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Mafia Secrets

Untold Tales from the Hollywood Godfather

Hardcover
$29.00 US
6"W x 9"H (15.2 x 22.9 cm) | 20 oz (567 g) | 12 per carton
On sale Nov 25, 2025 | 320 Pages | 9780806544755
Sales rights: World

A Mafia insider and authentic Hollywood tough guy reveals the explosive secrets he’s learned (and kept) for decades in this shocking tell all that unveils the hidden worlds of film and organized crime—from who shot JFK and murdered Jimmy Hoffa to the truth about Marilyn Monroe’s death.

Foreword by Steve Schirripa, star of The Sopranos, Blue Bloods, and Under the Boardwalk


The Kennedys, Marilyn, the Vatican, Vegas, The Godfather, the Mob, and more . . .

During a cursed childhood in a Manhattan neighborhood teeming with Italian immigrants, Gianni Russo fended for himself at an early age. It was a quality that didn’t go unnoticed by Frank Costello—father figure, mentor, and legendary crime boss. Thanks to Costello, Gianni was only twelve when his luck would change for a lifetime. All of it charmed—and thrilling. With it came Hollywood glamor, Vegas risk-takers, political conspiracies, sex, murder, shadow governments, and secrets. The stories Gianni Russo could tell . . .

Now he does in this bombshell confessional. This is the inside account of the Sicilian Mafia, Cosa Nostra, what really transpired in those Mulberry Street clubs, and who whacked whom—including how mobster Tony Spilotro and his brother really died, finally revealed for the first time. This is Gianni, buddy of Frank Sinatra, and intimately more with Marilyn Monroe. What’s the cover-up behind her death, JFK’s, and Jimmy Hoffa’s? It’s all here. So is the clandestine role of the pope as the sacred boss of bosses, the glory days and downfall of Las Vegas, and the colorful behind-the-scenes tales of Gianni’s role in the greatest movie ever made, The Godfather.

The go-getter Frank Costello once called the “Kid” shares his shocking, exhilarating, sometimes violent, and always riveting life with the dealmakers of Hollywood and the Mob. Gianni Russo lives to tell, and spills it all.
Praise for Gianni Russo

MAFIA SECRETS

“Gianni Russo has been a friend of mine for forty-three years. There is no one funnier, more charming, or more entertaining than my pal Gianni. Also, there is no better storyteller. You will love this book, I promise. Salute, my friend!” —Steve Schirripa, actor, The Sopranos

THE 6TH FAMILY

“A suspense-packed, what-if novel with twists and turns all around. Brilliant storytelling.” —Mark Shaw, bestselling author of The Reporter Who Knew Too Much
 
HOLLYWOOD GODFATHER
 
“Gianni Russo walks the walk and talks the talk. What a life. Fascinating. A worthy read.” ―Robert De Niro, two-time Academy Award-winning actor
 
“Gianni Russo has seen a lot, done a lot, and tells it all. Amazing.” —Nick Pileggi, author of Wiseguy and Casino and Academy Award-nominated screenwriter of Goodfellas

“Gianni Russo is a true character who has led a most colorful life.” —Gay Talese, New York Times bestselling author of Honor Thy Father
 
“In this robust, fast-paced memoir, Russo describes his life going from being a real-life mobster to landing a role playing one in The Godfather . . . [his] exhilarating memoir packs a punch.” Publishers Weekly

“Russo’s writing style reads like narration from Goodfellas . . . Fans of mob movies and unlikely success stories will find Russo’s account compelling.” Library Journal
 
“Recounting a life that reads like a narrative for a mob-movie script, a mobster, actor, and Las Vegas presence delivers numerous eye-opening revelations about national and world events . . . Russo is an engaging raconteur.” Kirkus Reviews
 
“Russo tells a fascinating story about how a kid from New York’s Little Italy grew up to be a genuine mobster (and actor, singer, and restauranteur) . . . a hell of an interesting guy.” Booklist

“An absolute blast . . . Great storyteller . . . Great read.” —Criminal Element
Michael Benson, who has partied with the Hells Angels on both coasts, is the author of 41 books. His most recent works include Betrayal in Blood: The Murder of Tabatha Bryant, and Inside Secret Societies: What They Don’t Want You to Know. View titles by Michael Benson
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•     Mayotte
•     Mexico
•     Micronesia
•     Minor Outl.Ins.
•     Moldavia
•     Monaco
•     Mongolia
•     Montenegro
•     Montserrat
•     Morocco
•     Mozambique
•     Myanmar
•     Namibia
•     Nauru
•     Nepal
•     Netherlands
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•     New Zealand
•     Nicaragua
•     Niger
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•     Rwanda
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•     Seychelles
•     Sierra Leone
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•     Sint Maarten
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•     Slovenia
•     Solomon Islands
•     Somalia
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•     Tokelau Islands
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About

A Mafia insider and authentic Hollywood tough guy reveals the explosive secrets he’s learned (and kept) for decades in this shocking tell all that unveils the hidden worlds of film and organized crime—from who shot JFK and murdered Jimmy Hoffa to the truth about Marilyn Monroe’s death.

Foreword by Steve Schirripa, star of The Sopranos, Blue Bloods, and Under the Boardwalk


The Kennedys, Marilyn, the Vatican, Vegas, The Godfather, the Mob, and more . . .

During a cursed childhood in a Manhattan neighborhood teeming with Italian immigrants, Gianni Russo fended for himself at an early age. It was a quality that didn’t go unnoticed by Frank Costello—father figure, mentor, and legendary crime boss. Thanks to Costello, Gianni was only twelve when his luck would change for a lifetime. All of it charmed—and thrilling. With it came Hollywood glamor, Vegas risk-takers, political conspiracies, sex, murder, shadow governments, and secrets. The stories Gianni Russo could tell . . .

Now he does in this bombshell confessional. This is the inside account of the Sicilian Mafia, Cosa Nostra, what really transpired in those Mulberry Street clubs, and who whacked whom—including how mobster Tony Spilotro and his brother really died, finally revealed for the first time. This is Gianni, buddy of Frank Sinatra, and intimately more with Marilyn Monroe. What’s the cover-up behind her death, JFK’s, and Jimmy Hoffa’s? It’s all here. So is the clandestine role of the pope as the sacred boss of bosses, the glory days and downfall of Las Vegas, and the colorful behind-the-scenes tales of Gianni’s role in the greatest movie ever made, The Godfather.

The go-getter Frank Costello once called the “Kid” shares his shocking, exhilarating, sometimes violent, and always riveting life with the dealmakers of Hollywood and the Mob. Gianni Russo lives to tell, and spills it all.

Praise

Praise for Gianni Russo

MAFIA SECRETS

“Gianni Russo has been a friend of mine for forty-three years. There is no one funnier, more charming, or more entertaining than my pal Gianni. Also, there is no better storyteller. You will love this book, I promise. Salute, my friend!” —Steve Schirripa, actor, The Sopranos

THE 6TH FAMILY

“A suspense-packed, what-if novel with twists and turns all around. Brilliant storytelling.” —Mark Shaw, bestselling author of The Reporter Who Knew Too Much
 
HOLLYWOOD GODFATHER
 
“Gianni Russo walks the walk and talks the talk. What a life. Fascinating. A worthy read.” ―Robert De Niro, two-time Academy Award-winning actor
 
“Gianni Russo has seen a lot, done a lot, and tells it all. Amazing.” —Nick Pileggi, author of Wiseguy and Casino and Academy Award-nominated screenwriter of Goodfellas

“Gianni Russo is a true character who has led a most colorful life.” —Gay Talese, New York Times bestselling author of Honor Thy Father
 
“In this robust, fast-paced memoir, Russo describes his life going from being a real-life mobster to landing a role playing one in The Godfather . . . [his] exhilarating memoir packs a punch.” Publishers Weekly

“Russo’s writing style reads like narration from Goodfellas . . . Fans of mob movies and unlikely success stories will find Russo’s account compelling.” Library Journal
 
“Recounting a life that reads like a narrative for a mob-movie script, a mobster, actor, and Las Vegas presence delivers numerous eye-opening revelations about national and world events . . . Russo is an engaging raconteur.” Kirkus Reviews
 
“Russo tells a fascinating story about how a kid from New York’s Little Italy grew up to be a genuine mobster (and actor, singer, and restauranteur) . . . a hell of an interesting guy.” Booklist

“An absolute blast . . . Great storyteller . . . Great read.” —Criminal Element

Author

Michael Benson, who has partied with the Hells Angels on both coasts, is the author of 41 books. His most recent works include Betrayal in Blood: The Murder of Tabatha Bryant, and Inside Secret Societies: What They Don’t Want You to Know. View titles by Michael Benson

Rights

Available for sale exclusive:
•     Afghanistan
•     Aland Islands
•     Albania
•     Algeria
•     Andorra
•     Angola
•     Anguilla
•     Antarctica
•     Antigua/Barbuda
•     Argentina
•     Armenia
•     Aruba
•     Australia
•     Austria
•     Azerbaijan
•     Bahamas
•     Bahrain
•     Bangladesh
•     Barbados
•     Belarus
•     Belgium
•     Belize
•     Benin
•     Bermuda
•     Bhutan
•     Bolivia
•     Bonaire, Saba
•     Bosnia Herzeg.
•     Botswana
•     Bouvet Island
•     Brazil
•     Brit.Ind.Oc.Ter
•     Brit.Virgin Is.
•     Brunei
•     Bulgaria
•     Burkina Faso
•     Burundi
•     Cambodia
•     Cameroon
•     Canada
•     Cape Verde
•     Cayman Islands
•     Centr.Afr.Rep.
•     Chad
•     Chile
•     China
•     Christmas Islnd
•     Cocos Islands
•     Colombia
•     Comoro Is.
•     Congo
•     Cook Islands
•     Costa Rica
•     Croatia
•     Cuba
•     Curacao
•     Cyprus
•     Czech Republic
•     Dem. Rep. Congo
•     Denmark
•     Djibouti
•     Dominica
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•     Ecuador
•     Egypt
•     El Salvador
•     Equatorial Gui.
•     Eritrea
•     Estonia
•     Ethiopia
•     Falkland Islnds
•     Faroe Islands
•     Fiji
•     Finland
•     France
•     Fren.Polynesia
•     French Guinea
•     Gabon
•     Gambia
•     Georgia
•     Germany
•     Ghana
•     Gibraltar
•     Greece
•     Greenland
•     Grenada
•     Guadeloupe
•     Guam
•     Guatemala
•     Guernsey
•     Guinea Republic
•     Guinea-Bissau
•     Guyana
•     Haiti
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•     Malaysia
•     Maldives
•     Mali
•     Malta
•     Marshall island
•     Martinique
•     Mauritania
•     Mauritius
•     Mayotte
•     Mexico
•     Micronesia
•     Minor Outl.Ins.
•     Moldavia
•     Monaco
•     Mongolia
•     Montenegro
•     Montserrat
•     Morocco
•     Mozambique
•     Myanmar
•     Namibia
•     Nauru
•     Nepal
•     Netherlands
•     New Caledonia
•     New Zealand
•     Nicaragua
•     Niger
•     Nigeria
•     Niue
•     Norfolk Island
•     North Korea
•     North Mariana
•     Norway
•     Oman
•     Pakistan
•     Palau
•     Palestinian Ter
•     Panama
•     PapuaNewGuinea
•     Paraguay
•     Peru
•     Philippines
•     Pitcairn Islnds
•     Poland
•     Portugal
•     Puerto Rico
•     Qatar
•     Reunion Island
•     Romania
•     Russian Fed.
•     Rwanda
•     S. Sandwich Ins
•     Saint Martin
•     Samoa,American
•     San Marino
•     SaoTome Princip
•     Saudi Arabia
•     Senegal
•     Serbia
•     Seychelles
•     Sierra Leone
•     Singapore
•     Sint Maarten
•     Slovakia
•     Slovenia
•     Solomon Islands
•     Somalia
•     South Africa
•     South Korea
•     South Sudan
•     Spain
•     Sri Lanka
•     St Barthelemy
•     St. Helena
•     St. Lucia
•     St. Vincent
•     St.Chr.,Nevis
•     St.Pier,Miquel.
•     Sth Terr. Franc
•     Sudan
•     Suriname
•     Svalbard
•     Swaziland
•     Sweden
•     Switzerland
•     Syria
•     Tadschikistan
•     Taiwan
•     Tanzania
•     Thailand
•     Timor-Leste
•     Togo
•     Tokelau Islands
•     Tonga
•     Trinidad,Tobago
•     Tunisia
•     Turkey
•     Turkmenistan
•     Turks&Caicos Is
•     Tuvalu
•     US Virgin Is.
•     USA
•     Uganda
•     Ukraine
•     Unit.Arab Emir.
•     United Kingdom
•     Uruguay
•     Uzbekistan
•     Vanuatu
•     Vatican City
•     Venezuela
•     Vietnam
•     Wallis,Futuna
•     West Saharan
•     Western Samoa
•     Yemen
•     Zambia
•     Zimbabwe