Presidential as well as local stage. He has been, at times, a devout Catholic, a closet atheist, and an honorary member of the Jewish tribe.
Nick's joy of art knows little in the way of limitations, as he loves unique paintings, music, acting, film, and of course writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
June 29, 2011
In truth I started to read this because a friend of a friend had wrote a novel and I wanted to show some support to an indie writer. For the price of 99 cents, buying it was a no brainer.
Initially I was overanalyzing the novel as I got started into it. I felt the first chapter was well written and intriguing enough for me to turn to the next chapter. The book took a step back shortly thereafter as there was a lack of originality and a repeat use of descriptions in the first part of the book. It was easily forgiven, again, because for a dollar I wasn't expecting a masterpiece.
As I continued to read, the story started to come alive. I found myself reading more and more with each sitting, until last night when I refused to go to bed until I finished. The plot was thickening so well that I was praying I would not be disappointed in the end, and I wasn't. The ending was not cliche, nor was it predictable.
It was a great debut novel from a promising young author. There's definately some room to grow if he wants to spin his hero into a series, but I believe any expectations will be well met.
Initially I was overanalyzing the novel as I got started into it. I felt the first chapter was well written and intriguing enough for me to turn to the next chapter. The book took a step back shortly thereafter as there was a lack of originality and a repeat use of descriptions in the first part of the book. It was easily forgiven, again, because for a dollar I wasn't expecting a masterpiece.
As I continued to read, the story started to come alive. I found myself reading more and more with each sitting, until last night when I refused to go to bed until I finished. The plot was thickening so well that I was praying I would not be disappointed in the end, and I wasn't. The ending was not cliche, nor was it predictable.
It was a great debut novel from a promising young author. There's definately some room to grow if he wants to spin his hero into a series, but I believe any expectations will be well met.
July 8, 2011
69p ... thought I'd give it a go !
So glad I did ... An absolute steal. Brilliant. I loved it. Definitely want a sequel !
Such a professional editing job too as for 69p you usually find an appalling edited ebook but this was flawless to my memory.
So glad I did ... An absolute steal. Brilliant. I loved it. Definitely want a sequel !
Such a professional editing job too as for 69p you usually find an appalling edited ebook but this was flawless to my memory.
June 13, 2011
This ain't negotiation time. This is Scarface, final scene, fuckin' bazookas under each arm, 'say hello to my little friend! ~Christopher Moltisanti, The Sopranos
Alex Vaughn's colleague and friend, Jack, calls him up asking for some backup with an undercover meet, Alex is a bit nervous with Jack's secrecy, but he went along anyway. He went along and he watched his friend get killed. With justice and revenge as a motivating factor, New York City cop, Alex Vaughn, goes back undercover, as Victor Garducci, to find the man responsible for Jack's death.
Hired assassin Rafael Rontego does his best to stay ahead of and out of the way of the war that is brewing within the mafia underbelly. His most recent hit, a seeming successful operation, sets in motion a series of events that could end up disrupting this plan and put him right in the middle of the war.
I have always been a fan of Mafia movies/shows, yet have read very few mafia based books. Nicholas Denmon's For Nothing captured me from the amazingly descriptive opening chapter. It is a tale I am thrilled to have gotten a chance to read. It captivated me. It sent shivers down my spine. It made me look over my shoulder to see if Silvio Dante was sneaking up ready to take me out.
The characters in For Nothing are so descriptive and intriguing that I even had a difficult time disliking the assassin. Rafael is the bad guy. I'm not supposed to like him or want him to prevail in getting away with murder, but I couldn't help it. There were many times when I found myself trying to will Rontego to go a different direction so he would not walk into any danger.
Denmon's For Nothing is a fantastic story that I highly suggest for fans of mafia based thriller/mysteries or those who just like a really good story.
Alex Vaughn's colleague and friend, Jack, calls him up asking for some backup with an undercover meet, Alex is a bit nervous with Jack's secrecy, but he went along anyway. He went along and he watched his friend get killed. With justice and revenge as a motivating factor, New York City cop, Alex Vaughn, goes back undercover, as Victor Garducci, to find the man responsible for Jack's death.
Hired assassin Rafael Rontego does his best to stay ahead of and out of the way of the war that is brewing within the mafia underbelly. His most recent hit, a seeming successful operation, sets in motion a series of events that could end up disrupting this plan and put him right in the middle of the war.
I have always been a fan of Mafia movies/shows, yet have read very few mafia based books. Nicholas Denmon's For Nothing captured me from the amazingly descriptive opening chapter. It is a tale I am thrilled to have gotten a chance to read. It captivated me. It sent shivers down my spine. It made me look over my shoulder to see if Silvio Dante was sneaking up ready to take me out.
The characters in For Nothing are so descriptive and intriguing that I even had a difficult time disliking the assassin. Rafael is the bad guy. I'm not supposed to like him or want him to prevail in getting away with murder, but I couldn't help it. There were many times when I found myself trying to will Rontego to go a different direction so he would not walk into any danger.
Denmon's For Nothing is a fantastic story that I highly suggest for fans of mafia based thriller/mysteries or those who just like a really good story.
February 21, 2012
I have to agree with the other readers who don't understand all the high reviews on Amazon.com. I had such high hopes for this book. What an awful letdown. This book is dreadful; poorly written and chock full of 1-dimensional cookie-cutter stereotypes. How bad is the writing you ask? Here are some examples:
"Sal stated it so devoid of emotion that Victor caught himself staring at the emotional gangster". So which is he - emotional or devoid of emotion?
"Depending on that, my answer depends". What?
"There's a guy who killed my best friend in Canada for crying out loud". No, he didn't kill his best friend in all of Canada, the killer is in Canada - but that's not what the sentence says.
These are the kinds of things that would drive a high school English teacher crazy. How on earth did it ever escape an editor's eye?
"Sal stated it so devoid of emotion that Victor caught himself staring at the emotional gangster". So which is he - emotional or devoid of emotion?
"Depending on that, my answer depends". What?
"There's a guy who killed my best friend in Canada for crying out loud". No, he didn't kill his best friend in all of Canada, the killer is in Canada - but that's not what the sentence says.
These are the kinds of things that would drive a high school English teacher crazy. How on earth did it ever escape an editor's eye?
August 24, 2012
I tried. Really, I tried. This book broke me.
The best thing I can say about "For Nothing" is that the machinations of the Buffalo mafia were interesting. It seems that the author has done his homework. The tone is about right, but there my praise (if you can call it that) abruptly ends.
In short: I've read this book so you won't have to. You have been warned.
The novel was written, obviously. But it was not crafted, also obviously. The characters were wooden and the prose was simply atrocious. Four or five edits later, I could see this being a good book. But the writing really got in the way of enjoying the story. The plot itself moves ahead in spite of the characters, but reading through this is like running up the side of a mountain over a half mile of scree. I know. I've done both. Neither experience was very pleasant.
The best thing I can say about "For Nothing" is that the machinations of the Buffalo mafia were interesting. It seems that the author has done his homework. The tone is about right, but there my praise (if you can call it that) abruptly ends.
In short: I've read this book so you won't have to. You have been warned.
The novel was written, obviously. But it was not crafted, also obviously. The characters were wooden and the prose was simply atrocious. Four or five edits later, I could see this being a good book. But the writing really got in the way of enjoying the story. The plot itself moves ahead in spite of the characters, but reading through this is like running up the side of a mountain over a half mile of scree. I know. I've done both. Neither experience was very pleasant.
June 6, 2011
I’ve read more than a few Mafia crime novels over the past ten years. Some of have been real duds that have fallen short of capturing the right tone for that sort of book. However, that’s not the case with Nicholas Denmon‘s For Nothing. It’s one of the best I’ve read in that genre, hands down! This story is gritty and definitely captures the tone of the Mafia world, as seen in shows like The Sopranos.
From the very first page of this novel, I was hooked! The opening scene made my jaw drop because of how descriptive it was. If future authors are looking for a shining example of how to hook a reader from the very beginning, For Nothing is a novel to look at. I’m beyond impressed with the skill this author possesses.
I must admit that while I wanted to hate the character of Rafael Rontego for being who he was, I couldn’t bring myself to. I was completely intrigued by him, and found Mr. Denmon’s depiction of him authentic and vivid. I was easily able to visualize him in my mind. In fact, I was able to visualize the entire story without much effort because of the detail included within the pages. It’s obvious Mr. Denmon did his research.
So I give For Nothing a solid five stars. I honestly cannot wait to read the next installment.
From the very first page of this novel, I was hooked! The opening scene made my jaw drop because of how descriptive it was. If future authors are looking for a shining example of how to hook a reader from the very beginning, For Nothing is a novel to look at. I’m beyond impressed with the skill this author possesses.
I must admit that while I wanted to hate the character of Rafael Rontego for being who he was, I couldn’t bring myself to. I was completely intrigued by him, and found Mr. Denmon’s depiction of him authentic and vivid. I was easily able to visualize him in my mind. In fact, I was able to visualize the entire story without much effort because of the detail included within the pages. It’s obvious Mr. Denmon did his research.
So I give For Nothing a solid five stars. I honestly cannot wait to read the next installment.
July 20, 2016
Dark and dangerous thriller:
A hard-boiled gritty thriller, vividly describing the Mafia underbelly and the fragile undercover cops that work within it.
The central core of this story is about one such undercover cop seeking revenge against the assassin that killed his best friend. But the environmental surrounding is rich with betrayal, violence, and vengeance.
In addition to Alex Vaughn’s hunt for the infamous killer, Rafael Rontego, the reader gets a fly-on-the-wall perspective of the complexities of mob rivalry. It’s an ugly story beautifully described.
Alex has given up his personal life as an undercover cop, and regrets it. Rafael’s ego pushes him slap bang in the middle of rival mob clans. Alex’s hunt for the killer of his friend achieves the same end. And both must fight for their survival – from the mob organisations, and from one another.
With crooked cops thrown in, and intense all-round rivalry, demarcation lines keep getting redrawn. Thus, trust is a rarity; Suspicion and duplicity are rife.
This is fast-paced, exciting and… a recommended read!
A hard-boiled gritty thriller, vividly describing the Mafia underbelly and the fragile undercover cops that work within it.
The central core of this story is about one such undercover cop seeking revenge against the assassin that killed his best friend. But the environmental surrounding is rich with betrayal, violence, and vengeance.
In addition to Alex Vaughn’s hunt for the infamous killer, Rafael Rontego, the reader gets a fly-on-the-wall perspective of the complexities of mob rivalry. It’s an ugly story beautifully described.
Alex has given up his personal life as an undercover cop, and regrets it. Rafael’s ego pushes him slap bang in the middle of rival mob clans. Alex’s hunt for the killer of his friend achieves the same end. And both must fight for their survival – from the mob organisations, and from one another.
With crooked cops thrown in, and intense all-round rivalry, demarcation lines keep getting redrawn. Thus, trust is a rarity; Suspicion and duplicity are rife.
This is fast-paced, exciting and… a recommended read!
August 13, 2016
I LOVED this book.
This is the first "Mafia Crime Thriller" I've ever read. Mystery, suspense, thrillers, yes, but never anything like this. Naturally, going into it, I had no idea what to expect.
I read this book on my computer. I sat down, leaning back comfortably as I prepared myself to be there for a while. I read the first three lines of the book... and I gasped. I sat up in my chair, leaned forward and with my eyes relentlessly scanned the screen for the rest of the story. It had me, and didn't let go until the end.
For Nothing is beautifully written. The atmosphere, the conditions and surroundings and senses-Denmon's descriptions are flawless. As I read, I was cold. Throughout my experience with most of this book, I clutched a blanket tight around me. (I live in Southern California, mind you.) I was shivering. I twitched. I cringed. This book got into my head. Its words deeply affected me. The feeling it ensued, a feeling of dread, an internal chill-I couldn't shake it off. Not that I wanted to. No, I just wanted to keep reading.
There has been only one other book in my experience that succeeded to do what For Nothing has done. It spun me. All the way around.
Going into it, I was with the good guy. Rooting for him. In my head praising him as he struggled through his journey to revenge.
Halfway through the book and suddenly I was with the bad guy. Not only was I with him, I was in LOVE with him. Everything about him enticed me. I wanted Rafael Rontego to prevail. And if anything happened that was even remotely against the survival of Rafael, I was upset. Angry. Suddenly I wanted revenge if anyone so much as threatened him. Through the rest of the book, Rafael Rontego was my man. He still is.
I give For Nothing the highest rating because it is as it should be. It is a crime thriller that has everything a book of this genre should have. It was cold-blooded. It was ruthless. Suspenseful. Humorous, when it needed it to be. Scary. Accurate. Intriguing. Thrilling.
This is the first "Mafia Crime Thriller" I've ever read. Mystery, suspense, thrillers, yes, but never anything like this. Naturally, going into it, I had no idea what to expect.
I read this book on my computer. I sat down, leaning back comfortably as I prepared myself to be there for a while. I read the first three lines of the book... and I gasped. I sat up in my chair, leaned forward and with my eyes relentlessly scanned the screen for the rest of the story. It had me, and didn't let go until the end.
For Nothing is beautifully written. The atmosphere, the conditions and surroundings and senses-Denmon's descriptions are flawless. As I read, I was cold. Throughout my experience with most of this book, I clutched a blanket tight around me. (I live in Southern California, mind you.) I was shivering. I twitched. I cringed. This book got into my head. Its words deeply affected me. The feeling it ensued, a feeling of dread, an internal chill-I couldn't shake it off. Not that I wanted to. No, I just wanted to keep reading.
There has been only one other book in my experience that succeeded to do what For Nothing has done. It spun me. All the way around.
Going into it, I was with the good guy. Rooting for him. In my head praising him as he struggled through his journey to revenge.
Halfway through the book and suddenly I was with the bad guy. Not only was I with him, I was in LOVE with him. Everything about him enticed me. I wanted Rafael Rontego to prevail. And if anything happened that was even remotely against the survival of Rafael, I was upset. Angry. Suddenly I wanted revenge if anyone so much as threatened him. Through the rest of the book, Rafael Rontego was my man. He still is.
I give For Nothing the highest rating because it is as it should be. It is a crime thriller that has everything a book of this genre should have. It was cold-blooded. It was ruthless. Suspenseful. Humorous, when it needed it to be. Scary. Accurate. Intriguing. Thrilling.
March 23, 2012
I bought the Kindle version of this book mainly because I live in Buffalo, NY and wanted to see how the author used our city in this book. This is normally not a genre of book I would read.
The book moved along at a nice pace and it was quite an enjoyable read. It was interesting to see the accurate description of Shea's Theatre, one of the most beautiful theatres in the US in a crime novel. It was also interesting to note that the legitimate business of one of the mob groups in this book was called Super Nova Pizza, when the reputed legit mob business in Buffalo is La Nova Pizza, the largest independent pizzeria in the US.
The story itself was well written and enjoyable and I do plan to read the next book in the series. I do not know how plausible the mob interactions and lifestyles are but they certainly seem as if they could be an accurate interpretation of the lifestyle.
The biggest problems with the book were the typographical and grammatical errors. Misplaced commas, using the word your when you mean you're and other similar errors can be quite distracting to a reader and should be caught by a good editor.
Overall, definitely an enjoyable read and one that I have already recommended to friends.
The book moved along at a nice pace and it was quite an enjoyable read. It was interesting to see the accurate description of Shea's Theatre, one of the most beautiful theatres in the US in a crime novel. It was also interesting to note that the legitimate business of one of the mob groups in this book was called Super Nova Pizza, when the reputed legit mob business in Buffalo is La Nova Pizza, the largest independent pizzeria in the US.
The story itself was well written and enjoyable and I do plan to read the next book in the series. I do not know how plausible the mob interactions and lifestyles are but they certainly seem as if they could be an accurate interpretation of the lifestyle.
The biggest problems with the book were the typographical and grammatical errors. Misplaced commas, using the word your when you mean you're and other similar errors can be quite distracting to a reader and should be caught by a good editor.
Overall, definitely an enjoyable read and one that I have already recommended to friends.
May 30, 2011
Wow for something a little different for me to read I thought this book was amazing and well written. Descriptive where I could picture each scene and kept me turning the pages as I finished the book reading only in the evenings till today I didn't want to put it down last night so I had to get back to it today and finish it before tonight! Amazing and can't wait for the next book to come out as it is I'm curious as to what the author has in mind for the second book to this amazing start of a series!
November 16, 2011
I got this book b/c it got rave reviews on Amazon. I don't get it at all. There was little to no character development, the dialogue was dry, and the plot was boring.
January 19, 2012
The title says it all. I don't know why all the other reviews were so good. This book is poorly written and the story is flat and unoriginal (as are the characters). Ugh.
February 28, 2018
Nicholas Denmon has crafted an amazing story that gives us the insight on a rough undercover cop, and a gangster just making his way through Buffalo's underbelly only looking out for himself. He keeps the reader enticed with adjectives that makes you feel like you're in the world with them. I loved the way you could see Alex slowly become twisted in his rules and the lines that must be crossed to find his best friend Jack's killer.
Alex's story is well written for the most part. I feel like the start of his side could've been better but there was a lot of back ground text needed to start him up. I felt like Denmon used his side plot with Charlotte (his ex-wife) to keep Alex down on earth and make him seem more human. I also really enjoyed just about every part with Rafeal. He was greatly written and I'm a sucker for a well-made bad guy. He truly did show the rough crime ridden underbelly of the city. I adored hearing about his activities and especially the chapter where three rival members got into his house and how he eliminated the threat was so greatly written it felt like I was watching a movie full of suspense. I would be on the edge of my seat if it was a movie during those parts.
Alex's story is split into two parts, the beginning as Alex and when he switches over to Victor Garducci. They may seem to be the same person on the outside but the author states on page 47, " The transformation was complete. Victor Garducci stared back at him from his closet. This is a great example of the power he puts in his story. You can tell that something in him changed, all he cares about is Jack's killer. Victor seems like a completely different character than Alex. You do get interesting moments of Alex shining through Victor. On pages 122-123 Victor is incapacitated and has a strange dream sequence. He envisions his ex-wife Charolette, she invites him back to her home and welcomes him open arms at times even begging him to stay. He tells her that he'll stay for the night just for her. We get to see a very soft vulnerable side of this rugged undercover cop. I love how this part resides in Alex as a character. We see that he still longs for that life with Charolette.
Jack's killer, Rafeal Rontego, is the complete opposite of Alex. He only worries about himself and just does what must be done. He's not scared of much even going as far as killing the mob boss's son (pg.67). All humanity is gone from Rafeal he's just a killer in buffalo. He's known as a shadow or ghost because of how careful he is, he never leaves a trace behind at his crime scenes. He even goes as far as to almost kill a kid who started trouble with him (142-144). Saying that he has no care for others would be an understatement, he only cares if you don’t decide to try something.
Overall, I'd give this book a 7.5 out of 10. The start was rough but if you can stick with it the story and ending is a very satisfying. It’s an above average crime thriller that I would recommend for a fun read.
Alex's story is well written for the most part. I feel like the start of his side could've been better but there was a lot of back ground text needed to start him up. I felt like Denmon used his side plot with Charlotte (his ex-wife) to keep Alex down on earth and make him seem more human. I also really enjoyed just about every part with Rafeal. He was greatly written and I'm a sucker for a well-made bad guy. He truly did show the rough crime ridden underbelly of the city. I adored hearing about his activities and especially the chapter where three rival members got into his house and how he eliminated the threat was so greatly written it felt like I was watching a movie full of suspense. I would be on the edge of my seat if it was a movie during those parts.
Alex's story is split into two parts, the beginning as Alex and when he switches over to Victor Garducci. They may seem to be the same person on the outside but the author states on page 47, " The transformation was complete. Victor Garducci stared back at him from his closet. This is a great example of the power he puts in his story. You can tell that something in him changed, all he cares about is Jack's killer. Victor seems like a completely different character than Alex. You do get interesting moments of Alex shining through Victor. On pages 122-123 Victor is incapacitated and has a strange dream sequence. He envisions his ex-wife Charolette, she invites him back to her home and welcomes him open arms at times even begging him to stay. He tells her that he'll stay for the night just for her. We get to see a very soft vulnerable side of this rugged undercover cop. I love how this part resides in Alex as a character. We see that he still longs for that life with Charolette.
Jack's killer, Rafeal Rontego, is the complete opposite of Alex. He only worries about himself and just does what must be done. He's not scared of much even going as far as killing the mob boss's son (pg.67). All humanity is gone from Rafeal he's just a killer in buffalo. He's known as a shadow or ghost because of how careful he is, he never leaves a trace behind at his crime scenes. He even goes as far as to almost kill a kid who started trouble with him (142-144). Saying that he has no care for others would be an understatement, he only cares if you don’t decide to try something.
Overall, I'd give this book a 7.5 out of 10. The start was rough but if you can stick with it the story and ending is a very satisfying. It’s an above average crime thriller that I would recommend for a fun read.
June 18, 2011
Title: For Nothing
Author: Nicholas Denmon
Genre: Fiction, Mafia Crime Thriller
Format: E-book, Paperback
ISBN-13: 978-1463567835
Alex Vaughn is a work-a-holic. He dedicates every hour of his day to bringing down the baddies, locking them up and tossing away the key. When his best friend Jack comes to him for help with a big secret meeting Alex agrees to help.
But sometimes even the best of plans get derailed.
Unfortunately, this time someone ended up dead. When Alex looked down at his friend lying on the cold, hard pavement dead there was only one thing on his mind: Vengeance. And Alex knew just how to get it.
He decides to bring back his alter ego, a slick talking gangster, to go deep undercover and flush out his best friend’s killer. Little does he know that he is searching for one of the last old school professional killers to walk the streets. A man who has honed his craft into a finely tuned skill.
The stakes are high and the time is limited. Alex has to take out this guy before his cover is blown and he’s taken down. Little does he know that the mess he will be stepping into will be the biggest of his career.
This book was a departure from the paranormal/fantasy I usually read. That’s right, folks, no werewolves in this one. But you know? That’s okay. Why? Because this book didn’t need any werewolves or supernatural elements to make it good. And it is good. It has a whole bunch of other elements that make it good. What are these elements? Read on:
1. The writing. Clearly Nicholas Denmon knows how to write a sentence. His writing style is clear and concise. His use of detail and imagery was not gratuitous but leaves the reader with a clear and vivid picture of the characters surroundings as well as everything that was happening in the story.
2. The plot. This was a very well developed plot. It had to be in order for the story to be a success. The cast of characters was pretty big, considering the mafia and gangs in this book. There were sides to keep straight and alliances to remember. In order for the reader to know precisely who was with whom a very accurate account of what was happening was essential. It was done well. The lines were clearly drawn into the sand and the reader always knew which side they were standing on.
3. The characters. Ahh, my favorite part of the book. I enjoyed all of these characters. Even the shoot ‘em up, cut off your finger, stalk you while you sleep characters. In fact, they were my favorites. Hey, even gangsta’s need love too. Each character had a place in the story and his/her involvement was always evident.
The two main characters of the story was the thing that kept me reading. I loved the dynamic between Alex and Rafael. True, the characters never really had any interaction, but the dynamic was still there. How thin the line between the law and the streets really is. If you never realized that before, you do now. The parallel between an undercover cop and an assassin in this book really struck me. They were just two guys trying to make it through the day in a dirty world. Sure, the assassin had his reasons for the life that he lived. So did the cop. But really, sometimes I wondered what made the cops any different than the people they were trying to bring down. The cops had to do things that made them just as dirty as the gangsters. So does that mean they get off free because the reasons they were doing them were in the name of the law?
That brings me to another thought. (As you can see this book really got me thinking…and now you all have to listen to me babble) The cops in this book (not all of them) turned dirty. Does that mean that the influence of unlawful behavior is addicting? Does that mean that the lure of an easy score (of cash) is too much temptation? Or maybe it means that the loyalty amongst thieves might be greater than that amongst the law upholders. It’s an interesting thought.
Anyway, back to Rafael and Alex. The book alternated between the two men. We see what Alex’s day was like and then see what the same day was like for Rafael. How closely these men’s days resembled each other. And how much their paths crossed without even recognizing the other. Frankly, the next book will be great because now they are aware of each other…now all bets are off. The ending of this book made me smile…it will probably make you smile too. If it doesn’t then that might mean that I will someday end up on the wrong side of the law…but don’t worry, if I do, you’ll likely never know. I learned a few things from old Rafael…in fact, I suddenly have an intense need to go out and buy a fedora and perch it on my head…
I saw one just the other day at Target in a lovely shade of blue.
Go out and buy this book, people. Read it. Think it. Even if this is a departure for you from your regular reads (like it was for me) you may find yourself enjoying it. There is a reason that For Nothing was nominated for Breakout Novel of 2011 by Good Reads, it deserves the nomination and any time that you have to read it.
So there you have it. My opinion.
This review is written by Cambria Hebert
Author: Nicholas Denmon
Genre: Fiction, Mafia Crime Thriller
Format: E-book, Paperback
ISBN-13: 978-1463567835
Alex Vaughn is a work-a-holic. He dedicates every hour of his day to bringing down the baddies, locking them up and tossing away the key. When his best friend Jack comes to him for help with a big secret meeting Alex agrees to help.
But sometimes even the best of plans get derailed.
Unfortunately, this time someone ended up dead. When Alex looked down at his friend lying on the cold, hard pavement dead there was only one thing on his mind: Vengeance. And Alex knew just how to get it.
He decides to bring back his alter ego, a slick talking gangster, to go deep undercover and flush out his best friend’s killer. Little does he know that he is searching for one of the last old school professional killers to walk the streets. A man who has honed his craft into a finely tuned skill.
The stakes are high and the time is limited. Alex has to take out this guy before his cover is blown and he’s taken down. Little does he know that the mess he will be stepping into will be the biggest of his career.
This book was a departure from the paranormal/fantasy I usually read. That’s right, folks, no werewolves in this one. But you know? That’s okay. Why? Because this book didn’t need any werewolves or supernatural elements to make it good. And it is good. It has a whole bunch of other elements that make it good. What are these elements? Read on:
1. The writing. Clearly Nicholas Denmon knows how to write a sentence. His writing style is clear and concise. His use of detail and imagery was not gratuitous but leaves the reader with a clear and vivid picture of the characters surroundings as well as everything that was happening in the story.
2. The plot. This was a very well developed plot. It had to be in order for the story to be a success. The cast of characters was pretty big, considering the mafia and gangs in this book. There were sides to keep straight and alliances to remember. In order for the reader to know precisely who was with whom a very accurate account of what was happening was essential. It was done well. The lines were clearly drawn into the sand and the reader always knew which side they were standing on.
3. The characters. Ahh, my favorite part of the book. I enjoyed all of these characters. Even the shoot ‘em up, cut off your finger, stalk you while you sleep characters. In fact, they were my favorites. Hey, even gangsta’s need love too. Each character had a place in the story and his/her involvement was always evident.
The two main characters of the story was the thing that kept me reading. I loved the dynamic between Alex and Rafael. True, the characters never really had any interaction, but the dynamic was still there. How thin the line between the law and the streets really is. If you never realized that before, you do now. The parallel between an undercover cop and an assassin in this book really struck me. They were just two guys trying to make it through the day in a dirty world. Sure, the assassin had his reasons for the life that he lived. So did the cop. But really, sometimes I wondered what made the cops any different than the people they were trying to bring down. The cops had to do things that made them just as dirty as the gangsters. So does that mean they get off free because the reasons they were doing them were in the name of the law?
That brings me to another thought. (As you can see this book really got me thinking…and now you all have to listen to me babble) The cops in this book (not all of them) turned dirty. Does that mean that the influence of unlawful behavior is addicting? Does that mean that the lure of an easy score (of cash) is too much temptation? Or maybe it means that the loyalty amongst thieves might be greater than that amongst the law upholders. It’s an interesting thought.
Anyway, back to Rafael and Alex. The book alternated between the two men. We see what Alex’s day was like and then see what the same day was like for Rafael. How closely these men’s days resembled each other. And how much their paths crossed without even recognizing the other. Frankly, the next book will be great because now they are aware of each other…now all bets are off. The ending of this book made me smile…it will probably make you smile too. If it doesn’t then that might mean that I will someday end up on the wrong side of the law…but don’t worry, if I do, you’ll likely never know. I learned a few things from old Rafael…in fact, I suddenly have an intense need to go out and buy a fedora and perch it on my head…
I saw one just the other day at Target in a lovely shade of blue.
Go out and buy this book, people. Read it. Think it. Even if this is a departure for you from your regular reads (like it was for me) you may find yourself enjoying it. There is a reason that For Nothing was nominated for Breakout Novel of 2011 by Good Reads, it deserves the nomination and any time that you have to read it.
So there you have it. My opinion.
This review is written by Cambria Hebert
February 3, 2018
Knowing hat tip to you, Mr. Denmon, that was an excellent work of modern noir.
October 24, 2011
A WARNING TO THE PEOPLE THAT HAVEN'T READ THIS BOOK YET: THIS REVIEW IS A LIVING SPOILER!!!
First of all, I start with saying that this isn't my usual genre. It was my first attempt to read a mafia book. Usually I try to avoid even mafia movies, though some I have seen (some bad, some good), like Donnie Brasco, it was a very good one (and Johnny Depp also got me so bad! Can you blame me for watching it?). But this book was A M A Z I N G !!! It really got me hooked and I was glued to the pages (virtual, since I was reading an epub).
My favorite character was Alex (obvious!): he also reminded me a little of Donnie Brasco/Johnny Depp. An undercover cop, pretending of being a mafioso. And I foud him sweet, determined, loyal, a good friend, good at heart... I loved him! I couldn't help but feel desperate with him when he found Jack's lifeless body... and feel so so sad for him when his wife Charlotte rejected him... and everytime he dreamed or remembered about past moments with her and their little girl Ella... it almost made me cry... (ok, I admit, once I have cried!). And then also when he thought of the times spent with Jack... I felt so sad :( And loved every desperate moment! Masochistic me, yeah, I know!
I also found myself loving some of the bad guys! I really didn't think I would have! I'm a good girl! But Sal and Jimmy weren't that bad after all... right? Oh well, doesn't matter.
It pained me, though, when Sal died. And what a death! Poor guy! Almost burned to death! It was heartbreaking when he begged Alex to shoot him. And I felt for Alex too. It showed he cared for Sal after all. Because he really wasn't that bad of a guy. It even pained me when Sal found out his son had died.
Another scene, among many, I liked was the fight that came out when the assassin, Rafael, got to Wizeguyz. God that was a hell of a bloody fight! Loved every second! Yes, I am a weird girl. So what?
About Rafael, the assassin... well, thre's so much to say, I don't know where to start and how to say it.. Some times I didn't like him, other times I thought after all he wasn't that bad... He even kinda "loved" a woman once... Maybe still loves her somehow... But he really is one of the bad, bad guys. So... not much to love about him, anyway...
The end... The end was WOW! I already knew it wasn't really the end and there's a 2nd book coming out soon. I knew it was unlikely that they caught the real assassin. But the way the assassin made clear his presence... made it clear he was still around... watching Alex and his family and his friends... I haven't seen that coming. It was unexpected. And creepy. And surprising. And amazing!
I can't wait to read the second book!
Nicholas Denmon is really an amazing writer! He always surprises me. Nothing was expected.
I enjoyed this book veeeery much!
And I recommend it to everyone!
First of all, I start with saying that this isn't my usual genre. It was my first attempt to read a mafia book. Usually I try to avoid even mafia movies, though some I have seen (some bad, some good), like Donnie Brasco, it was a very good one (and Johnny Depp also got me so bad! Can you blame me for watching it?). But this book was A M A Z I N G !!! It really got me hooked and I was glued to the pages (virtual, since I was reading an epub).
My favorite character was Alex (obvious!): he also reminded me a little of Donnie Brasco/Johnny Depp. An undercover cop, pretending of being a mafioso. And I foud him sweet, determined, loyal, a good friend, good at heart... I loved him! I couldn't help but feel desperate with him when he found Jack's lifeless body... and feel so so sad for him when his wife Charlotte rejected him... and everytime he dreamed or remembered about past moments with her and their little girl Ella... it almost made me cry... (ok, I admit, once I have cried!). And then also when he thought of the times spent with Jack... I felt so sad :( And loved every desperate moment! Masochistic me, yeah, I know!
I also found myself loving some of the bad guys! I really didn't think I would have! I'm a good girl! But Sal and Jimmy weren't that bad after all... right? Oh well, doesn't matter.
It pained me, though, when Sal died. And what a death! Poor guy! Almost burned to death! It was heartbreaking when he begged Alex to shoot him. And I felt for Alex too. It showed he cared for Sal after all. Because he really wasn't that bad of a guy. It even pained me when Sal found out his son had died.
Another scene, among many, I liked was the fight that came out when the assassin, Rafael, got to Wizeguyz. God that was a hell of a bloody fight! Loved every second! Yes, I am a weird girl. So what?
About Rafael, the assassin... well, thre's so much to say, I don't know where to start and how to say it.. Some times I didn't like him, other times I thought after all he wasn't that bad... He even kinda "loved" a woman once... Maybe still loves her somehow... But he really is one of the bad, bad guys. So... not much to love about him, anyway...
The end... The end was WOW! I already knew it wasn't really the end and there's a 2nd book coming out soon. I knew it was unlikely that they caught the real assassin. But the way the assassin made clear his presence... made it clear he was still around... watching Alex and his family and his friends... I haven't seen that coming. It was unexpected. And creepy. And surprising. And amazing!
I can't wait to read the second book!
Nicholas Denmon is really an amazing writer! He always surprises me. Nothing was expected.
I enjoyed this book veeeery much!
And I recommend it to everyone!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2013
So first of all I should say that I usually avoid Mafia/gang related fiction because its not really my sort of thing. A bit like religious conspiracy thrillers I tend to find them all a bit samey. However, occasionally I'll dip my toe in the water so to speak because as with all types of book there are the good and the bad. And this one was good. Very good in fact. Whilst this genre is never going to be top of my "to read" list I'm very pleased I picked this one up and gave it a go. My Sunday Side Read this week, I enjoyed it very much.
So this book has a great opening "hook" and it didnt take me very long to get immersed into the story. I love that the lines between good and evil are blurred here - you may well start off rooting for one character and end up with a complete turnaround by the end of the book. Twists and turns along the way keep you turning the pages and the finale is extremely good and will leave you wanting more...
I loved Rafael - Not sure I was supposed to but I did. And this is a well written, flowing tale of murder and mayhem with great characterisation, well rounded and fleshed out so you can really get to know them. The backdrop of Buffalo, NY is well described and the author has a great sense of place.
So all in all thoroughly enjoyable - if time allows I shall certainly be reading the next in the series and if you havent read this type of fiction before you may well want to start with this one.
Happy Reading Folks!
So this book has a great opening "hook" and it didnt take me very long to get immersed into the story. I love that the lines between good and evil are blurred here - you may well start off rooting for one character and end up with a complete turnaround by the end of the book. Twists and turns along the way keep you turning the pages and the finale is extremely good and will leave you wanting more...
I loved Rafael - Not sure I was supposed to but I did. And this is a well written, flowing tale of murder and mayhem with great characterisation, well rounded and fleshed out so you can really get to know them. The backdrop of Buffalo, NY is well described and the author has a great sense of place.
So all in all thoroughly enjoyable - if time allows I shall certainly be reading the next in the series and if you havent read this type of fiction before you may well want to start with this one.
Happy Reading Folks!
October 29, 2011
Interesting read. Very well written and great characters. Fast paced and intense. I was most impressed with how beautiful the prose was considering the dark and gritty plot; it added a sort of romantic film noir flair that really hooked me!
I didn't give it 5 stars because I don't think the mafia crime drama is really my thing, though I did enjoy trying something new. I wish he would have just stuck with Alex and Rafael for POV changes. There would randomly be short POV segments by secondary characters, and it, in my opinion, interrupted the flow and was a little confusing. Though I must admit I really enjoyed the POV of the Pope. This was mostly because I thought he was one of the most interesting characters not because I thought it added anything important to the overall story. Besides the Pope, I was equally enthralled by The cleaner. What a cool, mysterious guy! If Nicholas ever wrote a short story about either of those two characters, I would gobble it up!
I will probably read the next one, but will save it for a lazy rainy day where I can snuggle up and read it one sitting.
I didn't give it 5 stars because I don't think the mafia crime drama is really my thing, though I did enjoy trying something new. I wish he would have just stuck with Alex and Rafael for POV changes. There would randomly be short POV segments by secondary characters, and it, in my opinion, interrupted the flow and was a little confusing. Though I must admit I really enjoyed the POV of the Pope. This was mostly because I thought he was one of the most interesting characters not because I thought it added anything important to the overall story. Besides the Pope, I was equally enthralled by The cleaner. What a cool, mysterious guy! If Nicholas ever wrote a short story about either of those two characters, I would gobble it up!
I will probably read the next one, but will save it for a lazy rainy day where I can snuggle up and read it one sitting.
July 6, 2011
Just finished this book and really enjoyed it. I found this author really good.
Found this a great portrayal of the Mafia world right up there for people who have enjoyed reading the Godfather, Soprano and Good-fellas. Love how he brought in actual sites and streets from around Buffalo, which I recognized since growning up there.
We have Alex who is a detective and also has done undercover in the Mafia. He is out to find the killer of his good friend Jack. Well sometimes even our best of plans can go really not well for us.
Found the book to have many of twists and wanted to find out what would happen next. We get a look at both sides. One of a cop out to get the killer of his friend by going back undercover and trying to keep his family together. Then we get the side of the Mafia family fighting amongst themselves and trying to stay alive for another day.
A great story here and would recommend this one to read. Can't wait for the next book to come out.
Found this a great portrayal of the Mafia world right up there for people who have enjoyed reading the Godfather, Soprano and Good-fellas. Love how he brought in actual sites and streets from around Buffalo, which I recognized since growning up there.
We have Alex who is a detective and also has done undercover in the Mafia. He is out to find the killer of his good friend Jack. Well sometimes even our best of plans can go really not well for us.
Found the book to have many of twists and wanted to find out what would happen next. We get a look at both sides. One of a cop out to get the killer of his friend by going back undercover and trying to keep his family together. Then we get the side of the Mafia family fighting amongst themselves and trying to stay alive for another day.
A great story here and would recommend this one to read. Can't wait for the next book to come out.
May 3, 2013
Nicholas Denmon’s book For Nothing with its powerful and brilliantly written opening scene, grabs you, draws you in and sets you off on a dangerous and gripping journey of emotional turmoil, amazing characters and scenes and events you feel you are a part of because they are so vividly and graphically described.
Alex Vaughn is an undercover cop looking to avenge the death of his friend Jack but he has his own complex and on going problems to sort out too. Raphael Rontego is a mean, cold blooded assassin who relentlessly and efficiently eliminates the targets he is hired to kill [but what a man - my favourite character]. Throw in some bad guys, a Mafia power struggle and you have a thriller you won’t want to or can’t put down till the last page is turned. Full of twists and turns the ending was both unexpected and surprising too.
I highly recommend For Nothing and can’t wait to get the next. Congratulations – I loved it - A stunning first for Nicholas Denmon.
Alex Vaughn is an undercover cop looking to avenge the death of his friend Jack but he has his own complex and on going problems to sort out too. Raphael Rontego is a mean, cold blooded assassin who relentlessly and efficiently eliminates the targets he is hired to kill [but what a man - my favourite character]. Throw in some bad guys, a Mafia power struggle and you have a thriller you won’t want to or can’t put down till the last page is turned. Full of twists and turns the ending was both unexpected and surprising too.
I highly recommend For Nothing and can’t wait to get the next. Congratulations – I loved it - A stunning first for Nicholas Denmon.
January 18, 2016
This book was awesome! It is my first mafia-themed mystery/crime novel, and I loved it. The story had me hooked from the first few pages and didn't let up. It even had a suspenseful ending. The book had a sort of 'film noir' feel to it and the descriptions were very well done. I could almost taste and feel the atmosphere. The story does a good job switching between view points of different characters, and the author writes each in a way that allows you to really sympathize and see from their perspective. I found myself rooting for whomever's view I was reading at the time, even the villain. Rafael Rontego has probably won the spot of 'favorite villain' on my list - at least top 5. He has a very cool, calm demeanor and seems to naturally stay five steps ahead. I look forward to reading more by this author. Highly recommended.
January 30, 2013
i usually stick with books i don't enjoy, especially if they're short, as i hate leaving something unfinished. however, my goodreads queue is way too long to keep enduring this one. i had picked it up because it had rather good reviews on both amazon and goodreads, and the kindle version was 99 cents. when am i going to learn my lesson about cheap books??
i made it halfway through the very cliched and stereotypical mafioso storyline. the characters were flat, the dialogue was forced. it felt a lot like reading stories from a high school level creative writing class. whoever did the editing did a terrible job - it is full of punctuation, grammar, and contextual errors. blech.
all the reviews defined it as a "thriller" but halfway through, there was nothing compelling me to keep going. i just couldn't care enough, and didn't want to endure any more cliches.
i made it halfway through the very cliched and stereotypical mafioso storyline. the characters were flat, the dialogue was forced. it felt a lot like reading stories from a high school level creative writing class. whoever did the editing did a terrible job - it is full of punctuation, grammar, and contextual errors. blech.
all the reviews defined it as a "thriller" but halfway through, there was nothing compelling me to keep going. i just couldn't care enough, and didn't want to endure any more cliches.
August 19, 2013
I really wanted to like this book as well but on the whole I felt it let me down. There are some good parts to it, in that the main assassin is shown to have a human side and is not invincible by any means. It is also good to have a book that alternates between the killers' perspective and the police's perspective. The main premise of the story was interesting and it did keep my attention to the end.
Where it let me down was in that I found several parts to be unbelievable. That there would be a professional hitman operating for the mafia that nobody could positively ID, yet a police officer gets taken to Canada to positively ID him when never having seen him in the flesh is bizarre to say the least. The end I found to be predictable and disappointing as well.
It's a shame as I think this had the potential to be a good book.
Where it let me down was in that I found several parts to be unbelievable. That there would be a professional hitman operating for the mafia that nobody could positively ID, yet a police officer gets taken to Canada to positively ID him when never having seen him in the flesh is bizarre to say the least. The end I found to be predictable and disappointing as well.
It's a shame as I think this had the potential to be a good book.
July 9, 2011
While the story was good and did a good job of providing surprises and twists (particularly at the end), I found the editing (or lack thereof) to be distracting. Most were minor infractions (e.g. missing words, 'of' instead of 'off', 'in' instead of 'on'), but there were enough of them that I found that they took me out of the story a little bit. The worst was when Ryan Slate/Ricky Vincennzio was referred to as Ricky Slate in one of the teen chapters. In addition, I found the level of gore description distasteful. While it might have been "appropriate" for a mafia novel, I personally didn't care for the detailed descriptions of blood splatter and brain matter. I will acknowledge that this is my own personal taste. I am not sure that I would read the next one, though.
January 26, 2012
I wasn't sure I'd get into a mafia story. Seeing that the last few books I was sure I'd enjoy failed my expectations, I decided to give it a shot. I was looking for books that weren't being hyped up too much & ended up coming across this gem. I was happy to read something that everyone wasn't talking about. I was curious as to what this new author had to offer. Nicholas Denmon did not disappoint.
The action starts immediately. I'm not kidding, the first 3 sentences of this book will have you completely enthralled. From there it takes you on a journey that is both intriguing & thrilling. A quick read, the last two sentences leave you hungry for more. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book.
I don't give 5 stars easily.
The action starts immediately. I'm not kidding, the first 3 sentences of this book will have you completely enthralled. From there it takes you on a journey that is both intriguing & thrilling. A quick read, the last two sentences leave you hungry for more. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book.
I don't give 5 stars easily.
September 18, 2014
I have a handful of friends I share books with. Over the summer, they’ve been passing around For Nothing and telling me I have to read it next.
I’m skeptical when they all agree but I started it. I expected to be the odd woman out but just like them I devoured it.
What kept going through my mind as I read this was, “How have I gone so long without having heard of this?”
The reply from my friends was, “I know, right?”
If you’ve found your way to reviews, good for you. You should read it. You should at least sneak peak look at the opening.
It’s a fabulous book that deserves more attention.
I’m skeptical when they all agree but I started it. I expected to be the odd woman out but just like them I devoured it.
What kept going through my mind as I read this was, “How have I gone so long without having heard of this?”
The reply from my friends was, “I know, right?”
If you’ve found your way to reviews, good for you. You should read it. You should at least sneak peak look at the opening.
It’s a fabulous book that deserves more attention.
May 22, 2011
Told from the points of view of an undercover cop and the assassin he's hunting, this book is a wonderful portrayal of life in the cold mafia world of Buffalo, NY. Buffalonians will appreciate the inclusion of actual Buffalo sites. Mafia lovers will enjoy the politics of staying alive amid Family warfare. There's even something for the ladies--a heartbreaking tale of a marriage gone wrong, and Alex's struggle to get his family back. The dual storytelling and great vocabulary makes for an interesting tale that everyone should experience. Highly recommended!!
July 9, 2011
This is a story of a man avenging his friends death and finding himself in the middle of a war between two mafia families.
This story never let up once. I was hooked from page one and could not put it down. The author did a good job of explaining the different aspects of mafia life and hierarchy. There were many twists and turns and just when I thought I was on the right track I was thrown another curveball. The ending was totally unexpected and was clearly left wide open for a sequel. I for one cannot wait for that sequel!
This story never let up once. I was hooked from page one and could not put it down. The author did a good job of explaining the different aspects of mafia life and hierarchy. There were many twists and turns and just when I thought I was on the right track I was thrown another curveball. The ending was totally unexpected and was clearly left wide open for a sequel. I for one cannot wait for that sequel!
April 29, 2013
When I started reading For Nothing, I had a totally different expectation, and was pleasantly engrossed in this tale of two different men, seeking different goals, yet hoping for similar outcomes. The pace was good, and I truly enjoyed the characters. For a debut book, I think the author did well. As the read went on, there was a feeling towards the end of strength in the characters, as their story evolved.
I look forward to the next in the series, to see where the story goes, as well as the author.
I look forward to the next in the series, to see where the story goes, as well as the author.
October 21, 2011
Actually 3.5 stars. Enjoyable read. Struck me as a character portrait of two different sides of the law, two very troubled men in different, but eerily similar, places in their lives. Loved how the title fit into the story. Strength in story, though some of the pacing slowed down a bit much for me. Some of the scenes, like the Wizeguys attempted assassination infiltrated by the kid, were real standouts. Actually, some parts read like a movie - I could totally see this on the big screen!
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