New Pulp Fiction may have another rock star on their hands in J.M. Taylor. Night of the Furies is a bloody encounter with Boston wise guys involving deception and most of all, revenge. Lots of freaking revenge!
Here is the publisher’s synopsis: “In the late 1930s, Rico DiGiacomo ruled all of East Boston until he was brutally murdered by his own lieutenant, Bricks Mancini. That night, Rico’s son Giorgio overheard the details as they were reported to the one who ordered it: Rico’s wife. Giorgio vowed to avenge his father, no matter how long it took.
Now, thirty years later, Giorgio has finally fulfilled that promise. As Mancini’s bodyguards pursue him into biker bars and sleazy motels like a pack of vengeful demons, Giorgio recalls a life of humiliation at his mother’s hands and the wisdom his father passed on to him. What he doesn’t know is that Fate has still more in store for him, and one night can be very long indeed.”
I enjoyed this latest release from a publisher who is adding exciting new original crime noir titles to the genre. Taylor does an excellent job of putting a story together that makes you want the protagonist to succeed, but you are okay if he gets whacked too. Literally, I wanted to punch myself in the face at times for cheering on Giorgio. Essentially, the guy’s a dick, but through the backstory you start to understand why.
Also, I think many of you will notice the Clytemestra Greek mythology theme going on in the story as well, where Giorgio, hell bent on avenging his father’s death, will do what it takes for that to become a reality. Many will die in the process as the book reaches its thrilling finale.
In conclusion, this title is a very good addition to the crime noir genre and a great first book for J.M. Taylor. I recommend you give it a shot, no pun intended, and see what you think!
The Raven Still Beguiling 