A PRESENT FOR SANTA

by James Burke ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 15, 1986

A first novel in which an ex-supersecret-service type, on the bum in Florida, takes the mob for $2.2 million and pulls out all the stops to hang onto his prize when the mob sends their brightest and best to recover the goods. Patrick Morley, a young, handsome and embittered widower living on an inheritance, drifts into working for Mr. Dante Cappacino, a dapper Chicago mobster who has been running some independent business operations. Morley knows he's become Dante's bagman, but he's got nothing better to do, and the mobster seems a kindly sort. When his employer is gunned down in Washington, Morley sees the chance to have a little fun and make a couple of million dollars. Just before he died, the mobster assigned Morley to pick up an incoming package. Since nobody knows of his connection with the late hoodlum, Morley decides that he'll pick up the package but forget about delivering it. He also packs up copies of Dante's incriminating account books and, knowing the Mafia is going to be ever so angry, prepares to go to war. And it is indeed war as a very irritated cape sends his new and improved (college-educated and non-Mediterranean) agent to round up the booty and the books. The Mafia's secret weapon is Dana Kelly, a dishy brunette who may or may not fall for Morley. Adequate tension from the ""will he get away with it?"" plot is nearly spoiled by the ""here's how I did it"" ending.

Pub Date: Dec. 15, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1986

Categories: FICTION