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Murder and Mayhem in the Big Apple - From the Black Hand to Murder Incorporated
When it comes to murder and mayhem, there has never been a more fertile backdrop than the mean streets of New York City. Whether it was murder for profit, or a contract hit ordered by mob bosses, or maybe just a simple hit because the killer didn’t like the victim’s face (this happens more often than you think), there have been more dead bodies deposited in the gutters of New York City than on the streets of any other city in the world. This is in addition to the thousands of murder victims whose bodies “did a Houdini”; or in other words – disappeared.
Whether they would admit, most people enjoy reading about a gruesome murder - the bloodier the better. Besides the casual civilian reveling in the miseries of others, certain killers also enjoy reading about their achievements in the press. Other killers couldn’t care less about the notoriety, but instead view the publicity as a method of convincing potential victims if they don’t cough up the cash requested, or do the right thing in other matters; their mutilated bodies might wind up on the front page of the newspapers, too.
Then there is the psyche of the killer himself. Usually, the killer’s first hit makes little psychological impact on him. He doesn’t enjoy it too much, but he figures if this is to be his business of choice, he had better get used to the blood and gore, or slide into another line of work.
However, certain killers enjoy the act of killing so much, they have no qualms about carving up some poor soul’s throat and torso (or maybe both), then celebrating the hit by devouring a rare roast beef sandwich, minutes after slicing his victim into the hereafter.
In highlighting the most prolific killers in the history of New York City, if not the world, this book starts with the bloody Black Hand and then pitches forward a decade later to the Boys from Brownsville, who morphed into the greatest death machine in the history of America: Murder Incorporated, better known as Murder Inc.
So fire up your Kindle, pour yourself a glass of your favorite beverage, and enjoy the most vicious killers ever to prowl the streets of New York City.
However - a word of caution. While reading, stay away from rare roast beef sandwiches, dripping in blood.
They might not go down too well.
Whether they would admit, most people enjoy reading about a gruesome murder - the bloodier the better. Besides the casual civilian reveling in the miseries of others, certain killers also enjoy reading about their achievements in the press. Other killers couldn’t care less about the notoriety, but instead view the publicity as a method of convincing potential victims if they don’t cough up the cash requested, or do the right thing in other matters; their mutilated bodies might wind up on the front page of the newspapers, too.
Then there is the psyche of the killer himself. Usually, the killer’s first hit makes little psychological impact on him. He doesn’t enjoy it too much, but he figures if this is to be his business of choice, he had better get used to the blood and gore, or slide into another line of work.
However, certain killers enjoy the act of killing so much, they have no qualms about carving up some poor soul’s throat and torso (or maybe both), then celebrating the hit by devouring a rare roast beef sandwich, minutes after slicing his victim into the hereafter.
In highlighting the most prolific killers in the history of New York City, if not the world, this book starts with the bloody Black Hand and then pitches forward a decade later to the Boys from Brownsville, who morphed into the greatest death machine in the history of America: Murder Incorporated, better known as Murder Inc.
So fire up your Kindle, pour yourself a glass of your favorite beverage, and enjoy the most vicious killers ever to prowl the streets of New York City.
However - a word of caution. While reading, stay away from rare roast beef sandwiches, dripping in blood.
They might not go down too well.
82 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 30, 2014
Murder and Mayhem in the Big Apple - From the Black Hand to Murder...
This is one of those books that you can pick up at any time. Between laundry or waiting for an appointment. It is easy to get wrapped up into and totally entertaining. I love this is is true crime. The fact that this stuff really happened blows me away. It intrigues me to no end and Joe Bruno has a way of giving real light into these stories. His easy writing style pulls you in and his no BS attitude allows you as a reader to get the full story not just what he chooses to share. There is so much real life history in these books. This one was especially edge of your seat interesting. Mind blowing, really. I would highly recommend you pick up a copy. You will see what I am talking about.
July 31, 2013
Still about murder and mystery, but it's non-fiction. "Murder and Mayhem in the Big Apple" chronicles the rise of the Black Hand group to the downfall (that we know of) of its successor, the notorious Murder Incorporated. The author has certainly done his homework for this short true crime book, including many comments from the actual bad guys, and this is where this true crime book doesn't quite do it all for me. As interesting as the events are, there is a flatness to the end of the individual stories. It's not a big deal, but it is there to me.
There were so many names (good and bad and stupid) that it was hard to following the main story at times. With a bit more character portrayal, I don't think my mind would have wandered as much as it did. Still, if you are into the history of New York criminals, this is a great place for resource material.
One thing it did show is that even for the bad guys, the pull of family and the familiar is strong. It was that pull that was the downfall of so many bad guys as they snuck their way home. I'm kind of glad for their downfall, but there is some kind of social statement that can be made there if I was a social scientist. I don't read much non-fiction, but this is a top shelf 4 to me.
There were so many names (good and bad and stupid) that it was hard to following the main story at times. With a bit more character portrayal, I don't think my mind would have wandered as much as it did. Still, if you are into the history of New York criminals, this is a great place for resource material.
One thing it did show is that even for the bad guys, the pull of family and the familiar is strong. It was that pull that was the downfall of so many bad guys as they snuck their way home. I'm kind of glad for their downfall, but there is some kind of social statement that can be made there if I was a social scientist. I don't read much non-fiction, but this is a top shelf 4 to me.
September 21, 2012
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!!
July 7, 2012
By catenacci
Format:Kindle Edition
Joe Bruno supplies us with a well written book that provides in depth treatments of some very interesting big time murder cases. Moreover it contains several entertaining and quite funny statements. I really enjoyed reading it.
September 20, 2014
Excellent read.....but
I wish he had gone more in depth concerning Murder Inc. The why's and how's to how it came about. Mention why people were whacked not just that they were and who did it. I have always had a fascination with the mob but he just didn't give enough information, it was a tease
I wish he had gone more in depth concerning Murder Inc. The why's and how's to how it came about. Mention why people were whacked not just that they were and who did it. I have always had a fascination with the mob but he just didn't give enough information, it was a tease
August 18, 2014
Couldn't get into it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews