Nunzio's Way

Nunzio's Way by Nick Chiarkas.
Book 2 in the Weepers Series.
In Weepers (Book 1), Angelo and his gang, with a bit of help from his beloved "uncle" Nunzio Sabino, defeated the notorious Satan's Knights. Now, in this standalone sequel to Weepers, it's 1960 and Nunzio is still the most powerful organized crime boss in New York City, protecting what's his with political schemes and 'business' deals. Against this backdrop of Mafia turf wars, local gang battles, and political power-plays in the mayoral election, the bodies begin stacking up. An unlikely assassin arrives fresh from Naples after killing a top member of the Camorra to avenge the murder of her family. She blends seamlessly into the neighborhood and with the focus on the threat from the Satan's Knights, no one suspects that Angelo's father and Nunzio are next on her hit list. Nunzio has lived his entire life by the mantra; Be a fox when there are traps and a lion when there are wolves. Will Nunzio be a lion in time?
A really good read. Twisty. I loved the cover. I hope there is more to come. 5*.

another great entry in this Weepers series, it had what I enjoyed from the first book. The plot did what I was hoping for and really glad I was able to go through this journey. It had a great mystery novel feel and it did I wanted from a good mystery. I enjoyed the characters and enjoyed reading this. I hope there is more in this series,

In Nunzio's Way, book two of the Weepers Series, author Nick Chiarkos transports the reader back to the 1960 Two Bridges neighborhood of the Lower East Side of Manhattan, for an intriguing dark noir crime thriller that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.

In Nunzio's Way, the story that began in Weepers, book one of the Weepers Series, continues in 1960 revolving around the activities of powerful mob boss Nunzio Sabino. Nunzio is still the most powerful mob boss in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, but there are Mafia turf wars and growing tensions among the rival street gangs, and a political power-play for the mayoral race that keeps Nunzio busy holding onto his domain. And if that isn't enough, there is a simmering undercurrent of danger coming to the neighborhood when a female assassin wants revenge for the murders of her family, and she is targeting Nunzio and Angelo's father Mac with the assistance of the Satan's Knights street gang. Can Nunzio keep his domain safe, or will it come crumbling down when the assassin seemlessly infiltrates the neighborhood?

In Nunzio's Way, author Nick Chiarkas weaves a slow-building and suspenseful dark gritty noir tale that follows the latest danger that comes to the Lower East Side neighborhood that mob boss Nunzio Sabino controls. The reader is kept in suspense as turf wars, murder plots, and power struggles among the rival street gangs explode when a female assassin comes seeking revenge with Nunzio and Mac as her targets. This multi-layered story also brings the reader up to date with fifteen year old Angelo Pastamadeo's leadership in the Weepers street gang, when they are caught up in a power struggle with the Satan's Knights street gang.

The reader is easily drawn into this riveting dark noir crime story with its richly descriptive plot. It is a story that is a tangled web filled with enough drama, secrets, deceit, corruption, motives, suspects, and intriguing twists and turns that definitely keeps the reader guessing until the surprising conclusion.

This was a really intriguing story to read! The author transports the reader to a richly vivid description of the 1960 Two Bridges neighborhood (between the Manhattan Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge) where he grew up in the Al E. Smith Housing Projects, for a dark and gritty noir style crime thriller that will keep the reader turning the pages.

The story provides a fascinating storyline and a cast of characters the engages the reader, suprising twists and turns, and danger around every corner, especially when there are people who don't want the truth to come out. I found myself so caught up on following Nunzio's story intertwining it with Angelo's coming of age trials and tribulations within the relationships between neighborhood street gangs. You can't help but hold your breath as Nunzio fights to keep his power intact, while also trying to stop the assassin from killing him. The surprising conclusion will leave the reader exhausted!

Nunzio's Way will definitely take the readers on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Tours.

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Chiarkas takes readers into another deep dive of the Al Smith project housing in the 1950s. Nunzio is the boss, and I mean boss of the area. You are his friend, you obey him or you just might end up dead at the worst or out of a job at the least. But I do like that he tries to solve problems before eliminating the people causing them. Nunzio is well developed character, a mix of judgment and compassion. He determines the future of a person, almost at his whim.

The culture of the time and place is very well presented. I can hardly imagine people sitting around enjoying dessert while discussing details of the latest murder. But life and death were a real and immediate part of that area and a part of daily life. Chiarkas grew up in the projects and he conveys realistically what it was like. The novel is well written and engaging. Just be prepared for a high body count and a couple of heartless characters.

To understand the action of this novel, such as the angst over the murder of Mac, one should read the first book in the series, Weepers.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

I enjoyed the book. I thought the writer did a good job of telling Nunzios story. I did get a bit overwhelmed with the many characters who were in relation to others. I will say that the story moves fast. I liked the entertainment that Heather contributed to the book. I believe it’s her character that keeps the book moving. The action among the gangs or criminal offenders keeps the book exciting.

A story about the family you create. But also a gang story, assassins and revenge. Some touching parts and some corruption. There were several parts to the story. Not my usual type of story but it wasn't bad..just different from my norm.