Frank Machianno is a late-middle-aged ex-surf bum who runs a bait shack on the San Diego waterfront. An affable Italian with a love of people and life, he's a stand-up businessman, devoted father, and a beloved fixture in the community.
He's also a hitman, a retired hitman. Back in the day when he was one of the most feared members of the West Coast Mafia, he was known as Frankie Machine. Frank consigned his Mob ties to the past years ago and wants them to stay there. But a favor being called in now by the local boss is one Frank can't refuse, and soon he's sucked back into the treacherous currents of his former life. Someone from the past wants him dead. He has to figure out who and why, and he has to do it fast.
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"I thought this was a really excellent book. The first fifty pages, though well written, were a little slow, but you could see why, because Winslow sets himself the tricky task of having an ex-Mafia killer as his main character, so the problem is, for him as a writer, how to set about making the reader engage with a guy who's really got a bad past... This is the first thing that hit me when I read the book--that is, I found myself asking the question, 'Why should I care about this bastard?' Winslow was obviously aware of the problem, and this no doubt explains why he spent the first fifty pages or so rather laboriously (in my opinion) building up the main character...but once he's done that, the pace really picks up and what we have is a first rate action novel. What I really liked about this book, ultimately, was the way he brought Frankie Machine alive, so that in the end we DO end up rooting for him...and that says a lot about Winslow's skill as an author, as does his fresh and slick style, which has a wonderful sort of jazzy rhythm to it, and is different without seeming at all affected or pretentious (something which is practically impossible to do nowadays, I think)... Having read The Power of the Dog recently as well, I'd say that Frankie is more sucessful as a novel, although that might only be because it sets out to do less...since with The Power of the Dog, Winslow is really going way beyond the boundaries of the genre in seeking to give us a portrait of life down around the Mexican border..." — Nick (5 out of 5 stars)
"I thought this was a really excellent book. The first fifty pages, though well written, were a little slow, but you could see why, because Winslow sets himself the tricky task of having an ex-Mafia killer as his main character, so the problem is, for him as a writer, how to set about making the reader engage with a guy who's really got a bad past... This is the first thing that hit me when I read the book--that is, I found myself asking the question, 'Why should I care about this bastard?' Winslow was obviously aware of the problem, and this no doubt explains why he spent the first fifty pages or so rather laboriously (in my opinion) building up the main character...but once he's done that, the pace really picks up and what we have is a first rate action novel. What I really liked about this book, ultimately, was the way he brought Frankie Machine alive, so that in the end we DO end up rooting for him...and that says a lot about Winslow's skill as an author, as does his fresh and slick style, which has a wonderful sort of jazzy rhythm to it, and is different without seeming at all affected or pretentious (something which is practically impossible to do nowadays, I think)... Having read The Power of the Dog recently as well, I'd say that Frankie is more sucessful as a novel, although that might only be because it sets out to do less...since with The Power of the Dog, Winslow is really going way beyond the boundaries of the genre in seeking to give us a portrait of life down around the Mexican border..."
“Nobody in the world does this stuff better than Don Winslow…Another instant classic.”
“A superb brew of milieu, deft characterization, wild suspense.”
“A gripping thriller…Like his book’s central figure, Mr. Winslow is good at what he does.”
“Smart, staccato…A reading experience of sustained intensity, with appealingly sleazy characters and an Elmore Leonard-like snap in the dialogue.”
“Gripping, fast-paced.”
“Wonderfully imagined…Winslow’s story explodes with…gritty realism.”
“Elmore Leonard fans who have not yet discovered Winslow will be delighted by his fourth thriller…Winslow has created plausible characters and taut scenes of suspense that will keep readers turning pages.”
" Good story, lots of twists. Frank is a strong and lovable character. I felt just a little sad with the final epilogue. Otherwise a good read. "
" my favorite Don winslow book so far "
" I enjoyed the way The Winter of Frankie Machine offered a rare 'personal' take on the life of a former Mafia hit man.We come to see Frankie as a real person who has carved a solid place in his San Diego community despite his colourful past.It all goes belly-up of course, but along the way you always feel Frankie will come through. The writing style is a revelation, the dialogue beautifully entertaining and Frankie an irresistable central figure. "
" Winslow is an amazing writer and a great story teller. Not often you find both wrapped up in the same package, but this guy is the real deal. "
" Good story about a former hitman getting dragged back into the business. Winslow does a good job with his characters. "
" Really fun to read a book that takes place where you grew up. I don't read mysteries too often and this book reminds me how fun they can be. "
" Splendid. Tough, gritty, complicated, vivid - excellent reading. "
" Yet another great book with intriguing, engaging, characters and crazy plot twists. I went from never hearing of Don Winslow, to being hooked on his books. Debating whether to read a different author next or another by him. It will probably be another by him. "
" Very good crime fiction. Winslow is becoming one of my favorites in this genre. "
" A funny, funny novel about a retired hitman. Frank owns a bait & tackle shop in San Diego, but trouble brings him out of retirement. Robert DiNero bought the movie rights....would fit him to a tea! "
" There's nothing like an old fashioned hit man with a heart of gold to make my heart go pitter pat. It reads like a Chandler novel with all new accessories for the 21st century--a great escape of a novel. "
" Dolce amaro. Grande libro. Avvincente, appassionante, crudo, a tratti pure profondo. Non ha pretese di essere una pietra miliare della letteratura, l'americanismo si coglie.. Ma non posso dargli meno delle meritate 5 stelle. "
" Another great book from Don Winslow. I loved the characters, thought the flashback scenes that filled out the past were well integrated, and was on the edge of my seat for the ending. Listened to the audio read by Dennis Boutsikaris who was just as good as the material. "
" Yet another great read courtesy of Don Winslow. Really enjoyed it and liked the idea of looking to the past to solve the present with a character that you were hoping to see succeed even though he wasn't a traditional squeaky clean good guy. Recommended! "
" Not my usual style, but really enjoyed it. Kinda like a lovable rougue - ie Tony Soprano! "
" Quick read. Not always very realistic but I liked the over the top story. "
" I liked this book and would give 3 stars,but gave it 4 because I thought about it alot after I finished it. I don't know why...it just seemed better a month later. "
" Really good thriller - 4.5. I'm a fan. "
" Great summer read- even if the mobsters live in San Diego. "
" Really enjoyable West Coast Mob tale, very well written with some great reference to the San Diego / California area. The plot is excellent along with accounts of lead characters past life, This guy can really tell a good story and would strongly recommend. 4.5 Stars. "
" Entertaining, fast moving, plot twists galore, this is a very good book. Enjoyable & relaxing. I understand Robert DiNiro purchased the movie rights,and I can absolutely see him in the lead role "
" ...dopo il Padrino, ça va sans dire...Ha il prfumo dei film di Scorsese e il sapore d'un hard-boiled d'altri tempi.Wislow è un genio. "
" Entretingut, no està però, ni molt menys, al nivell de la seva obra mestra "El poder del perro" "
" good read. its what one might call a 'page-turner', really enjoyed it "
" E' vero quello che dicono gli altri aNobiani: sembra scritto per farne un film.Io, però, mi sono divertita. "
Don Winslow is the author of twenty-four acclaimed, award-winning international bestsellers, including six New York Times bestsellers (Savages, The Kings of Cool, The Cartel, The Force, The Border, and City on Fire). Savages was made into a feature film by three-time Oscar-winning writer-director Oliver Stone and a screenplay by Shane Salerno, Winslow, and Stone. Winslow’s epic Cartel trilogy has been adapted for TV and will appear as a weekly series on FX in 2023. The Force is soon to be a major motion picture from 20th Century Studios starring Matt Damon with James Mangold directing from a Scott Frank screenplay. Additional Winslow books are currently in development at Netflix, Warner Brothers, Sony, and Working Title and he has recently written a series of acclaimed short stories for Audible narrated by four-time Oscar nominee Ed Harris.
Dennis Boutsikaris is a two-time OBIE award winner. He has received five Audie Awards and seven Golden Earphone Awards for his work in over 100 audiobooks and was voted one of the Best Voices of the Year by AudioFile magazine. He has appeared in numerous Broadway, television, and film roles. He played Mozart on Broadway in Amadeus and has appeared on television shows including Shameless, The Good Wife, House M.D., Grey’s Anatomy, ER, and Law & Order.
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