King of New York: A New Mafia Tale (2024)

Excellent look at an NYC crime family as it remakes itself when the Don (emeritus) and two of his sons are shot down in an assassination orchestrated by a third brother (from prison), Two grandsons respond, wounding the assassins and taking control of the family.. Jimmy wants to remake the family and does so by creating alliances. He seeks out the competition’s greatest needs, solves those problems, and gets the promise of a future favor in return. Well-designed plot and strong characters keep the story moving. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kingston Imperial for the ARC
FOR FANS OF WISE GUY & GOMORRAH -
THE KING OF NEW YORK is the story of how one gangster makes it his life goal (and obsession) to dominate across all affiliations of organized crime to achieve the most desired The King Of New York.

For nearly 50 years, the mafia has existed in the underbelly of New York City, where the heart of organized crime originated. For Jimmy Martello, the mafia is a way of life. However, young Jimmy inherits both an honor and a duty that he didn’t sign up for, when both his father and his grandfather are simultaneously murdered, leaving Jimmy as the heir, or in mafia speak, the Don. While Jimmy is no stranger to navigating his Brooklyn streets, he’s clueless on how to move like a Don, make money like a Don, and kill like a Don. He learns the latter of the lessons when his uncle is released from prison, and is hoping to dominate New York City as a new kind of drug dealing kingpin, annihilating everyone in his way, including his nephew. The only way for Jimmy to fight back is to align with some of the most nefarious crime families and gangs, including securing top alliances with the notorious Russian Mob, the Yakuza, the Cartel, and the Black Mafia Family. The mafia calls it the Don, the streets call it all city, but for Jimmy Martello his mission is to become the King of New York. The King of New York is an action packed novel, including elements of both fiction and true crime, a must read for anyone fascinated by the ins and outs of the mafia
This was a fast paced, fully immersive read about Jimmy now head of his family after his father is brutally murdered. Jimmy's a good guy and doesn't carry a gun he wants revenge to bring the man down and that's all.
The intricacies of this story are compelling as is his well defined character.
Brilliant writing superb plot. I literally couldn't put it down.

This would be my first time EVER reading a Mafia Tale!

King of New York is about a notorious mafia family by the name of the Martellos. This family is from where organized crime originated from, which is New York City. The main MMC Jimmy Martello becomes a "made men" and that same night his father and grandfather are brutally murdered right before his eyes. This then puts him into a place where he has to continue the legacy and take over the Martello business. With the help of his cousin Nick, Jimmy Martello has no idea how to move like a "Don" in the Brooklyn streets. While he wanted to get revenge, the only way for Jimmy to fight back is to align with some of the most nefarious crime families and gangs, including securing top alliances with the notorious Russian Mob, the Yakuza, the Cartel, and the Black Mafia Family. The mafia calls it the Don, the streets call it all city, but for Jimmy Martello his mission is to become the King of New York

When I initally went into this novel I thought it would be a mixture of historical fiction and a vibe of the movie "Goodfellas." In the beginning the story started on a high which had me excited to continue reading. As it progressed, it fell flat and began to go into different directions I didn't feel mattered with the storyline. I was truly dissappointed because the angle it started on to where it ended had me bored and ready to DNF it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kingston Imperial for this ARC to read. Expect it to be released in June 2024.

"King Of New York" is a book revolving around the crime families of NYC and follows the story of Jimmy and his uprising to the head of his family after his elder were brutally murdered in their home.

It is filled with action, family business, family drama, betrayal and even a hint of love.

It was my first take on Mafia Tales and thus, slightly confusing for me at first, but I think the author makes it easy to follow through and grasp the concept of what she wants to deliver.

Personally, I would have loved to dive more into the characters inner thoughts and would have loved to learn more about Chiara and Jimmy and their story, but all in all, this was a good read and for people who are interested in mafia, this is a read I would absolutely recommend.

With this being said, just because it was not MY prefered cup of tea story wise, does not mean that the book overall was not entertaining, I was enjoying myself throughout the entire read and enjoyed diving into unknown terrains for myself.

The publishing date is the 21st of May, 2024.

Thank you NetGalley, Kingston Imperial and Kathy Iandoli for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I found this to be an average book. Not bad, not really good. Probably a good fit for a B-movie to be made.
The son of a Mafia boss, "made" into the family seconds before his father, uncle, and grandfather are assassinated. Thereafter, he assumes the mantle of the boss of the family. The evil uncle trying to take over. Lots of stereotypical interactions with various other criminal leaders.
Very light on the family business, the other members are barely mentioned. Loads of running around, making deals with other criminals, completely oblivious to any input from his own "family". I mean, other than the capo and his cousin, they don't exist. I just don't believe that he could act in such a vacuum, free to make whatever moves and deals he wants.
The obligatory gunfights and assassination attempts. Crazy world traveling junkets to search for a kidnapped girl. A finale that left me confused, shaking my head at the unlikely event and happenings at it.
Shallow character development. Too many coincidences.
All in all, I mildly enjoyed it, but would not recommend it.

Synopsis
Jimmy feels like he needs to prove himself as a Don after his father and grandfather were killed on the same day. While Jimmy was raised in the Mafia, he still has a lot to learn, a lot to fight for and he is willing to take up with shady people to become the King of New York.

My Opinion
King of New York packed in so much action and so much drama. Without exaggerating, there was drama on every page. This book was not boring. The only reason I am taking stars away from my rating is because I found it daunting to keep track of so many characters.

Rating
4 Stars; I liked it and will recommend. It will go on my bookshelf.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Kingston Imperial, and the author Kathy Iandoli along with Marvis Johnson for approval of an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own. There are no spoilers.

King of New York is the story of Jimmy Martello and his desire to be the head of the mafia in all of New York. As you follow his story, you see how he grows but at the same time you see that “ghosts” of the past have a way of coming back. I look forward to other works by this author.

An action packed mafia thriller by an author new to me.

Jimmy Martello is from mafia royalty but the murder of his father, the Don, leaves him in danger and exposed.

Can he think and fight his way through the morass of competing gangs and the viper in the nest, his uncle to head up the New York families.

This was an exciting and exhilarating read. Weak on characterisation but strong on action and plot.

I gave up at 28%. Too many characters and as an Italian from NY this did not ring true. Thank you to netgalley for this ARC