Dirty 20

by Bill Schweigart

The Sopranos meets Dungeons & Dragons when a crime boss’s son accidentally becomes a crowdfunding superstar and disrupts business on the streets.

Bill Schweigert (The Fatal Folklore Trilogy) game masters a crime fiction novel that will level up your crime game and make you finally get that THACO LIFE abs tattoo.

Despite being son to Don Allesandro Fugue, AKA Big Al, AKA The Al Mighty, AKA King of the Denver streets, Tommy Fugue has never had much interest in the family business. But when his father assigns him the “summer job” of mastering digital money laundering, Tommy figures he can list some fake projects on FunFunder, pledge them with zombie accounts, and clean a dirty $20,000 in time for college in the fall.

Unfortunately, just as he’s about to give a progress report to his father’s capos, the Family sees that a roleplaying game he mocked up using his mom’s old artwork has been funded to the tune of $650,000… and counting.

The only thing scarier than an angry Big Al is a Big Al that smells money and family bonding. Voluntold by their mercurial boss to assist, various criminals and killers in the Family Fugue help playtest and produce Tommy’s 1,000 Blades of Tergivers RPG in the hopes they can truly turn a dirty twenty into legit millions.

At first Tommy sees game sessions with brothel owners, hit women, and a street captain with OCD as yet another example of why he needs to get out from under his father. But when he realizes that being the game master might help him uncover what these criminals know about his mother’s disappearance a year ago, it’s Game On.

Playing a game while making a game is tricky—especially when elements of the fantasy world keep blending into the players’ real lives. So when Tergivers’ influence starts the streets talking about how the Family Fugue is slipping, beware the new game Big Al starts playing, following rules only he knows.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Thriller

416 pages, Paperback

Published May 12, 2026

About the author

Bill Schweigart is the author of THE GUILTY ONE (3/21/23) and "Women and Children First," a story co-written with James Patterson in THREE DAYS TO LIVE (2/14/23). He is also the author of The Fatal Folklore Trilogy, which includes THE BEAST OF BARCROFT, NORTHWOODS, and THE DEVIL'S COLONY. He is a former Coast Guard officer who drew from his experiences at sea to write the nautical thriller, SLIPPING THE CABLE and the romantic comedy, RUNNING LIGHT. Bill currently lives in Arlington, VA with his wife and daughter, who along with their monstrous Newfoundland and four cats, provide him with all the adventure he can handle.

Reviews

[Cameron Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review:

This is a really fun story with a great cast of characters that have a lot of variety and personality to them.

Some of it is a little cheesy but in a goofy, nod to the target audience, kind of way.

It may be just slightly longer than was necessary.
Some of the descriptions of scenes could get a little repetitive and too spelled out, but it’s not overly burdensome in that way and it doesn’t detract from the overall story. Just a personal preference to be left a little space to fill in on my own.

I would recommend it to TTRPG players mainly, especially if they have an interest in crime dramas and think a crossover of those worlds would be interesting.

[Martin Maenza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hyperion Avenue provided an early galley for review.

As a table-top RPG player for most of my life, this sounded like a fun concept for a novel. This was my first book from this author; he has one series and also a few other standalone titles.

Right out of the gate, I was connecting to the main characters. The dialogue was snappy, and the situations grounded. I was instantly pulled into Tommy's world and the dilemmas that rose from his family situation. This is very much a coming of age story with relatable themes. Then there was the melodramatic mob elements, just to spice things up.

Of course, the game elements were also something I enjoyed a lot. The way they are presented, with Tommy having to explain the details and mechanics to the non-gamer characters, also teaches any readers who are might be novices as well.

This was a very enjoyable read.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for review!

A CRITICAL HIT!!!!

a fledgling d&d player myself, i was instantly intrigued when i saw this title come across the dashboard. even so, the premise is a little outside of what im usually drawn to, so i wasnt sure if i was more interested in the idea of the book than the reality.

ive never been more pleased to be proven wrong in my life.

this is the ultimate hero's journey with the loveable and relatable tommy fugue at the helm. the humor and geeky delight breathe life into the book from the first page and serve as a poignant, palpable contrast to the later emotional depth of tommy's endeavors. additionally, the world-within-the-world of tergivers is such a compelling storytelling device. i wasn't sure what to expect when approaching a story centered around a d&d campaign, but this was so cleverly and wonderfully done that i'm sure i'll have a massive book hangover for the foreseeable future.

mark your calendars for may 12! i cant wait to recommend this book to everyone who breathes in my direction.

[البهلول أحمد مصطفى]

في مزيجٍ فريدٍ من مسلسل "آل سوبرانو" ولعبة "الأبراج المحصنة والتنانين"، يصبح ابن زعيم عصابةٍ نجمًا لامعًا في مجال التمويل الجماعي، مُحدثًا اضطرابًا في عالم الجريمة.

يُقدّم بيل شوايغرت (مؤلف ثلاثية "الفولكلور القاتل") روايةً بوليسيةً مُتقنةً ستُحسّن من مهاراتك في عالم الجريمة، وتجعلك تُفكّر جديًا في الحصول على وشم "حياة ثاكو".

على الرغم من كونه ابن دون أليساندرو فوج، المعروف أيضًا باسم "بيغ آل"، و"آل مايتي"، و"ملك شوارع دنفر"، لم يُبدِ تومي فوج اهتمامًا كبيرًا بأعمال العائلة. ولكن عندما يُكلّفه والده بـ"وظيفة صيفية" لإتقان غسيل الأموال الرقمي، يعتقد تومي أنه يستطيع إنشاء بعض المشاريع الوهمية على منصة "فن فندر"، وتمويلها بحسابات وهمية، وغسل 20,000 دولار أمريكي قبل بدء دراسته الجامعية في الخريف.


لسوء الحظ، وبينما كان على وشك تقديم تقرير مرحلي لرؤساء والده، اكتشفت العائلة أن لعبة تقمص أدوار ابتكرها باستخدام رسومات والدته القديمة قد حصلت على تمويل بقيمة 650 ألف دولار... وما زال المبلغ في ازدياد.

لا شيء أشد رعبًا من غضب "بيغ آل" إلا إذا كان "بيغ آل" يشم رائحة المال والترابط العائلي. تطوع مجرمون وقاتلون من "عائلة فيوغ" للمساعدة، بناءً على طلب رئيسهم المتقلب، فيساعدون في اختبار وإنتاج لعبة "ألف شفرة من تيرجيفرز" لتومي، على أمل أن يتمكنوا من تحويل مبلغ زهيد إلى ملايين شرعية.

في البداية، رأى تومي جلسات اللعب مع أصحاب بيوت الدعارة، والقاتلات المأجورات، وقائد عصابة يعاني من الوسواس القهري، كدليل آخر على حاجته للتحرر من سيطرة والده. لكن عندما أدرك أن كونه مدير اللعبة قد يساعده في كشف ما يعرفه هؤلاء المجرمون عن اختفاء والدته قبل عام، انطلقت اللعبة.


ممارسة لعبة أثناء تطويرها أمرٌ صعب، خاصةً عندما تتداخل عناصر عالم الخيال مع حياة اللاعبين الواقعية. لذا، عندما يبدأ تأثير تيرجيفيرز بالحديث في الشوارع عن تراجع فرقة فاميلي فيوج، احذروا اللعبة الجديدة التي يبدأ بيج آل بلعبها، والتي تتبع قواعد لا يعرفها سواه.

[Wessy Acrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review of Dirty 20 by Bill Schweigart from Hyperion Avenue Publishing

This was a read where I often found myself thinking “just one more chapter” as I was reading. This is a fresh take on crime fiction, where the story unfolds due to the creation of a dungeons and dragons style RPG, created by the prince of a mob-controlled Colorado.

Although Tommy’s father could be considered basically abusive during parts of this story, the importance of family still shines bright from the whole of the book. I was constantly having to juggle my own sense of morality when it came to certain choices in the story due to its mob-influenced nature.

The characters were well thought out and memorable, and the resolve definitely surprised me at the end. I see good potential for more books!

[Jordan Gauss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this one as an ARC from NetGalley. Thank you, NetGalley for this opportunity! Dirty 20 was a fun ride. Take mob boss crime, dark humor, and a little TTRPG, and you get Dirty 20. Overall, I enjoyed it. The characters were interesting, and I liked the plot. My biggest complaint is the info dump at the end of the book. Even so, the rest of the book was enjoyable enough that I didn’t mind. I recommend for those who enjoy Dungeons and Dragons, mob stories, and sarcasm.

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Dirty 20 by Bill Schweigart

Dirty 20 is essentially organized crime meets tabletop RPGs, and the combination works better than you might expect. Tommy Fugue is the son of a Denver crime boss who wants nothing to do with the family business. Unfortunately, his father decides Tommy needs a crash course before leaving for college and assigns him a task: launder $20,000 online. Tommy’s solution is to create a fake crowdfunding campaign on FunFunder for a tabletop role-playing game he invents called 1,000 Blades of Tergivers. The plan is simple: quietly move the money through the campaign and move on. Instead, the internet loves the idea and the project spirals into a viral success.

Part of the campaign’s popularity comes from the artwork. Tommy recruits a talented illustrator who also happens to be the daughter of a rival Denver crime boss, which is about as safe a decision as it sounds. Between the art, the detailed fantasy world, and enthusiastic gamers online, the campaign explodes and eventually raises around $1.6 million. What started as a quick laundering scheme suddenly becomes a legitimate project with thousands of backers expecting a real game.

The humor leans heavily into the absurdity of the situation. At one point Tommy’s extremely new girlfriend sends him to the hospital with anaphylaxis from her chili-pepper lip plumper, and while he’s recovering she casually reveals that Tommy’s father’s gang killed her own father years earlier after he kidnapped Tommy as a child. Meanwhile, members of the Fugue crime family end up helping playtest the RPG, leading to the surreal image of hardened criminals sitting around a table arguing about character builds and fantasy quests.

Alongside the comedy, the story also carries a mystery about Tommy’s mother, who disappeared the year before the novel begins. As the game sessions continue and tensions rise within the family, Tommy slowly uncovers the truth: his mother was not simply a victim who vanished, but had been involved in the family’s operations and ultimately disappeared as an accomplice. When someone connected to the tabletop campaign is killed in real life, the book reminds you that beneath the jokes and dice rolls these are still dangerous people. I’m currently landing at 4 stars. The premise is strange in the best way, and the mix of crime drama and gaming culture makes for a creative and entertaining read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Susan Poer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unexpected, fresh take on crime fiction that was pleasantly surprising, original, and entertaining. It's fast paced, and funny with a crazy plot that seems implausible but the author gets it to work. Like a mob version of Dungeons & Dragons, with a crime family involved in the gaming industry.

At the center of the story is Tommy Fugue, heir to his father’s criminal empire. The Fugue family is led by the ruthless Big Al, “King of the Denver Streets.” When Big Al assigns Tommy the task of laundering a dirty $20,000 through online channels before college, Tommy concocts what he thinks is a quick scam: list fake projects on a crowdfunding platform and clean the money with help from bogus accounts.

But things spiral out of control when his role-playing game called 1,000 Blades of Tergivers unexpectedly raises over $650,000 and becomes a real sensation. Suddenly, Tommy and an unlikely crew of mobsters (from brothel owners to hit women and compulsive gamers) must actually build the game, hoping to legitimize the money, and to save face with Big Al. Along the way they even uncover secrets about Tommy’s missing mother.

Schweigart takes what could have been a straight crime caper and turns it into something wonderfully unpredictable by blending together multiple genres, geek humor, and fantasy worldbuilding alongside organized-crime stakes, creating two intertwined narratives that play off each other in fun ways.

It's got sharp dialogue, absurd scenarios, and a breakneck plot that keeps the tension high, not just from looming mob reprisals, but from the chaos of actually trying to turn a crowd-pleasing game into a reality while dodging real-world dangers.

Tommy’s transformation is a pleasure to watch, from reluctant money launderer, to creative game master, is both compelling and surprisingly moving. The cast of eccentric supporting characters adds layers of humor, menace, and unexpected humanity as the narrative unfolds.

A fun ride which was not at all what I expected!

[Steven Netter · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books

Dark and brutal, enchanting and immersive, Dirty 20 is a masterfully crafted crime/fantasy novel blend with a cutthroat game of loyalty, betrayal and survival at the center. Bill Schweigart delivers an epic tale that combines the criminal underworld with role-playing games, resulting in a thriller that promises to be unlike anything else you’ve ever read.

Dirty 20 is billed as The Sopranos meets Dungeons & Dragons, which is a perfect description of this book. It dives deep into an organized crime family and what it takes to survive and thrive in that environment...and it also does a fantastic job of developing the fantasy world of the game Tommy is developing, going into depth in a way that makes you want to play the game. But...at its core this is a coming-of-age story for young Tommy who’s at a crossroads in his life that forces him to choose between cowering from and kowtowing to his dominant father or deciding to get out and forge his own path.

Filled with great characters, dark storylines, and shocking twists – of which there are several that will hit you like a pair of brass knuckles to the temple – Dirty 20 is a captivating and engaging novel you won’t be able to put down. Bill Schwiegart knocks this one out of the park, further showcasing his literary versatility as he adds an epic fantasy and crime crossover thriller to his previous works in unfiltered dark crime and folklore-themed thrillers.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I'm the right demographic for this book: as a teen I played 1ed D&D, have grown up to DM 5ed games for my teens, love crime films and fiction, and read about a hundred books a year. I spotted this at a conference and couldn't resist the title and cover art and brought it home to read. The strapline "The Sopranos meets Dungeons and Dragons" pretty much tells you all you need to know, other than it's set in Denver and also ties in Kickstarter.

The plot revolves around the teenage son of a Denver mafia boss who just wants to go to art college and go on a date with a gorgeous classmate. Unfortunately, his overbearing father insists that he earn some money and start learning the family business by laundering $20,000. That's the catalyst for him creating a crowd-funded TTRPG that goes viral -- wacky and dark antics ensue. 

The writing is zippy and generally comic, although it shifts into darker terrain at times. There's a whole subplot about his mother's disappearance and how that's affected him, and there is a murder. One of the book's gimmicks is that during stressful moments, scenes sometimes shift from reality into the game's fantasy, with people represented by their characters, etc. All in all, it more or less works, although there is a huge plot improbability involving a rival Denver crime boss. There are also two major plot twists that, unfortunately, I'm guessing most readers will have anticipated. So while it's pretty fun, keep expectations in check.

[Mystyc Metrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid RPG player, I thought this was an interesting take. Our protagonist, Tommy Fugue, is the son of a mob boss who wants nothing to do with his father's activities - he is an art student in college and looking to make a career out of that. Unfortunately, his father threatens to pull his tuition if he doesn't practice some money laundering, which Tommy unwillingly does. The twist is that, inspired by his friend who has a comic on FunFunder, he basically creates a kickstarter style campaign for his RPG Blades of Tergivers, where the blades are inspired by virtues that the characters lack. This is funded beyond his wildest dreams, leading him to actually create the game and play with a wacky cast of his father's associates. Add in a potential love interest with another college student, a budding friendship with someone who may be more than he seems, and the dysfunctional family dynamics of a mafioso, his son, and their missing matriarch and you've got the story. I thought the characters were likable, and the plot was well paced - it kept me wanting to know what happened while still peppering in enough twists to keep it interesting. Even the side characters are fun and add a bit to the plot, and there is a powerful message that found family can be just as important as the one you are born with. If you've ever wondered what would happen if some wise guys decided to play some D&D, this story is for you!

[Jeannine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Dirty 20 by Bill Schweigert to be a very entertaining and fast-paced read that felt perfect for summer. It has the kind of energy that keeps the pages turning without becoming too heavy, making it an ideal choice for a lightly suspenseful fun read. The plotline is, “Despite being son to Don Allesandro Fugue, Tommy Fugue has never had much interest in the family business. But when his father assigns him the “summer job” of mastering digital money laundering, Tommy figures he can list some fake projects on FunFunder, pledge them with zombie accounts, and clean a dirty $20,000 in time for college in the fall.” It was a fun easy romp on the genre, well written, easy to read, characters you feel for. The pacing rarely slows down, and each chapter pushes the story forward with new complications or revelations. There is plenty of suspense, but the tone never becomes oppressively dark. Instead, it carries the spirit of a classic adventure thriller, where the excitement and momentum matter just as much as the danger. For me, Dirty 20 seems well suited as a lighter summer read. It has action, tension, a creative premise, and just enough complexity to stay interesting without demanding too much from the reader. It is the sort of book I would recommend for a vacation, a beach bag, or simply a weekend when you want something exciting and entertaining.

#Dirty20 #NetGalley

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
I grabbed this complimentary ARC from Hyperion via NetGalley because the combination of D&D-style role playing and a mafia family laundering money through a game campaign sounded completely up my alley. Unfortunately, while I appreciated the creativity behind the concept, the execution didn’t fully work for me.

The strongest aspect was definitely the premise itself. The blend of organized crime with a fake, and eventually not-so-fake, tabletop role playing game was unique and entertaining. I also liked how the story shifted between the real world and the fantasy game world, especially during the heavier emotional moments. For the most part, those transitions were effective and added personality to the narrative.

That said, this book requires a lot of concentration to follow. The plot becomes increasingly convoluted and often stretches believability despite being grounded in a real-world setting. I found myself having to constantly stay dialed in just to keep track of what was happening, and even then, many of the twists felt highly predictable.

Still, I can absolutely see this finding its audience. It leans heavily into niche role-playing gamer culture, and for readers who love D&D mechanics and fantasy campaign dynamics, there is definitely fun to be had here. As a longtime tabletop gaming geek myself, I appreciated seeing more stories embrace that world even if this particular one didn’t fully land for me.

[Noah H-I · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 out of 5 stars (rounded up to 4)

Dirty 20 is a fun and unique fusion of two genres that’s I didn’t think would work together: crime drama and tabletop RPG. The book balances the humor without making it too “nerdy” and is able to play with a few deeper themes (although the pay off varies per theme).

While the characters are lively and memorable, the RPG storyline within the story is the real gem of the book. The author does a good job of interweaving fantasy lingo into the story and going deep into the TTRPG elements that I enjoyed as a DnD fan.

As quickly as I was flying through the pages, I kept finding myself losing focus and putting the book down. I didn’t get sucked into the book as I would have liked. That being said, the pace of the book started to increase halfway through and I read the entire second half of the book in one day.

Another small criticism is that the story leans heavily on the mob family plot, with D&D sessions popping up occasionally, so if you were expecting more gameplay or TTRPG content based on the title and cover, it might feel a bit light.

Still, I really enjoyed the story, characters, and the unique concept overall. I would definitely recommend it!

[Timothy Emmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow!! Where to start!! I absolutely loved this book. Bill Schweigart did a phenomenal job of creating a read I never saw coming, by a longshot. Being a fan of mafia stories, mobsters gangsters, and also a fantasy nut that, while I never got the chance to play DND at any point because being blind, none of the game that I know of, was accessible for me as an RPG, I still appreciate the game, story arcs, and such, I was all aboard for this one. And, it inspires me, to grab hold of a dream and run, much like the main character but, not quite in this way. Lol. But, I loved this book. There was strong character development all the way through, and a sense of maturity and rediscovery as the story went. No spoilers but, it went out with the bang it started in. Bill, I can't wait where you go next. I'm in, all aboard and ready. This had all the fun I needed in a book. Grab this one when it comes out in May, and thank you Net Galley for providing a copy of this book for review. Blog post coming soon, and, yeah. This one nails it for hot new books coming in May. Get it. I 10 out of 10 recommend!!

[Jeremy Reppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept of creating a fake crowdfunding campaign to launder $20K is amusing. Especially when the campaign goes viral, with pledge totals in the high six figures, and Tommy Fugue, the son of mobster “Big Al” Fugue, has to actually create the RPG promoted in the campaign. And to use some of his father’s “associates” to help develop and beta test the game. This brings numerous humorous aspects to the story, as do Tommy’s efforts to impress Sanse, the young woman he likes. Tommy might have game in the sense of the RPG but is decidedly lacking in “game” when it comes to relationships.

The story takes a somewhat surprising dark turn. But it does not lose its humor aspect, with sections alternating between a D&D like campaign and real life; amusing and nerdy puns; a motorcycle gang that likes role-playing games; and Tommy and Nine Ball visiting Central Park and displaying the pure joy of two boys on an adventure.

And the final chapters bring some very surprising twists (and a not so surprising revelation — Turdo is a “turd”, to make a bad pun).

[Seth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley and found myself landing at a 3.5-star rating—though it was a close call between rounding up or down. In the end, I settled on 3 stars.

What held me back were the sections where the story shifted into the fantasy TTRPG narrative. While I can see what the author was aiming for, these passages felt repetitive and, at times, dragged the pacing down. Because they so closely mirrored events in Tommy’s real-life storyline, they didn’t add much new insight or tension. Instead, they often read like a retread of what had already been established, framed through Tommy’s dissociation. I found myself skimming—or occasionally skipping—these sections to get back to the main narrative.

That said, the book’s strengths lie in its characters. Tommy’s emotional journey was compelling, and I appreciated the depth given to his arc. The character work kept me invested, even when certain structural choices didn’t fully land for me.

Overall, an interesting concept with strong character development, but uneven execution in how its dual narratives were handled.

[Nikkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My job is to play D&D. Literally, no joke! That is what I do for a living. On top of that, part of that job is Kickstarter. So it felt like a no brainer picking up this book.

All that to say, I have to be honest here, I am not a huge fan of stories about the Mob. There is something about Mob related things that makes me feel unsettled. Many of my friends LOVE the Sopranos but I just can't watch it, which is sadly why I never get the Sopranos jokes in our D&D campaigns (sorry Mikey)!

That long winded exposition to say that this book was so freaking fun! Tommy was such a charming protagonist and his derision to doing Mob things made a normally Mob averse person follow along for all of the fun.

Obviously the book was a little wacky but it all really worked together and as someone that does what Tommy does for a living this was just so fun to read.

My opinion is very biased based on my life circumstances but I genuinely think my fellow TTRPG nerds will have a lot of fun with this one!

[Ashley Wendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun palate cleanser read! I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and picked this one up. I’ve read and enjoyed a few YA rom-coms with D&D elements before, but Dirty 20 took things in such a different direction with the mobster storyline and the behind-the-scenes crowdfunding/game creation angle. It honestly ended up being one of the most creative premises I’ve read in a while.

Even though this is very TTRPG-focused, I never felt lost as someone who isn’t deeply immersed in that world. The gaming elements were hilarious, and my favorite parts of the book. I loved the campaign sessions and the way the lines between the game and real life slowly started to blur.

The humor in this was peak! I found myself giggling constantly. There’s this chaotic mix of nerd culture, internet culture, crime family drama, and awkward humor that works so well together.

I absolutely had to buy a physical copy for my home library to support the author and can’t wait to read more!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Francis M. Prensa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was hilarious. Tommy is the son of a mafia boss, and he’s constantly surrounded by his dad’s soldiers, who were honestly some of the funniest people in the story. Even the other people working for his father added so much humor to the book. It had a ton of funny moments mixed in with all the mafia drama, which made it such an enjoyable read for most of the story.

I really liked it up until the ending, though. The ending fell a little short for me, especially with Tommy dealing with the issues surrounding his mother abandoning him, while also discovering that his father had been hiding so many secrets. On top of that, his father forces him into laundering money, and everything spirals completely out of control from there. Tommy is trying so hard to hold onto a normal life, only to realize his family is an absolute mess.

Overall, I still had a good time with this book because the humor carried it for me. Maybe listening to it as an audiobook would make me enjoy it even more.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read an eARC through NetGalley.
I was surprised by this book. It’s a little outside my preferred genres, so I wasn’t expecting much from it. I was quite pleased therefore by how much I enjoyed it.
There are several different storylines playing out at once here. The development of the game that’s central to the story and the running of a campaign were highlights. I would have liked to see those fleshed out a little more – there’s really not enough to make it distinguishable from a number of other TTRPGs, nor anything to justify the amount of crowdfunding it received.
Speaking of the crowdfunding, I kept expecting another shoe to drop. It seemed that there should have been something to justify the virality of the project and its funding gains.
The organized crime side of the story, as well as the coming-of-age of the main character, were quite strong plots as well. Some good twists and some quite humorous bits made this a very compelling read.

[Jaz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Hyperion for the e-arc
DNF @56. The tag of "Sopranos meets Dungeons & Dragons" really got me. I love Dimension 20 and who doesn't love mafia? To me the book was just dragging on. I wasn't excited to read it and that's the biggest problem. I was also getting confused. Was he making a game to sell like a homebrew? Was he selling a stream of him and everyone playing? I was kind of confused and probably missed the answer somewhere along the way. Even with that said I just though the book dragged on. I wasn't sure what I expected when I requested the book but I thought it would be a little more... exciting? I think I was not the target audience for this book and it's on me for requesting it.

[Boshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. I really enjoyed the way it balances two threads at once: the campaign itself and the real-world plot happening alongside it. Getting to see both sides added momentum and made the story feel layered in a way I wasn’t expecting.

The RPG sounds genuinely cool! I’d play it. And beyond the concept, I was invested in seeing how Tommy’s character arc would progress.

I also liked that there’s mystery (or two) unfolding in the background.

Overall, this is a great blend of RPG elements with mob vibes and a touch of mystery. If you like stories that mix genres while still keeping the characters front and center, this one is worth checking out.

Thank you to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for this digital ARC!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book based on the description of a cross between a mob story and tabletop RPG. I'm not sure they integrated quite as well as I'd hoped, and the RPG/Kickstarter-esque parts of it didn't feel entirely fleshed out to me; this was really more about the mob stuff than the RPG. But the overall plotline was fun, with interesting characters and decent writing. It kept me turning those pages and while the ending was cliched I was satisfied enough. Nothing ground-breaking here, but a very solid story. 3.5 stars overall.

Thank you to the publisher Hyperion, via NetGalley, for providing the advance copy for review.

[Destiny Imperati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Release Day Review

☆Incredibly written☆

Okay this book is perfect for any fans of the sopranos and or dungeons and dragons. I am a fan of both so this was absolutely perfect in my opinion!

Featuring a crime boss and his son who accidentally becomes famous, disrupting the undercover family business.

The story was an excellent combination of wild twists, a phenomenal cast of characters, some very intriguing writing, and of course a story that's unforgettable!

Tropes:
✨️Crime fiction
✨️Family drama
✨️Thrilling writing
✨️Digtal money schemes

Huge thanks to the author, Publisher Hyperion Avenue, and Netgalley for the early review copy!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dirty 20” by Bill Schweigart is a fun, fast-paced blend of crime fiction and tabletop gaming that feels fresh and different. Following Tommy Fugue, the reluctant son of a mob boss, the story takes a sharp turn when a joking RPG idea explodes into a lucrative and dangerous business. The characters are quirky, the humor lands well, and the plot balances absurdity with real emotional stakes. If you enjoy crime stories with a unique twist and a playful sense of humor, this one is a great time, especially for DND players.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was certainly a unique concept! I love a good mob story, and this did not disappoint. The concept of intertwining an RPG into the story was genius. I was very skeptical at first, but once the story started to develop I was hooked! There were so many humorous bits too - I could FEEL the characters sarcasm and laughter. The last 2/3 of the book flew by for me as I just couldn't stop reading. Definitely recommend this!

Thank you to Hyperion Avenue and Net Galley for this ARC! #Dirty20 #NetGalley

[Cat1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirty 20 has a unique storyline: crime family vs game master. Tommy Fugue is the son of the crime lord, Big Al. Tommy's friend and bodyguard, Nine Ball, helps him develop the game with other mafia staff and helps Tommy avoid his father. The story is crazy and has some funny lines, plus the premise is absurd. Despite everything, the storyline actually works. I felt like Tommy went from floundering in his life to becoming confident and more assured. It is a wild ride that kept me captivated.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[camille! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Overall I found this an oddly charming crime novel with TTRPG elements. If we're continuing the TTRPG element, it felt like a game of fiasco that managed to resolve relatively smoothly, all things considered.

At points I wish there was more development and build, and the pacing felt slightly rushed. I also felt like certain plot elements came in slightly out of the blue. While it was a fun quick read, it's also one that I wish had had just a tad more meat to it.

But! Another great silly summer read.

[Gracey Dantes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sopranos meets D&D. I'm hooked!
I'm 38 chapters in and I'm loving it. It's a perfect blend of my love of mob movies and my slight addiction to TTRPGs. If you're a TTRPG player, you'll get a kick out of the familiar scenarios this group get into. Schweigart does a great job of clearly transitioning from "in game" story, to the actual players. The wide variety of characters are well done and given enough backstory to give each of them depth.