Amazon reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
An Enjoyable Read
By Cheviqueon August 18, 2016
An easy relaxed read with former US marine fresh from Vietnam, using his skills to deal with thugs in his City.
Slightly predictable, but the good men prevailed.
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a masterfully crafted, suspenseful story that is …
By Peter Abacion May 8, 2016
This is a masterfully crafted, suspenseful story that is hard to put down. Extremely well-written and developed from beginning to end.
5.0 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed it. This is what impressed me most
By cschmid on February 23, 2016
What a yarn! I really enjoyed it. This is what impressed me most:
- The authors produced a tense, gripping story. Holds your interest on multiple levels (great characters!).
- Donnie’s such an endearing protagonist — smart, but fallible; tough, but loving; hard-working, but putting his family first—a living, breathing embodiment of decency. I finished the book wishing he was my friend.
- The friendship of the Marines in the story is done exceptionally well. Makes you want to hug the guys. Little in life trumps loyalty, and key characters in “Gold in the Coffins” sing its song beautifully. (as a Soldier, I sing that too.)
- Good, imaginative use of flashback. The reader gets inside understanding of where the characters, the good and the bad, are coming from.
- The dialog sparkles. It’s just the right length and balance. It’s realistic. It illuminates the speakers and carries the story with a crisp, steady tempo.
- The violence descriptions are blunt, realistic, but not gratuitous.
- Patriotism, enameled in past service in harms way, is an ever-present background theme. The story illuminates the truth that there is evil and in this world and that, as JFK said: “Evil will triumph if good men do nothing.”
- Like some of the best novels, the authors communicate a lot with a little. Hemingway is said to have promoted “the iceberg theory of writing” — the theory that what’s actually on paper is just the tip of the iceberg, whereas the big mass is unspoken and under the surface.
- The story never drags. They say that’s one of the hardest thing for writers to do well.
Great job! I know “Gold” will do well — as the publicity already demonstrates. Hope to see another book by the authors soon.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gripping, Deep and Profound Novel
By John De Rosaon February 10, 2016
I challenge you before reading “Gold In the Coffins” to write down your beliefs about morality, love, suicide, friendship and more…and see if some of those answers change when reading.
Dominic Certo’s newest gem, written with Dr. Harac, defines how multiple plot points can weave themselves together into one profoundly stimulating story through incomparable writing. GITC has a rising action that slowly sparks, and once the reader’s curiosity is aroused to it’s heights, Certo’s writing piles on plot points and surprises that will keep the most analytical reader hooked, baffled, and provoked.
The story begins with “Donnie D’Angelo” a former Vietnam Vet, and celebrated business man who has spent the last 20 years of his life accumulating a descent amount of wealth. D’Angelo vows to financially protect two disabled veterans ‘Craig’ and ‘Lou’, who saved Donnie’s life in Vietnam. The third and last member of the group Donnie protects financially is “Connie”, the widow of the fourth member of the “brothers” who saved each other in more ways than one. Interwoven within was a page turning sub-story of Donnie and his new wife “Nita”, a Columbian woman assimilating to America with a deep and mutually shared love for their life together. The two don’t share many blind spots in spite of the cultural differences which allows the reader to experience a love story enwrapped in eccentricity. In his quest to provide proper health care and peace of mind to his closest allies, D’Angelo finds himself in a web of Wall Street wolves who convince him to take his business public. Slowly he realizes some of the people he thought he could trust, are teaching him lessons in betrayal that hit him harder than any bullet from the war he served in could.
Certo carefully balances the equally interesting stories of Wall Street, personal struggles, rising and falling in America, a deep and pure love, and interweaves them in carefully written ways. No spoilers here, but I will say with every page, the characters come together in a truly clever manner.
I found myself entrenched mainly in the characters. Certo’s portrayal of these war heroes define humanistic. I really cared about what was going to happen to them. Rarely do I finish reading a book and feel as if I had a “parting” with the characters. I felt like I was really going to miss them.
Additionally, GITC has a wealth of political, allegorical, and sociological messages crying at you. If you ever wondered why anyone says they’ll vote for Bernie Sanders during this political season, this book will force you to empathize. If you ever wondered why Republicans beat the talking point to death “what’s happening to our vets is a disgrace”, you realize no more truthful words can be uttered. Can they or anyone help them, and do something about it though? D’Angelo doesn’t count on it, and this book will probably Affirm your lack of faith in our government and more in individual determination in spite of society’s ill-fated constructs.
These dignified men always sought more than a government handout equivalent to a very small fraction of their worth to our society. And yet, our society fails them, not by setting up rules and laws, but by forgetting the most important ones. How do we handle this? Do we take Martin Luther King Jr.’s advice and believe “We have a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws”? You will be encapsulated when reading how these men answer that question, and, if you agree.
Certo’s creation of a good versus evil story here is hard to top. There is good, and there is evil, but here both are probably in their purest form. Here is where the reading experience gets heightened. The antagonists here are very different. You may think they are simply scumbags masquerading as American citizens. But I don’t think you will. Like me, you probably will take what they do personally, before you analyze the real level of stimulation Certo is going for.
That level made think of a book you can not graduate high school without reading: William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”. As a student I never would have understood without the teacher explaining to me, the story is an allegory. Ralph represents civilization, Piggy is intellectualism, and Jack is savagery. GITC could be studied in the exact same way. Donnie is, excuse me, but I can’t find a better word…”goodness”. Goodness that will move you emotionally. The men he trusted in taking his company public are savagery, and his back-stabbing business partners are greed. Without giving the story away, the message of GITC is much like Flies: Savagery has a way of infecting everyone and spreading like an aggressive Stage 4 cancer, spotted too late. Dark, but the truth. And we all need to hear the truth.
Certo’s genius lies in his ability for the reader to enter a real world where much of the things you read happened to multitudes of people in the last 10 years, but at the same time he enwraps you in an allegory that challenges your core beliefs and values. My most inherent beliefs about the constructs of our “modern” society were questioned. When we grasp the most vulnerable and least deserving are targets and then subsequent victims, if there’s any justice in the world…it will strike a chord. You will read of situations that mirror times in your life you were taken advantage of. You will read about how no matter how much money you have, the truth is the world is dying to take it all away from you, and you’ll re-ask yourself during and after reading…how do I stop that?
I made it from page 31 to the end in 36 hours. There’ve been very few books throughout my life that get me up to the end of the night reading. I didn’t just stay up till 6 AM reading, for the first time, I was actually angry there wasn’t more when I reached the end. I started to read the Jacket, the introduction twice, and a couple of my favorite chapters again.
Pick up this book and buckle your seatbelt. It will be worth your time and then some.
4.0 out of 5 stars
By Ron Tituson January 24, 2016
Donnie DeAngelo is a scrappy ex-Marine who with buddies of his had turned a vending business into a successful coffee shop business. He decides to go public, but the Wall Street firm he gets involved with screws him over, using his company as a cash cow while forcing his company into bankruptcy. Unfortunately, the Wall Street did not count on Marine bonding, well-placed help, and a willingness to see blood answer for blood. Gold in the Coffins is liable to make the reader rethink his/her opinion of Wall Street IPO artists and business tycoons.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vets v the City
By Basingstone Book on January 9, 2016
I always know when I have enjoyed a book when I go out of my way to make extra time available to read. This book was a prime example soaking up all my spare time on two rest days delaying household chores. Donnie DeAngelo a Vietnam veteran who makes good with a successful restaurant and coffee business. Seduced by easy funding for expansion he is signed up with a large Wall Street investment firm to go public. Sounds great, however problems start to arise and his business is in jeopardy as well as support for his fellow vets and dependants. How can a group of ex marines fight the power of the city, to restore their pride, honour and finances. This is story of greed over honour that keeps you riveted to the end. It also reminds me of the old adage ” if it looks to good to be true, then it is”
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unique and surprising – a great read!
By Amazon Customer on October 13, 2015
Gold in the Coffins is a great read!! Starts a little slowly setting the stage with all the initial details, but once it gets going, it really gets going! I read from page 70 on in one sitting – couldn’t put it down! The story itself is very unique and surprising and there are so many interesting characters. I’m really looking forward to the sequel (or sequels!) to see where life takes the key characters – so many storylines available to build on.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Marines meet Mobsters and Wall Street Bigwigs
By Carl Guppyon August 25, 2015
“Gold in the Coffins” is an exciting and enjoyable read that kept me in suspense throughout. It was very intriguing to see how the marine brothers could adapt their skills to mobsters and Wall Street power bigwigs. I found that I could not put the book down for long which for me is quite the exception.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good story and well written
By david pretinoon August 6, 2015
Good story and well written. Took the book with me to read on vacation and it held my interest from start to finish.
5.0 out of 5 stars
awesome
By carole gubkinon August 5, 2015
awesome, intense, cant wait to turn the next page, great ending!!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Bymark a brunoon July 24, 2015
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Great read. Exciting and thrilling story of loyalty, greed, betrayal and revenge.
5.0 out of 5 stars
great new book on the scene
ByJim H.on June 27, 2015
if you like a story about bad guys getting their comeuppance from a group of loyal marines and their friends,you’ll love certo’s version of revenge directed at the really bad guys with NO regard for loyalty.the ending is what you hoped for and filled with all the get even intricacies you ever wanted.an exciting book and great movie potential.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loyalty and Life-long Friendships Trump Greed and Betrayal
By D. Guentheron June 7, 2015
This suspenseful novel is indeed full of surprises. The authors are clearly keen observers of both human nature and the world of the Wall Street power brokers. The characters are vivid and complex. The varied settings in Vietnam, Colombia, Wall Street, and New Jersey, add to the richness of the novel. Donnie DeAngelo and his fellow Marine veterans survive the jungles of Vietnam only to encounter a sophisticated, urbane enemy on their own turf. There are lessons here about loyalty and the bonds of friendship, woven into a murderous tale of greed, betrayal, and revenge. I couldn’t put this book down once I started reading it.
Dan Guenther, former Captain of Marines, Vietnam, 1968-1970
5.0 out of 5 stars
A combat tested Marine comes home and finds yet another war to fight…
By Grady T. Birdsongon June 5, 2015
This book is for anyone who is family oriented, been to war and then came home and struggled to do the right thing. It is also for families of veterans who have struggled pursuing success and the American dream. This book is for Veterans who never forgot the promise of Semper Fidelis which they pledged to their fellow Marines and Corpsmen during the Vietnam war. This is about meeting the ultimate tests of honor, courage and sacrifice when all the chips were down and dirty and then coming home and finding you have yet another test which strains your belief system of doing the right thing. This book will keep you on the edge of your recliner until you reach the ending! I could not put this book down. This is an excellent book about the ongoing challenges of life pursuing success in America!
5.0 out of 5 stars
The good guys win in the end…
By Daniel Hookeron May 30, 2015
This book starts slowly and builds to the point that you can’t put it down! I finally went to bed at 3am! As a Marine I enjoyed (and understood) the profound loyalty exhibited by the characters to each other. The protagonist was the classic All-American success story… up from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of success while not forgetting his roots. The coincidences made for great reading and reminded me of the “Brotherhood of War” series. It is good to have friends in the right places! Great book, very enjoyable.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just Got It. Just Read It. Just couldn’t put it down.
By Gary Raymondon May 17, 2015
It was high time that somebody took on the rotten eggs with their lack of ethics and humanity in the business world and payback is hell! Clancy’s Jack Ryan and Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp better move over. Certo’s Donnie “Doc” DeAngelo is in town and both author and protagonist have the legitimate credentials to spin a yarn that will keep the pages flying. It has been too long since Certo’s “Valor of Francesco D’Amini” first published, but “Gold In The Coffin” makes the wait worthwhile and methinks we’ve not heard the last of Donnie DeAngelo. I look forward to future exploits and adventures entertaining me from Certo’s fertile imagination about Doc DeAngelo and his band of Marine patriots.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good guys win in the end.
By Gerald DeBenedictison May 4, 2015
Hard to put down read about a hard working giving guy who triumphs over evil greed. An interesting way to get back what was stolen through deception.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Wall Street Shenanigans Mixed In With Loyalty
By lilyVINE VOICE on May 4, 2015
The principal theme of Gold in the Coffins concerns a Vietnam Marine Corps Veteran, who is a successful businessman and is lured into going public with his company by a Wall Street shark. Woven into the narrative are also themes of utmost trust and loyalty which in the end prove to be a savior.
Donnie DeAngelo with the financial help of his former Marine Corps buddies is successful in creating a gourmet coffee company, Brickman’s Bistros, which manufactures high-end coffees imported from Colombia and distributed to his own restaurants as well as others. Donnie’s CEO and Vice President of operations, Mitchell Atchinson informs Donnie that the business is swimming in new expenses and that if he wants to expand they would need financing or investors. In addition, Donnie feels a moral obligation to help out his three Vietnam buddies, which is not to the liking of Atchinson who feels that Donnie should not be giving them a free ride with their rent and food.
Donnie is introduced to a sleazy investment banker, Wesley Goelner, CEO of Triangel Brothers’ Assets Inc, a billion dollar investment banking firm that prides itself on IPOs (Initial Public Offerings) and Reverse Merger IPOs, however, they also have a notorious reputation for exploitation.
Goelner is a hustler and relentless, never giving up an opportunity to gain wealth and glory at someone else’s expense. Unfortunately, Donnie is quite naive in recognizing the uncouth wheeling and dealing of some Wall Street bankers, and contrary to the advice of his own attorney, lets himself be seduced by Goelner in agreeing to a reverse merger.
Donnie is assured that Triangel will finance the costs in effectuating the reverse merger but he will have to secure the loans with his assets such as his company and building. Nevertheless, he is assured that the loan agreement and the financing arrangements are drawn up in such a manner that they would permit enough time for the company to be registered. Upon registration, the debt would be traded for stock in the new company. All sounds wonderful, but what happens if the IPO falls apart and matters don’t turn out as planned? Unfortunately, poor Donnie is in for a rude awakening which will not only shatter his dreams of becoming very rich but will result in far reaching disastrous consequences affecting Donnie, his family, his employees and Vietnam buddies.
Although Certo and Harac have crafted an intriguing story, it feels as if it is a work in progress which reads more like a documentary or report with its over abundance of tedious telling rather than showing.
In addition, just reading the first chapter, I notice that the authors have forgotten about the well-known axiom of plot construction wherein it must begin with a crucial event that will trigger and send our hero on his quest. Unfortunately, this crucial event does not appear until a few chapters later where we are introduced to the antagonist and it is at this point where the conflict of adversaries begin. This is only one example where the novel falters. Another shortcoming is that the characters lack nuance and depth and this is due to the poor dialogue-an essential ingredient of a good novel. Nonetheless, the authors do show promise and I hope to hear more from them in the future.
5.0 out of 5 stars
I SALUTE THIS BOOK!
By Laurann Putnamon April 12, 2015
I SALUTE this book! The story is completely absorbing. I found myself unable to put it down. A definite page turner. A riveting story about a true honest American and war hero, DeAngelo, and the major hardships in the rise and fall in business, family, friends and life. A sincerely captivating plot where ALL the characters elicited true emotion from me, even bringing me to tears at points. A memorable read that touched my heart and mind. This novel can stimulate anyone and is a must read. The BEST book I have ever read!!!!!!!!!!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
By Mikaela E. on April 9, 2015
A must read! Very edgy and engaging. A story of courage, determination, honor and truth.
5.0 out of 5 stars
MORALITY & VALUES SPUR CHILLING ACTION!
By Joan Lon March 24, 2015
Once the characters established themselves as real and believable, the book took over and I was completely absorbed! The morality and values spurred on all the chilling, thrilling, fast paced action scenes.. I enjoyed it thoroughly!!! It was an excellent read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read!
By C. Smitherson March 18, 2015
Gold in the Coffins was a great read! I thoroughly enjoyed the diversity of the characters in this book. I was intrigued by the story line and was eager to turn the pages to see what would happen next. I hope there will be a sequel!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling and exciting. You will not be able to …
By Binaon February 12, 2015
Compelling and exciting. You will not be able to put this book down until it’s finished, and then you’ll want to read it again.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great work! Reads like a movie script in present …
By Peter DeRosaon February 11, 2015
Great work! Reads like a movie script in present tense. Riveting flashbacks and hard-hitting geography: Colombia, Vietnam, Wall Street, Jersey, doesn’t get any better. Highly Recommend.”
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thrill Ride
By Babs Mon February 9, 2015
Vietnam, Colombia, Wall Street & Jersey — Great combination of geography and tough characters, creating a fast story, ending in triumph. I am hoping this was the first in a series of adventures for the hero and his pals. Left me wanting for more!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book! A true thriller. Lots of suspense.
By Jay Freireichon February 9, 2015
Great book! A true thriller. Lots of suspense. The intrigue really builds up and is a great easy read. I totally recommend this book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Page Turner!
By Vince Muelleron February 9, 2015
Fun, fast, aggressive & full of twists. NJOY!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reads like a modern day “Rambo” meets Wall Street
By Larry Schuffmanon February 8, 2015
Reads like a modern day “Rambo” meets Wall Street…
You’ll be on the edge of your seat… Thrilling ride!
Enjoy!
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is an amazing book! It’s got such intrigue — from the …
By LNG555 on February 7, 2015
This is an amazing book! It’s got such intrigue — from the love and devotion of family, the depth of life-long friendships of 3 Viet Nam veterans whose ties and loyalties are thicker than blood, to the dishonesty of Wall Street money titans whose only ambition is to steal from unsuspecting legitimate businesses. The story is told from the perspective of Donnie DeAngelo, the protagonist whose story telling is so compelling and real, the reader sometimes loses the sense that this is purely fiction.
Five stars from this reader. I hope it won’t be long before we can read the sequel!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Riveting read!
By Barbara Mulleron February 3, 2015
Dynamite book! Love, honor, valor and integrity trumps GREED and manipulation. Tarantino could work wonders with this script.