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The Mobster's Daughter
Danny couldn't understand why he was so attracted to Carly, because they didn't have a lot in common. Danny was quiet; Carly couldn’t stop talking. Danny loved science and math; Carly was terrified of them. Danny read science fiction; Carly read Harlequin romances. Danny’s favorite band was Pink Floyd; Carly had never heard of Pink Floyd.
It was only later that Danny found out that Carly's father was a Mafia boss. That made things complicated, because Danny’s father was an FBI agent.
The Mobster’s Daughter is a tale set in Youngstown, Ohio, a blue collar city of giant steel mills and back-room bookie joints, close-knit families and unsolved disappearances, church festivals and car bombs.
It was only later that Danny found out that Carly's father was a Mafia boss. That made things complicated, because Danny’s father was an FBI agent.
The Mobster’s Daughter is a tale set in Youngstown, Ohio, a blue collar city of giant steel mills and back-room bookie joints, close-knit families and unsolved disappearances, church festivals and car bombs.
- GenresYoung Adult
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 16, 2025
3.5 stars
The Mobster’s Daughter is a young adult story set in a small steel works town in Ohio during the late 1970s.
Surrounding the initial tale of Danny and Carly’s developing teenage romance is a background of violence and danger, as Mafia mobs compete for control of the town and local area. Danny is the son of an FBI agent and Carly is the daughter of a mob boss.
The story is packed with historical nostalgia; Danny is an early computer enthusiast and reading this reminded me how quickly computers have invaded our lives. The book begins with an introduction to the area, the town’s industrial background and why the Mafia are so prevalent in this place. After the story there is a little more information about radio stations, newspapers and community groups that appeared in the storyline.
I thought that the author did a good job of recreating life from the 1970s, and there was a strong sense of the family values that surrounded Danny’s upbringing. While I enjoyed the historical content, the fiction storytelling style was a weaker area, relying too often on telling rather than showing the tale, making me imagine this as a memoir rather than an imagined narration.
The Mobster’s Daughter is a young adult story set in a small steel works town in Ohio during the late 1970s.
Surrounding the initial tale of Danny and Carly’s developing teenage romance is a background of violence and danger, as Mafia mobs compete for control of the town and local area. Danny is the son of an FBI agent and Carly is the daughter of a mob boss.
The story is packed with historical nostalgia; Danny is an early computer enthusiast and reading this reminded me how quickly computers have invaded our lives. The book begins with an introduction to the area, the town’s industrial background and why the Mafia are so prevalent in this place. After the story there is a little more information about radio stations, newspapers and community groups that appeared in the storyline.
I thought that the author did a good job of recreating life from the 1970s, and there was a strong sense of the family values that surrounded Danny’s upbringing. While I enjoyed the historical content, the fiction storytelling style was a weaker area, relying too often on telling rather than showing the tale, making me imagine this as a memoir rather than an imagined narration.
January 12, 2025
The Mobster's Daughter is a well written book that I could not put down! I don't read many contemporary books but I really enjoyed this one. It weaves teenage drama, family and mobster's all in one book. I also enjoyed all the nostalgia from the 70's era.
Daniel is a teenager living in the 1970's with his family who are such a wholesome family that you will enjoy reading about. I really enjoyed getting to know Daniel's family, his parents are so great and his two sisters are funny. He loves science, math and enjoys reading books. Carly lives with her single mom, loves the color orange and has some secrets that she tries to keep to herself. Her dad comes around once in awhile although she would rather not see him at all.
When school starts for the year he meets this new girl who love the color orange and seems to never stop talking. At lunch one day Carly starts talking to Daniel and they realize that they really have nothing in common although there is an attraction between them. Once they start dating Daniel finds out that Carly's dad is a mob boss. Daniel's dad is an FBI agent. This doesn't normally mix well but Carly's dad doesn't live with her and her mom so it doesn't make too much difference to them at first. Then things start taking a turn for the worse when more secrets are revealed and more violence starts happening.
There is so much to this story. There is the romance between Daniel and Carly, friendships, family time and a great plot. There is also a lot of violence with mob wars going on in their city. I enjoyed the book from start to finish. I loved the ending and I would recommend this book! This e-book was provided to me for review. This did not affect my review in any way.
Daniel is a teenager living in the 1970's with his family who are such a wholesome family that you will enjoy reading about. I really enjoyed getting to know Daniel's family, his parents are so great and his two sisters are funny. He loves science, math and enjoys reading books. Carly lives with her single mom, loves the color orange and has some secrets that she tries to keep to herself. Her dad comes around once in awhile although she would rather not see him at all.
When school starts for the year he meets this new girl who love the color orange and seems to never stop talking. At lunch one day Carly starts talking to Daniel and they realize that they really have nothing in common although there is an attraction between them. Once they start dating Daniel finds out that Carly's dad is a mob boss. Daniel's dad is an FBI agent. This doesn't normally mix well but Carly's dad doesn't live with her and her mom so it doesn't make too much difference to them at first. Then things start taking a turn for the worse when more secrets are revealed and more violence starts happening.
There is so much to this story. There is the romance between Daniel and Carly, friendships, family time and a great plot. There is also a lot of violence with mob wars going on in their city. I enjoyed the book from start to finish. I loved the ending and I would recommend this book! This e-book was provided to me for review. This did not affect my review in any way.
May 25, 2025
“The Mobster’s Daughter” introduces Danny Flanigan, a high schooler in 1970’s Youngstown, Ohio. He’s a bit of a loner and into math and computers. Convinced this year will be just like the rest of his uneventful education, Danny is pleasantly surprised when the new girl, Carly, strikes up a friendship.
Overall, I enjoyed this tale. Told mostly through the POV of Danny, an altruistic and bright protagonist, there’s a sense of innocence throughout the tale that’s counteracted by the underlying themes and dangers posed by the choices of the adults in the tale. Carly adds to the opposing emotional forces through her mostly optimistic and bubbly personality regardless of the challenges she encounters at home and within her own family. Find the full blog post at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
Overall, I enjoyed this tale. Told mostly through the POV of Danny, an altruistic and bright protagonist, there’s a sense of innocence throughout the tale that’s counteracted by the underlying themes and dangers posed by the choices of the adults in the tale. Carly adds to the opposing emotional forces through her mostly optimistic and bubbly personality regardless of the challenges she encounters at home and within her own family. Find the full blog post at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
December 19, 2025
Great description of what it was like to be a high school senior in 1978 Youngstown.
Very entertaining! I could not put it down
Very entertaining! I could not put it down
January 4, 2026
Daniel’s family was very sweet. Interesting to read about fringe mob family members.
October 22, 2025
Very true to the time and place (Youngstown, Ohio, fall 1977), well-developed characters; worth your time even if you're not a child of the 1970s.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews