The Big Squeeze

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Cirni's ( The Kiss Off ) lusty account of Mafia activities in Brooklyn and Queens centers around a lowly minion in the Tony Montello ``Family.'' ``Dip'' Dippolito's job, in collaboration with his lifelong friend Prize, is to collect outstanding loan-shark monies from recalcitrant debtors. Dip suddenly finds himself near the center of Montello power, albeit as an observer, when he is ordered to ride herd on Tony's son, who is in danger of flunking out of high school and who couldn't care less. In his new position Dip gets to view the violence and constant power struggles of the Family, especially as they relate to the decades-old animosity toward Tony's brother-in-law Joey Cara. But when Prize is implicated in an aborted attempt on Tony's life, Dip is informed by hint and innuendo that he is also suspect. To add to his problems, Dip's girlfriend is insistent that he retire from the Family, not a simple matter. The jargon, characters, plots, double- and triple-crosses are all cleverly and wittily drawn, in an authentic-sounding narrative. Although the already slender story line further thins at the end, the novel's pace and ambience keep the reader hooked. (Feb.)

Library Journal

When ``Dip'' (Dippolito) takes a bullet intended for Jimmy, son of gang leader Tony Montello, his fortunes seem on the rise. The only one in the mob with any kind of education, Dip is ordered to tutor Jimmy so he can graduate from high school. Meanwhile a gang war seems probable after Tony's rival is iced. It appears that there is a mole in Tony's gang, and Dip's best friend is one of the suspects. Fed up with the uncertainties and shootings, Dip's fiancee wants him to walk away from the life. More deaths and double crosses follow, but Dip wraps up everything--a bit too quickly and easily. The dialog is what keeps this book moving: tough, accurate, and laced with humor and venom. Readers of the genre will love this latest from the author of The Come On (Soho Pr., 1989).-- Robert H. Donahugh, formerly with Youngstown & Mahoning Cty. P.L., Ohio

School Library Journal

YA-- Jackie ``Dip'' Dippolito has been part of Tony Montello's mob family nearly all of his life, content to stay at the lower ``odd job'' level with his friend Lenny Prize. Dip, though, changes his life when he saves Montello's son's life. He is now expected to see that the young man, a less than ideal student, graduates from high school. This, coupled with Dip's loyalty to Prize, is the beginning of an intertwining that produces an intriguing, riveting mob mystery. Cirni has produced an appealing story with a realistic setting and dialogue that is a bit graphic in parts, but is what readers of organized crime books surely would expect.--Diane Goheen, Topeka West High School, KS