? UNDER THE LAMPLIGHT-

I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt is a true mob hitman’s confession and the inspiration behind Martin Scorcese’s The Irishman. Frank Sheeran (aka The Irishman) allegedly made 25 hits for the mob, including Jimmy Hoffa, one of his contractors, according to Brandt’s biography. Hoffa disappeared on 30 July, 1982, and his remains are yet to be found — but Sheeran’s confession recorded by Brandt claims to have solved this mystery. Other insights that come to light include Sheeran’s intimate knowledge of Russel Bufalino, one of the US’ most notorious mafia bosses, who has such a resounding impact that he was even involved in the casting selection of Francis Ford Copolla’s The Godfather. Other interesting observations include which gun to use during a hit in daylight and nighttime, alongside fascinating translations of some mob idioms, such as “going to school” (going to prison), “going to Australia” (being shot and buried “down under”), and the infamous “painting houses” (synonymous with the blood splattering on a wall after a victim is shot). The book’s simple narrative style is appealing as it opens with Sheeran remembering the day he tried to broker a peace with Hoffa and Bufalino that developed into the dreaded hit he needed to make.

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