What do you think?
Rate this book
Nick Bracco Thriller #7
A Touch of Torment
When Mafia boss Sal Perrino is murdered by a Chechen mobster, it tears at the heart of two of his closest friends, FBI agent Nick Bracco, and his Mafia-connected cousin Tommy. Nick will use every unsavory tactic available to track down the killer, while Tommy’s cunning techniques force Nick to decide. Which side is he on? The FBI or the Mafia? Will Nick finally go rogue and murder the assassin? You will be tempted to go directly to the ending, but don’t. The ride is worth the wait.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2020
About the author
Gary Ponzo
38 books244 followersGary Ponzo was born in Brooklyn, but now lives in Phoenix with his wife Jennifer and two children, Jessica and Kyle. He began his writing career focusing on short stories to gain publishing credit. His stories have appeared in numerous publications including Amazing Journeys Magazine and Potpourri. Two of his stories were nominated for the very prestigious Pushcart Prize.
His first novel, "A Touch of Deceit," won the Southwest Writers Novel Contest.
Gary's Nick Bracco series has sold over 100,000 copies worldwide.
He is an avid reader, runner and loves spending time with the family.
His first novel, "A Touch of Deceit," won the Southwest Writers Novel Contest.
Gary's Nick Bracco series has sold over 100,000 copies worldwide.
He is an avid reader, runner and loves spending time with the family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 2, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
When Chechen mobsters wipe out most of a mafia family, close family friends Nick and Tommy Bracco try to deal out a little justice. Nick is shackled by his job with the FBI, while Tommy gets close to a surviving daughter.
Another entertaining entry in this oddball series.
When Chechen mobsters wipe out most of a mafia family, close family friends Nick and Tommy Bracco try to deal out a little justice. Nick is shackled by his job with the FBI, while Tommy gets close to a surviving daughter.
Another entertaining entry in this oddball series.
February 17, 2021
A Touch of Torment
I absolutely loved this book, spent my entire day reading it something I never do but Gary you are an amazing author.I missed Nick, Matt and Tommy and when I found it I was absolutely stunned! All of your A Touch of books are fantastic! Thanks again for a great read!!!
I absolutely loved this book, spent my entire day reading it something I never do but Gary you are an amazing author.I missed Nick, Matt and Tommy and when I found it I was absolutely stunned! All of your A Touch of books are fantastic! Thanks again for a great read!!!
October 13, 2020
Bracco Again-Don’t Miss It
This is right up there with the other Bracco books!! That seems impossible to have so many great books with the same great characters. Totally enjoyable!!!! GMR
This is right up there with the other Bracco books!! That seems impossible to have so many great books with the same great characters. Totally enjoyable!!!! GMR
April 13, 2021
Awesome Read!
All the books are great and should be read by everyone. I’m looking forward to some more and I sincerely hope they don’t stop.
All the books are great and should be read by everyone. I’m looking forward to some more and I sincerely hope they don’t stop.
June 7, 2021
Thank you for another Goodreads giveaway. This is at least my third in the series. The writing is crisper although I noticed several typos. I really like the FBI and mob working together. Really like Tommy in this one. Reminiscent of Jack Reacher. I believe there is enough substance for a TV series.
October 12, 2021
A short but full of action story. FBI Agent Nick and his Mafia connected cousin try to solve the murder of a Mafia friend. Each turn of the page, keeps you guessing as to what will happen next. First book by this authir, but not the last.
October 7, 2020
great book
October 13, 2020
One of my favorite books read this year! Book is full of action from the very start and doesn't stop. It was hard to put down but hated for it to end. I have read other books in this series and this one was just as great as the other books!
June 3, 2021
This was an excellent book. The author keeps his reader so engrossed in the story. I read the book in a day. Did not want to put the book down until I finished it. First time reading this author, but will definitely read more from Mr. Ponzo.
September 28, 2024
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and to author Gary Ponzo for providing me with a Kindle copy of this fictional novel, which is the seventh book in the series featuring FBI agent Nick Bracco. This is the first book in the series that I read and is a standalone novel that can be easily followed and enjoyed without reading prior books in the series.
Sal Perrino, the head of the once active Perrino crime family of Baltimore, Sal’s brother, and Sal’s sister were each murdered within a short period of time of each other in Phoenix in mafia style hits. The gang that killed Sal and his two siblings also tried unsuccessfully to kill Cara Perrino, Sal’s daughter and a writer for the Los Angeles Times newspaper, while she was in Baltimore visiting Tommy Bracco, a long-time family friend of the Perrino family who previously ran book for the family when they were still in Baltimore and the current owner of an online gambling service.
Cara, Tommy, and Tommy’s cousin, Nick Bracco, the head of the terrorist division at the FBI and assigned to the Baltimore office, traveled to Phoenix to determine if the killings of the three Perrino family members in Phoenix and the attempted killing of Cara in Baltimore were related. Once in Phoenix, the trio, working with the Phoenix office of the FBI, became interested in the activities of Entertainment Resources, which was a Chechen finance company that used intimidation and extortion to get American businesses to use its credit cards at exorbitant fees, used cryptocurrency to launder money, and engaged in other illegal activities. The trio quickly determined that the chief executive officer of Entertainment Resources, Khasi Zelman, and his enforcer, Tapo Pashkov, were likely involved in the murders and attempted murder of members of the Perrino family as Sal likely interfered with that Chechen mob run business. As the threesome seek justice for the Perrino family, will Tommy’s desire for vigilante justice or Nick’s desire to bring justice using the courts and following the law prevail?
This novel is an easy read, and the prose are often short, declarative sentences. Though the book is uneven and lacks pacing in the middle of the novel, there are elements in the book that will appeal to a variety of readers. The novel is somewhat of a police procedural and touches on a variety of crimes such as murder, attempted murder, money laundering, kidnapping, computer hacking, bribery, racketeering, and threatening the family members of a federal agent. Themes of loyalty, revenge, importance of appreciating one’s heritage, and mercy are addressed prominently in this book. As a caveat for some readers, there are a fair number of typos in the Kindle edition though not egregious enough to detract from following the plot.
This novel is a good choice for a short plane ride as the plot is not complicated and the characters are interesting.
Sal Perrino, the head of the once active Perrino crime family of Baltimore, Sal’s brother, and Sal’s sister were each murdered within a short period of time of each other in Phoenix in mafia style hits. The gang that killed Sal and his two siblings also tried unsuccessfully to kill Cara Perrino, Sal’s daughter and a writer for the Los Angeles Times newspaper, while she was in Baltimore visiting Tommy Bracco, a long-time family friend of the Perrino family who previously ran book for the family when they were still in Baltimore and the current owner of an online gambling service.
Cara, Tommy, and Tommy’s cousin, Nick Bracco, the head of the terrorist division at the FBI and assigned to the Baltimore office, traveled to Phoenix to determine if the killings of the three Perrino family members in Phoenix and the attempted killing of Cara in Baltimore were related. Once in Phoenix, the trio, working with the Phoenix office of the FBI, became interested in the activities of Entertainment Resources, which was a Chechen finance company that used intimidation and extortion to get American businesses to use its credit cards at exorbitant fees, used cryptocurrency to launder money, and engaged in other illegal activities. The trio quickly determined that the chief executive officer of Entertainment Resources, Khasi Zelman, and his enforcer, Tapo Pashkov, were likely involved in the murders and attempted murder of members of the Perrino family as Sal likely interfered with that Chechen mob run business. As the threesome seek justice for the Perrino family, will Tommy’s desire for vigilante justice or Nick’s desire to bring justice using the courts and following the law prevail?
This novel is an easy read, and the prose are often short, declarative sentences. Though the book is uneven and lacks pacing in the middle of the novel, there are elements in the book that will appeal to a variety of readers. The novel is somewhat of a police procedural and touches on a variety of crimes such as murder, attempted murder, money laundering, kidnapping, computer hacking, bribery, racketeering, and threatening the family members of a federal agent. Themes of loyalty, revenge, importance of appreciating one’s heritage, and mercy are addressed prominently in this book. As a caveat for some readers, there are a fair number of typos in the Kindle edition though not egregious enough to detract from following the plot.
This novel is a good choice for a short plane ride as the plot is not complicated and the characters are interesting.
August 31, 2021
This latest book in this series is a definite winner and will keep you reading right till the end.
This story begins with Sal Perrino in a church where hi winds up getting killed. He knew this was coming because both his sister and brother had already been murdered as well. Flash forward to Baltimore where Tommy Braccio is meeting Cara, Sal's daughter. There is knock on the door of the hotel where Cara was staying. In that instance there was to be an attempt on her life. Tommy was able to ward off the attackers and after the police arrived, Tommy was taken, but through his cousin Nick, he was rescued after the fake officer was arrested.
The next day, Tommy and Cara were on a flight to Arizona for Cara's relatives funeral. At the funeral, an attempt was made to kill the funeral attendees, but it was averted by Matt, Nick's FBI partner. The story continues and lays out the plans that the crime group that were responsible for Sal's death and what they hopped to gain. Nick and Matt along with the local FBI hoped to make arrests of this goup. The steps that both sides took in trying to accomplish their goals was explained quite well.
To discover who and why the crime group wanted the Perrino family dead, then you need to read this book.
This story begins with Sal Perrino in a church where hi winds up getting killed. He knew this was coming because both his sister and brother had already been murdered as well. Flash forward to Baltimore where Tommy Braccio is meeting Cara, Sal's daughter. There is knock on the door of the hotel where Cara was staying. In that instance there was to be an attempt on her life. Tommy was able to ward off the attackers and after the police arrived, Tommy was taken, but through his cousin Nick, he was rescued after the fake officer was arrested.
The next day, Tommy and Cara were on a flight to Arizona for Cara's relatives funeral. At the funeral, an attempt was made to kill the funeral attendees, but it was averted by Matt, Nick's FBI partner. The story continues and lays out the plans that the crime group that were responsible for Sal's death and what they hopped to gain. Nick and Matt along with the local FBI hoped to make arrests of this goup. The steps that both sides took in trying to accomplish their goals was explained quite well.
To discover who and why the crime group wanted the Perrino family dead, then you need to read this book.
January 1, 2022
I won this book back in December 2021 from Goodreads Giveaway - Amazon Kindle. I know I did a review but it seems to have disappeared so I will go back over my Notebook in my Kindle and revive it. It is more about the mafia than the FBI but then there is Tommy! This book was sad but so good, a page-turner! The Russian Mafia makes the USA Mafia look like child's play but in this book the USA WIN! I love Tommy's purple toothpick! I love Ponzo uses drones in his books. It has always been the Russians' desire to eliminate the Sicilians - Tommy & Nick are. And then for the Russians to threaten Julia & Tommy is horrible! Julia is upset but Julie knew all about Nick when she married him! Love will prevail! It is interesting when the abuse of children (not Tommy) explains why some adults are warped - 80% of all kids who drew a picture of their doorknob were physically abused - think about that a minute. The last thing they see afterwards is . . . I have read all of Gary Ponzo's books and will continue in the future!!!
September 3, 2024
I won this ebook in a Goodreads Giveaway . I normally don't like mobster books that much but I gave it a go. This one was different, and I liked it very much. Nick Bracco, he comes from a mobster family, however; he is also a special agent with the FBI. He is a honest and hardworking agent. He becomes torn between his job and his family in this edition. When a foreign mob attacks the Heads of the family. They took out the man who raised him like his own after his own father passed away. Nick has to walk a fine line to bring the killer to justice. He just hopes he stays there. This book is a mobster book but it is also a police procedural story as well. It was not a typical mob book. It kept me going back for more to see what happens next. All the characters are interesting and play a part in this story. Lots of action and entertainment in this one. Very well written as well. I'm definitely going to read more from this author when I get a chance. I highly recommend this book. 👌
October 28, 2024
I won this book (kindle version) from Goodreads for an honest review.
I really like my Gary Ponzo books. This genre is not my go to but when I do come across this author I always pick up the copy or purchase the book. This story did not disappoint. It was well written with a fresh and easy to read flow. The freshness being that often in Mafia stories they can seem a bit stale or over done. This is a bit of a new bite in the genre and gives you plenty of new characters t0 savor from. Well written great scenery and characters. Highly recommend if you do or don't follow the Bracco stories.
I really like my Gary Ponzo books. This genre is not my go to but when I do come across this author I always pick up the copy or purchase the book. This story did not disappoint. It was well written with a fresh and easy to read flow. The freshness being that often in Mafia stories they can seem a bit stale or over done. This is a bit of a new bite in the genre and gives you plenty of new characters t0 savor from. Well written great scenery and characters. Highly recommend if you do or don't follow the Bracco stories.
July 12, 2021
Wholesome ending but could use more action
I received this book free from a goodreads giveaway and finally read it. This had a good timeline and conflict and resolution, however the book deserves more action than what there is. Nick deserves to have more turmoil when he was questioning if he should go rogue or not. Along with that, his family doesn’t really get a conclusion in the book.
I received this book free from a goodreads giveaway and finally read it. This had a good timeline and conflict and resolution, however the book deserves more action than what there is. Nick deserves to have more turmoil when he was questioning if he should go rogue or not. Along with that, his family doesn’t really get a conclusion in the book.
July 16, 2021
This story surrounds the murder of Mafia boss Sal Perrino. FBI agent Nick Bracco and his Mafia-connected cousin Tommy Bracco know who killed Sal, but they have to balance Tommy’s vengeance and Nick’s justice without becoming the next victims.
Filled with double-crosses and spinning plot twists, the story follows Nick and Tommy as they attempt to trap the killers and the person behind the assassination. It’s a page-turner that keeps you wanting more.
Filled with double-crosses and spinning plot twists, the story follows Nick and Tommy as they attempt to trap the killers and the person behind the assassination. It’s a page-turner that keeps you wanting more.
December 4, 2021
I have never been disappointed reading a Gary Ponzo book, but this one may have been the best one yet. The Phoenix mafia, Chechen thugs, and the FBI; a thrilling page-turner, with something happening in each chapter. And with a twist in a restaurant that was simply masterful - bringing up an innocuous fact from an earlier chapter and tying everything together. I’ve read 4 of Gary’s books, and can’t wait for the next Nick Bracco book. Bravo!
December 16, 2021
I have read most of the Nick Bracco thrillers, but this one was not as action packed for some reason.
I always enjoy Tommy and his connections to the mafia. Nick always seems to be in a gray area of right and wrong, but gets the job done. I just wanted more excitment.
Also, the proofreading could have been alot better. There are sentence errors and repeat words.
I received this book free from Goodreads for a honest opinion.
I always enjoy Tommy and his connections to the mafia. Nick always seems to be in a gray area of right and wrong, but gets the job done. I just wanted more excitment.
Also, the proofreading could have been alot better. There are sentence errors and repeat words.
I received this book free from Goodreads for a honest opinion.
August 12, 2023
This is a Goodreads Kindle Giveaway and the Fifth Nick Bracco Thriller I have read. As thrillers go they are for the most part light on violent descriptions and heavy on content. Nick is an FBI agent who has a cousin somewhat in Organized crime. But they often work together to solve the current crime Nick is working on. This is a wonderful Series for me as I love Gary Ponzo's writing style with thrills and humor and family values.
June 22, 2021
Another home run!
I love the Nick Bracco series. This one was just as great as all the others. I'm hoping Gary is onto the next one as I type. All of these books suck you in. You can't help but love the characters. Nick, Matt and Tommy rock. I swear you won't be disappointed.
I love the Nick Bracco series. This one was just as great as all the others. I'm hoping Gary is onto the next one as I type. All of these books suck you in. You can't help but love the characters. Nick, Matt and Tommy rock. I swear you won't be disappointed.
May 19, 2021
If you're into enjoyable action thrillers, you can always count on the Nick Bracco series for a good read. This book is no exception. Same great characters and lots of excitement.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
June 13, 2021
Thank you to author Gary Ponzo for this FREE Kindle copy of A Touch of Torment. And thanks to Goodreads for hosting the opportunity.
I liked it. Good characters, visuals, suspense, action and story. Where this one fell short was too many editing oversights.
I liked it. Good characters, visuals, suspense, action and story. Where this one fell short was too many editing oversights.
October 8, 2020
Crime with a twist!
An exciting thriller with good guys and bad guys and good bad guys etc. A good book to read on a stay at home kind of day.
An exciting thriller with good guys and bad guys and good bad guys etc. A good book to read on a stay at home kind of day.
January 21, 2021
Good book - well-written (needs a bit of editing) with likeable characters and plenty of action. I rate it 5 stars.
June 16, 2021
Held my attention from the first page to the last
August 20, 2021
Outstanding! Terrific mob story. Real life people with real dialogue. Couldn't be better. Read it!
July 11, 2022
This was a fast paced adventure! Loved the story and the characters! Wonderful and thrilling plot. Can’t wait to read other books in this series!
July 19, 2022
My husband read this book and has read 3 others in the series. He has enjoyed them enough to purchase the other four. Thanks to the author for the Goodreads giveaway!
August 11, 2022
It took me awhile to remember all of the characters from the previous books. Once I accomplished that, the book was a usual fast, enjoyable read. Love the characters.
August 14, 2022
Love this series. Read them all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews