The Camelot Conspiracy: The Kennedys, Castro and the CIA

In an introductory note to his fourth novel, Vincent (Mafia Summer) gives credit to the theory that the Mafia was involved in planning JFK's assassination%E2%80%94and claims that he's identified the gunman on the legendary grassy knoll. Unfortunately, his narrative, which covers the three years from 1960 until the tragedy in Dallas, fails to grip. The lead characters%E2%80%94Dante Amato, a Chicago mobster, and his brother, Aldo, conveniently a CIA agent%E2%80%94amount to paper-thin clich%C3%A9s. Those conversant with the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations' covert campaigns to overthrow Castro will find this fictionalized version, including a cursory three-page description of the Cuban missile crisis, a pale shadow of reality. Those who aren't won't emerge better educated about that period in American history. Other novels%E2%80%94Don DeLillo's Libra, James Ellroy's American Tabloid, Philip Kerr's The Shot%E2%80%94do a better job covering similar territory. (May)