Crooks

A Novel About Crime and Family

By: Lou Berney

Narrated by: Johnathan McClain

"Lou Berney's Crooks stands with some of the finest crime novels ever written." — Don Winslow, #1 Internationally bestselling author

"A panoramic, cross-generational look at a unique family pursuing their individual visions of the American dream.” — Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author

From award-winning author Lou Berney comes an electrifying new novel that follows a uniquely American crime family on an unforgettable journey across four decades.

You’ve never met a family like the Mercurios.

They say the American dream is going farther in life than your parents ever did. But how does that work if your parents are criminals?

For Buddy, a low-level mob wise guy, and Lillian, a charming pickpocket, the criminal underworld is the only life they’ve ever known. When they’re forced to flee the glittering Babylon of Las Vegas, they end up opening a club in Oklahoma City—a town that quickly feels like a gold mine of fresh marks and easy new money. Along for the ride are their five children, all of them raised into the family business of crime—until the day comes when they each have a chance to make their own way in the world, even if they can never completely escape the family’s long, dark shadow.

Jeremy, the family’s Golden Boy, will throw himself into the glittering excesses of a drug-fueled Hollywood in the roaring 1980s.

Tallulah, the daredevil, will find herself in the deadly Wild West of post-communist Moscow.

Ray, the dope, the dumb muscle since he was a kid, wants nothing more than to put down his gun, but following orders is all he’s ever known.

Alice, the genius who renounced her life of crime long ago, now sees her white-shoe law firm being blackmailed and must tap into old skills to save both the company and her own life.

And Piggy, a civilian always on the outside looking in on his crime family, desperate to be part of the gang.

Crooks is an epic novel about a truly unforgettable family– each Mercurio has to grapple, in their own way, with the family’s powerful criminal legacy.

Couldn’t put it down.

This is a great and entertaining book. I couldn’t find a good stopping point each time I had to put it down I couldn’t wait to get back to it. In the end it was a fun ride from start to finish. Thank you Lou Berney

Don Winslow was right.

Great writing, light hearted dark material done well. Excellent narration. Compelling characters. Fun story. I will recommend this to my friends.

Great read!

Lou Berney crafts a book that is more than his usual page-turner, though it’s also that. The fascinating structure adds to the compelling nature of the book, and I really like this reader.

Lou Berney is one of the most engaging storytellers in the business

This story takes us through the years, following an often-crooked but always redeemable family as they get into and out of trouble. The characters go from Oklahoma to Las Vegas to Oklahoma (again) to L.A. to Moscow, New York, and Scottsdale.

The novel explores just how much a person’s fate is determined by where they come from.

If you liked Dark Ride, or the Shake novels (start with Gutshot Straight), then you will love Crooks. If you have yet to read/listen to any Lou Berney, well please correct that travesty right now.

And the audio is fantastic, I enjoyed the performance very much. Listened to the entire thing in one enjoyable lazy weekend.

Great story /Wonderful dialogue/Humor too

Love all of Lou Berney’s books.
His authentic dialogue and “can’t wait to find out what happens next” stories are terrific.
CROOKS has the added bonuses of humor among thieves AND dysfunctional family members. Might warrant a sequel!