Ma, Your Son Is Crazy, Do Something!: A True Crime Story of New York's Underworld, Organized Crime and a Life Gone Wrong

by JC Fabio

A true story of two cousins, two choices—and two dramatically different destinies.

In this gripping 402-page biography and memoir, presented in a classic 6 x 9-inch format, author JC Fabio takes readers deep into the gritty underbelly of New York City, tracing the rise and fall of his cousin “JC", a Yonkers man drawn into a world of la cosa nostra, underground casinos, drugs, and deception. From the smoke-filled afterhours clubs of the Bronx to the backrooms of organized crime, JC’s journey is both mesmerizing and tragic—a cautionary tale of what happens when fast money and temptation win over conscience and faith.

But this isn’t just "JC’s" story. It’s also Fabio’s. Through vivid contrast, the author juxtaposes his own path of education, faith, and perseverance against his cousin’s descent into chaos. Each chapter reveals not only the devastating cost of bad choices but also the quiet triumphs that come from discipline, humility, and grace.

Readers are pulled into a world few have seen firsthand—a dangerous, seductive New York filled with pimps, gamblers, dealers, and dreamers. Along the way, familiar names emerge—Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, Former NY Attorney General and NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, comedian Rodney Dangerfield, songwriter Chip Taylor, film producer Robert Celestino, and Messianic Rabbi and New York Times Best Seller, Jonathan Cahn—each playing a surprising role in this true-life drama.

Fabio’s storytelling blends sophistication and streetwise honesty, turning outrageous real events into profound life lessons. With cinematic pacing and heartfelt reflection, he transforms a tale of vice and virtue into an unforgettable meditation on family, faith, and the power of choice.

If you love memoirs that read like crime thrillers, or true stories that reveal the hidden soul of a city, this book delivers from the first page to the last.

Choices matter. Choose wisely.

Praise for
Ma, Your Son is Crazy, Do Something!

“As readers take in the stories of [JC]’s shocking dealings with Irish gang members in New York City and his encounters with the law in the late 1960s and early '70s, it's easy to believe that these tales can't possibly be true-and, yet, they are.”—Kirkus Reviews

“[R]eaders interested in how and why two people from similar family backgrounds wind up in such contrasting circumstances will find insights in this Tale of Two Cousins.”—Blue Ink Reviews

“Part memoir, part personal biography, Ma, Your Son Is Crazy, Do Something! is about family, morality, and memory.”—Foreword Reviews

404 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2025

About the author

I write about true stories drawn from the gritty underworld of NYC, where organized crime, gambling and vice collide with faith and redemption.

Reviews

[L.C. Tang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a compelling look into the gritty underworld of New York City gangs and law enforcement during the late 1960s and early 1970s, following the contrasting lives of two cousins. While the vivid dialogue, profanity, and graphic depictions of crime and violence made it an intense read that I could only absorb in small portions, they also contributed to the story's authenticity.

One of the book's standout features is the inspiring quote at the beginning of each chapter. Some of my favorites include: Chapter 6: "The price of excellence is discipline. The cost of mediocrity is disappointment." Chapter 8: "Learning never exhausts the mind." Chapter 15: "A good reputation is more valuable than money," and Chapter 22: "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you" (Isaiah 43:2).

The author thoughtfully weaves biblical scripture throughout the narrative, alongside reflections on family relationships, faith, perseverance, and personal health challenges. Chapter 18, in particular, was especially moving as it recounts the author's battle with pneumonia and his hospital experiences, evoking genuine compassion and empathy. Overall, this is a fascinating and heartfelt memoir that combines realism with personal reflection, leaving readers with a deeper appreciation for resilience, faith, and the power of redemption.

[Micheal Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ma, Your Son Is Crazy, Do Something! by J.C. Fabio is a gripping and deeply reflective memoir that explores the impact of choices, environment, and personal values through the lives of two cousins whose paths diverge dramatically.

What stands out most is the dual narrative structure. By contrasting his own journey of discipline, faith, and perseverance with his cousin’s descent into the world of organized crime, Fabio creates a powerful and thought provoking exploration of cause and consequence. The story becomes more than just a recounting of events it’s a study of how decisions shape destiny.

The setting adds another compelling layer. The vivid portrayal of New York’s underground scene from after-hours clubs to illicit operations immerses readers in a world that feels both cinematic and authentic. This backdrop enhances the tension and highlights the risks and temptations that define the cousin’s journey.

At the same time, the memoir carries a strong moral and emotional core. Themes of family, accountability, and redemption are woven throughout, giving the narrative depth and resonance. The inclusion of recognizable public figures adds an intriguing dimension, grounding the story within a broader cultural and historical context.

Overall, Ma, Your Son Is Crazy, Do Something! is both an engaging and meaningful read. It combines the intensity of a crime story with the introspection of a personal memoir, leaving readers with a lasting reminder that choices both big and small shape the course of our lives.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ma, Your Son Is Crazy, Do Something! is a gripping, cinematic memoir that reads with the intensity of a crime thriller while delivering the emotional depth of a deeply personal family story. J.C. Fabio masterfully contrasts two lives shaped by two very different choices, his own path of discipline, faith, and perseverance, and his cousin JC’s descent into the seductive dangers of New York’s underworld. The parallel storytelling is powerful, honest, and impossible to ignore.

Fabio brings 1960s–1970s New York City to life with vivid authenticity, pulling readers into underground casinos, after-hours clubs, and the shadowy corners of organized crime. Yet the real heart of the book lies in its reflection on family, morality, and the consequences of choices. With appearances from well-known public figures woven seamlessly into the narrative, the memoir becomes not just a true account but a compelling meditation on destiny. This is a rare story, raw, heartfelt, and unforgettable.

[JC Fabio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two cousins.
Bound by blood. Divided by choices.
A true story of family, decisions, and the paths that changed two lives forever.