Paul Bleakley’s *No Haven* brings to light the often-overlooked but deeply fascinating history of organized crime in New Haven, Connecticut. With a backdrop defined by the influence of nearby powerhouses like New York City and Boston, Bleakley expertly delves into the city's tumultuous past, revealing a complex world of Mafia intrigue, violence, and shifting alliances. While cities like New York are commonly associated with Mafia lore, *No Haven* asserts that New Haven played an equally significant role in the web of organized crime that gripped the northeastern United States.

The book focuses on the 1930s, a period when Connecticut was a battleground for Mafia families such as the Genoveses, Gambinos, Colombos, and the New England-based Patriarcas. Bleakley’s narrative is anchored around three central figures who shaped the city’s criminal underworld: Midge Renault, Ralph “Whitey” Tropiano, and Billy “The Wild Guy” Grasso. These men, at various points cautious allies or fierce enemies, reflect the shifting dynamics of power within the Mafia, where violence and betrayal were as common as the alliances that temporarily maintained the peace.

Bleakley’s depiction of Midge Renault, who ruled through sheer brutality, and Ralph Tropiano, who maintained a quieter but no less lethal presence, adds layers to the book's exploration of the personalities that drove the chaos. However, it is Billy Grasso, with his eventual rise to power within the Patriarca family, who stands out as a tragic figure. His ascent and sudden downfall are emblematic of the volatile world these men inhabited, where loyalty could quickly turn to treachery.

What makes *No Haven* particularly compelling is Bleakley’s ability to blend historical research with gripping storytelling. His background as a professor of criminal justice and a former journalist lends the book both scholarly depth and narrative accessibility. Bleakley’s attention to historical detail is impressive, yet he avoids bogging down the story with academic jargon, making the book an engaging read for history buffs and true crime enthusiasts alike.

In addition to chronicling the lives of these mobsters, Bleakley also captures New Haven’s identity struggle. The city, caught between its rich history and its darker, violent underworld, serves as a microcosm of the larger regional dynamics at play. Bleakley shows how the Mafia's grip on New Haven was not only a symptom of its geographical positioning but also a reflection of the broader socioeconomic factors that allowed organized crime to thrive.

*No Haven* does more than recount historical events—it paints a vivid picture of a city grappling with its place in the world of organized crime. Bleakley’s nuanced portrayal of the city’s Mafia past, paired with his sharp analysis of the power struggles between families, makes this book an essential contribution to the field of historical criminology. It is a rich, compelling read that reclaims New Haven’s rightful place in the annals of American organized crime history.

For readers interested in Mafia history, *No Haven* offers a fresh perspective on a region that has been long overshadowed by its more famous neighbors. Bleakley’s skillful storytelling and deep historical insights make this a must-read for anyone curious about the hidden corners of America’s criminal past.

I always liked reading about the mob and the five families in New York and I never knew this history of the mob in Connecticut. Interesting and informative. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

I think this is one of those books that probably would work better in paperback for me.

I am as yet only part way into the book but wanted to record some thoughts.

As the title and tag line suggest the book gives the history of organised crime within New Haven, Connecticut.

It is a really interesting and detailed read - I don't think it is a finish in one sitting book for me due to the content however, it is one I will be returning to!