Gangsterland, Tod Goldberg
Gangsterland, Tod Goldberg
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Gangsterland
A Novel

Author: Tod Goldberg

Narrator: Johnny Heller

Unabridged: 10 hr 30 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/03/2015

Synopsis

Sal Cupertine is a legendary hit man for the Chicago Mafia, known for his ability to get in and out of a crime without a trace. Until now, that is. His first-ever mistake forces Sal to botch an assassination, killing three undercover FBI agents in the process. This puts too much heat on Sal, and he knows this botched job will be his death sentence to the Mafia. So he agrees to their radical idea to save his own skin.A few surgeries and some intensive training later, and Sal Cupertine is gone, having disappeared into the identity of Rabbi David Cohen. Leading his growing congregation in Las Vegas, overseeing the population and the temple and the new cemetery, Rabbi Cohen feels his wicked past slipping away from him, surprising even himself as he spouts quotes from the Torah. But the Mafia isn't quite done with him. Soon the new cemetery is being used as both a money- and body-laundering scheme for the Chicago family. And that rogue FBI agent on his trail, seeking vengeance for the murder of his three fellow agents, isn't going to let Sal fade so easily into the desert.Gangsterland is the wickedly dark and funny new novel by a writer at the height of his power—a morality tale set in a desert landscape as ruthless and barren as those who inhabit it.

About Tod Goldberg

Tod Goldberg is the author of the crime-tinged novels Living Dead Girl, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Fake Liar Cheat, and the popular Burn Notice series. His essay “When They Let Them Bleed” was selected by Cheryl Strayed for inclusion in Best American Essays 2013. He is also the author of the story collections Simplify a 2006 finalist for the SCIBA Award for Fiction and winner of the Other Voices Short Story Collection Prize, and Other Resort Cities. His short fiction has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies, twice receiving special mention for the Pushcart Prize as well as being named a distinguished story of the year in The Best American Mystery Stories 2009. His essays, journalism, and criticism appear regularly in many publications, including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and Las Vegas CityLife, and have been featured in E!, Salon, Jewcy, and the Wall Street Journal, among many others.

About Johnny Heller

Johnny Heller, winner of numerous Earphones and Audie Awards, was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine in 2019. He has been a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award winner from 2008 through 2013 and he has been named a top voice of 2008 and 2009 and selected as one of the Top 50 Narrators of the Twentieth Century by AudioFile magazine.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Kemper

Stop me if you’ve heard this one. A rabbi and a Mafia hitman walk into a bar. The joke is that they’re the same person. Sal Cupertine is a contract killer for the mob in Chicago, and for decades he managed to remain in the shadows. That all changes after he walks into a FBI sting operation and ends u......more

Goodreads review by TheBookWarren

4.50 ⭐️— A very enjoyable romp through the world of mafioso & hitman Sal Cupertine, and his alter ego Rabbi David Coen. In Gangsterland, Goldberg has written an absolute triumph in the realm of modern crime fiction. It has an exquisite blend of dark humor, relentless suspense, and profound introspect......more

Goodreads review by Anna

The premise sounded more interesting than the actual book. The story just dragged on and on, no real ups and downs, just flat landscape. It lacked grip which is something one would expect from a mobster story.......more

Quotes

“This darkly funny crime novel showcases Heller’s comedic and narrative skills, with hit men, mobsters, and FBI agents loose in Las Vegas.” Booklist (starred audio review)

“As sharp as a straight razor. But a lot more fun. Count me a huge fan.” Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author 

“Harrowing, funny, wise, and heretical, Gangsterland is everything a thriller should be.” T. Jefferson Parker, New York Times bestselling author

“Gangsterland is rich with complex and meaty characters, but its greatest strength is that it never pulls a punch, never holds back, and never apologizes for life’s absurdities. If this novel were a person, you could ask it for a bookie.” Brad Meltzer, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Infinitely readable, infinitely funny, and infinitely better than anything else you’ll read this year!” Craig Johnson, New York Times bestselling author

“In his plotting, dialogue, and empathy for the bad guys, Goldberg aspires to the heights of Elmore Leonard. For those who miss the master, Gangsterland is a high-grade substitute.” New York Times

“The story is at its best when it’s mocking our unquestioning acceptance of whatever morsels of wisdom our leaders decide to feed us…Gangsterland…is a modern story, written for readers who like their imaginary characters to live in the real world.” Los Angeles Book Review

“A cleverly spun novel that forced me to abandon my wiseguy moratorium. Goldberg has an amusing flair for contemporary hard-boil, and he knows his crime and crime-fighting procedures.” Las Vegas Weekly

“Goldberg’s new book is clever bordering on wise, like Get Shorty on antacid.” Los Angeles magazine

“The Mafia plus the Torah makes for a darkly funny and suspenseful morality tale…[Goldberg] can spin a good yarn.” Millions

Awards

  • Hammett Prize
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