Murder Machine (Onyx) by Gene Mustain, Jerry Capeci
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Book Reviews of Murder Machine (Onyx)
Book Review: One Of The Most Frightening Stories You'll Ever Read
Summary: 5 Stars
I used to live 3 blocks away from a bar called the Gemini Lounge in the Flatlands section of Brooklyn. Little did I know that scenes of such ghastly brutality were taking place there such as body dismemberment, drug and child pornography dealing, etc. If truth is stranger then fiction, then real life horror stories are far worse then any fiction authors imagination. Roy DeMeo - one of the most brutal, (who had a "relationship" with the equally revolting Irish mobsters called the "Westies") conscienceless killers you will ever meet (hopefully only in print)- assembled a group of cretins from the Flatlands/Canarsie neighborhoods he frequented that is so frightening in that we know we must have passed such "ordinary" looking people many times on the street not having a clue as to their deadly business. It frightens me that a simple argument over a parking spot, or being the proverbial innocent bystander - can lead to such quick, brutal death. On a personal note, I once briefly met one of DeMeo's crew a thug named Joey Testa who is a major player in the book, and I am not surprosed to have read about him being a sadistic killer. This is really a book that is hard to put down and a perfect antidote (along with "Wiseguys" called "Goodfellas"in the movie) to those like Puzo who glamorize the mob. This book is a good companion book to T.J. English' book "The Westies" and you will recognize many of the hoods in both books.Book Review: great true crime
Summary: 5 Stars
The police attribute officially 75 murders to the Demeo crew but the total could be as high as 200.Far from being just killings as a result of mob "housecleanings"alot of them are represented in the book as sport by DeMeo and his associates.Some of the victims had nothing to do with the mob.
The book revolves around the life of Ex-Green Beret Vietnam Veteran Dominic Montiglio and his association with the DeMeo crew and how he turned "states evidence" on the murderous crew. Montiglio claimed to have never killed a person,"on the streets"and as the tale is told I believe his testimony. Montiglio was literally born into the Mafia,through family connections,and the tale revolves his complete break with his family. He says in the end that,"family is not blood,but trust and respect".Since he had applied for PTSD counseling and was turned down by the VA on numerous occasions,his story has the ring of an American hero.The book has a great ending.
For those who just can't get enough of those true crime books this is truly a great one with lots of action and twisted horrific stories of the DeMeo sadists which are only too believable.The DeMeo crew was just one of the numerous car stealing/loan shark/murder enterprises of the Gambino crime family.This crew was even too hot for the mob boss Paul Castellano.
Book Review: The realism of the underbelly of the mob
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a true story of the Brooklyn DeMeo gang who specialized in murder during the 1970s and 80s and how they were finally brought to justice. Some of the information came from Dominick Montiglio, a witness who testified against the mob. However, much of it is written from his point of view and somehow managed to deny his direct involvement with any of the murders, therefore making me wonder about every aspect of book's accuracy. It details his heroism in Vietnam, his marriage and family life, and includes photos of him as a two-year old at his birthday party as well as his 1965 high school graduation.There are no photos of course of the shocking and brutal murders which are described in gruesome detail throughout the book. The realism was what was so horrible, and opened my eyes to something that was going on right in my city which I was totally unaware of. I still shudder when I think of it.
For the time I was reading the book, it was like a bright floodlight was shed on a part of New York City history which illuminated the criminal mob underbelly of the times. Its clear writing style pulled no punches. The book was meant to shock and it delivered on this promise and is certainly not for everybody. But for all those willing to explore this world from the safety your armchair, I certainly recommend it.
Book Review: Non-stop Thrills (I'm serious).
Summary: 5 Stars
Murder Machine is a book written in the brazen tradition of Wiseguys and the Westies. It provides readers with a snapshot of street life, magnifies it, and follows it up with a sea of rich description. The DeMeo Crew had to be the most vicious gang of killers in the history of the mob, and, despite being loosely associated with the Gambino Family, there wasn't much organized about their criminal nature. An arrest, an insult, a wrongly phrased statement, the mistake of being in the wrong place at the wrong time could result in one getting whacked by the likes of Harvey "Chris" Rosenberg, the Gemini twins, or Roy DeMeo himself. Books like these are important because if one refuses to study foul, corrupt men then they willfully choose not to know the truth about human nature. The dealings and interactions of this gang, as described by turncoat Dominick Montiglio, are juxtaposed with those of the Castellano pre-Gotti Gambino Family in these pages and the ensuing portrait of the mobsters is both revealing and entertaining. Indeed, the tale is so fast paced and action packed that you'll be surprised you finish it as quickly as you do.Book Review: the real mob
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the real mob,not John Gotti or Al Capone strutting around outside a court house while dozens of reporters follow them around,this is the story of how the bosses get their mansions,cadillacs,and pinkie rings.By sending out vicious thugs to steal,sell drugs,beat up,and occasionaly kill people.A look into the depravity of the most evil mob crew ever.A must read for anyone interested in the mob or even just criminals.As a final thought,I see a few people have problems with Dominick Montiglio,the main source for this book.I have read on the internet that he was never a green beret,and if he lies about this he must lie about everything,right?I don't know but I do know that Jerry Capeci is the foremost expert in the states on the NY mob and I would imagine did plenty of research on this book and had dozens of sources,so even if Montiglio wasn't a green beret(shame on Capeci for not checking if he didn't)I'm sure this book isn't too far from the truth,besides,somebody killed all those people,right?