The Winter of Frankie Machine

De: Don Winslow

Narrado por: Dennis Boutsikaris

Frank Machianno is a late-middle-aged ex-surf bum who runs a bait shack on the San Diego waterfront. An affable Italian with a love of people and life, he's a stand-up businessman, devoted father, and a beloved fixture in the community.

He's also a hit man - specifically, a retired hit man. Back in the day, when he was one of the most feared members of the West Coast Mafia, he was known as Frankie Machine. Frank consigned his Mob ties to the past years ago, which is where he wants them to stay. But a favor being called in now by the local boss is one Frank can't refuse, and soon he's sucked back into the treacherous currents of his former life. Someone from the past wants him dead. He has to figure out who and why, and he has to do it fast.

©2006 Don Winslow (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Elmore Leonard fans who have not yet discovered Winslow will be delighted by his fourth thriller....Winslow has created plausible characters and taut scenes of suspense that will keep readers turning pages." (Publishers Weekly)

The Winter of Frankie Machine is a ray of sunshine

I've quickly become a rabid fan of Don Winslow's evocative mystery thrillers. In "The Winter of Frankie Machine" Winslow neatly introduces Frank Machiano, AKA Frankie Machine, who, a stone killer for the mafia, is a likeable, even admirable guy. Frank manages to maintain his integrity even as those around him cheat, lie, steal, kill and--worst of all--betray all that they stood for. Retired from the hitman business--as much as anyone can retire from the mob, Frank is unwilling dragged into the life again as crime and corruption reach toward the highest office in the land. Through it all, Frank stays true to his daughter, his ex-wife, his friends and himself.

Dennis Boutsikaris lends his reading a casual intensity that perfectly captures the winter sunshine of San Diego. A terrific choice for this book.

More Don Winslow, please, and more Dennis Boutsikaris.

Here's the book you want for a boring car ride*.

I can't give this book 5 stars because it's not quite in the same league as, say, "Winds of War." It's fiction, not literature. But, it is certainly near the top of the list for this genre.

I'm always amazed when an author can make me cheer for the bad guy. Don Winslow does that and more. Frankie is just a fabulous character. You can see him, hear him. I loved the life Winslow created for him. Not far into the book, I was already solidly in his camp. I heard myself say out loud, "Whack him, Frankie!" I knew right then I was hooked.

This is a well-crafted story with realistic dialogue, some shady characters and a great star. I never would have found it had it not been a daily deal. I'm glad I did.

* Let's clarify the headline: a boring car ride with ADULTS. This isn't the book you want for the trip to grandma's house with the kids.

"New To Me" author writes of aging Mafia/surf bum

I don't know how I've missed author Don Winslow and his So Cal Surf Scene novels but I'm glad I found him. This rather strangely plotted book tells the story of a retired mafia hit man known as Frankie Machine who would rather stay retired from his hit man job and focus on early morning surfing, his bait shop on the pier and as fish supplier to 4&5 star restaurants.

Unfortunately Frankies Boss man has other ideas.

If you haven't read Don Winslow, I think this is a good book to start in with. I found Frankie to be a basic nice guy who is shoved into situation he'd rather avoid.

Worth the credit and your time.

great story and narration

I really like the overall story the performance of the narrator, and the detailed plot lines

Tense crime drama

Lots of characters and subplots to keep straight. Lots of action. Excellent character development makes this fast-paced organized crime saga a cut above the standard.

Listened almost straight through

The narrator was fantastic just right for this story. He definitely made the book just that much better. At one point I thought perhaps the stories were going on a bit long the memories running together but that quickly passed and I was back into the book and story and didn't break until it was over. Terrific fun story. Frankie Machine was quite a guy.

Terrific Book!

Loved the book. The narrator was perfect for the telling of the story. Great character development.

Why isn’t it ungrate instead of ingrate

Very funny dialogue among wise guys. They should have left Frankie alone. This took me about a day to finish.

Outstanding!!!!

Loved it immediately! Love the mob I live in San Diego so all of the different spots were very interesting to me. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

wow!

I dont give many reviews. This book was WAY better than I expected, one of the best I have listened to in a long time, kinda strong language and not very PC. It's hard to say anything without spoilers. I wish there were more to the story, but I guess there couldn't be much more. Thank you.