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Smooth Criminal: A One-Man American Crime Wave Paperback – May 15, 2012

by Bill Deane (Author)
3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars 26 ratings
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David T. Riley dreamt big. His desire to be a superstar recording artist led the adolescent hoodlum into the fringes of organized crime. Ironically though, it was a failed extortion attempt at the Coral Gables bus station that landed him in jail where he found his calling in June of 1960.When the CIA needed recruits to carry out dangerous spying missions to Cuba, their Ivy League educated agents would rather not do themselves, they found Riley languishing in a light green jumpsuit in Miami Dade County Jail awaiting trial. Street-smart, confident to the point of being cocky and extremely intelligent, the Agency believed he’d be able to talk his way out of any situation. Trained by the Feds to operate in a complex world of international crime, David became one of the Agency's top operatives. The CIA’s use for him eventually waned, and with skills learned through covert work, Riley afforded himself an extensive career in gunrunning, drug dealing, fraud and embezzlement.SMOOTH CRIMINAL, A One-Man American Crime Wave exposes how the Government’s secret release of criminals to conduct dangerous overseas assignments backfires when they return home.
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  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    May 15, 2012
  4. Reading age
    14 - 18 years
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.68 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0982511264
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0982511268
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author, BILL DEANE is a dedicated journalist, believing in the overall good of searching and revealing for the public's right to know. The investigative reporter has 33 years experience as a writer and news assignment editor at ABC and CBS; news director in Denver and Rochester, New York; anchor at KYW, Philadelphia as well as Miami's ABC TV affiliate. Deane is a member of the Radio Television News Directors Association; New York Press Club; Investigative Reporters & Editors; Society of Professional Journalists and the winner of many awards including an Edward R. Murrow for Best Coverage of a Major Breaking News Event, the Assassination of Itzhak Rabin.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Muse Media LLC (May 15, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0982511264
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0982511268
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 - 18 years
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.68 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars 26 ratings

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Bill Deane

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Customer reviews

3.6 out of 5 stars
26 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

John M Kupik
5.0 out of 5 stars I could not put it down!
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2014
Verified Purchase
I could not put it down! It's a suspenseful read and well written about this David Riley's antics ...

A gripping tale of the unseen and unknown criminal operatives that prey on unfortunate US citizens. I felt like I was living part of the book with the details and descriptions of the acts that were allowed (and probably still are) by those parts of the government that are supposed to defend the public.

This Riley guy was unreal, brash and full of bravado while taking advantage of the cover he was provided.

I would strongly suggest getting TWO copies of the book - One to read and one to share with your best friend!
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Bud Connell
4.0 out of 5 stars Complex and Disturbing Revelations
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2013
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Complex, frightening underworld of government dealings. Astounding revelations. Warning! This book may cause sleepless nights and concerns about what our government may be doing behind our backs. Bud Connell, Author & Novelist
5 people found this helpful
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second 53
1.0 out of 5 stars very poorly written
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2013
Verified Purchase
I had heard this author interviewed about this book on a local radio show. It sounded like a great story so I ordered it on Amazon. This is without a doubt the poorest example of writing I ever read. The writing was so poor that I could not enjoy the story line which wasn't real bad. Very disappointed with this book.
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jolaurie@aol.com
4.0 out of 5 stars Hmmmm Makes you think
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2014
Verified Purchase
Very thought provoking. Just something else that makes you wonder about our government's priorities. Obviously a to of passion on the part of the author.
One person found this helpful
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Liz
4.0 out of 5 stars a Smooth and likeable criminal.
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2014
Verified Purchase
Exciting hijacking story of Cuba/Miami in the late 50's as portrayed by an interesting streetwise sort of "James Bond-like" character.
One person found this helpful
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J Reese
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2016
Verified Purchase
Exactly what I needed.
One person found this helpful
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Book Review
5.0 out of 5 stars a fascinating and frightening real crime tale
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2012
"Smooth Criminal" by Bill Deane is a fact-based and fascinating book. As an experienced investigative reporter, writer, and editor for network radio and television stations around the country, Deane has long been aware of, and angered by, the use of felons as contract players by US federal agencies. The bait is: Give us a little help on some risky and not always legal assignments and jail time goes away. The result is: an often victimized American public.

David Riley, the "smooth criminal" of the title, is a great con artist although on some of his jobs he's not always so smooth. The runt of the Riley family litter, with four strapping older and more accomplished brothers, he is epileptic and dyslexic. Despite his physical stature and disabilities, David totally believes in his superior intelligence and sense of style. He yearns for recognition. What better way than playing James Bond for the CIA?

In 1960 Dave is jailed on charges of extortion. While awaiting trial he is approached by the CIA. After his arranged release from jail, he and his two closest "buddies" are assigned to fly to Cuba on a "spy mission." He pictures himself as both a patriot and spy serving his country, while not incidentally picking up some money and staying out of jail. Nice work if you can get it, although he frequently has to supplement his income by crimes of all sorts.

The initial and disastrous Cuban affair is the start of a five-decade career of criminal activities, some jobs carried out on his own, some under the auspices of the Feds. Dave alternates between being reasonably resourceful and clever to being out-and-out klutz, but he is always the consummate con man. Innocent victims and criminal cohorts alike suffer from his schemes, and there is always a federal agency ready to bail him out.

Anyone reading Deane's on-line blog (ourmissingnews.com) can testify to his concise, pertinent, and unbiased coverage of each day's most important stories. Unfortunately, he is not as skilled in a longer format and the book suffers at times from awkward dialogue and disjointed narrative. Still his point is well made: it is the American public that suffers when federal agencies allow voracious criminals to prowl our streets with impunity.

Bookreview.com highly recommends "Smooth Criminal" as a fascinating and frightening read.
4 people found this helpful
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Darren J. Vanderwilt
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2014
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Interesting story that makes you think about what nefarious activities our government is up too.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

TC Review
2.0 out of 5 stars Disjointed and poorly-written
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 14, 2014
Verified Purchase
A disjointed and poorly-written tale in my opinion, that can't seem to decide whether it wants to be truth or fiction - I certainly cannot make my mind up which it is.
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CP
1.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting story (if true) but very poorly written.
Reviewed in Germany on June 12, 2014
Verified Purchase
It is a stretch to believe this story as the names are changed to protect the innocent and the writing is so pedantic. This is written at the level of perhaps a high school writer. The grammar and the sentence structure are, simply put, bad. The story does not flow, the actions of many characters are hard to understand because the book is so superficially written. One has no insight into the characters, so one cannot believe how many characters plod through life or are so easily duped by the "one-man American crime wave". The story was compelling, but the lack of style and substance made it difficult to endure to the finish.
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