Shamus Award–winner Collins concludes his Road series (after Road to Purgatory) with a gripping, blood-soaked journey down memory lane. It's 1973, and 50-year-old Michael O'Sullivan Jr., the young boy orphaned in Road to Perdition, has Italianized his name to Michael Satariano and is boss and squeaky-clean mob frontman of the Cal-Neva Lodge and Casino at Lake Tahoe. Though a "made man" and official member of Chicago's Cosa Nostra family, he plans to work a few more years at Cal-Neva before retiring with his beautiful wife and teenage daughter to a life of legitimacy. But simple plans like Michael's fare poorly when thrust against the gritty realities of the mob. When Sam Giancana decides to end his exile in Mexico and reclaim his former position as Godfather, hits are ordered, mistakes are made and many people die, some of them quite close to Michael. He's now on the run, forced to relive his father's vengeance-fueled crime spree of 40 years earlier. While a slightly less profligate killer than Michael Sr., he's just as efficient and just as deadly. Collins's compelling mix of history, bloodshed and retribution is as irresistible as Sam Giancana's last meal of fried sausage, spinach and ceci beans. Readers will eat it up and beg for more. (Dec.)

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Michael Satariano was once known as the Angel of Death, but for the last 20 years, he's managed a Reno casino. Two events change his world: his son turns up missing in action in Vietnam, and Michael is approached by Sam Giancana to kill a rival. He refuses, but Sam won't take no for an answer, prompting Michael to realize that he'll never escape the never-ending cycle of violence he chose as his life three decades earlier. This is (probably) the final installment of the Satariano series that began with the 1998 graphic novel Road to Perdition and its successor, Road to Purgatory (2004). Unfortunately, Collins is slightly off his game here. The family elements of the plot--the MIA son, a sedative-gobbling Mrs. Satariano, and a gratingly selfish daughter--are a bit overwrought. Michael himself is a fully realized, fascinating character, and readers will be pleased to know how his life turned out, at least through 1973. Collins leaves some loose ends, so we may see more of Michael; but if we do, let's hope it's without the soap-opera backdrop. Wes Lukowsky

Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

"Collins fills his story with period detail, juicy mob stories and characters, but the best part...is its heart -- Chicago Sun-Times

"[C]ompelling mix of history, bloodshed and retribution...Readers will eat it up and beg for more." -- Publishers Weekly

"[F]ast-moving." -- Washington Post --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.