WABC radio personality Frank Morano, known for his coverage of organized crime, recently highlighted Broadway Butterfly in his “Racket Report.” The segment, as one might expect, delves into various tales of the Mob and gangsters from every angle. It was an excellent interview with someone who is well-versed in the subject. Here’s a link toContinue reading “The Racket Report”
Author Archives: Anthony M. DeStefano
Publisher’s Weekly Review
The esteemed trade press of the publishing world gave a nice review to “Broadway Butterfly” Here is an excerpt: “In this entertaining account, Pulitzer winner DeStefano (The Deadly Don) paints Jazz Age fixture Vivian Gordon as both victim and criminal. Eighteen months after escort and aspiring actor Gordon—born Benita Franklin and nicknamed the “Broadway Butterfly”—wasContinue reading “Publisher’s Weekly Review”
Top Hoodlum–The Audio Version–is on Sale Now
Tantor Media is offering the audio version of Top Hoodlum: Frank Costello Prime Minister of The Mafia at a 60% discount. Sale runs through 5/31/2024 Click on or paste in your browser the above link to be directed to the order page. https://www.audiobooks.com/promotions/promotedBook/340330/top-hoodlum-frank-costello-prime-minister-of-the-mafia?refId=134162 About the Book: “The press nicknamed him ‘The Prime Minister of theContinue reading “Top Hoodlum–The Audio Version–is on Sale Now”
Spring Update
It has been a busy early spring for me as the Gilgo Beach murders have taken up a lot of my time. It remains to be seen if suspect Rex Heuermann is charged with any additional murders beyond the four he now faces. I don’t expect a trial until 2025. I have also been probingContinue reading “Spring Update”
Parrain Mortel Published
The French language version of The Deadly Don was published today and was immediately one of the top ranked sellers in Amazon’s French language true crime category. Wondering if I recall enough of my high school French to read the book in its entirety. If you are interested in reading this edition it can beContinue reading “Parrain Mortel Published”
French Edition: The Deadly Don
Comes January 2024, the French language edition of The Deadly Don: Vito Genovese Mafia Boss, will be published. The title in the French is Parrain Mortel “Parrain” is the French for godfather, crime boss, and similar characterizations. The French seem to like stories about the Mafia, which harkens back to the days when the ItalianContinue reading “French Edition: The Deadly Don”
New Book For 2024: Broadway Butterfly
My New book, Broadway Butterfly: Vivian Gordon The Lady Gangster of Jazz Age New York, will be out in June 2024 and is the unique and in-depth account of one of the most sensational murders that contributed to the resignation of Mayor Jimmy Walker and signaled the end of the good times of the JazzContinue reading “New Book For 2024: Broadway Butterfly”
Newsday Exclusive: Joseph Massino, 80, low-key Mafia boss turned fed witness has died
Joseph Massino, the former boss of the Bonanno crime family and the subject of my first true crime book “The Last Godfather,” died on September 14 at the age of 80. He shook up the Mafia when in 2004 he decided to become a cooperating witness and testify against his mob cronies. The complete storyContinue reading “Newsday Exclusive: Joseph Massino, 80, low-key Mafia boss turned fed witness has died”
Hamptons Bookfest a Big Hit!
Our True Crime panel, hosted by author Casey Sherman, drew a large crowd in East Hampton on April 15 for the Hamptons Whodunit weekend. Our panel of three talked about the history of the American Mafia, the Lufthansa Heist of 1978, and the process of getting mobsters to talk and trust you as an author.Continue reading “Hamptons Bookfest a Big Hit!”
Wise Guys: The Movie
The latest Robert DeNiro film “Wise Guys,” scripted by noted author and screenplay writer Nick Pileggi, is filming in Cincinnati. The story is that of the rivalry between Frank Costello and Vito Genovese in the 1950s for control of the crime family. DeNiro is playing both roles. Cincinnati was chosen as the location because oldContinue reading “Wise Guys: The Movie”
Anthony M. DeStefano 