This book does not disappoint! It has moments that lull a bit, but it really drags you into the inner world of Al Capone from the perspective of one of his men. With most books that cover criminal historical figures, you only hear it from the writer's or Capone's perspective. This was done through eyes we don't normally see in these types of books. To know the involvement of so many big influential people who were involved with Capone was surprising for a true crime reader, but I guess I should know better by now.

Give this book a read! The other reviews don't give it enough credit. Can't wait to see what this author does next and who he will cover next in terms of historical true crime! Maybe make this a series of big and small Chicago crime bosses?

The Heights - Ray Franze

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this eARC.

The Heights deserves a permanent place among the best of Mafia "fiction" . I use the word fiction loosely as this story is based on the life of a major mafia figure in Chicago who befriends Al Capone and is at least partially responsible for the expansion of the Mafia, both across the US and beyond bootlegging into drugs (and anything else that would make a profit).

Read from the safe distance of retrospection, this was a fascinating account, written as a memoir. I finished this book almost without moving a muscle, late into the night.

Thanks Netgalley for this ARC for my review. This was not what I expected. I did like Jon, Dom and Sal and the dynamic between Rio and Dom was so cute. This was so informational but not as an info dump kind of way. I really did like reading through this but nothing really happens too much that you'd think would in a mafia story. I'm aware it's Historical so yeah, I'm trying to branch out and this is my second historical fiction for me. To me personally it's just too telling. There's a slight bit of action around the middle. All throughout this book I couldn't stop thinking "turf war" Most of the thing that intrigued me was the mafia thing and Al Capone but we don't get too much action about Capone really. Lots of bootlegging and working for others etc like mafia's work. I'm aware that it was 1920's so there isn't action as if it were in modern time but I felt like I was being told the story of the guy being an "friend" of Capones. Despite all of that, I love that most of the gangs have loyalty for family. This isn't something I feel strongly of but through the story I actually learned a lot of things from that time such as rocketerring and how hard things were back in the day amongst gangs and fighting for political, and having people under your thumb. This was middle of the road for me. I'd still recommend.

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