Murder Machine

Murder Machine chronicles the brutal reign of the DeMeo crew, a notorious mafia group that operated in Brooklyn during the 1970s and early 1980s. The book follows their rise within the Gambino crime family and documents their methods of operation. The authors, both veteran crime reporters, piece together the crew's story through extensive interviews, court records, and police files. Their reporting details the inner workings of this criminal enterprise and its connection to the larger New York mob landscape. DeMeo and his associates ran their operation from an auto shop in Flatlands, Brooklyn, which served as both legitimate business and criminal headquarters. The narrative tracks their evolution from small-time criminals to major players in various illegal ventures. The book stands as a stark examination of organized crime's hold on New York City during a pivotal era, while raising questions about loyalty, morality, and the true cost of violence in criminal enterprises.

Readers describe Murder Machine as a detailed account of the DeMeo crew's criminal activities, with extensive research and interviews backing up the narrative. Positive feedback focuses on: - Clear chronological structure following the crew's rise and fall - Thorough documentation of crimes and police investigations - Raw, unflinching portrayal of mob violence - Personal insights into crew members' lives and relationships Common criticisms: - Overwhelming number of names and characters to track - Repetitive descriptions of murders - Some readers found the violence level excessive Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (3,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,200+ ratings) Reader quotes: "The level of detail and research is unprecedented for a mob book" - Amazon reviewer "Hard to keep track of all the players without taking notes" - Goodreads reviewer "Not for the squeamish - the authors don't sanitize anything" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔪 The "Murder Machine" referred to in the title was the notorious Gemini crew, a Brooklyn-based mafia group responsible for an estimated 200+ murders between 1974-1984. 💼 Authors Gene Mustain and Jerry Capeci were veteran New York Daily News reporters who spent years covering organized crime before collaborating on this book. 🚗 The crew's leader, Roy DeMeo, pioneered a systematic method of murder and disposal called the "Gemini Method," which involved luring victims to the Gemini Lounge, killing them in a soundproof room, and dismembering the bodies. 📱 Jerry Capeci went on to create "Gang Land News," one of the first and most respected online sources for mafia news and information, which continues to operate today. ⚖️ The investigation into the Gemini crew became one of the largest homicide investigations in U.S. history, involving multiple law enforcement agencies and ultimately leading to the conviction of several high-ranking Gambino crime family members.