Mafiya: A Novel of Crime

Mafiya stands out in the Stella canon as a detour away from Italian Americans in New York in to the Russian mob in New York (wouldn't want to detour too much in one book, would we?) The story revolves around a woman who washes up on a beach and her hooker friend who aims to avenge her. There is a wacky array of zany characters including a Saudi arms dealer, a Russian detective who appears unstoppable, numerous crooked cops, and the usual assortment of local characters speaking Stella's wonderful underworld argot. As I said in a previous review, if you Like Leonard or Westlake, you're going to love Stella. These are not serious works, but they are highly entertaining and very well plotted and fast paced. Make sure you read them in order. Numerous spoilers abound if you read out of order.

As one who has purchased and enjoyed all the previous published novels by this writer, I found this one equals the others in quality as a quick read. The treatment of the subject is darker than his earlier work. The characters are believable, pace relentless and plot tight. Book is recommended.

Bravo, Charlie Stella! As quoted by a previous reviewer, this author's work just keeps getting better and better. Mafiya is one of those books that grabs you from the first paragraph and holds your attention through to the end. The female protagonist, Agnes Lynn, is interesting, gutsy and one of several characters you want to get to know better. Not surprisingly, I couldn't wait to turn the page to find out what happens next to Agnes Lynn and the other characters. Stella is a great storyteller and when you read this book, you won't be disappointed.

I loved this new book of Stella's, surely his darkest novel yet. I had another of those can't-put-it-down experiences that I've grown used to with Stella's books. When I think "this would be such a great movie," I realize the graphic violence carries it almost beyond the pale. I love the way the characters are fully rounded; their motivations always ring true. Even the bad cop, Mike Lyons, who you might first write-off as an irretrievable loser, is shown to be a conflicted soul, wracked with the guilt of killing a fellow cop. As the book unfolds, there's Stella's masterful juggling of story lines and jump-cutting of scenes. What a great read. Nobody reveals as much character through dialogue as Stella. His ear is pitch-perfect.

Mafiya gets a *Starred* Review from Library Journal. Although his plot may be somewhat familiar, Stella (Shakedown) has crafted a true page-turner that grips the reader from the prolog and doesn't let go until the final page. Agnes Lynn is a former prostitute now working as an office temp, dating a former cop, and trying to recover from her former life. When her still-prostituting friend Rachel turns up dead, Agnes's attempt to investigate her passing opens up a larger story involving a mysterious Arab, a snuff film, and the Russian mafia. The independent and headstrong Agnes is determined to avenge Rachel's death while resisting the best efforts of her current suitor and some dedicated cops. At the same time, the Russian mob is equally determined to silence Agnes before she causes them problems. Agnes is a flawed heroine, a refreshing change from too many lesser novels, and Stella remains a master of creating complex and believable characters. Stella has quickly become one of crime fiction's leading lights, and this latest effort will burnish that well-deserved reputation. A great book; recommended for all public libraries.--Library Journal And Booklist says ... Stella has been a "rising star" for some time now, and if his sixth thriller doesn't place him in the firmament, it does confirm his rock-solid ability to deliver the goods. Agnes Lynn, a former prostitute, is trying to live the straight life as an office drone and trying unsuccessfully to bring her friend Rachel Wilson along with her. (Rachel, who's still in the life, doesn't see the glamor in word processing.) When Rachel washes up dead on a Brooklyn beach--gutted during the making of a snuff film--Agnes' friendship makes her the killers' next target. But the rage that Agnes has been trying for years to contain now has a target of its own. The appeal here isn't in plot twists but in the interplay between the diverse cast of characters. They aren't quite as memorable as in previous books (like Shakedown, 2006), and this one, appropriately, isn't as funny, either. But this revenge-driven tale will satisfy fans of strong women and contemporary crime--as you'll guess from the title, the bad guys aren't your father's Mafia. -- Booklist