DEADLY SILENCE Canadian Mafia Murders

Hardback. The first-ever English-language publication of the Mafia Code of Honour together with previously unpublished photographs. Murder is essential to the Mafia. It is the way the Society enforces its own laws and code of silence. The authors recount details of 13 grisly Mafia murders in Canada. Individually these case are fascinating and enlightening studies of life and death inside this most enduring of crime cultures. Taken as a whole, they trace the development of the Mafia in Canada. Because Mafia behaviour is as rich in symbolism as it is ridden with violence, the authors look at each murder in the context of the Mafia ethos. The killings in the book range from the horrific, systematic torture of informer Alberto Agueci to the almost-respectful execution of Montreal boss Paolo Violi, the former revealing the punishment dealt to those who violate 'omerta', the code of silence, and the latter how the Mafia prepares for transfers of power. As well, new light is cast on the still-unsolved 1983 murder of Paul Volpe, Canada's most infamous Mafia hit. Honour, power and respect are the dominating forces in Mafia culture. Never before published in English, the code of behaviour for the Calabrian Mafia, found in the home of Angelo Violani in Italy, is included in the book to provide added insight into the Mafia mentality. Throughout the text, the authors highlight the close connections between Canadian, Italian and American mob families, including the notorious Gotti and Gambino families of New York City. Illus., Appendices, Chronology, Glossary and Index. 219pp. 8vo. h/back. From the library of true crime writer, Wilfred Gregg, with his personal b/plate. Review copy with loosely inserted slip. F. in F. dw.