Hell's Gate: A Novel (Tom Braddock Series)

By Richard E. Crabbe

A?riveting tale of river piracy, gang wars, and the worst?catastrophe to hit New York?City before September 11, 2001 In 1904 the Hudson and East Rivers were vital to the people of Manhattan. They offered families an escape from the squalor of the tenements, politicians a means of catering to their constituents, and criminals?a means to?make a fortune in black-market goods. When Detective Mike Braddock foils a midnight heist led by the gangland thug Smiling Jack, the city honors him as a hero. But Mike can't forget?Jack's?final revelation: the identity of a new mobster jockeying for position in the cutthroat world of New York's gangs. Mike is committed to?bringing down this new?criminal powerhouse before he takes power,?no matter where?his investigation takes him. He finds out quickly that he's not the only one who wants to take down this new gangster.?A host of other mob heavies have their eyes on the same target, and they're more?than?willing to knock Mike out of the way?to get there first. Full of action, double-crossing, and high-stakes mob warfare,? Hell's Gate ?brings readers to the rough-and-tumble streets of historic Manhattan, all set against the vivid backdrop?of?the greatest tragedy to strike New York?until 9/11. ?

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312341598
• ISBN13: 9780312341596
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.1" x 1.2" x 6.2"

Customer Reviews

Good but not as good as previous entries

I thoroughly enjoyed the first two novels by this author, dealing with historical mysteries through the person of Tom Braddock, who I think is one of the best characters of this genre ever created. I was, therefore, disappointed that in this third installment in his series Crabbe aged Tom Braddock to the point where he can no longer be the starring character, and instead put the focus on Tom's son, Mike, who I do not find nearly as interesting. Moreover, I found the actual mysteries much more compelling in the first two books, particularly in Suspension. Nonetheless, I really like this author's writing and the way he weaves his characters in with actual historical events, so from that perspective I'd still recommend this book, just not as highly as I'd recommend his first two.

Terrific Yarn

I finished Richard Crabbe's Hell's Gate last week and wanted to write a review because I liked it so much. I read it over the course of three nights - I hated to put it down. It has action, mystery, great characters and plot,and atmosphere in abundance. It takes you back in time to a much grittier old New York. The writing is evocative and the images stay with you. It is much more than just a Summertime read, and is clearly the result of meticulous research. I think you don't just get a story, and a period in time, so right without really knowing your stuff. And Crabbe knows his stuff. I read Clancy, Brown, Patterson, all the usual best sellers (and some heavier stuff when I'm on a self-improvement crusade!)- their books are a lot of fun. But I find that many of their stories don't stay with you. You read them and forget them. Not with Hell's Gate. Crabbe transports you, and you feel like you can literally see, hear and breathe in what it was like to live in a New York that was even more colorful than it is today. Highest recommendation. You will not be disappointed.