Midtown Huckster – Alex Cohen#3

Author: Leopold Borstinski
Published: Kindle and Paperback 2020
Publisher: Sobriety Press

I’d like to start by saying a massive thank you to Leopold Borstinski and Emma from #damppebblesblogtours for my copy of the book. I’ve been lucky enough to read the whole series from the beginning in the run up to the release of Casino Chiseler – Alex Cohen#4 which was published on 30th September 2020. Don’t miss the fantastic blog tour starting on Monday 2nd November!

From the blurb…
Can you keep your gelt and freedom when the cops have enough evidence to take you down?
1930s Jewish gangster, Alex Cohen runs Murder Inc for Lucky Luciano. After the death of Prohibition he must find a new way to make money, just as the cops are baying at his heels. When Luciano goes down for racketeering, Alex loses his protection and is arrested for tax evasion–he must decide between saving his skin and ratting out his friends.
If he chooses prison time then his gang will fall apart and he will end up with nothing. If he squeals then he will have to flee the city he loves and the family he once adored. What would you do in a world where nobody can be trusted and you have everything to lose?
The third book in the Alex Cohen series is an historical noir novel, which plunges you deep into the early days of narcotics trafficking and the Jewish New York mob. Leopold Borstinski’s piercing crime fiction delivers a fix to every reader like heroin from a needle.

My review…
I recently reviewed Alex Cohen#2, East Side Hustler, and absolutely loved it – you can find my review here. Jumping straight into Midtown Huckster did not disappoint!

Alex is back with quite an entrance! The book starts with Salvatore Maranzano being killed in his office. Since the end of East Side Hustler, the syndicate is up and running under the leadership of Charlie Luciano and Johnny Torrio. Their side venture, Murder Corporation, is also in full swing, and Alex finds himself in charge of organised hits for the syndicate, along with Louis and Albert. As the Prohibition Era is coming to an end, Alex and his crew need to find a new way to make money. Charlie is adamant that the way forward is still in transportation and distribution, but this time he wants to sell heroin. It’s not long before everyone sees the sense in his idea and they start to rake in the gelt again.

After leaving Alex, Sarah has moved to Hoboken with the children. Alex still gets to see the five boys on occasion, but it’s been two long years since Sarah walked out of his life and he wants her back. Unfortunately, Sarah wants a divorce! I was really sad when Sarah left in the last book because she has always been good for Alex, but his mistress Ida and his work life made things difficult for the pair. I’m glad she is still around though, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a reunion. Alex definitely struggles to make the best of both worlds and finds himself seeing less of his family as time goes on.

As Murder Corporation continues to receive regular contracts, things get a bit fraught between Alex and his two equals. He is paranoid about his colleagues intentions for him and soon the truth in ‘three’s a crowd’ becomes very apparent. Albert Anastasia is a slippery character, I don’t trust him at all, and Louis Buchalter is more loyal to him than Alex. With all big decisions needing to be run by the syndicate, Alex’s frustrations escalate when not everyone sees things his way.

When Special Prosecutor Thomas Dewey is appointed head of a task force to strong arm the mobs and take down the bosses, everyone is worried. Thomas Dewey tries his luck with Dutch Schultz first to no avail, so he turns his attention to Charlie and Alex. With the pair firmly in Dewey’s sights, lawyer Mendy Greenberg is hired with the hope of getting the charges dropped. Charlie gets sent down regardless and things do not look hopeful for Alex! He tries his best to keep his head down and remain unscathed, but it really is only a matter of time before the last few years catch up with him. With a deal on the table, can Alex be convinced to trade secrets?

Whilst trying to be mindful of spoilers, the best I can say is, wow! There were a few shock scenes that I didn’t see coming at all. I love how Borstinksi expertly fictionalises the real life events surrounding some of the most infamous American gangsters, but still manages to keep the story fresh and exciting. The mention of Eliot Ness instantly made me want to watch The Untouchables again, which got me thinking – this series would be fantastic in film! It has everything needed to keep you hooked. The descriptive writing transports me to places I have never been, but can picture so well; even the outfits worn and food eaten adds to the atmosphere so effortlessly. I am constantly on edge worrying about Alex, especially now he has become one of the key players in the syndicate. Despite having his crew around him, Alex has become a solitary soul and is often on the move. He is forever second guessing the thoughts and actions of his closest allies (as am I!), usually leaving him one step ahead. There are definitely plenty of surprises still though, with all the usual drama and tension, this is another fast paced hit in the Alex Cohen series. I feel like this book in particular wrapped up some of the ongoing plot lines really well. But this cliffhanger business is not doing my heart any good…

I cannot wait to read Casino Chiseler and see what the 1940’s holds for Alex. My review for book#4 will be up on November 8th!

An Alex Cohen prequel, The Broska Bruiser, is kindly available on Leopold Borstinski’s author website here, so you can see for yourself how good this series is. Be warned though, once you make that connection with Alex, you’ll be hooked too! The writing style is really easy and it’s hard to stop once you have started.

If you loved Midtown Huckster too…
Alex Cohen#4, Casino Chiseler, was published in September this year, so you can jump straight into the next decade of Alex’s life. Don’t miss the #BlogTour starting Monday 2nd November!

About the author…
Leopold Borstinski is an independent author whose past careers have included financial journalism, business management of financial software companies, consulting and product sales and marketing, as well as teaching.
There is nothing he likes better so he does as much nothing as he possibly can. He has travelled extensively in Europe and the US and has visited Asia on several occasions. Leopold holds a Philosophy degree and tries not to drop it too often.
He lives near London and is married with one wife, one child and no pets.