Rackets

by Thomas Kelly, François Guérif (Series Editor), Pierre Bondil (Translator)

Jimmy Dolan s''est frayé un chemin jusqu''à l''université en travaillant sur des chantiers. Aujourd''hui, il est responsable des relations publiques du maire de New York. Lors d''une réception, il est pris à partie par Frankie Keefe, patron de la section locale du syndicat des camionneurs et instrument de la mafia. Jimmy ne peut s''empêcher de riposter et envoie Keefe au tapis, ce qui lui coûtera son poste. Au coeur de l''altercation entre les deux hommes, la réélection du leader du syndicat, poste auquel Mike Dolan, le père de Jimmy, est candidat. Un candidat gênant. Toute sa vie, il s''est battu pour un syndicalisme honnête, mais il va apprendre à ses dépens qu''il ne peut pas compter sur la moindre protection. Pris dans une nasse d''intérêts contradictoires, la famille Dolan va devoir affronter de redoutables adversaires...En exergue de Rackets figure cette phrase de Jimmy Hoffa, qui fut le patron du syndicat des camionneurs américains : "chaque homme a son prix ; le vôtre, c''est combien ?" Le vrai sujet du livre est là."Une tragédie écrite sur un air de balade irlandaise." (Le Figaro Littéraire)"On sort de ce roman noir un peu K.-O." (Lire)

Genres: Fiction, Novels, Politics, Crime

592 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

Thomas Kelly (b. 1960) is the author of three novels set in New York City. Born in New York, Kelly spent ten years as a construction worker and sandhog—working in the subway tunnels beneath the city—before attending Fordham University and Harvard University, where he received a master’s degree in public administration. Kelly parlayed his experience in union politics into a job as an advance man for the campaign of New York City mayor David Dinkins, an experience which would form the basis for some of his fiction.

Kelly began writing in the mid-1990s, and published his debut, Payback, in 1997. A gritty look at the overlap between construction and the Mafia, it was critically acclaimed and adapted to film by David Mamet. Kelly’s other works are The Rackets (2001), which was inspired by Kelly’s experience working for City Hall, and Empire Rising (2005), a historical novel about the construction of the Empire State Building.

Reviews

[Tulay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sure some people will this book a 5 stars.

But it was not for me, author did lots of digging into the New York unions and politics. Mayor, Manhattan DA, greed, corruption, professional hit men, extortion, racketeering, kickbacks and killings.

[Nate Hendrix · Rating 4 out of 5]

His characters are ... characters and the dialogue is great. No twist at the end, just a an entertaining story with just enough action to keep things interesting. I read his first novel Payback and loved it, but I forgot about him until recently. I like authors who had careers prior to starting to write, I think it makes their stories more interesting. I am looking forward to reading the rest of his books.

[Elsie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unions, construction, mobs, and lots of gritty action. Jimmy Dolan worked as a day laborer in construction to put himself through college and moves up in the political world as an assistant to the Mayor but one incident brings him back to his roots. Meanwhile, his father is running for union president and faces some stiff and violent competition. After his father's murder, Jimmy decides to run in his place.

[Kristin Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a typical gritty New York underbelly book. I don't know why the whole 'going back to the old neighborhood and neighborhood bars/family business' gets so romanticized. The characters were kind of flat, but it was interesting enough that I wanted to see how it ended. I actually cared a lot more about the side characters, especially Cronin, than I did about the main character.

[Tamar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely interesting to hear the story of unions back in the day through the dialogue and experiences of those in then and working in them. But it was slow-moving until the last 100 pages. The writing was also hard to get through as it did a lot of "telling" instead of "showing."

[Judy Mann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing.Flat characters, too much info stuffed into too lifeless a book. honestly? I have no idea what he's getting at. Giving up at page 176.Like they say-life's too short.JM

[Ryan O'Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engrossing, fast paced, lively deep characters. One of my favorites in years. I know these characters. Kelly makes you feel like you are a part of the story.

[Robert Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. An interesting and thorough story of a Union election in New York City and the tragedy that can result. See there are two other books by this author. Will find and read.

[Theodore Kinni · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Nothing's on the level" in NYC. A good read-well written, but not great. Not sure why it doesn't rise to the level of Richard Price's stuff, but it doesn't.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jimmy Dolan, the Director of Advance for the Republican mayor of New York, is fired after a hotheaded exchange with Frankie Keefe, the Mafia-connected president of the local Teamsters who is running for reelection against Jimmy's father, makes front-page headlines. Overnight a political pariah, Jimmy seeks refuge among his old friends on the northern tip of Manhattan. Reunited with his old girlfriend Tara, now an NYPD cop, and Liam Brady, an ex- construction worker with an active commerce in illegal arms, Jimmy ends up back in construction. On the job, he witnesses the cold-blooded assassination of his father, who is becoming too much of a threat to Keefe. Vowing to avenge the death, Jimmy decides to run in his father's place. His life and those of his friends are soon threatened in what is revealed to be an uneven battle: Keefe is an informer, under government protection. Fighting deceit and betrayal, Jimmy prevails against all odds in this damning indictment of the clandestine interplay between big government and the criminal underground. (excerpted from editorial reviews)

[Pamela Pickering]

Well, that didn't last long. Fully admitting that this was a book outside my normal genre I only made it through 71 pages and said to myself, "Why am I reading this? Why waste time with books I know I'm not going to like?" Hence, the book is abandoned. Honestly, I once again tried to go outside my comfort zone to broaden my horizons. Unfortunately, I still do not care for books that involve this type of subject manner and dialogue nor do I care for books that involve the mob or "rackets" as the title suggests and this one surely centered around it. In these first 71 pages there was the hint of a little romance to come but I found the tone of the writing crass and crude and knew I wouldn't make it the end so alas, this one goes the way of the "to be loaned pile". Not the book's fault, just mine for attempting to read it.

[J. Ewbank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a different type of novel from the normal mystery. This story is about unions, union halls, taverns and the wars between those who want truth and honesty in the unions and those who represent organized crime.

It is an interesting story and plot and is a good read, a fine read, in fact.

I will read other books by this author.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting look into crime and politics in an "old Irish neighborhood" of New York City. (Dad would love this book) Plot thus far is standard for a wise guy book. We'll see if I increase the rating, when I finish. Ok, all finished and I am leaving this book at 2 stars, I was disappointed with then ending.

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing at best

This could have been a good story but the author tried to include too many side stories that added nothing to the novel. The ending comes across as having been thrown together, as if the author said he was tired and didn't feel like writing anymore. Very disappointing to what started out as a good read.

[JT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad guys book. It has been a while since I've read this book but I remember enjoying it. It has that common New York underworld feel, the mafia, the police, and politicians all coming together for this story. Still if that is your genre, this is certaily a solid book to read.

[columbialion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pulls no punches in telling how things get done in teamster unions in NYC

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable Novel covering New York Union Politics, corruption and Mafia dealings along with Irish immigrant families. Fast paced and gritty tale. Well worth a read. 3.5 stars for me.

[Michelle Geaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable movel set in New York. It had alot of politics but it was easy to understand it, and i completely recommend it.

[Rod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read.