Throwing 7's

Those who have grown up in Brooklyn would really appreciate this book, and the previous book, 3 Quarters. The author knows Brooklyn, politicians, and cops very, very well.

New York City, the world's largest illegal gambling operation, is gripped with a new mania: legalized casinos located on Empire island in the middle of the harbor. However, even before the first die is cast, a young married couple, refusing to vacate their apartment where the ferry terminal will be constructed, simply vanish. The police think Jimmy Chung, their landlord, sensing the money involved, killed the stubborn duo. Their theory changes when Jimmy also disappears. They now cast their eyes at Jimmy's lawyer Izzy Gleason. Izzy doesn't plan to idly wait to be the fall guy. He calls in a favor from former cop Bobby Emmet to uncover the truth behind the vanishing acts. Bobby begins to investigate the various underground gambling operations that seem to permeate every aspect of the city's life. Bobby begins to step on toes of the rich and famous, who include an assailant who plans to make Bobby disappear. The newest Bobby Emmet New York City mystery (see 3 QUARTERS) is a well-designed look at the underbelly of the city. This novel is not for everyone due to the high degree of brutality throughout the novel. However, the exciting story line works because of the likable Bobby and the cherished look at a city where the law abiding citizens can be counted on one hand. Denis Hamill demonstrates a feel for the depths required to succeed at an urban who-done-it even when he occasionaly nukes the Noir elements with overkill. Fans who relish a hard boiled look at New York City will take pleasure with THROWING 7's while other readers will toss snake eyes over the violence.Harriet Klausner