First published 2008
Joaquin Garcia transforms himself into Jack Falcone, a convincing mobster who gains entry into one of America's most powerful crime families. The FBI agent must master the Gambino syndicate's unwritten rules while maintaining his cover deep within their ranks. Garcia learns to think like a criminal, adopting the mannerisms and mindset that will keep him alive in a world where suspicion means death. He navigates family loyalty, criminal enterprise, and the constant threat of exposure as he gathers intelligence on organized crime operations. The memoir reveals how Garcia's handlers prepared him for this dangerous assignment and chronicles his psychological journey from law enforcement officer to believable mafia associate. His story exposes the inner workings of the Gambino organization while exploring the personal cost of living a double life in the criminal underworld.
Genres: crime, memoir, non-fiction, biography-memoir
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: double-life, fish-out-of-water
Setting: America
Period: 20th-century
272 pages · Hardcover · Touchstone