Columbus Avenue Boys

by David Carraturo

Hollywood Book Festival Honorable Mention (2012). Highly Recommended by Midwest Reviews. Recommended review from Kirkus Reviews. Designated "Editors Choice" by iUniverse Review Board. iUniverse "Hollywood Coverage" recommendation to consider the story for screenplay adaption.

Salvatore Esposito, Anthony Albanese, and Christopher Cameron—the Columbus Avenue Boys—are somewhat related, as they share lineage back to before the turn of century. Having grown up together in a small community north of New York City, each became successful in his own right. Chris moved to Dallas to be a portfolio manager with a financial firm while Sal and Tony earn their living the hard way—by being enforcers and major earners for the mob.

Tony’s grandfather, Pops Scala, tells them a horrific secret from the Scalamarri Family past: twelve members of their family were massacred at the hands of Bugsy Siegel and his ruthless gang from Murder Inc. in 1935. Pops was the sole witness and lone survivor, and he was more than happy to pull the trigger and end Bugsy’s murderous life.

Now fifty years later, Pops convinces the Columbus Avenue Boys they must leave the underworld life for good. Since one cannot just give two weeks’ notice to the Gambino crime family, the three blood brothers devise a plan to infiltrate the inner workings of the Mafia in the 1990s to avenge the massacre in their family tree.

Columbus Avenue Boys chronicles the Scalamarri family tree throughout the twentieth century and presents a historical perspective of the life and struggles of an Italian immigrant family as well as that of America’s organized crime.

iUniverse Hollywood Coverage comments...David Carraturo’s Columbus Avenue Boys is an authentic-feeling and compelling gangster drama told from the perspective of its musclemen soldiers, opposed to its cunning bosses. With the novel’s juxtaposed storylines of immigrants and their sons, much of the plot harkens The Godfather Part II; likewise, its portrayal of soldiers and FBI informants is reminiscent of more contemporary gangster films such as Donnie Brasco and Goodfellas. Carraturo writes this world with authority, making dynamic characters that have often been relegated to filmic clichés, while at the same time offering a proud and historic sense of Italian immigration and community.

Genres: Fiction, Crime, Suspense

258 pages, Paperback

First published April 13, 2012

About the author

Follow me on:
Instagram - @diesel_dad_david
Twitter - @davidcarraturo
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/david.carraturo
https://www.paypal.me/davidcarraturo

For better pricing and to receive a signed copy of any of the Columbus Avenue Boys trilogy, contact me at carraturod@aol.com.

Author, David Carraturo is a life-long resident of Tuckahoe, a predominately Italian-Irish American community in Westchester County, New York. He has spent over thirty years working on Wall Street and is married and the father of three daughters. An avid poker player and organized crime/World War Two buff, he spends his free time with his family and exercising the mind and body to sustain happiness and success.

He loves to read a multitude of topics, both fiction and non-fiction but his true passion is anything related to World War Two as well as economics and politics. If you would like a novel reviewed, he is more than happy to review your work. War stories, Mafia reads, poker, economics and general American history would be his sweet spots for an educated review.

The Cameron trilogy includes Cameron's Quest, Cameron Nation: Going All-in to Save His Country and Columbus Avenue Boys: Avenging the Scalamarri Massacre. Columbus Avenue Boys earned Honorable Mention for General Fiction at the 2012 Hollywood Book Festival, was optioned for screenplay adaption and has received recommended read reviews from Kirkus, Midwest Book Reviews and Writer’s Digest.

The three novels are unique. Cameron Nation is his "Conservative Manifesto" so those with a liberal mindset beware. Columbus Avenue Boys is an epic story about the Scalamarri family tree and their life throughout the 20th Century. A mafia story with a whole lot more! The young adult years of Chris Cameron, Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese are revealed in Cameron’s Quest. Chris, Tuckahoe’s golden boy, ventures off to the University of Texas on a football scholarship to better his life while Sal and Tony earn their education on the streets as enforcers and earners for a ruthless organized crime family. Family blood is thick and the trio bond together to persevere through life’s rollercoaster.

Quote:
"I truly believe every and anyone has the ability to write that one great novel based off of their life experiences." David's storytelling is derived from personal experiences which he twists into a historical setting. His goal is to tell a good story but to also educate the reader.

Random things about David...

Huge New York Mets fan.
Age 16 appeared in movies - World According to Garp & Someone is in the Kitchen with Jamie.
Finalist for a slot in a new reality show; The Selection: Special Ops Project.
Compete in the D10 Decathlon to raise money for Pediatric Cancer research at Sloan-Kettering.
Met Margaret Thatcher, T Boone Pickens, Arthur Lafer.
Ran the NYC Marathon and the Baltimore Marathon.
Won one poker tournament in Atlantic City and also competed in the WSOP Main Event in Vegas (not so good!).
Have a dog named Cammie, a cockapoo - named after my book, Cameron Nation.
Played high school and college football (quarterback and defensive back).
Have bench pressed 350 pounds once and 225 pounds twenty-five times (could be a Guinness Book of World Record for bench press by a plus 50 yr old who weighs under 200 pounds). Currently bench press 185 forty times.
Has created the Diesel Games on YouTube, a global fitness challenge to determine the best athlete/most fit in the world. Diesel_Dad_David.
Did not get Masters Degree due to laziness after writing an extra credit paper to bring grade up but never following up with professor to change the grade.
Married at 29, 3 daughters (all 3.5 yrs apart in age).
Has lived in the same zipcode entire life.
Coached daughters softball team (they lost every game).
Can still throw a football close to 50 yards.
A perennial B- student. High School, College, Grad School.
Has only worked for companies on Wall Street.

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mafia Story and a Whole Lot More! David Carraturo Presents CAMERON'S QUEST Blitz & #Giveaway - click on Banner for a chance to win the entire Trilogy! US ONLY - Ends March 16, 2017


Want to feel like you are getting the down and dirty on the lives of those effected by the mafia/ those whose families have ties and history? David Carraturo’s COLUMBUS AVENUE BOYS is the story of three lifelong friends, closer than true brothers who discover a long hidden secret within the mob that directly relates to their own families. In true mob fashion, Chris, Tony and Sal , young as they are, are determined to seek revenge for the devastation wrought by the Mafia decades in the past. But first they must get to the black heart of the mafia in the late twentieth century and get out alive.

The fever of vengeance will bring Chris home from his successful career in Dallas, as Tony and Sal, now muscle for the mob plan the ultimate takedown and give one old man the opportunity to silence the hosts of the past he alone survived. This is their story, their history and their present as the Columbus Avenue Boys wage their own personal vendetta.

Follow through time, from past to present and back again as David Carratura recounts the heinous massacre and the years of deceit in between. Feel as if you can see these characters come to life, as mobsters from long ago lay through your mind like an old back and white film of the brutality and mentality of the mob. Is there truly family loyalty or can it be bought by the highest bidder? Is blood thicken than the champagne of wealth and power? Is it possible for three young men to shred the foundation of an age-old organization based on coercion, power and control?

Yes, the mob is central to this tale, yes, there is violence, but there is also friendship and love for family that runs as soul deep as the need to protect. Follow the dark twists and unexpected turns as David Carraturo brings hidden worlds to life on each page of this gripping and edgy novel. Learn just how far three blood brothers will go in the name of honor.

I received this copy from David Carraturo in exchange for my honest review.

Publisher: iUniverse (April 17, 2012)
Publication Date: April 17, 2012
Genre: Historical Fiction
Print Length: 260 pages
Available from: Amazon |  Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Majenta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get ready for an incredible ride, that's all. Megyn Kelly even shows up at 27%...or does she? Anyway, the cozy, informative introduction gives way to a "Nailed it!" prologue: you've just GOT to know what led up to it, let alone what will happen next! And you will definitely get both, and meet all kinds of members of a close Italian-American family, any one of whom would do ANYTHING for any other one, no matter WHAT "anything" could possibly involve. So when cousins Sal and Tony
hear from their beloved grandfather Pops ("their favorite person in the world") about a horrible chapter in their family history....what else can they do?

"...they simply could not kill a man they had no emotional connection to." (at 12%)

"'Sometimes a bag of lime, a shovel, and a long drive to the country's the best marriage counseling.''" (Tony at 17%)

"Hey, you know why Betamax never took off....Cause they didn't support triple X flicks.'" (Tony at 49%)

"Since he would now be a civilian, he wanted to know what was going on in the world and who the hot starlets were." (Post-war priorities at 40%)

Family love, loyalty, and growth (and yes, family trees)...tasty chapter names....a way with words and details...join the Columbus Avenue Boys for the friggin' AVVENTURA they were destined to undertake...and obligated to friggin' prevail. At. (#@$% prepositional friggin' phrases!)

Thanks for reading. And author David Carraturo, GRAZIE for asking me to read and review this. IL friggin' PIACERE ERA MIO. (My....pleasure.)

[David Carraturo · Rating 5 out of 5]

20th Annual Writer’s Digest Annual Self-Published Book Awards
Judge Number: 73
Structure and Organization: 4
Grammar: 4
Production Quality and Cover Design: 4
Plot (if applicable): 4
Character Development (if applicable): 4
What did you like best about this book?
Columbus Avenue Boys is a fascinating story of Italian immigrants, their families, and their connection to crime and how they escaped its hold on them. Several things attracted me. The history and how these people fit into it held my interest throughout the book. And then the individual stories also were well done. It is called 'historical fiction," but one can't help wondering how much is true because of the characters that were taken out of real life and added to the novel. This interesting book gives the reader a chance to be entertained while learning things of historical interest.
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I just received a "Highly Recommended Read" by Midwest Book Reviews so I added it to my review page. Profiled in September 2012 issue.

When you're in the mob, you're in for life...so getting out is quite the difficult task. "Columbus Avenue Boys" is a story of the mob set in the 1980s. Three boys grew up closely tied to the underground of the Gambino crime family. As a family patriarch reveals that the Gambinos have strong links to the many deaths of their ancestors fifty years ago. Wishing for them to break free from the mob, the three must work closely together to bring down the Gambinos while retaining their own lives. "Columbus Avenue Boys" is a riveting tale of criminal intrigue, highly recommended reading.

Willis M. Buhle
Reviewerhttp://www.midwestbookreview.com/rbw/...

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I received my Kirkus review in May 2012, so I have added it as my own review. Kirkus (around since 1933) bills themselves as the "world's toughest book critic" and I appeared to pass their test. Yes, I believe this story is very good, but I am also very biased to my work (obviously) so besides the great reviews I have received so far, I can now confidently give my work 5 stars with this Kirkus review. It's worth the read and you will enjoy the story.


https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...

Carraturo novel tells the decades-long story of the mob-related Scalamarri family living through good and hard times.

In 1947, mobster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel was killed at his home. The identity of his assassin most likely resides somewhere in the lineage of the Scalamarri family, who lost 12 of its members in a fire—what came to be known as the Sunday Night Massacre. Vincent, the surviving son who witnessed the murders, tells his story years later to his grandson, Tony, and friends, Sal and Chris, all descendants of the Scalamarris. Tony and Sal agree to sever all association they have with gangsters, and Chris, a successful financial advisor, works out a deal with a friend at the FBI, allowing the other men to act as informants. The plan goes awry when wise guys start getting whacked. The author’s novel is a prequel of sorts to his previous book (Cameron Nation, 2011), which featured Chris as the protagonist. The title of his latest is a little misleading: It’s a reference to the three friends, but the plot jumps around the family tree, whose branches are depicted throughout the novel with a helpful visual, considering the vast number of characters in the book. In fact, the backstory—Vincent’s involvement with World War II, his quest for retribution and his falling in love—is tighter and more interesting. The author aptly manages frequent leaps, sometimes with dark humor. As the two timelines converge, the novel picks up pace with stellar results: a Fed goes undercover and a seemingly insignificant character returns to chuck a wrench into the FBI’s scheme. Blending plot with real-world events and people—Watergate, George Raft and Frank Sinatra—adds a dash of authenticity to the epic.

A mob story with the prerequisite hits, casinos and Italian food, but augmented by a strong sense of camaraderie.

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In addition, iUniverse completed a "Hollywood Coverage" review of the story and those comments are included at the end as well.

iUniverse Hollywood Coverage critique:

David Carraturo’s Columbus Avenue Boys is an authentic-feeling and compelling gangster drama told from the perspective of its musclemen soldiers, opposed to its cunning bosses. With the novel’s juxtaposed storylines of immigrants and their sons, much of the plot harkens The Godfather Part II; likewise, its portrayal of soldiers and FBI informants is reminiscent of more contemporary gangster films such as Donnie Brasco and Goodfellas. Carraturo writes this world with authority, making dynamic characters that have often been relegated to filmic clichés, while at the same time offering a proud and historic sense of Italian immigration and community.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked by the author to read and review this book, which is a prequel to Cameron Nation.

I'm a sucker for a good family saga and this novel really delivers. It isn't necessary to read the Acknowledgments at the end to know that the author grew up in the Columbus Avenue area with friends and family that are quite like the ones in the book: that the Columbus Avenue Boys are drawn from real life is evident in the richly populated story. As I read this book, I felt as much at home in Tuckahoe, New York as the author did.

As with any multigenerational family saga, it's sometimes difficult to keep track of who's who and where they belong, but the author provides family trees to help the reader keep everyone straight. Stick with it, because it's worth the effort.

One of the things I like about a good family saga is the historical perspective. The author does a really excellent job of taking the reader on a journey from Italy to America and straight into the life of the Scalamarri family. The details about organized crime made me wonder how much personal experience the author has with that particular aspect of the story. Additionally, the World War II sequences are well researched and well told.

The story alternates between the story of Vincent Scala, the witness to the Scalamarri (Scala) massacre, and the current generation. These changes in time are clearly marked - just pay attention to the dates that mark these changes, or you might get confused. Young Vincent's back story is deftly woven into the lives of older Vincent's children and grandchildren, who now call him Pops. Unaware that association with organized crime had tragic consequences for their family, Sal and Tony start to drift into "the life." They make a decision to straighten up after Pops tells them about the Scalamarri massacre. Easy to get into, difficult to get out of, they seek the counsel of their good friend, Chris Cameron.

This is not a story about a bunch of Italian mobsters. This is a story of family and friends, love and revenge, and how the past affects the future. I was surprised at the ending; although, in retrospect, I probably shouldn't have been. But I was, anyway. :-)

This is not a thrill-a-second book, although there are some gruesome scenes. It's not one that kept me up at night because I couldn't wait to reach the end. It's more like a 7-course meal than a fast food meal. I savored it, I enjoyed getting to know the characters, I snuck back to parts I'd already read to make sure I'd soaked in all the details. It has all the elements I enjoy in a book like this: family relations, strong characterizations, a location that comes alive, historical details and a good story line. If you're up for a 7-course meal, you'll enjoy this book.

And finally, the price is right at $1.99 for the Kindle version. Snap it up - at that price, it's a steal.

[Cathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, my thanks to David Carraturo for sending me a gifted copy of his latest book, Columbus Avenue Boys.

I read his first book "Cameron Nation" and enjoyed it immensely. This latest in the CAB saga is even better. This wonderful story is begging to be made into a movie. I was reminded of several famous gangster movies. "Scarface", "The Godfather", "Once Upon A Time In America" and "The Departed" to name a few.

I look forward to reading more from this author.

Cathleen

[Delilah M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cameron Nation was a great read and Columbus Avenue Boys is like icing on the cake! I really got involved with the characters in both books and was sad to see the book end, like saying good-bye to friends.

[Colleen Lahey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written. This book is prequel to Cameron Nation. The book was an indepth look at Mafia history using a fictional family. It also had historical information about World War II. Very interesting and very involved. This book must have involved a great deal of research.

[Michael Falotico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just started it Dave... Love how it a book thats right around the corner so to speak.... Best of luck!!!! your friend Michael

[Susan Ashcraft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christopher Cameron, Anthony 'Tony' Albanese and Salvatore 'Sal' Esposito have shared everything growing up together. Always considering themselves to be brothers it amuses them to know that somewhere down the branches and limbs of the Scalamarri family tree, the three boys are related. Always joking, hanging out and helping out each other is what they have always done.

When Christopher leaves New York for Texas and a new job, it doesn't affect the their friendship at all. Chris is great with numbers and he's become quite the money wiz. Chris is very careful to keep everything legal, he's looking toward the future and hopes to see himself seated behind the desk at the white house. His wife, a wonderful woman, will do what she can to help Chris. And of course, his 2 bros, Tony and Sal will help all they can as well.

Tony and Sal like New York and they like money. They also like to lift weights and keep in very good shape. They meet Jimmy Tree and he asks them to work for him. Tony and Sal know the risks of working for the mob, but figure the money makes it worthwhile. Plus they got each others backs and if they have to they can call in Chris. Chris knows what they do and is always trying to talk them into going legit, but the pull of money is still stronger.

Tony and Sal hear some very disturbing news from Pops, Tony's 77 year old grandfather. This news changes everything for the guys but they need Chris's help. Sal and Tony arrange to meet Chris in Texas and take a long drive into New Orleans and to run some numbers. More importantly to Sal and Tony, they need to tell Chris what they've learned from Pops and to come up with a payback plan.

As the story of the 3 men moves forward, we are treated to flashbacks involving other members of the Scalamarri family tree. It never feels awkward, but flows smoothly through weaving past with present. The characters are all well rounded individuals, with good and bad habits and traits. The description of the modern day casinos in Atlantic City to the underground cellar in Vincent's parents home to riding the rails in 1935, the author makes these places come alive. A great read!

[Jessica Holland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hesitant to pick up this book because I'm not always interested in crime family novels. The last book that I read that tried to be a crime family novel was Promise Me Eternity by Ian Fox. We all know how much I liked that book ...

But, I'm glad that I read Columbus Avenue Boys by David Carraturo. The characters were completely engaging. I found myself charmed by their quirks and personalities. I especially love Vincent's story and the dynamic between Tony and Sal.

My only wish was that it was about three times as long. This is one of those books that would benefit from being 700+ pages. Family sagas, in my opinion, need to be that long in order for readers to savor each generation's story line. If it were mine to do over again (and it's not, I know), I would have chosen to really devote time to the flashback moments in the book. Those were the parts that I loved the most and were the least well done. As I was reading, I said multiple times, "Show me! Don't tell me!" especially during Vincent's time in the military and his time driving for a crime member as he plots Bugsy Siegel's murder. As much as I thought Tony and Sal were funny guys, it was hard for me to really invest myself in their story because I didn't have a really solid foundation of their family history.

I wanted to dislike the book because the author kept telling me things he should have shown me. But there's just something about this family and these characters that kept me coming back for me. I NEEDED to know what happened. I NEEDED to know whether Tony and Sal's cover would be blown. I NEEDED to know if their revenge was carried through.

I recommend Columbus Avenue Boys by David Carraturo for those of you who enjoy reading crime family novels. I think you'll be charmed by the Scalamarri family. I know I was. Though it may not be as detailed as it should be, I still think Carraturo tells a great story that deserves to be read.

[Teresa Scala · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Columbus Avenue Boys so much. I had first read Cameron Nation and was so looking forward to the prequel. It was even better than the first story and it was an interesting way to further read about the life of Chris Cameron and his extended family and relatives - without the politics, just a walk through time of an Italian-American famly from 1890-1998.

This story begins with another great prologue, the murder of Bugsy Siegel through the eyes of the assassin. The book is split into two parts. The first focuses on the assassin of Bugsy and why he killed him and his life before and after the murder. The second part of the story is set in present day and focuses on Chris Cameron's best friends, Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese for the most part. With Chris away starting to make his fortune, Sal & Tony are trusted associates for a mafia family in the NYC area. The two loveable bruisers are shocked to hear that Bugsy Siegel murdered almost their entire family, then they focus on revenge against organized crime and work with the FBI to take them down.

As with Cameron Nation, this story is a fun read and the characters are very well written and the dialogue is crisp. It flows easy and kept me wanting to read and read. An excellent prequel, but I am glad I read Cameron Nation first. Regardless, this is the better story of the two, but not by much. I fecommend this to all.

[Bobby Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must preface this with the fact that I know the author, grew up in Tuckahoe and have an idea who many of the "fictional" characters were in both Cameron Nation and Columbus Avenue Boys. I should give this a 4 star to bust Dave a bit, but I can't. The story is real good and I found myself laughing and amused many parts because they were so well written and descriptive and I could visually see Espo, Gary or Hammer doing or saying many of those things detailed in the book.

The old Tuckahoe history portion was awesome and I had to call him and ask if all of it was true. Did Bugsy Siegel hang around town? Was there a tragedy of monumental proportions. I won't give anything away, but readers should know that fact and fiction have been blended perfectly and the research conducted for this story was impressive.

If you're looking for a good Mafia read - this is a great read. If you like family saga's - again, but this book. If you just want a great read...this one is well worth it.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! The author weaves separate threads of the Scalamarri family history into a fascinating saga incorporating important historical events and real people into the story. The characters felt real. The dialogue real. The families felt real. The settings real places.

I mentioned before the author's seamless placement of actual events and people in his story. I was particularly moved by the inclusion of WWII Medal of Honor awardees and their details.

As noted, I found the mob nicknames interesting. (My mob name is Daniella the Killer. Google "What's My Mob Name" for a name generator.)

I am already engrossed in the author's just-published Cameron Nation.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Second book by this author and I am now looking forward to the next one!

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a follow up novel to a story I enjoyed tremendously (Cameron Nation), the prequel was even better and a book that I could not put down. Every character, Sal, Tony, Vince, Chris were incredibly well written and I could not wait to see what happened next. I enjoy flashback sequences in books, so this hit it perfectly and both the back story and main story were so well balanced and flowed seemlessly. Pops-Vince is so amazing, and one of my favorite characters ever. Sal, Tony and Chris are bonded by more than a simple friendship and it is clear that they would do anything for each other. While reading Cameron Nation, there were times when I thought it was odd that a billionaire successful businessman would stay so close to knockabout guys from the neighborhood. This prequel fully explains why that was the case. If you like politics and have a penchant for reading book series in order, you will not be disappointed if reading Cameron Nation first. However, if you are looking for the best looking super model - read Columbus Avenue Boys first. Excellent story line, historically accurate, crisp dialogue, lively setting and well constructed. I recommend to all.

[Vinny L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel a lot. As with Cameron Nation, most of the characters were the same, but younger. This was a very well-done prequel and a completely different type of story than the first book. I liked the way the story switched from present day to the past in alternate chapters. The balance of the past and the present was excellent. The dialogue was funny and easy to relate too. The Sal & Tony characters provided a great balance to Chris Cameron. The Pops/Vincent character was very endearing to me and I could see him as the perfect grandfather/uncle who lived a life but was a humble man. A fast read and definitely worth it.

[Samantina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Columbus Avenue Boys was a really good book. I loved the characters and enjoyed both plot lines. The way David Carraturo took me back in time to live with the Scalamarri family was well done. Sal, TOny and Chris share a special bond and that is conveyed through "Pops" Scala, Tony's grandfather - who is really the grandfather/uncle to Sal & Chris as well. Very believable story and the way he blended fact fiction with many historical facts and news events was great.

[Richie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you're from Tuckahoe or not, whether you've read Cameron Nation or not, this is an exceptional read. I enjoyed every aspect of this story, from the early history of the village and the United States to the fairly current story of organized crime. I was entertained from page one to the last.

Yes, you do need the family trees to keep you organized, so digest them and follow along. Columbus Avenue Boys is really two parallel stories (in every aspect) that merge towards the ending. The first part is focused on the Columbus Avenue Boys: Sal Esposito, Tony Albanese and Chris Cameron. You can see why they are bonded so closely to each other and the interactions, dialogue and evens seem very realistic. I felt like I was reading about real life people. The second part of the story is focused on the extended Scalamarri family, specifically Tony Albanese's grandfather, Vincent Scala ("Pops"). A great character that you you grow with through the 20th century. His scenese were endearing to me and I thoroughly enjoyed the walk through time and each distinct era - Ellis Island Italian immigrant journey, Roaring 20s, depression, World War Two, Babyboomer, etc...all the way to the grownup Columbus Avenue Boys.

This story had so much more than a FBI mafia takedown. You live and breathe Scalamarri throughout and even if you are not Italian you will feel like one of the family after finishing this book. If you read Cameron Nation first, this answers many questions. If you plan to read Cameron Nation after, you will not be disappointed and will be chearing on Chris Cameron as the greatest future president of the United States.

The pricing is unbelievable. I read on my Kindle for $1.99, but you can also purchase the paperback for under $9. You will not be disappointed.

[Kjersti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one of the best historical fiction books I have read in a while. The interweaving of the past Scalamarri family's history with the more current 1990s plot provide insight to each other. I sometimes found it confusing with it going back and forth. I have always found this style of writing hard, but overall the author does make it flow pretty well and the family tree being slowly expanded really helps make the connections easier to keep track of.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free to review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Jeannie Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some unexplainable reason, I liked Bugsy Siegel. It could be that Warren Beatty played him in the movies.
I had the marvelous opportunity of meeting the author of "The "Godfather", Mario Puzo, when he lived in NY. He was a wonderful, brilliant writer, as well as an incredible, terrific person.
That being said, I like stories about people who grew up in small communities in New York City. Most all of them become successful in whatever careers they choose. What family doesn't have secrets? It's just that the families in this novel have some really deep secrets.
Salvatore Esposito, Anthony Albanese, and Christopher Cameron are the Columbus Avenue Boys, who become blood brothers. Pops Scala, who is Tony's grandfather, tells the young men a deep secret from the Scalamarri family past and it is not pretty.
I believe you will like reading this intriguing tale. It will give you an inkling of the struggles of Italian immigrants, as well as a peek into organized crime. I believe you will feel as though you are right there with these fascinating characters. Just remember while you are reading that this story is a historical fiction novel.

Jeannie Walker (Award-Winning Author)

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Columbus Avenue boys (Sal, Chris and Tony) are very distantly related cousins and grew up together in a small town close to New York City. The friends remained close through the years despite Chris moving to Texas for his job at a financial firm. While Chris was crunching numbers in Texas, Sal and Tony were earning their livings as enforcers for the Gambino crime family.

Sal and Tony decide they want out of the mob life they have become accustomed to and Chris has a plan to make this seemingly impossible mission feasible. The plan requires Sal and Tony to become informants for the FBI. Will Chris’s plan free Sal and Tony from their responsibilities with the mob without casualties? What family secrets will the men learn along the way?

Columbus Avenue Boys is an exceptionally well researched historical fiction novel. Readers will fall in love with Sal, Chris, Tony and many other family members. The characters and scenes are described with such exquisite detail; you feel you are with them as a silent observer. This story is told with chapters alternating from the beginning of the family’s mob ties in the late 1800’s (past) to the 1990’s (present) until the past and present catch up at the end of the book.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction and love to be able to imagine what life could have been like for individuals during the early 1900’s in America. Columbus Avenue Boys not only gives us an inside look at the life of mob members, but also lessons in American history and the importance of family.

*I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads*

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story that this book told. I also enjoyed the way that the story switches from the past to the present (?) every other chapter. While I think that this may have usually been something that would have annoyed me, the way it was done in this book worked, and it worked quite well. It added a suspense for me. I just knew that there had to be something good when the two (the past and the present) connected. I was not disappointed.

The reason that I gave this book 4 stars, and not 5, is because I felt that I was being told a story rather than being included in the story at times. I like to feel included enough so that I can feel what is going on. I felt this was lacking at times. It was on and off.

[Catherine Doman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from David Carraturo! I will admit, I did take my time with this one. I wanted to savor the story from beginning to end. Having already read and loved "Cameron Nation", I was looking forward to learning more about the main characters introduced in that book. "Columbus Avenue Boys" does a wonderful job of filling in the background and history of Chris, Tony and Sal and their families, where they came from, and what made them into the men they became. A very satisfying, epic saga, you will feel like a part of the family, or at least a really close friend. A truly good read, I highly recommend this book!

[Breath of Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well we have good ole boys, their families and their lives and business. I like watching old movies with characters that pertrey gangsters and all the things that go with a story like that.

And this book by author David Carrature is full:

To read more of my review:
Breath of Life

[Rose Cimarron · Rating 3 out of 5]

[2012-06-17] Book finished. Full review to follow. I was impressed at the inclusion of a bibliography. Nearly 10% of the ebook was taken up with this, the acknowledgements and a preview to Cameron Nation - I didn't read the latter, as that's next on my to read list!

[2012-06-17] Wrote the review in manuscript today...will try to make time to edit, type & publish this week....

[Amelia Solano · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was such a great read!! growing up in the same area, I found the historical sequences of Tuckahoe very interesting...
the characters are very well rounded and very engaging...The World War II historical aspect was nothing short of enlightening...There were unexpected twists and turns and at some points I was tearing up like Tony - one of the main characters...at each family moment!

Certainly a story that engages, keeps you wanting to know more and reiterates the importance of family...

Loved this book!

[Rob Bignell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Italian immigration and American mob stories, "Columbus Avenue Boys" is for you. Boasting plenty of gruesome crime scenes and emotional moments, the novel tells the story of the Scalamarri family through the 20th century. Like any good family story from this genre, universal themes rise to the surface, particularly those of love, revenge, and the present's strong connection to the past.

[Melinda Hefner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with another reader that the book should have been longer so that each piece of the family saga could be more luxuriously told allowing for greater detail and more vivid descriptions. Without that, the book, while interesting, felt frenetic and somewhat disjointed.