Dead Line

Hmm well it is a Mafia story so it gets a couple of extra stars right from the start but gee this could have been so much better I reckon. The Big Guy's choice of allies in this one is very strange a Mafia guy currently in prison and a female thief who was in prison and now is under the control and "protection" of a Mafia want to be Don ? Probably one of my chief concerns with this title is that EVERYBODY knows who the Big Guy is and what he is doing even to the extent of the press questioning Brognala about his presence. There are some very good action scenes included where multiple hitters have been dispatched to take out the Big Guy and some very good characters included especially the female Salina Beaudreax and umm Dan Xavier mate what were you smoking when you knocked out your review she survives mate ? I liked the background of the two main guys taken out being sons of a previous Don from way back at the start of the series good to see some continuity. I liked the read but couldn't get as excited about it as previous reviewers I would recommend it for your reading pleasure but don't think it is anywhere near the classic stage in this series.

This review and Knockdown are the same. I consider it one story. I like to think of it as the Five Families Saga. This is about the mafia and just about the mafia. The characters were excellent and the portroyal of the mafia was excellent. 1) I liked how Furst showed this new generation of mafia trying to keep control. Frenchi and Barbosa were of the old school - liked killing the wrong people. Rossi was seen as the new mafia - yes crooks, swindlers, drug dealers but not really into killing especially not feds. A total lets keep below the radar mentalilty. In Deadline they got it right tryig to really steer clear of Frenchi killing a Fed. Bad idea. A way to get the bastard Bolan to return. And return he did! In vengence. 2) Ok there were a few mistakes in this duology. A line about how no one was ever in control of NY. Well what about Augie? He had total control and was considered the don of the dons. It also would have been a really good idea to bring back Leo Turrin. He still has connections plus a Bolan expert for the mafia. Would have been nice a few chapters with him or references. 3) Salina B. the finest female villian in the series so far. Wow. A smart, intelligent, ruthless killer. Not a psycho-out-of-control nympho-bitch seen way too often in the series. She would have been a great recurring character in the series maybe even have her be a Xena like character for a spin-off. So sad when she died. 4) Kidnapping is not smart when it comes to Mack. Ya kidnap someone he likes and guess what blitz. They would have learned. Twice in Boston and again in NY. 5) The good guys were very fun. Mack's pair in Deadline were fun especially the former mafia enforcer and old friend of Mack. Very fun coupling with Mack. The SOG assistant for Mack was a riot wearing that dress especially when the burst into the den of Rossi and the commission. 6) There was a problem of having way too many characters. Got a wee bit confusing and had to be some backtracking for a who's who - Knockout was really bad for this. 7) Mack hesistant to kill the LA Don. Huh? Since when. You have to assume he was a drug dealer. Sheesh. 8) I did like how it ended - minus Selina dying - was that the weakest one would keep the NY mafia in place but stay under Mack's radar was nice. It reminded me a lot of how Mack dealt with Cleveland. I strongly suggest you read this as a set with Deadline first. Pick up Deadline read it. When finished read Knockdown. A 9 for both books and a 10 for it being a duology. Rivals Frontier Wars as best duology/trilogy.

A very well done Mafia story. Carl Furst seemed to be in the zone when he wrote this one, it was much better than #127 by him. The pacing of the novel is very good, no part of the book is boring, has lots of action. Bolan is in Boston for much of the novel and goes to California at one point. The Mob sends out many hitmen to foil his plans, and the one that gets away is actually a chick that is hinted to be returning in a future novel. Not the best book, but very well done. I liked it a lot.

Bolan sets off to investigate the killing of a federal officer at Boston's Logan International. A twist develops when the mafioso responsible for the killing kidnaps the dead agent's wife and daughter, holding them as hostages against Bolan. The book was very well written. This author has a real feel for Bolan, but isn't afraid to push some limits. His supporting characters, both allies and enemies are thoroughly developed, and provide this novel with much of its appeal. Also, not every character dies, which means that there may be some continuity with the series. This one is very good. Bolan always seems at his best against the mob, and he is certainly in top form for this enjoyable read.

Blacksuit Bolan blasting & blitzing in Boston. I loved it!!

This one was good, real good. The Executioner always seems in top form when he's fighting in his home-state.

I'm shocked. I thought this one by Furst was passable, and quite enjoyable. Didn't like Salina Beaudreax getting away. But, she showed up in Knockdown, so, oh well.