Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the ARC of this audiobook for my honest review

I did not enjoy this. It felt like fact vomit. It moved so fast I couldn’t understand what was happening. I learnt pretty much nothing.

eBook - 2 Stars
I was hoping for so much more from this book and am left pretty disappointed. I was expecting a detailed deep-dive into the area of Red Hook and the Mafia, and while there IS a lot of detail [some of it very ew], what I mostly got was a very disjointed book [that jumps all over the place after the initial introduction to first the Irish and then the Italians]; each chapter is broken down into sections [that do not always go with what you just read] that ALL have titles [THAT got old very quickly] so there is no real flow to the book - it is mostly just herky-jerky and made for a rather frustrating read. Almost all the stories are of mobsters who ended up dead [the parts where Mr. DiMatteo is telling personal stories and reflections of growing up in Red Hook are some of the best parts of the book, but I found them to be few and far between], and I just kept wanting more. Not a book that I would recommend.

Narrator/Narration - 4 Stars
Initially, I wasn't sure if I would like the narrator [who did his very best with this weird vignette-style of writing], but then I settled in and really grew to enjoy him and I must say he was the best part of this reading experience and I am hoping I get to listen to him narrate again soon. Well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, the authors, Eric Jason Martin - Narrator, Kensington Publishing/Citadel, and Tantor Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the Audio ARC!

I have always been a religious person, and reading various books of scripture has always been part of my life. When I was younger, my brothers and I used to joke about the sections of the Bible that just listed off the lineage of the people involved. You know, all the 'begats'. This book was like the inverse of that. Way too much of it seemed like a list of who killed who, and then who killed that guy, and then who killed that guy, etc, ad nauseum. The author threw is some creative ways to describe the act of killing someone, and some corny jokes along the way, though whether that was an improvement or not is up to the individual reader.

A fascinating look at the characters that controlled various areas of Brooklyn, written from an insider's perspective. This was a very interesting listen. I kept finding myself looking for moments here and there, to take care of something around the house (whether laundry/dishes/cooking etc) so I could grab my Bose headphones and listen some more. It almost sounds like a movie, but it is in fact non fiction -- though there is a passing reference to which family the Sopranos tv show modeled itself after.

Thank you to the publisher and net galley for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I'd not read any of Frank Dimatteo's previous work about his family's connections with the Mafia so I was not sure what to expect from this latest true crime book.

It lacks the continuity you'd expect from a history book and some of it feels as though the author is simply regurgitating what came before but with different names. There is the change from the Irish holding sway to the Italians taking over but apart from that and the viciousness of certain members of gangs who stand out, there is little to choose between the perpetrators of crime.

I think the main things that stuck with me is the fact that the children of mobsters were simply expected to continue in a life that was dangerous, not to say life limiting. There seemed a hopelessness almost that this was the short life they would lead and the women were merely left to pick up the pieces.

The other thing that struck me was the length of time that these gangs had operated with the law seemingly unable or unwilling to smash the hold they had over the area.

Not what I was expecting and quite monotonous at times but it was, at least, a firsthand experience of the life. It drove home that this life was anything but glamorous.

I listened to the audio version which was read by Eric Jason Martin who had a good, clear delivery and didn't overdramatise.

Thankyou to Netgalley and RB Media for the audio advance review copy.

Red Hook is a captivating deep dive into the blood-soaked history of the Brooklyn mafia, packed with fascinating stories, larger-than-life characters, and a vivid timeline of organized crime’s grip on the area. For over a century, Red Hook was the epicenter of mob activity, and this book unravels its dark legacy, from the early days of the Irish gang “The White Hand” to the infamous reign of the Italian Gallo brothers.

The authors detail a chilling narrative of notorious figures like Luciano and Capone, weaving in violent mob hits, betrayals, and power struggles that shaped the mafia’s rise. What truly stands out is the sheer depth of history crammed into this book, providing insights not just into mafia personalities but the system of crime itself, including the control of Red Hook’s vital piers.

Narrator Eric Jason Martin perfectly complements the material with his measured and engaging tone. His delivery never feels exaggerated, allowing the shocking nature of the stories to speak for itself while keeping the listener hooked throughout.

As someone fascinated by mafia history, I went into this audiobook with no expectations and was thoroughly impressed by the rich, well-organized content. Whether you’re new to organized crime history or a seasoned aficionado, Red Hook offers a well-rounded, eye-opening exploration of a pivotal chapter in American crime.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio, and authors Frank Dimatteo and Michael Benson for the opportunity to listen to this remarkable work. If mafia history intrigues you, this is a must-read (or must-listen).