Over twenty years ago I had a story idea about a guy who gets involved with the Jewish mob in New York. Why? Because of a series of events which turned into a perfect storm. Firstly, I was at a financial services conference and found myself next to an old timer who spent his spare hours learning about the history of Broadway. I don’t mean the area of Manhattan where the theater district lies, but the whole of the road. He explained to me why it was the only street on the island – midtown and higher – not to be part of the grid structure. I heard how it was the main supply line from downtown to Canada – and that prompted me to think about the starting point of that journey.
Around the same time, I found myself intrigued by tough Jews. Or rather, I started using my work time in New York to pop into bookshops and find local books about the Jewish mafia. Why? Because it interested me. Or rather, I began by looking at mob-related books because of my love of The Godfather, and quickly skipped to the Jewish mob because of my interest in Tough Jews.
Roll forward several years and I had built up a pretty cool history of the Jewish and Italian gangs in New York and stories started spinning around my head. Alex Cohen was born.
Now, I am pleased to announce that the second instalment has been launched and for the first week is available for only 99 cents (or local equivalent). Grab your copy while you can at this ridiculously low price. Buy it direct from my web site or from your favorite ebook platform.
I hope you enjoy reading it as least as much as I enjoyed writing it: St Valentines’ Day Massacre, bootlegging, prostitution, union racketeering. You gotta love it, right?
Leo
