The Greenfather

Emmy-nominated TV writer Marshall’s debut novel is a hilarious satire, delightfully poking fun at the Godfather movies, organized crime, organic food, health food stores, vegans, and society’s goofy fascinations with gangsters and granola. Simon owns Good Eggs, Incorporated, New York City’s top organic grocery store. He is also the son of mob boss Francis Raccione, head of the city’s most feared crime family. When Francis is killed in a mob hit, Simon is forced to take control of the family, becoming the exclusive caterer to the mob. He hates being the capo, but declares he’ll make crime green. Instead of shakedowns and hits, he orders proper trash collection, responsible recycling, and better eating habits, confusing overweight, unhealthy goons like Fat Tony, Bulbous Benny, Diabetic Reynold, and Plus-Size Paulie. Because he is now considered an unsavory character as a crime boss, Simon loses his store to a shady competitor, and the NSC (Nutritional Security Council) revokes his store license. When the city officials complain that the city is too clean, disrupting the function of government, Simon and his mob wife, Marla, go into hiding, attracting the attention of the inept FBI and a chubby hit man who runs out of bullets. Even Don Corleone would laugh at this clever, funny story. (May)