The Moment Before Dying by Marek Záhorec

The split second before a bullet strikes expands into a generation-spanning novel in The Moment Before Dying by Marek Záhorec. This fictional memoir deals with childhood instability, wrong turns in life, the redefinition of family and the sacrifices everyone is forced to make on our spiral of survival. Boasting a narrative voice reminiscent of the “Goodfellas” voiceover, with a confident matter-of-factness that sells this gangster drama from start to finish, Tony Castello is a riveting protagonist, and far more complex than a collection of old-school mafia stereotypes. Though some of the language choices feel awkward, particularly in the dialogue, the overall tone of the writing matches the mood of the story, making this a gritty and entertaining flashback to a very different time.