Set in the depths of working-class Brooklyn, this zippy first novel reads like an inspired cross between Richard Price's Bloodbrothers and Ross Macdonald's The Chill — part coming-of-age story, part thriller. Streetwise 19-year-old protagonist Mike spends his days driving for a car service and his nights attending college part-time. While trying to figure out which endeavor is more futile, he winds up on the periphery of a murder that will forever alter his destiny. Add to the mix Mike's marriage-minded neighborhood girlfriend, his borderline-wiseguy bookie dad, and a sexy and sophisticated coed temptress, and Heart of the Old Country has all the ingredients for what may be a whole new genre: Call it mook noir.
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