Review: Where’s… Eli? by Alex S. Avitabile

The disappearance of a less-than-trustworthy lawyer kicks off a hectic crime-solving spree in Where’s… Eli? by author Alex S. Avitabile. This second book in the Al and Mick Forte crime series is just as authentically penned and suspenseful as the first, but can also stand alone as an entertaining piece of crime fiction.

Al and Mick are cousins who go way back, their childhoods, neighbors, lives and relatives tangled up in the complex social web of Brooklyn in the 50s and 60s. Having your bloodline brush up against organized crime is far from unusual, and despite Al now being a lawyer, the pair have interesting perspectives on the strict line of the law.

However, when Al’s bank accounts are drained shortly after lending his computer to another of Mick’s cousin, Eli, the pressure comes on fast to solve the case. Not only were his personal accounts drained, but also his escrow accounts for client’s closing costs, the payroll for his employees, and the rent money he owes his cousin and crime-fighting pal, Mick.

Navigating the perilous waters of the legal system and the curious minds of the FBI, Al and Mick must tap into all their resources – on both side of the law – to get some answers on who took the money, and why. From the highfalutin language of the court room to the rough-and-tumble alley slang of Brooklyn’s vivid streets, this book is truly a tale of two cities. One is full of red tape, paperwork and bureaucracy, the other with favorite “uncles,” owed favors, and envelopes of unmarked cash.

The rich cast of characters that parades through these pages is inimitable, but perhaps easily recognized by anyone who’s ever called New York home. The colorful Italian profanity, the casual references to cultural landmarks, and the seamless exposition of the energized city makes the neighborhood a character in itself. Between the larger-than-life players and dense plot points, individuals are given moments for self-reflection, coupled with narrative musings that are revelatory about the story, the city, and the author himself.

The three-decade law career of the author certainly gives the story some real authenticity, particularly in the more procedural scenes. Bank and wire fraud isn’t the sexiest type of crime to depict on a page, but Avitabile manages to make the scenes come alive, and inject them with his own unique personality. His life growing up in South Brooklyn lends a natural cadence to his writing and patterns of speech – the dialogue between characters is pitch-perfect and makes the reading experience immersive, intimate, and hilarious.

The writing is clean and tightly polished, although some of the more legalese-heavy scenes feel as though they could be shortened, as the final quarter of the book doesn’t move as quickly as the first half. There are also moments when the profanity-laden language seems overused, though it does speak to the legitimacy of the setting and characters. As a whole, Where’s… Eli? is a heartfelt homage to Brooklyn that is clever, irreverent, honest, and downright entertaining.