The Big Squeeze

by Jim Cirni

Book Overview

"Fast-paced, streetwise, and sharp as a garrote." Kirkus ReviewsDip Dippolito, a low-level thug, is in the wrong place at the right time, and takes a bullet meant for Jimmy Montello, the teenaged son... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 093914946X
• ISBN13: 9780939149469
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Soho Press
• Length: 223 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Solid mob noir

Jim Cirni's The Big Squeeze is a punchy novel full of slang that's familiar, but at the same time it's a fresh piece of work--because of the author's well thought out plotting and just as well drawn characters. Jackie Dippolito--Dip--is a loyal soldier in Tony Montello's crew whose life changes when he takes a bullet for Tony's son Jimmy. The bullet doesn't do much damage (at least not externally), but Dip finds himself Jimmy's tutor, at odds with his girlfriend Robin, and maybe even suspect for some hits that have taken place. Naturally there's a rival crew--Joey Cara's--and they got stuff to take care of, just like Tony's guys do.This is a fast read; Cirni knows his lingo and does a solid job of moving the plot along, propelled by characters like Trick, Prize, Diesel, Eva (Tony's new wife), as well as the aforementioned Tony, Joey, Jimmy, and Dip. Throw in another guy named Sonny who loves Asian chicks, a rat named Hack, and...yeah, well, you get the picture.Wanna have some fun? Read this.

Authentic

Some folks like their crime nicely complex with a justifiable unravelling at the end, everything tidely settled... Other folks care more for the characters than the plot, ..care more for the minutae of a life they will never experience, .. like a couple of hoods, in a car, in winter, watching and waiting for so long they have to p.ss in their coffee cups.. Cirni wrote the Big Squeeze with a lot of affection, .. some of the laughs are reminiscent of a Westlake and some of the drama evokes a De Niro deadliness.... The dialogue is pure pleasure, .. the characters are drawn in full.. A compelling read.