The Greenfather

by John S. Marshall

Simon, New York’s top organic grocery store owner has a secret: his dad is the head of one of New York’s biggest mob families. When his dad dies, Simon agrees to head the Family, provided that instead of murder, numbers and other rackets, the mob uses its muscle to enforce green regulations and promote healthy eating habits. At first the mob’s hit men and extortionists resent being pressed into green service, but they soon become Simon’s biggest supporters. Seemingly overnight, the city becomes literally cleaned up. Simon, who had planned on succeeding his dad temporarily, now finds he likes his new position as the head of the Family. However, the green world doesn’t accept him because he’s running a crime family, and the crime world doesn’t trust him because he’s run afoul of the Feds. Simon takes his wife, Marla, to his ancestral homeland in Italy, for a much-needed sabbatical – and gets even further into trouble.

Loosely based on Mario Puzo's runaway hit The Godfather, THE GREENFATHER showcases Marshall’s comic dialogue, honed year after year in late night television, in the grand tradition of classic mob comedy, like Analyze This and Analyze That. Packed with larger than life goons, right-hand men, Feds and green fanatics, THE GREENFATHER satirizes the environmental movement, crime, families, and crime families.

THE GREENFATHER is sharp, hilarious, and takes no prisoners, except the ones who are supposed to go there. It goes well with a light salad of radicchio and cherry plum tomatoes.

Genres: Humor, Fiction, Satire, Crime

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 9, 2017

Reviews

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

What do the mob and organic food have in common? In this book quite a lot. Frankie is the youngest son of three, his father is the capo of the mob, his two brothers already active participants. Frankie though is different, he opens an organic food store and wants nothing to do with his family's business. Sometimes we don't get what we want and when his father is iced, Frankie finds staying out of the family business is easier said then done.

In the line of the spoof movie, Airplane, this is a comedic caper that provides many amusing moments. In fact, too many amusing moments and though this is meant to be a satire, for me it got a bit tiring, a bit much. Just not my type of book, but would make a very funny movie for those who like those sort of spoofs. A very quick read, it is written to flow quickly and just a brief foray into a different type of read. Worth it for the amusing moments, a brief detour.

ARC from publisher.

[Three Rooms Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far, the most hysterically funny book I've read in a long time. Satire that targets a broad swath of contemporary American culture. Loved everything about it. Disclosure: I am the publisher, but so what? I love this book. Capiche?

[Skeetor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won an Advance Reader Copy from Goodreads Giveaways. Simon (aka Frankie) is running a health food store when his father, a mob boss, goes to “swim with the fishes”. So everyone is looking to Simon to take over and lead the Family business. Simon has some new "green" ideas for organized crime.

The book is an extremely witty satire of the health food/environmental movement, organized crime and law enforcement. It would make a great spoof movie and in places even seemed to read more like a play than a novel.

[Donna Bailey]

Don't waste your time on this horribly written mess.

[Lily Ready · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just don't bother.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Satirically funny, sometimes too over the top, but an easy read and thoroughly enjoyable. You knew not to take the book too seriously just based on the premise. Chapters consisted of punch lines versus story lines. I received an ARC through goodreads giveaway.

[isabella :3 · Rating 3 out of 5]

if u want to get out of ur reading slump, READ IT

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super funny, so glad I picked it up. Favorite part: the introduction of Officer Bram- can't spell or pronounce the rest of the name. I burst out laughing on a crowded subway.

Do wish it was longer, or if there was an epilogue illustrating how the Greenfather balanced both industries later in his life.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read, wish it had been longer. Interesting premise, needed more explanation of end changeover but a fun read.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

A silly, fun book, exactly what I needed right now!

[Sissy BP · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a quick, easy read that I had high hopes for. It started off hysterically funny, but quickly dissolved in to totally ridiculous.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

really funny book that ended too quickly. It's like the author was tired of writing and just Deus Ex Machninaed the ending.

[Ladiibbug · Rating 2 out of 5]

Comedy Crime Fiction

I loved the book's premise: The owner of a fun all organic store battles to distance himself and his business from his mobbed up family.

The mob is placing catering orders and trying to help the guy's store, while he wants no contact at all with them.

Sadly, this book didn't quite deliver. Being an only organic "clean eater" and crime fiction fan, this fell short keeping my attention.

[Megan Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too over the top for my taste.

[Annabel Townsend · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing. I really wanted to like this, but it reads like a twitter feed rather than a novel.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This slight novel was amusing enough to be a good palate cleanser after reading heavier works.

Lots of puns, hyperbole, and downright silliness.

[Sabur76 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read and easy to laugh.

[Hannah Rubinstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny concept but a lot of typos