From the start, Monti’s fiction debut evokes a typical New Jersey-esque mobster atmosphere, with Gino’s right hand man, Vinnie, an “angry street thug who belted people around for kicks” on constant guard duty while Gino runs a side business at a club where “for two C-notes, the tie and suit guys get three drinks… and the chance to hound the best dancers this side of Las Vegas.” The humor-tinged perspective on neighborhood violence and politics, combined with snappy street slang and a handful of vicious hits, will keep readers entertained, topped off only by Monti’s slew of peculiar characters, from Gino’s mother Mrs. Lofaccio to golf course CEO/arms dealer Pincus Bogalinsky—each of whom harbor their own curious quirks. Golf also forms a central part of the narrative, with large sections of the plot dedicated to the ins and outs of the game.
Monti’s fast-paced twists and turns culminate in a speedy climax, that, when it comes, echoes the book’s earlier themes, with sting operations aimed at Syrian-backed illegal arms dealings and a takedown requiring a multiple organization cooperative. That tidy finish allows Monti to nicely sum up each character’s journey and leaves Rocky safe and sound—though his golf game is irrevocably affected. An adrenaline-inducing read, Shooting Bogies is filled with action, idiosyncratic characters, and snappy intrigue that will leave mafia fiction fans murderously entertained.
Takeaway: Mafia mix-up leaves a golf hustler repaying an unlikely debt.
Comparable Titles: Ed McBain’s Criminal Conversations, Jon A. Jackson’s La Donna Detroit.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A
“Shooting Bogies” by Ralph Monti is a short yet thoroughly entertaining read. The story follows the misadventures of Rocky Delmonico, a golf hustler who becomes entangled with Gino Lofaccio, a neighbourhood mafia boss. Rocky’s streak of bad luck begins when he accidentally disrespects Gino and his mother at a funeral.
Rocky knows that Gino has him by the short and curlies, so to speak. To survive, he must make amends by doing Gino a favour. Gino, eyeing a golf course as a potential condo development, needs intel on its millionaire owner, Pinky Bogalinski. Meanwhile, Rocky just wants to play golf and hustle rich people out of thousands of dollars.
Set against the backdrop of New Jersey, the story twists along weaving golf, the mob, and various federal agencies into the story. Double-crosses, extortion, international arms dealing, and dark humour are all wrapped up in a Hollywood-style plot where everyone is working their angle.
Despite its shorter runtime of a little under five hours, the plot is tight, and the characters are well-written. Gino, in particular, exudes a simmering, low-key violence reminiscent of Joe Pesci in “Goodfellas.” I couldn’t help but feel bad for Rocky, trapped in a no-win situation and desperate to pay his penance and maybe save his skin.
The narration by Steve Quinn is well done, with no noticeable issues in production. The pacing and delivery are spot on.
Overall, “Shooting Bogies” is a fun read – a classic Hollywood-style dark comedy / mob story that moves fast and is full of twists. It’s definitely one I’ll listen to again.
When Rocky Delmonico, a big-money golf hustler, attends the funeral of a neighborhood mafioso, he inadvertently disrespects an old-world tradition of the grieving mob family. His life quickly goes awry when he’s told he must make amends."
This is the plot of "Shooting Bogies" by Ralph Monti, a great crime thriller that takes readers on a wild ride through the dark side of society. The author crafted a complex plot with deep characters, creating an incredible story that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. At the beginning of my reading, I wasn't expecting a book so interesting, but I had to change my mind! I liked it a lot, and I read it in very little time.
What I enjoyed most about this novel was how well the characters were developed. From the sly gangsters to the merciless investment bankers, each character had a distinct and well-defined personality that created the perfect atmosphere for the story. The main character, Rocky Delmonico, was interesting because of his imperfect yet relatable nature. He was easy to empathize with and his story, even in dangerous situations.
Another aspect I liked a lot was the author's ability to blend elements of suspense, action, and dark humor. He had some cool stories to tell, and each one was better than the last. He mixed them up to make a story that's super exciting and you never know what's coming next. From Delmonico's initial faux pas at the funeral to his desperate attempts to navigate the dangerous world he finds himself in, every twist and turn will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Furthermore, when a book is well edited, it must be acknowledged, and this is precisely the case. I didn't find a single error, demonstrating the author's excellent skills.
I rate "Shooting Bogies" 5 out of 5 stars, and the reasons are above. I enjoyed every aspect of this book and found nothing negative about it. Monti's writing is so good! It's super interesting and I couldn't stop reading it from the start. Whether you're a fan of crime thrillers or simply enjoy a well-told story, this book will satisfy you, and fans of authors like Elmore Leonard and Carl Hiaasen will especially appreciate it.
