Rick Porrello

Rick Porrello is an author and law enforcement officer known for his books about organized crime in America, particularly focusing on Cleveland's mob history during the Prohibition era. His most notable work is "To Kill the Irishman: The War That Crippled the Mafia," which was adapted into the 2011 film "Kill the Irishman." Beyond his writing career, Porrello served as the Chief of Police in Lyndhurst, Ohio, combining his professional law enforcement experience with his historical research. His background as a police officer provided unique insights into the criminal investigations and law enforcement perspectives that feature in his work. Porrello's other significant books include "The Rise and Fall of the Cleveland Mafia" and "Superthief: A Master Burglar, the Mafia, and the Biggest Bank Heist in U.S. History." His work is characterized by detailed research into historical records, court documents, and interviews with people connected to the events he chronicles. Porrello comes from a family with historical connections to organized crime in Cleveland, as his grandfather and three uncles were killed in Prohibition-era violence. This personal connection to Cleveland's crime history has informed his research and writing focus.

Readers appreciate Porrello's deep research into organized crime history, particularly in "To Kill the Irishman" and "The Rise and Fall of the Cleveland Mafia." On Goodreads, multiple reviewers note his ability to uncover details about Danny Greene and Cleveland's mob wars that weren't previously documented. Some readers found his writing style dry and academic, with one Amazon reviewer describing "Kill the Irishman" as "reading more like a police report than a story." Several reviews mention that the books could benefit from better organization and a more engaging narrative flow. Average Ratings: - "To Kill the Irishman": 3.8/5 on Goodreads (1,200+ ratings), 4.4/5 on Amazon (300+ ratings) - "The Rise and Fall of the Cleveland Mafia": 3.7/5 on Goodreads (200+ ratings), 4.3/5 on Amazon (50+ ratings) - "Superthief": 3.6/5 on Goodreads (100+ ratings) Common praise focuses on historical accuracy and research depth. Main criticisms center on writing style and pacing.

To Kill the Irishman: The War That Crippled the Mafia (1998) Chronicles the life of Cleveland mobster Danny Greene and his violent conflict with the Italian Mafia in the 1970s.

The Rise and Fall of the Cleveland Mafia: Corn Sugar and Blood (1995) Details the history of organized crime in Cleveland from prohibition through the 1970s, focusing on the Lonardo and Porrello crime families.

Superthief: A Master Burglar, the Mafia and the Biggest Bank Heist in U.S. History (2005) Examines the 1972 United California Bank burglary in Orange County and its mastermind Phil Christopher's connections to organized crime.

Kill The Irishman: The War That Crippled the Cleveland Mafia (2011) Updated version of the original "To Kill the Irishman" with additional material related to the movie adaptation.