I did enjoy this book, but I found that sometimes the pacing was off, or the way the characters interacted where off in their approaches. I enjoyed the concept, but I was just waiting for something different to happen I felt it was following the same typical tropes which isn't always a bad thing, but I wished there was a spin on it from the author that would have made me want to place this above the rest.

Follow one man's journey through The Chicago Heights from the early 1920's to the 1970's. Sal always tried to insulate himself from the police and G men. Take a walk in Sal's life and enjoy the ride. Until next time Happy Reading!

The Heights tells the story of the Chicago Mafia through the view of one man over the course of forty years. While it is fiction based on a true story, it reads very much like a memoir. The book is very matter of fact and tells of events that happen without much delving into the thoughts or feelings or bigger picture. It reads very much like someone who can tell you an accounting without telling you a story. The book is a quick read and I enjoyed reading it. I like that it offered a no apologies look at a world that often cloaked in secrecy without making excuses.

This book has potential. It struggles to describe much of anything. Its like listening to an old man talk. If that is the intent then it does well. It was hard to get into the story with so little descriptions of anything and so many characters.

This didn't work for me, I couldn't connect with the writing style it felt too informative and this left me feeling bored and I couldn't get engaged in the story and the book. The premise sounded really interesting but this wasn't for me.

Exclaimer: I love Dennis Lehane's Live by Night series and am intrigued by most things mafia.

That's why I had no trouble finding my footing in Ray Franze's The Heights. It never took off though. The beginning scene was especially bumpy and I never formed a real connection with the characters. The first few interactions with the notorious Al Capone were a bit bland as well. I still finished the book, though, because it was reminiscent of reading a good old-fashioned mafia crime novel.

The story takes place in the Prohibition-era and follows Sal Liparello's rise to the top, from small-time gang member to big-time crime boss.

Thanks for the advance copy!

Ray Franze’s “The Heights” is a mafia tale, told more in a sequential play by play dry historical textbook version of events. Which is to say: anything mafia related is immediately interesting to me, the topic alone kept me reading. However, the story itself could have gripped the reader a bit more, the topic alone could not carry this story. It was readable and interesting, but choppier than I prefer.

The cover is gorgeous, the description and synopsis have you hooked instantly.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Heights is a classic mafia story, covering decades of power struggles and territory expansion and brushes with law enforcement. It moved quickly and had plenty of action throughout, and it was very clear that the author did his research! My fiancée’s family is from Homewood, so the south suburbs are very familiar to us and I loved all the call-outs to hotspots for The Outfit — Stickney, Blue Island, Cal City…

It was an entertaining enough mafia story, but it was definitely more of a play-by-play than a developing story. I didn’t feel that there was much build-up to speak of — the conflicts that arose were resolved very quickly, so there wasn’t a real sense of suspense, which I would generally expect in a mob story. Overall it was a decent read, and I wouldn’t hesitate to pick it up if you’re looking for a quick and dirty mafia read!

Thanks to Blue Handle Publishing, Ray Franze, and NetGalley for making an ARC available in exchange for an honest review!

The Heights by Ray Franze
2/5

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a rough one. I love me some history and mobsters but this was dry. It read like a history textbook. First this, then this, and then this. I couldn't feel deeply for characters who felt flat. While it was an interesting part of a bigger narrative, i.e. Al Capone's The Outfit, I just couldn't feel much investment.

Wow. This was so good and it's based on real life. I read this in one sitting. I can't stop thinking about it. This is so good.
I just reviewed The Heights by Ray Franze. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

This is a decent book,not my normal type of read but I did enjoy it and will look for more by this aurthor

I really enjoyed getting to read this, I loved that this was based on a true story. This was a unique concept and I enjoyed reading this. The characters felt like real people and I enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on with them. Ray Franze does a great job with this book and I enjoyed what I read.

"Jon, Dom, and I hated having our photos taken—we left that for the highfalutin guys in Chicago and New York—we only took one picture to commemorate the event. Why should we put ourselves out there for all law enforcement to see once the picture circulates? And yes, it always circulates. It makes no sense."