Occupation: Gangster

What readers say

• An outstanding Read! A gripping look into the Irish Mafia in Hells Kitchen. Scorsese should be directing this when it becomes a movie!

• Raw and unabashed account of life in Hell's Kitchen before Rudy Guiliani cracked down on street-level gangster crime. If you enjoy True Crime genre, this book is for you. It's not for the faint-hearted.

• Kelly displays a real knack for compelling storytelling. His dialogue pops off the page, and he finds humor when you'd least expect it. His portrait of the characters are visceral and unforgettable. Kelly gives you front row seat into a world that most of us would never encounter. Strong recommend.

• I had the pleasure of reading this story as a script before it became a book, and it only got better on the page. Brendan doesn’t bury you in long winded descriptions. He lets his characters talk, and the dialogue does all the heavy lifting. It’s like being at the bar while someone tells you the story, and you forget to check your drink.
  What sets it apart is that he knew these people. You can feel it in every scene. It reads like a story that was lived, and you can’t fake that. Brendan is a guy with a heart of gold and a phenomenal storyteller. I’m hoping to see this story on the big screen one day.

• Great insight into organized crime.
  Violet but that goes with the territory. Very descriptive and well written. Brendan real life interactions with the characters of the book adds a in depth analysis that can't be found anywhere else. Graphic violence with a lot of drama and suspense.
  Great job!!!!

• Gripping, gritty and capt captivating…!!!
  Definitely a book for those that like a mix of Mickey Spillane & the Show True Crime put into a fantastic prose! Very hard to put down - Buy this book as a gift for others as well!!! Everyone I’ve met that’s read it loves it

• I love these type of gangster stories. The writer made it exciting as if I was there. I wish the book went on and on.

• Great storytelling by a terrific author! This feels like you’re having a drink with the guy and he’s telling you the story of his life. Raw. Visceral. Real.

• Brendan Kelly writes in a compelling style but what elevates this book above all others is his unique knowledge of the people , events and mood of the times. He was a participant in this life - not an outside observer. Riveting.

• Great read !!! From the moment I started reading the book I saw it in my head as a movie…..I heard their voices/ accents as I imagined them to be…their diction……I could feel the changes as the inevitable violence had to be carried out…...you don’t have to wait long for that… You get an inside into their “hood” as the story unfolds !! The author clearly understands these types of men and the world that they operated within !!

• A gripping read! Occupation: Gangster gives you a fascinating look into the world of the Westies, loyalty, power, and life on the streets of New York. If you love crime stories and real-life history, this book is definitely worth reading!

• What a story teller Brendan Kelly is. This book is so gripping. such a page turner.
  I am so looking forward to seeing Occupation Gangster on the big screen!

• A fun read. Kelly knows how to bring the characters to life. I love based on true stories and this didn't dissapoint. read it in 2 days.

• Easy read, puts you in the drama !