Daniel Simone

Daniel Simone is an American author known for writing true crime books and for collaborating with Henry Hill on multiple projects. His most notable work is "The Lufthansa Heist," co-authored with Henry Hill, which details the 1978 robbery at JFK Airport's Lufthansa cargo terminal. Prior to his writing career, Simone worked as an aerospace engineer. He later transitioned to journalism and writing, developing a particular focus on organized crime stories and high-profile criminal cases from the New York area. Simone's other works include "The Retrial of Charles Manson," written with Heidi Jordan Ley, and various articles for newspapers and magazines. His writing style emphasizes detailed research and firsthand accounts from people involved in the events he covers. His collaboration with Henry Hill proved particularly significant, as Hill was the former mobster whose life story inspired Martin Scorsese's film "Goodfellas." This connection gave Simone unique insights into organized crime operations and led to multiple writing projects focused on mob-related events.

Reader reviews focus heavily on Simone's "The Lufthansa Heist" and "The Retrial of Charles Manson." Readers appreciate: - Access to first-hand accounts from Henry Hill - Detail and research into historical crimes - Clear narrative structure making complex events understandable One Amazon reviewer noted: "The inside perspective on the heist planning made it feel like you were there." Common criticisms: - Writing style called "dry" and "textbook-like" by multiple reviewers - Some factual inconsistencies noted between different accounts - Repetitive sections and unnecessary detail A Goodreads reviewer stated: "Too much technical information bogged down the story." Ratings across platforms: Amazon: 3.8/5 (based on 180+ reviews) Goodreads: 3.6/5 (based on 400+ reviews) "The Lufthansa Heist" receives stronger ratings than "The Retrial of Charles Manson" Most negative reviews cite pacing issues rather than content problems. Professional true crime readers rate his works higher than casual readers.

The Lufthansa Heist (2015) - A detailed account of the 1978 Lufthansa Airlines robbery at JFK Airport, co-authored with Henry Hill, providing insider information about the $6 million heist and its aftermath.

The Retrial of Charles Manson (2016) - A documentation of Charles Manson's attempts to obtain a new trial, co-authored with Heidi Jordan Ley, featuring previously unreleased court documents and testimonies.

Nicholas Pileggi wrote "Wiseguy" and "Casino," both based on real mob informants and their experiences in organized crime. His direct access to former mobsters and FBI sources provides detailed accounts of mafia operations and criminal enterprises.

Selwyn Raab authored "Five Families" and covered organized crime for the New York Times for decades. His work focuses on the history of New York's mafia families and includes extensive interviews with law enforcement and former mobsters.

T.J. English wrote "The Westies" and "Havana Nocturne," focusing on organized crime across different ethnic groups and locations. His research combines police records, court documents, and interviews with former gang members and law enforcement officials.

Anthony M. DeStefano covers organized crime for Newsday and has written multiple books about the modern American mafia. His work combines current events with historical context about New York crime families and their operations.

George Anastasia specializes in Philadelphia mob stories and has written numerous books about organized crime on the East Coast. His background as a crime reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer provided direct access to both law enforcement sources and mob insiders.