Rating: 
Summary: Good job
Review: A solid account of the rise of a hoodlum from the streets of Staten Island to fame and fortune in Miami.
My only nit, and it is a nit, is that the subject of this book is so unsympathetic as to be umbearable at times. But that is overcome by a very strong story line. Overall a good quick weekend read.
Interesting to compare this hood with some of today's modern financiers. I have been reading up on them lately, and let me tell you, there aren't many differences.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Story Of Bonanno Associate Turned Nightclub King
Review: I finished this book in 3 days and it was hard putting it down. It just kept getting more interesting as I read on. The book talks about how Chris Paciello in South Florida started his nightclub and how popular it became. He became friends with Sammy Sosa, Dennis Rodman, Sting, Robert DeNiro; plus he dated Madonna, Nikki Tyler, Daisy Fuentes, and Jennifer Lopez. I also liked how the author wrote about what was happening in the mob during that time. This book is a must for fans of the mafia.
Rating:
Summary: More please...
Review: I loved this book. Michele McPhee made me feel as if I was sitting on Miami Beach watching things unfold. I love mob books and this one reminded me of why. It made me want to visit Miami again (and I did). I read it in one day and wished it never ended. More please Ms. McPhee.
Rating:
Summary: Great reading.......
Review: I picked up this book because I needed something to read on the Beach and the story was interesting because I am from the same place as Chris Paciello was from. I never expected to enjoy the book as much as I did. Michele McPhee left no stone unturned and kept me wanting more. I remembered most of the stories that she relates and it was fun reading about the New York haunts that I myself, have been to. I really recommend this book and hope Ms. McPhee writes another one. It really is a shame though, that the "rats" who are involved in the same crimes that others own up to, are let off the hook so easily.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT BOOK BY A GREAT WRITER
Review: I SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY NEWS AND LOOK FORWARD TO ARTICLES WRITTEN BY MICHELE MCPHEE. THIS BOOK WAS INTERESTING AND ENJOYABLE. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
Rating:
Summary: Who read the book to the last reviewer?
Review: If you like crime stories, you will like this book about a small-time thug who leaves Brooklyn for Miami and becomes a celebrity. Unfortunately, one particular crime was more heinous that most, the cold-blooded murder of a housewife in a botched robbery. Years later this comes back to haunt Chris Ludwigsen/Chris Pacello. Pacello becomes involved in a nightclub in South Beach that becomes very hot. He changes his image from a mafia goon to a suave nightclub owner to the stars. It's amazing how far he travels from his past. A few changes to the wardrobe, new hairstyle, talk a little less Brooklyn, continue the steroids and have something the celebrities want, a really hot nightclub in a great party town and you're good to go. Of course, you can't take the city out of the boy so there are run-ins with his first partner, an arson and a few beatings that must be administered. A small price to pay to date beautiful women in my book. But once he thinks he has it all, his world comes crashing down as he is arrested and tried for the murder. This book does a great job following the twist and turns in the trial as well as the intricacies of the underworld hierarchy. While this is not a work of art, if you enjoy reading about the crime world, or you enjoy celebrity name-dropping, you will enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: From Thug to Celebrity
Review: If you like crime stories, you will like this book about a small-time thug who leaves Brooklyn for Miami and becomes a celebrity. Unfortunately, one particular crime was more heinous that most, the cold-blooded murder of a housewife in a botched robbery. Years later this comes back to haunt Chris Ludwigsen/Chris Pacello. Pacello becomes involved in a nightclub in South Beach that becomes very hot. He changes his image from a mafia goon to a suave nightclub owner to the stars. It's amazing how far he travels from his past. A few changes to the wardrobe, new hairstyle, talk a little less Brooklyn, continue the steroids and have something the celebrities want, a really hot nightclub in a great party town and you're good to go. Of course, you can't take the city out of the boy so there are run-ins with his first partner, an arson and a few beatings that must be administered. A small price to pay to date beautiful women in my book. But once he thinks he has it all, his world comes crashing down as he is arrested and tried for the murder. This book does a great job following the twist and turns in the trial as well as the intricacies of the underworld hierarchy. While this is not a work of art, if you enjoy reading about the crime world, or you enjoy celebrity name-dropping, you will enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: "Mob" tells it like it was
Review: Michele McPhee's tell-all book "Mob Over Miami" not only takes it's readers into the seedy underworld of the NYC mafia, but paints an exact picture of life in South Beach when Paciello was club king. As a person who knew Chris and experienced that star-studded era first hand, I can tell you that the book has captured the Chris we knew and the shock that we felt after his criminal past brought this charismatic, handsome figure down. I great read from beginning to end!
Rating:
Summary: "Mob" tells it like it was
Review: Michele McPhee's tell-all book "Mob Over Miami" not only takes it's readers into the seedy underworld of the NYC mafia, but paints an exact picture of life in South Beach when Paciello was club king. As a person who knew Chris and experienced that star-studded era first hand, I can tell you that the book has captured the Chris we knew and the shock that we felt after his criminal past brought this charismatic, handsome figure down. I great read from beginning to end!
Rating:
Summary: A low-rent 'Casino'
Review: Mob Over Miami chronicles the quick rise and fall of Chris Paciello, a Staten Island thug who became club king of South Beach before his past caught up with him. From Brooklyn to Staten Island as a teen and into his 20s, Chris Paciello was an out and out thug, a thief who regularly ripped off friends and anyone he could scam, gaining the nickname 'the Binger' (as he'd binge on stealing). Prone to violence, he administered many a beating as well. Looking to avoid the heat of New York, where he was aligned with various low-level street crews of wannabe wiseguys, he fled to South Beach, Miami, where he had various contacts and was able to open up a successful club, starting a massive snowball that would go uphill in a hurry before tumbling down. After torching his first club, he aligned himself with various promoters, most notably Lord Michael Caruso (who was connected to Peter Gatien, Manhattan club king) and opened up Liquid, a hugely successful club. Before long Paciello was a highly visible South Beach figure, hanging out with celebrities. Of course, they loved his Brooklyn charm, his tough guy looks, his nice guy demeanor. But little did they know the other Chris, a violent, shiftless goon that no amount of Armani couture could hide. It was precisely this nature and his past that brought Paciello down. Arrested no less than a dozen times while he was running his Miami fiefdom of clubs, restaurants, and lounges, he assaulted staff, patrons, and whoever else threatened him, drove drunk, threatened various folks, and of course was connected to made guys in the mob. A real class guy, he even stole his neighbors car, only to show up a week later in the same car with an new paintjob. This book is a good indication of the difference between careful, career criminals and the goons who make good only to destroy it in a hurry. Paciello's rein was indeed short before he became another cooperating witness for the government, after his old crew of Fulbright scholars ratted him out. This is not a flattering photo of anyone. The disgusting nature of thieves who would rob anyone and everyone they could, rob their own friends, and screw you over without thinking, is clear. The book is certainly serviceable of its kind, written by a Daily News reporter with typical poetic touches here and there, but overall a decent read. Included are photos (usually mug shots) of some of the characters like Mikey 'Flat Top' and 'Messy Marvin', hardly a fascinating portrait of the criminal mind. If the picture of Paciello is at all accurate, it's doubtful he will remain in Witness Protection very long. Recommended for true crime mob addicts, as well as anyone who lives in Brooklyn (Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Bay Ridge) or Staten Island, since you'll recognize names, places, and events.
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