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Mafia Confession: "King of Bootleggers" Murder

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This crime story is 100% true. From the personal diary of alleged killer Giuseppe "Joe" Parisi awaiting trial in his jail cell. All names, events, and conversations in this book are real and carefully documented from the newspapers of the era, reporter interviews, trial and law enforcement archives.

The story follows Joe Parisi, who guns down the “King of Bootleggers,” Carlo Siniscalchi, a ruthless crime boss, as his limousine idled against the curb. The ferocious and devastating retaliatory attack that follows on Parisi’s unsuspecting family and attorney. A car-to-car exchange of gunfire between mob gunmen on a desolate Connecticut roadway. The electrifying trial had over 2,000 people huddled around the courthouse, awaiting every word uttered from within by Parisi’s defense attorney, the future Governor of Massachusetts. The Bootleg Queen, Pasqualina Siniscalchi-Miranda, ferociously and savagely ambushed by a gang of ruthless mafia hitmen, marking the first time the mob put a hit on a woman. A notorious gangster, Michael Fiore, sitting in a barber chair with a towel draped over his shoulders, suddenly a target of a burst of bullets.

A must-read for anyone fascinated with Mafia history - and a rare inside account of the rise of the "Springfield Crew" in Massachusetts, its ties with the Genovese Crime Family of New York, and its evolution into the present-day Mob.

Family insider Nick Parisi reveals the truth behind the legends, disclosing for the first time the unforgiving aftermath of the Mafia lifestyle, with the compelling drive of a thriller and the power of a painfully honest family memoir.

Editorial Reviews


"One of the most gripping true crime stories I have ever read. Be warned: it is not for the faint-hearted. This book will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish... I highly recommend it for true crime aficionados and fans of mob thrillers." -Reader's Favorite Awards

"A story of racketeering, vendettas, and corruption. It is also the story of successful assimilation, as the young immigrant started a business, got rid of his competition, and largely got away with it to live out the American Dream." -Mafia Book Reviews

"This book is the perfect read for anyone who is a fan of true stories, especially thrillers about organized crime and mafia themes... This story deserves to be filmed." -The Real Gangster Saga

"As well as being a rollicking true crime story, it's the most complete insider history of the Mafia in Springfield, Massachusetts, written to date. A must-read." -Mafia Genealogy

Most true crime books have a detached feeling, keeping the reader at arm's length from their subject. The unique storytelling style of Mafia Confession lends a more personal and emotional feel to the history of a murder. -Reedsy

"Very well written by Author Nick Parisi, he takes readers back to the days of prohibition seen through the eyes of a family member who was there." -New England Wiseguys

"One of the best new Organized Crime books." -Book Authority

"An absorbing, intimate, alluring story of one family's tumultuous past." -Johnny Mathis, Legendary Singer and Grammy Hall of Famer

Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2024

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About the author

Nicholas Anthony Parisi

19 books5 followers
Born in West Springfield, Massachusetts, Nick grew up surrounded by the real-life legends of organized crime. He didn’t just study “The Families,” he knew them. The names in his books aren’t just subjects; they were family, friends, rivals, and mentors.

After relocating to California, Nick took a hard turn into the outlaw world, patching into one of the most notorious 1% motorcycle clubs in the nation. He didn’t just ride, he climbed, eventually becoming a national officer and living the life most true crime writers only imagine.

Today, when he’s not at the keyboard peeling back the layers of North America’s criminal underworld, you’ll find him on a golf course, fly fishing remote rivers, playing cards at a poker table, or chasing new stories across the globe.

Parisi writes what he’s lived, and he’s lived what most wouldn’t dare.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
22 (30%)
4 stars
28 (38%)
3 stars
13 (18%)
2 stars
5 (6%)
1 star
4 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for P.B. Flower.
Author 6 books98 followers
March 23, 2024
Chilling account

This book gives a detailed and chilling account of a well publicized murder of the Kind of Bootleggers in the early 1900. It has a true confession of Joseph Parisi, newspaper clippings, police interviews, and courtroom proceedings.
It brought to light Joseph Parisi's side of the story, and how he confessed to the crime as a self defense. The jury gave the guilty verdict requesting a lenient sentence. Despite the character witnesses, the defendant's own confession, and him being backed by some big names, the judge gave him a strong sentence.
Joseph's account on why and how he murdered Carlos was one of the chilling things I have read. It showed how being on the wrong side of the world makes one do things that have deadly consequences. Because sometimes, many times, it is either you or them. Joseph acted in self defense and was still found guilty as the law requires substantial and I deniable proof.
There are many other stories around the main murder. Carlo's wife Pasquilina was also gunned down a decade later. Looking at the real newspaper clippings added to the ominous feel.
I believe this was one another one of those stories that will haunt me for days. Truth is certainly stranger than fiction. The Mafia world is one of those that solidifies this saying.
1 review
December 15, 2023
Bellisimo! A Must Read For Any Interested in Springfield Underworld.

As soon as I heard about this book I had to read it. Pick it up and you will not put it down until it is completed from cover to cover. Gripping and FULL of accurate historical happenings. Growing up in the Springfield area, we’ve come to know the story of the Mafia here somewhat well from the 1970s on, for those looking to fill the gaps this is a must read. Bravo, Mr Parisi..very well done!
Profile Image for Venus.
1,030 reviews28 followers
December 22, 2023
intriguing

Very dark and very intriguing series. I look forward to seeing what else this author has because I know it’s one of many books. The world is well together and the author put a lot of thought into this story. So it’s definitely worth investing in.
1 review3 followers
January 1, 2024
Couldn’t put this down and had to keep reminding myself that this is a true story!
Profile Image for Jean.
89 reviews
March 20, 2025
Did not finish. Try as I might, I could not get into this book. I really wanted to read it and learn about Springfield, MA’s mob history, but the writing didn’t flow for me. Every other sentence was about how the air/atmosphere in the room changed. That got old, FAST. I kept picking it up and putting it down. Now it’s due back at my local library and I don’t see myself ever finishing it. I also found it confusing to go from first to third person and the photographs from the papers of the day were terribly reproduced. I didn’t necessarily expect glossy photo paper, but you could barely make out the people’s faces in the photographs. Disappointing and unfortunately, I won’t be reading the sequel.
322 reviews10 followers
April 17, 2025
Gripping Tale of Crime with Powerful Health Insights!

“Mafia Confession: King of Bootleggers" seamlessly combines gripping storytelling with valuable health insights. The author’s exploration of the underworld of organized crime is both engaging and thought-provoking. The lessons on resilience and well-being truly struck a chord with me. An intriguing read that absolutely deserves five stars—highly recommended!
72 reviews2 followers
September 5, 2024
A must read for true crime enthusiasts

This book is an electrifying exploration of dark underworld of mafia during prohibition. Narrative is thrilling and historically accurate. For those fascinated by Mafia history this book is treasure trove of information. Beyond it’s historical value it’s also a gripping narrative that reads like a thriller. Highly recommend!
3 reviews
December 5, 2023
Very well-researched with newspaper articles to back it up. Well done! Many true-crime mafia books are like history books. The author wrote this one as though he was the main character telling the story. You are walking in his shoes.
Profile Image for Paul Leverell.
239 reviews5 followers
July 19, 2024
great book

This book is fascinating. It seems well researched and well written. The addition of the photographs and newspaper clippings add a reality to the whole story. An easy 5 stars.
Profile Image for Lori Colwell.
Author 2 books10 followers
February 1, 2026
An insider view

“Mafia Confessions” is written from an insider’s prospective on the violence following the prohibition period. Includes published information from articles and handed down family knowledge. An interesting read for sure.
Author 2 books1 follower
Read
May 3, 2024
Amazing read

This is both terrific and terrifying that it is all allegedly true. With the involvement of the famous Genovese family adds a lot of weight to it.
374 reviews5 followers
May 26, 2024
Well Written

This would make a great movie. The characters are are developed and thrbstoeykine had original angkes that a reader looks for. Hope to read more from this author.
Profile Image for Sarah Rowley.
64 reviews
August 20, 2025
Not written by a professional. Entertaining . Shows Mafia life in New England during Prohibition.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews