New York Knights basketball player Josh Edwards has a decision to make. Make the winning shot in game seven of the American Basketball League Finals and become a New York legend or deliberately miss to pay back massive debt owed to the notorious mobster Paul Muzzicata. Josh is torn between his love for the game and the financial abyss owed to Muzzicata. At what price does he sell his dreams to the white devil?
Muzzicata’s soldiers turn to murder, blackmail and violence to protect his turf. Josh’s college confidants, girlfriend Veronica Baron and teammate Sean Conley, take the brunt of Muzzicata’s wrath.
FBI agent Roger Hanks, driven by childhood memories of Mob intimidation, is determined to end organized crime’s chokehold on sports gambling and violence. His dogged pursuit of justice for Muzzicata’s victims ends in a surprising twist of redemption.
THE FIXER is a fast moving read of corruption, murder, sex, blackmail, betrayal, romance and revenge. It exposes the growing influence of sports betting on professional and college sports. Can we trust the players, coaches, referees and the sports media complex to restore the game’s integrity?
Read The First Chapter
Reviews
“Knicks fan? College basketball fan? You are going to love THE FIXER. It’s filled with everything New York. The passion of its fans, the grit and beauty of the city, the business of Wall Street and the history and influence of the Mafia. It’s a basketball thriller that captures today’s gambling hysteria. Just when you thought it was heading in one direction, you will be blindsided with clever twists throughout the story. Well done!”
MW
“A rollercoaster ride of Mob intimidation, murder, sports gambling, NYPD corruption with a heavy dose of spicy romance. Tighten your belts and enjoy. A great summer read.”
JohnM
“THE FIXER is a fast paced ride centered on the New York basketball scene. The story uses rich, complex characters, gripping drama, and grotesque violence. It is filled with twists and turns from chapter to chapter. It’s the story of a young man whose dreams of becoming a professional basketball star succumb to organized crime’s control of the sport. Will Josh escape the Mob’s grip? Read it and find out.”
JudyD
“Philip A. Gorge’s debut novel, THE FIXER, is a well-paced read with something for everyone. It is full of interesting characters cloaked in the bowels of organized crime, NYPD, Wall Street and the professional basketball universe. A great read.”
LoriM
“Can’t stop reading THE FIXER. If you are a basketball fan, like to gamble or love Mafia thrillers, it doesn’t get any better. Plan for a late night. You won’t put it down. Great read.!!!!!!!”
MarkI
“THE FIXER tells the fast-paced story of Josh Edwards’ journey into professional sports and sports gambling; learning who to trust, who to love, and who to leave behind. It’s a fast-moving story that barely leaves time for you to breathe. Josh Edwards is an exceptionally talented basketball player from New York City, the incubator of many professional basketball players. He learned early that talent gets you noticed. Money gets you power. Josh had the talent; the Mob had the power. And power sometimes obscures what is right and wrong. Making the wrong decisions has serious consequences. The disturbing ending will both shock and awe your senses.”
KenL