The Bowery Slugger

by Leopold Borstinski

A turn-of-the-century Jewish boy punches his way into the gangs of New York.
When Alex Cohen arrives in 1915 America, he seizes the land of opportunity with both hands and grabs it by the throat. But success breeds distrust and Alex must choose between controlling his gang and keeping his friend alive. What would you do if the person you trusted most is setting you up to die at your enemies' hands?The first book in the Alex Cohen series is a violent historical novel, which rips through the early years of the Jewish New York mob. Leopold Borstinski's gripping crime noir beats at the chest of every reader with a bloody fist.

Genres: Historical Fiction

355 pages, Paperback

Published September 7, 2019

Reviews

[Dash fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆ A Gritty and Authentic Historical Crime Fiction !

This is the first book in a gritty new series and I'm excited to read the next one!

The Bowery Slugger is a character driven story that's takes the reader on a dark and gritty journey that looks into immigration, survival, Jewish mobsters, life choices, new starts, making a reputation, falling in love.

Alex and his family arrive in New York as Jewish immigrants, with no job Alex starts to look to find work to support his parents.

But it's not easy and he soon finds himself mixed up in the underworld of the Jewish Mob. Alex is in his mid teens and knows that it's vital to make a good impression and prove himself if he wants to fit in.
Alex quickly realises he is a great fighter and the mob uses this to their advantage.

I thoroughly enjoyed all the authentic touches that Borstinski has weaved in, the language, the visualisation, the gritty underworld it all felt so vivid and real.

Alex is a great character, he is shrewd, dedicated, powerful yet has a softer side when it comes to his family and his love for Rebecca.

The Bowery Slugger is a great first book, it's dark, violent, gritty, enthralling, authentic and thrilling.
So if you really enjoy Historical Crime/Thriller reads that are gripping and highly Compelling then The Bowery Slugger is the book for you! I can't wait for the next instalment!

Thank you to Emma at Damppebbles tours and Sobriety Press for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.





My Review is also on my Blog Website :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/1...

[Jackiesreadingcorner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out my blog Jackiesreading4leisure.home.blog for full review

[Rowena Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

In typical fashion, I actually read this one - the first in the series - last. The Bowery Slugger is a little slow to get off the ground, but I largely put that down to this being the first book and having to lay the groundwork for the characters, especially Alex and his arrival in America and finding his feet there and once again Borstinski's research and attention to detail shine through, creating a vivid, breathing backdrop to the rest of the story. One minor complaint at the beginning of this book, is how Alex is referred to by three different names, and sometimes in relatively quick succession which was a little confusing at times, however, that evened out as the story progressed - and I did like how the author used the different names to relate to different facets of Alex's complex life.

Once that groundwork is done, the pacing picks up and the narrative really gets off the ground, with a good mixture of family drama, action (with some rather graphic moments), questions of trust and loyalty and choice. This was the formation of the character that is not only central to this series, but has been one of my favourite parts of these books, because his characterisation is spot on, and while he was less likeable to some extent in this one, it was great to see where aspects of his character that develop and grow in the later books have come from. Even better, here we get to see how Alex builds his relationships with those around him, from the gang, to the wider community and the romantic aspect that is woven in as a natural, but not dominant storyline.

The Bowery Slugger is a well-written, gritty introduction to the Alex Cohen series. This is a great first installment, that lays the foundations for the rest of the series, while still standing very well on it's own, as Borstinski builds this plot-driven story up into a thrilling conclusion that is both satisfying in and of itself, and will leave you wanting to continue with the series.

[Stéphanie Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The full review has been published on my blog: https://phanniethegingerbookworm.word...
DISCLAIMER: A review copy of this book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!

What I liked

The problem with a book by an author you‘ve never read before is that you don‘t know what to expect. But I can say that my reading experience was pretty great so my worries were unnecessary.

So what did I like? First, I loved his writing style. It was perfect and The Bower Slugger was well-written. It was also really easy to get into the book. I‘ve had no problem with the start of my reading journey whatsoever and once I‘ve finished the first chapter I struggled to stop reading the book.

Borstinski has an eye for details and his description were well done. The storyline was one I liked a lot I have absolutely no words to tell you how amazing this book was! But be prepared you will be hooked by this from page 1.

What I didn‘t like

I wrote above that I liked the descriptions in this book. But sometimes there were maybe just too many details? I‘m not sure if I‘m being clear with what I‘m writing down but I had the feeling that the details could have been less at some parts of the story.

[Colin Garrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arriving in America in 1915, Alex Cohen is tagged with an unusual name, courtesy of a dull-witted official. Moving into a tenement apartment with his family, Alex’s reputation as a fighter (Slugger) secures him work in one of the many gangs who use extortion and muscle to make their money.

This is book 1 in the Alex Cohen series and the first of this author’s books I’ve read. Charting the rise of an immigrant into the Jewish New York mob, there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with the story, but its similarity to classics like The Godfather are hard to ignore. As the hero acquires two other names (apart from his real one), various family members/thugs/gangsters etc refer to him as Alex, Slugger or Fabian. While this is fine, what’s irritating is the author’s habit of doing the same thing, so while he tells us what’s happing to Alex in one paragraph, he’ll then refer to him in the next as Slugger, and then Fabian. Maybe I’m just being picky, but a bit of consistency would work wonders—the character is called Alex, so he should be called that throughout, leaving the book’s characters to refer to him by whatever name they know him as.

I really wanted to like this book but found it difficult to identify with any of the characters, and that’s never a good sign. Having said that, I’ve already agreed to read book 3 in the series, so we’ll see what happens.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is set in 1915 and I arrived to this story as Alex Cohen arrives in America. He and his family settle and Alex finds himself a job, he starts at the bottom and gradually over the next few months he starts to climb the ladder.

This is a belter of a read and if, like me, you read and loved “Gangs of New York, then you are going to love The Bowery Slugger. It is the the story of a young man who finds himself working for the Jewish Mob. This kind of caught me unawares as I tend to think of this being more a world associated with other nationalities. Surprise aside, I found this such an addictive read as I followed Alex’s story.

There is obvious mentions of strong arming, extortion, take overs and the like. I liked how the author didn’t go into full on bloody descriptions, he found just the right balance for me. Along side the gangs is the story of a more personal one Alex and his love life. He has his heart set on a girl who has heard rumours of Alex and his reputation is one that goes before him, there is a mutual attraction, but is it enough.

I do like historical fiction and when I love it when I come across something new or I learn something I didn’t know before. This book gave me loads of new words, they are Yiddish words and I thought there inclusion was a great addition to the story. Using them as part of conversations adds an authenticity to the story, it also keeps various characters voices in the style and speech of the time. It may be a stereotype that I hold in my head, but for me it gives a character life. This is where reading a digital copy came in very handy as I was able to use the dictionary as I read.

The story is a good pace and for me felt just right for the story. Alex seemed to be a character that had the confidence to stroll at his own pace and this pacing matched the story.

There are so many good things about this book that I liked, the characters were great enough for the story and it would have been easy to add too many as the story feels quite big, but the author got the numbers just right. The story line is one that I really enjoyed, in some respect Alex should be a baddie, but I actually liked him a lot. The dialogue felt right and fitted in with the characters and their manners.

If you like historical fiction then I think The Bowery Slugger is one you should definitely buy. A fabulous book and it is also the first in the series with the next book due out spring next year, and I for one cannot wait for next year! I thoroughly enjoyed The Bowery Slugger and would definitely recommend it.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a brand new series from Leopold Borstinski. Whilst I have read previous books by this author before, I have never read one of an American gangster genre so I jumped at the opportunity.

Alex and his family left their old home, and his questionable employment to create a new and better life for themselves and a chance for Alex to go straight in the land of opportunity, America.

Landing in New York they quickly find that this is not the case and Alex is drawn back into criminal employment to help support his family. A violent and harsh life he progresses in the Jewish gang he rises in the ranks so he is soon running his own crew.

I found this to be a very clever and well written story. It was well paced right up until the page turning end. I can’t wait to read the next book in this very exciting start to a new series.

[Neats · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bowery Slugger is the first book I've read by Leopold Borstinski but it definitely won't be the last!

The year is 1915 and Alex and his Jewish family have travelled to America from Ukraine in search of a safer and better life. The family have very little but manage to find somewhere to live in a tenement and teenage Alex quickly falls in with one of the gangs in The Bowery. This means that he is able to support his family but he tells his family very little about his 'work' as he knows that they won't approve and will worry for his safety.

It doesn't take Alex long to move up the ranks within the gang but this is a double-edged sword as although it means that he's able to earn more money, it also means that he has to increasingly watch his back, as the higher he rises, the less people he can trust.

The other issue he has is that he thinks he could be falling for a girl who lives with her family in the same tenement as him but she views his choice of career badly and tells him in no uncertain terms that although she also has feelings for him, all the time he is a part of the gang they have no future together. Alex seems to be stuck between a rock and a hard place, which way will he choose to turn?

The Bowery Slugger is a captivating read, with engaging characters that creates a real sense of atmosphere as well as giving a fascinating insight into life for an immigrant trying to survive in a foreign country whilst knowing little of the language. Although this is a tale packed full of violence, I didn't feel that it was unjustified, when people are struggling to survive they will do anything they can to ensure they can put food on the table and a roof over their families heads. The pace is fast and I was completely swept away by the author's skillful story-telling and character deveolpment.

I'm looking forward to finding out what comes next for Alex and I'm eagerly awaiting news of book two in the series. If you enjoy a gritty crime thriller then I'd highly recommend that you give this little beauty a try.

[Namrata Ganti · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bowery Slugger follows the life of Alex as he steps off a boat and onto American soil. This is a well-written story set during the onset of World War I, bringing the reader to a small part of the world and it's inhabitants. Alex, in his teenage years, is smart and ruthless, grabbing opportunities and finding his way forward. We are introduced to the Jewish New York mob and how it is run. We meet some very interesting people who add different views and dimensions to this story.

The story is fast paced and at some points is quite graphic and gruesome. However, the author handles the plot quite well and the reader is pulled in the midst of family drama, power struggles, trust and status. The characters are well crafted and fit into the historical setting of this first book. The period and setting is so well described that it is easy for us as the readers to imagine it all in our minds.

Though slow at the beginning, the story picks up speed and pushes forward to an interesting climax. There is indeed some romance brought into the mix, but it takes a back seat most of the time. This story arc shows the reader a contrast in character thinking and brings into focus the skills of the main protagonist. As Alex starts to consider a move from his profession for the sake of love, he starts to wonder at his skill set and whether he is cut out for a world away from crime and the mob.

The plot is elaborately crafted and the reader takes a journey through the hierarchy of people and how the system works. There is a weird sense of justice about the job Alex holds inspite of the violence. there is a sense of honor.

The Bowery Slugger, an apt title for Alex in my opinion, is well worth a read!

[Daniel B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for Amazon's algorithms. If you feed in "hard boiled" and "historical fiction," it'll rope me in every time. Thus it was that Leopold Borstinski's amateurish, self-published novel, which mean the same thing in this case, landed on my book pile. "The Bowery Slugger" features a repellent, sociopathic protagonist, paint-by-numbers characterizations, a plot woven of gossamer, and the lamest attempts at period authenticity since Edward Bulwer-Lytton. Thus it has landed in my dustbin. Yet something kept me reading. I'll save that punchline for later.

Its hero would like to be an antihero but he hasn't got the guts. Alex Cohen is a teenaged Jewish refugee from pogrom-racked Poland. At Ellis Island his name is insultingly mistranslated to Fabian Mustard, a gimmick that worked better for Vito Corleone than Alex. When he embarks on a criminal career as a low level enforcer for numbers runners and loan sharks, he is given the nickname Slugger because of his penchant for violence. In the course of his daily work, he batters an associate in the skull with a baseball bat, pounds a baker's face into his cash register, and casually throws a tailor out a window, all in the first 70 pages. Borstinski uses the character's three names interchangeably, and for no apparent thematic reason. Perhaps he's just trying to throw off the reader but he didn't fool me. All three of them were equally unsympathetic.

Alex pals around with gangsters named Waxey, Sammy, Charlie, Paulie, and Ben. I half expected Manny, Moe, and Jack to show up among the interchangeable cast of mooks. Alex has a long-suffering Jewish mother who knows he's still a good boy and a henpecked Jewish father who takes in tailoring and can't catch a break. After four years in America, he still only speaks Yiddish, although Borstinski's dialogue reads straight out of Jimmy Cagney. He's torn between the good girl downstairs and a whore with a heart of gold. That particular romantic subplot resolves itself in an eye-rolling spray of schmaltz that leaves Alex, so help me God, "sobbing tears for ten minutes." So much for the tough guy machismo Borstinski spent the whole novel building up through Alex's nonchalant brutality. Alex Cohen dissolves in tears, Harry Flashman would've laughed and done the whole thing over again.

I could go on, but why bother? You probably shouldn't but I did, because I found the book utterly fascinating on a different level. Very often a vanity project like this will reveal much more about the author than intended. This one is published by the author's own imprint which he has tellingly called Sobriety Press. The violence is so matter of fact and meaningless as to lose all sense of humanity. Beatings, maimings, mutilations, and stabbings serve as punctuation, just to pick up the pace a little, but there's little notice in the cartoon violence of pain and suffering. Abuse is depicted much more intimately than the sex, which seldom rises beyond rolling around. Nobody except this author has used the phrase "chaste peck" in perhaps forty years. However, any scenes involving food are obscenely sensuous. When he hand feeds the good girl downstairs a strudel he bought on the way to his mother's, the icing licking alone would've given Freud a wet dream. Borstinski actually has something of a way with words. He uses punchy verbs and knows enough to advance his narrative with dialogue rather than exposition. But if he's going to employ his modest talents on productions so free of any hint of self-awareness, I can only stick my tongue in my cheek and recommend a good therapist.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

New York, 1915: Alex Cohen and his family have fled yet another rising tide of violence against Jewish people in the Ukraine, looking for a new start in the land of opportunity.

Misnamed Fabian Mustard on their arrival at Ellis Island, Alex is forced to look for a way to support his parents and siblings, as the struggle to find gainful employment is harder than they anticipated. He finds himself drawn back into the criminal life he was embroiled in back home, by his new best friend Sammy, despite the misgivings of his parents.

Alex's reputation as someone trustworthy and good with his fists soon earns him promotion and the nickname "Slugger", but his relationship with Sammy becomes strained as he begins to make a name for himself.

Alex's career choice is also a problem for the innocent fellow immigrant, Rebecca, that he has fallen in love with. Rebecca dreams of becoming a ballet dancer and wants no part of the life Alex has chosen to lead, so he has to turn to the arms of "working girl" Sarah for comfort.

But Alex cannot forget about the girl he loves and he has some hard choices to make if he ever wants to be with her. How can he balance the pull of easy money against that of true love?

*********************************************************************************

The Bowery Slugger introduces us to the seedy side of the Jewish Ghetto of New York, at a time when war is waging across Europe.

Isolated from the lives and constant threat of violence that Alex and his family have left behind, their minds turn to how they can make America their new home. How do you support yourself when you step foot in a new country when practically all you have is the clothes you stand up in? It soon becomes clear that this is not going to be easy, especially when you cannot even speak the language.

Leopold Borstinski cleverly transports us to the heart of the Bowery, New York, where Jewish immigrants have made their home. You can almost feel yourself on the same streets as Alex, as he searches for a way to bring some money home for his family - the noise, the hustle and bustle, and the sound of Yiddish voices all around. It is almost too easy for Alex to find himself back on the wrong side of the law, drawn by the pull of an easy buck in the land where the streets are said to be paved with gold.

This book has such an evocative feel for the struggle of immigrants first arriving in New York at the beginning of the 20th Century (think Mario Puzo's The Godfather, when Vito Corleone arrives in America with his family). What makes this book so unusual to read is that this time our new companions are Jewish, rather than Italian. I found this really interesting, as I have read a lot about the early Irish, Black and Italian gangs in New York, but very little about the gangs established by the Jewish settlers to the city. It was fascinating to read about the involvement of the Jewish gangs with the Union movement and the early days of their collaboration with the Italian mob, and the contrast of the new settlers to their second generation compatriots was very cleverly done.

It is true to say that the characters are a little stereotypical - for example, the troubled poor boy making a name for himself; the best friend who contemplates betrayal; the beautiful, innocent maiden with dreams, who catches the eye of our boy; and "the tart with a heart" who falls for our lovelorn boy and offers him comfort, but this did not matter one bit or spoil my enjoyment of the story. I really became caught up in Alex's life and was very keen to find out where his choices would lead him.

The story builds nicely and the closing pages of this first volume in Alex Cohen's story are very exciting. I am very keen to see where the story goes in the second installment, as our writer seems to be taking Alex down a very different path at the end of the book.

I must also say that Leopold Borstinski has made the right decision in not regaling us with the gratuitous sex found in his Lagotti Family books, which was a great relief. This book is completely plot driven and a great story it is too - gritty and violent, it will keep you turning the pages until the thrilling climax!

[Alex (Bri's Book Nook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This addictive book kicks of Alex’s journey in New York. Alex is known by many names, Slugger, Fabian, and Alex, all parts that make up his persona around New York City. Some know him as Alex, the sweet boy trying to court the girl he likes. And Fabian/Slugger, the man with street cred who makes sure that people pay their gang protection payments on time.

I finished this book over a few days, despite being absolutely bogged down with college work. I just had to finish it and find out what happened to Alex! I love historical fiction novels, and this has to be one of my favorite ones of all time. It touches on so many issues that plagued New York in the 1910s, from gang violence to unsafe workplaces and women’s lack of rights. This book plunges the readers into a lively world centered around Alex and those he comes into contact with throughout this section of his life.

It was a little difficult to understand this book at the start as the fact that Alex goes by about three different names confused me. During a few parts of the book, I felt like Alex was speaking to himself due to being confused about these names. I was around halfway through the book when it all started really making sense, and this is when the book really shone. By then end I felt like I really got a feel for who Alex was, and was ready to see how his life would change in the next book of the series.

My second favorite part of the book was the relationships Alex built with those in his community. His gang members truly had to come together as a family to deal with the struggle of keeping the city and its businesses in check. His relationship with rival gangs was a pleasure to read about, as the back and forth will keep you on the edge of your seat. This book also taught me a lot about the culture of Jewish people in NYC, or at least those Jewish people whose lives were intertwined with gangs, during the early 1900s.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a historical fiction novel about NYC’s gangs in the early 1900s. I can’t wait to delve into book 2!

I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 books.

[Frankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the series catches the imagination and ensures from page one you will be forever waiting for the next Alex Cohen instalment.

The Bowery Slugger opens with aplomb, it’s violent and instantly memorable, we first meet Alex Cohen when his family have made the trip to change their stars in America, he instantly realises that reality doesn’t always match up to the dream and he must rely on his own initiative, his own unique set of skills to provide for his family as it becomes clear it is Alex who must take responsibly. He does try to find work but alas being a Jewish immigrant isn’t on his side, but it happens that the lawful route may not be for him he finds he can makes ends meet a different way and this soon makes a name for himself and that puts him amongst the brutal Jewish Mob.

Alex may be a violent criminal, he may be a jaded, complex and ruthless individual but he is a brilliant character, in some ways you can really relate to him, he is a teenager in a completely new country trying his hardest to find a way to support his family but because of who he is, this makes life hard for him. At his heart is family, he will do all he can to provide for and look after them, and I think a lot of us can relate to certain aspects.

The Bowery Slugger is a brilliantly thrilling and dark-edged novel, and sets the reader up nicely for the series and ready for what’s to come!

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of Borstinski’s books that I’ve read, and I must tell you … he’s a fine storyteller! I would go so far as to say that there’s something a little reminiscent of Jeffrey Archer in the way he weaves a tale!

The Bowery Slugger is the first in a new series about Alex Cohen a.k.a. Fabian Mustard a.k.a. Slugger. In 1915, Alex arrives in New York with his parents and sister from the Ukraine to escape the rising violent anti-Semitism there. Along with many other confused and overwhelmed immigrants, they do their best to adapt to their new life in America and Alex quickly realises that it will be his role to be the breadwinner of the family. He’s just in his mid-teens but back home he was already involved with unsavoury individuals – another reason his parents were anxious to leave – so it’s only natural that he seeks out similar, like-minded people on the streets of his new neighbourhood.

With sharp, graphic descriptions of the early days of the Jewish mob, the author sets a scene that is very easy to visualise. Violent thugs mingle on the streets with every other type of person in the melting pot of the Bowery. Everyone’s out to make a buck, and you need to know who you can trust.

Young Alex wastes no time in making a name for himself and rapidly rises through the ranks of the gang-world that he inhabits. He hands over a sufficient portion of his earnings to his family and although they hear rumblings about his nefarious activities they don’t seem to be too bothered about accepting his money to live on. Nobody in the house is making much of an effort to do any better, so nobody mentions the origins of the income.

Similarly when Alex sets his sights on his attractive neighbour Rebecca … her parents are initially opposed to a ‘friendship’ between them, and even she seems averse to the idea. But when it becomes clear that he will always be financially stable, even if he may have to keep looking over his shoulder, they’re willing to be on friendlier terms. Isn’t it funny how that works?

At times I needed to remind myself how young Alex actually was. I found it quite difficult to equate his age with his behaviour. I tried to remind myself that times were tough and that one had to do whatever necessary to get by, but I’m still unsure of the age factor here. I was also bothered by the use of our protagonist’s three different names – Alex, Fabian and Slugger – sometimes all within just two or three sentences. I found this a bit unneccessary, as if the author was trying to reinforce the identity of his character, and I kept wondering why. Lastly, I thought that there should be some sort of glossary at the end of the book. There is a lot of Yiddish slang used throughout the book, and although many of the words have become adopted in everyday language, there are also many that aren’t and might not be familiar to some readers. A glossary would be helpful.

Regardless of these criticisms, which are purely my own and which don’t detract from the story, which is extremely well told, I would still recommend this as it’s a great book! It draws you in from the very first pages and ends in the most perfect way to segue into the next installment of Alex’s life, which I look forward to reading about.

I would give this a 3.5 star rating – increased to 4 (due to the lack of half-star ratings).

[John Bunyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I considered stopping a few times but didn’t want another DNF. Not great writing. For example, engine giggles. The author could at least come up with some other form of laughter. Nobody chortles or guffaws or just laughs.
Sometimes the writing wasn’t bad but just simplistic - seeming like a YA book that contained a lot of graphic violence.
Alex/Fabian/Slugger is supposedly a decent guy who takes up crime because it’s the only way to make a living and help his family. But he is an enforcer who is brutal and savage with no reluctance or remorse. There’s no reason to like him.

This is the first of a trilogy (with a fourth in the way). When I finally finished book one I actually wanted to see what happened next. That’s why I put three stars instead of two. But I read only a few chapters of book two before quitting. Same amateurish stuff.

[Goujohn_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic tale of young immigrant moves to New York in the early 1900s and climbs his way up the rackets. I've seen this a hundred times before and will see it a thousand times again, likely enjoying it every single time.

This is the first in a series which is absolutely perfect for me. Mafia facts through fiction is my most favoured genre so I'm going to enjoy making my way through this series.

For fans of: Gangs of New York, Once upon a Time in America, Lorenzo Carcaterra, Boardwalk Empire, Mafia history

[Red Hook Recluse · Rating 4 out of 5]

the story of a young man who did what was necessary to survive the early gangs and streets of NYC.
At times rough and violent but also poignant and heartful, rich with family traditions of the Jewish peoples and similar to other ethic backgrounds. It hit a chord in me- i was surpised as i dont usually read these types on novels anymore BUT I ENJOYED IT!!!

[The P.Turners]

Please see blog for [K]'s review: https://thepturnersbookblog.wordpress...

[Melanie Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first in a series, this is a fascinating tale of life in the Jewish gangs of early twentieth century New York. A gripping story of crime and violence in the underworld - this was a real eye-opener and a compelling read.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He has arrived in the city where he hopes to make something of himself. He is in a gang and has a close friend. Will he give his friend up to keep what he has gained? See if he will

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

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn’t finish it. After about three hours I shut it down. The main character was a bit of a shit. A real nasty character. As I always put myself in the shoes of the hero I couldn’t continue. He was no hero that’s for sure. Very well written I must say but just not for me.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of my reviews can be found at https://damppebbles.com/

The Bowery Slugger is the first book in the Alex Cohen series by Leopold Borstinski and was published on 10th November 2019 by Sobriety Press. I received a free eARC of The Bowery Slugger but that has in no way influenced my review.

I occasionally indulge in a little historical crime fiction. Not often enough though, not as frequently as I would like. Which was why I was so excited to make a start on The Bowery Slugger. Set in the 1910s, The Bowery Slugger is the first book in Borstinski’s Alex Cohen series. Teenage Alex has recently landed on the shores of America after a long and arduous sea crossing from his native Ukraine. Quickly discovering the streets of America aren’t paved with gold, Alex realises that providing for his family is his responsibility. Using skills he acquired at home he falls in with the gangs of the Bowery and soon makes a name for himself…

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Bowery Slugger. With its violent opening, I was hooked from the first page and sucked into Alex’s world. The author’s vivid descriptions made it easy for this reader to be whisked back in time to the Bowery in the 1910s, and I loved it! When I wasn’t reading this book, I was thinking about it and keen to return to Alex’s gritty, violent world.

I really liked Alex, but I often tend to prefer the darker characters in the books I read. I was expecting there to be more violence in this book than there actually is but I wasn’t disappointed. Alex’s lifestyle draws him into some tricky situations and he reacts, for him, accordingly. None of the violence in this book is over the top or gratuitous and it fits perfectly into the story.

Alex’s flirtation with his neighbour, Rebecca, was a great sub-plot which softened Alex’s edges a little. I was surprisingly entranced by their ‘will they/won’t they’ relationship as I’m not a fan of romance in the books I read. But it added another layer to Alex Cohen which I enjoyed.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. This a great start to what promises to be a brilliant new historical crime series and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. The ending of The Bowery Slugger came maybe a little too quickly, but I can see exactly why the author ended the novel that way and how it will lead into the second book. Gritty, compelling and oh so good! Highly recommended.

I chose to read and review an eARC of The Bowery Slugger. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Jean Marcotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

[Patrice Gotting - #prdgreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5 x

[Cheryl M-M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's be honest - Alex Cohen aka Fabian Mustard isn't exactly the kind of character the reader feels any kind of empathy with or sympathy for. Does he have any redeeming qualities? I think the one consistent positive quality is the way he supports his family and ensures that they stay both safe and have a roof over their head.

It certainly isn't loyalty to his fellow comrades, because his loyalty only reaches as far as his own financial gain or territory, and when they are under threat he doesn't play nicely at all. He is very adept at forging his own path in the world, regardless of the obstacles. It has made him hard, callous, unpredictable and violent.

It looks as if readers will be able to follow Alex Cohen through the years. One wonders whether and how his propensity for violence and lack of compassion will determine the rest of his life. Whether he will experience love with an emotional bond and perhaps somewhere along the line discover the Alex who lives beneath the shadow of the Slugger.

It's a piece that reminded me of Boardwalk Empire and Gangs of New York. Borstinski builds his character around the factual historical background of the era and place. The feeling of displacement that causes the different nationalities to draw their own invisible walls and boundaries in the melting pot of a city.

It's historical urban crime with the flavour of mob, the mentality of man on the street and criminal brutality that remains consistent throughout time.
*I received a courtesy copy*

[Alaknanda Agarwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read full review here .

Alex Cohen had a keen eye, quick hands and a sharp mind, and he rose up the ranks in Waxey Gordon’s gang fast. He also loved Rebecca, his simple downstairs neighbour, who wanted him to leave his gang life behind if he wanted to marry her. And wedged in between all this, is his trusted gang aide- Sammy, his go-to for female companionship- Sarah, his boss Waxey, and his crew. This story is all about Alex.

Alex’s character is very well made up by Borstinski. Inspite of being in a gang and beating/murdering people, being involved in all kind of wrong things, I adored him. There was always a reason for everything he did. In his heart he believed it to be right. It put food on his family’s plates, and a roof over their heads. I liked the description of the dynamics between Alex and different people he dealt with- they showed him to be a complex character.

There are sparse mentions of the ongoing World War II in Europe, and the treatment of Eurpoean Jews, which is a favorite topic of mine. For this I liked the book even more. Alex himself was a Jew who flew from Europe to America. The description of gang life also seemed accurate, knowing what I do from movies.

The story gets a little stagnant in the middle parts, where it seems all Alex is doing is threatning and beating up people. It picks up again towards the end, when things heat up and Alex is in turmoil. Be warned, this book has quite a lot of violence.

The end was not something I was anticipating, but it can’t be called the end really. This one is a series, and I am so thankful I can have the opportunity to meet this wonderful character again.

[Alex Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book I’ve read this year by Leopold Borstinski, following reviews of The Heist and The Case.

This is quite different from both of those books and one I really enjoyed as we are introduced to Alex Cohen, a young Jewish boy who arrives in America in 1915. With his family struggling for work and money to pay the rent, Teenage Alex takes it upon himself to find some money for the family by any means necessary. This in turns introduces him to the street and gang life of New York.

The book tells the story of Alex’s violent rise through the ranks of the gang over a few years. Meeting and working for shady and bigger bosses, dealing out the brutal beatings and warnings needed to succeed in that life.

Alex, though a fierce and at times savage individual, as a character is hard not to take to, as he is trying to look after his family and get on in the only way he sees fit.

As I’ve said this is a violent book but it��s doesn’t feel gratuitous, it reads like what you imagine is authentic for the times.

With the tale set around the beginnings of The Great War, there is a backdrop to the finale that leaves an intriguing end and leaving the reader with both hope and great interest for the next book in the story of the irrepressible Alex Cohen.

Borstinski has delivered another very good, gritty slice of historic crime noir, and I would encourage any fan of historical crime fiction, in particular involving gangs, to read this book.

4🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Leah Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my full review for the Alex Cohen series books 1-3 on my blog. https://theverybookish.com/2021/01/13...

[Mandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bowery Slugger is the first book in the Alex Cohen series and although I absolutely love historical fiction, I will admit that this is not my normal read in this genre. Having never read any previous books by this author I was not sure what to expect. That being said, I found that I flew through the book and I was hooked from the beginning. Alex Cohen is a Jewish immigrant from the Ukraine and he immediately falls in with the gangs of the Bowery, working his way up the chain quite quickly. Never sure who he can trust often it is a case of do unto them before they do it to you.
Alex is quite a complex character as he is trying to support his family in the only way he knows how, whilst shielding them from what he is involved in to achieve this. Despite not being able to really speak anything other than his own language, Alex finds that hard work and his temper soon get him in a position of some standing within the gang. There is a downside to this though, the higher up the ranks he gets the fewer people he can trust and the more he has to watch his back. He also has a problem squaring away what he does for a living with his feelings for a girl in the same tenement as him. I think he really wants to be with her but as he finds it harder and harder to escape the life he has made for himself, there seems little chance of them finding happiness.
The Bowery Slugger does not shy away from the violence that was almost normal during that time, but I would not say that Borstinski depicts this in any kind of gratuitous way. He has created characters that have a depth and attitude that make them seem real and you certainly get the feeling for life in New York in the early 1900’s and how hard it was to forge any kind of living if you were an immigrant with little command of the language of your adoptive country and where so many people with the same skillset were housed in a condensed area.
With the book ending with Alex’s future heading in a different way to that of his past I will be intrigues to see what the author has in store for him and if he will ever truly escape his life in the gangs.

[Ann Keeran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction at its best. Borstinski brings to life the members of the different gangs in New York before WWII. Alex Cohen is a character to follow.