Customer Reviews

Final Confession: The Unsolved Crimes of Phil Cresta

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I absolutely loved this book. Picked it up once and never put it down. It takes you thru the local Boston Mob scene from 1960's with Patriarca and Anguilo right up to the unsolved whereabouts of Whitey Bulger in 2000. Good story, but it ended too fast. Wanted to hear more of these true unsolved crimes. I remembered some of the crimes from the front pages of the Herald American. It's both amusing and amazing that this 'Phil Cresta' and his two sidekicks actually pulled them off! Colorful characters and vivid details of life in the South Boston, the North End, Fenway, etc. You don't have to be from Boston to appreciate the story, the mob, the real life characters and the history (even the Sox), but it helps. Great Book. Can't wait for the movie!

I really enjoyed this book and was facinated by Phil Cresta and how quietly he moved through life, but pulled off the most daring heists.Brian Wallace is a very exciting writer and he brings Phil and his gang vividly to life.

What a great book.

Cresta was like a living James Cagney character. It's truly amazing what Mr. Cresta and his two partners, Angelo, and Tony got away with. I especially like that they pulled 98% (give or take) of their jobs without physically harming anyone. Phil could have been a lot worse a person, given his upbringing. I recommend this read to anyone, young, and old, especially if you're from the Boston area. It's too bad James Cagney,Humphrey Bogart, or Edward G. Robinson arent around to step in Phil and his partners shoes for what would surely be a blockbuster of a movie. Hats off to Phil and his partners.

Hello my name is Buddy Locatelli. I live in Fla. And i have the pleasure of riding in a taxi to south beach and the driver was a retired Boston police officer by the name of Billy Crowley. We had a conversation and on the way i asked him why he moved to Fla. He told me that he co-authored a book with a writer by the name of Brian Wallace of S.Boston about a Boston gangster named phil cresta, and after the book came out for publication they signed a movie deal with 20th century fox. After 2 yrs and 2 screenwriters hired they finally got a screenplay, but at the last minute on the last option the movie was not picked up. He had an extra copy of the book in his taxi and i read the book and was amazed about the crime scene in the Boston area. The book jumped out at me and i could not put it down. I read the book in one night I can see why 20th century fox signed it up it should be a movie.

A lot of fun to read. You can't help but laugh at a lot of these true-crime stories. You just can't make this stuff up. This book would make a great movie.

A Decent book, very interesting read. The style in which the story is told is very engrossing as it is told from the first person. The one drawback to the book is that it is based on one persons recollections and biases. With the exception of the Plymouth mail truck robbery most of these crimes were standard criminal enterprises, hardly crime of the century material. Of the crime he boasts the most of, a Brinks hold up, Cresta ended up going to prison. This is the story of a man who thought he was smarter then he was and in the end, was too smart for his own good.

Wallace produces an excellent book. A fast read that is highly entertaining and interesting.

You do not have to be from Boston to enjoy the book. Both Brian Wallace and Mr. Crowley deserve great credit for a fascinating book on crime in Boston.

Who will play Phil Cresta in the movie?..yes, the book is that GOOD!....My vote is with George Clooney!

Thought this book was very interesting to read. As you got further into the book. the better it was. Knowing the writer personaly I was not expecting it to be that good. But it exceeded my expectations.I would suggest this book to others. I have not read a book for at least 8 years. Finshed this one in 2 days. So that sould say some thing about this book.

I you're searching Lehane books, this is not a Lehane book! Unclear listing by Amazon. Lehane: Good! Final Confession Fair.

I am not one to sit for hours and read...I finished the book in two evenings after work. Being from Boston I am familiar with many of the figures in the book and have read several books featuring the local mob figures. Though not a "made guy" Phil Cresta worked the mob circles, one time cheating death. Great read would recommend to anyone interested in true crime/mob related titles.