Mafia Murders: 100 Kills that Changed the Mob

by M.A. Frasca

Since the late 19th century, the Mafia has been a presence in North America using intimidation and worse to exert its control over organized crime in the major cities and beyond - anything from loansharking to bootlegging during Prohibition to extortion, kidnapping and racketeering. For the Mob (as they are also known), crime was big business. Feuds between Mafia families and their associates led to Lucky Luciano, the preeminent Mob boss, creating the Commission, which to this day rules over Mob activity and disputes. Throughout the 20th century, the ruthlessness of the Mafia has been in the list of Mob victims seems endless. Mafia Hits recalls the most important executions - the rival bosses, the stool pigeons and snitches, the good cops and the dirty cops, the vicious feuds and the hit-men who lived by the gun and died by it. All are here in this fascinating tale of the American underworld.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

Published March 31, 2021

Reviews

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that looks at the hits and death of the men with ties or in the case of New York Lt. Detective Joseph Petrosino who fought tooth and nail with the “Black Hand” as they were called at the turn of the century after many arrests and wanting to send men back to Sicily that were criminals there. That is where he was gunned downed while looking through records. Leaving behind a wife and little daughter his story which like many in this book is short is one that is fascinating. While other stories in here are ones that I have heard and read about it is his story and the one where in New Orleans 11 Italian Americans were lynched in one day. Both of these stories needed to be seen by other people and not just the other killings. I am glad they were added and I hope people will look into these two stories to see the history behind them. Overall a good book. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

[Nick Guzan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining and concise primer of how the American mob has relied on murder for more than a century, the book gets top marks for its engaging organization, witty approach, and concise readability that should appeal to experts and novices alike. Even after consuming dozens of books and documentaries about the Mafia for the last decade, I still found myself learning some new things about people and events I'd never heard about. I also enjoyed the author M.A. Frasca's knowledgeable and accessible writing style and tongue-in-cheek sense of humor.

A few inaccuracies littered throughout, likely the fault of the publisher and not the author (i.e. contradictory dates, noticeable typos), are distracting but not quite enough to detract from a sprawling but succinct book that fulfills its intended purpose as entertainment rather than a scholarly textbook. I wouldn't have minded more details of the titular "hits" themselves and less credence to unfounded theories, but I definitely recommend this good book for anyone looking for an informative and interesting way to anecdotally learn about the American Mafia.

[Alex Richmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book, but doesn’t fully live up to its name,

To put it simply, not all of these murders changed the mob. If they did the book doesn’t go into detail. Others are glossed over and sped through so you are only getting a glamoured version of the events.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book but I am very biased as this book was written by my late sister, Maureen.

[Laura Newsholme · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is very much exactly what it says it is. The book covers 100 murders undertaken by the mafia (both of mafiosi and others) and gives a small amount of information about the reasons for and the aftermath of each one. There were some here that I knew about - Bugsy Siegel, Dutch Schultz etc. but many of those included were completely new to me, which I appreciated. Overall, a fun and interesting read.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Al Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since each “chapter” is only about 2 pages, it can be hard to find rhythm in this book. With that said, this book provides some excellent research-based historical narrative around the history of the Mafia. For anyone interested in learning the inner workings of the mob, this book serves as an excellent “for dummies-esque” guide.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

For someone who knows nothing about the mob hit jobs, this book was interesting. There were some very fascinating stories about the more seedy members of society. But I wish there was a list or map of mob/gang names territories. Because I kept having to look things up and reference other parts of the book.

I loved that it was a quick, easy read. Each chapter was like a short story unto itself.

[Shelley Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most Interesting

Avery well-written account of The Mafia”. Not sure of sources of info for this book but very interesting read. Learned much. Surprised to learn it is still something

[Zane Sterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read!

Very interesting book that sticks to the facts, as they are known. Fast paced and action-packed. If you enjoy mafia history, you will enjoy this book!

[Eugene Favor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I liked this book, very spot on and a lot of mob hits in the book I never knew about, great read for any true mafia fans like myself 👍🏿

[Ian Osborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The undertaker were busy

Wow what a history of death, it goes to say you don't know who you can trust. Gangs and clans at their finest

[grumpy old msn · Rating 3 out of 5]

First came Genghis Kahn. Then the Hole in the wall bunch followed closely by 'Good old Al' in the Prohibition era. Now we've got Politicians. Just wait until Black Rod Carries a grenade launcher to access The Lords! ?

[isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I broke my phone one day and had to wait a whole afternoon for it to get fixed, so I walked into a book fair, got this book and read it through in like 2 hours

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short stories. Being from Detroit, I know he had errors in those stories. I believe some were just creative editing. A super quick read.

[Mr Michael Gatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many mistakes.

[Lo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need a map with the layout of how all of these murders are connected

[Chris Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, light read. 3.5

[Valerie Uthe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical account of who whacked who!!!

[Dominique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but a likely samey after a while, there’s only so many unique mob stories