Mario Vanni insists on the help of Jonah Eastman. Here is where the world of public relations and crime collide, or rather smoothly meld into a propaganda machine without par. It is quite fascinating, and quite authentic, the manner in which Jonah Eastman molds public opinion, making of Vanni, a known crime boss, a cultural icon. Mr. Dezenhall is a spin-meister by trade and his prose reveals much about the world in which he works. We see the polling, research, manipulation of the press and backdoor politics that are part and parcel of image building in Washington D.C.

His mastery of this art, even though fictionally displayed in this instance, should make him quite popular during the next election cycle, at least behind the scenes. Even while the plot of "Money Wanders" brings us twists and turns in plot development, it also treats us to in-depth character development that makes us actually care whether characters live or die (for one character I actually found myself rooting for the latter option).

Beyond the authentic revelations about polling and public relations, Eric Dezenhall's intelligent and witty scenes depicting the seedy underworld of Atlantic City also ring true. His knowledge on this aspect of "the life of crime" is obviously deep. His command of the history of organized crime reveals it to be academic as well. He makes a point of (and perhaps relishes) relating the manner in which many of the great "mobsters" of the past century met their demise. It is remarkable how Jonah Eastman manages to burnish the image of Mario Vanni even while Dezenhall refrains from glorifying the Mafia. Dezenhall also lassos in the history, flavor and folklore of the South New Jersey region.

While fiction is written to entertain, it should do something more. To be truly worthwhile it should teach us something. The interesting details about polling and organized crime are supplemented by insights into culture and geography. Even more, Dezenhall seems to have an ability to delve into the mind and heart of individual characters, and this delving reveals something of human nature that is both heroic and pathetic, animal and angel.

Dezenhall includes a love interest that is not denigrated by gratuitous sex scenes and which does not clutter the plot needlessly. In fact, all the scenes in the book are tightly written so that few words are wasted. Meaning is conveyed with vivid and often humorous imagery. At the same time Dezenhall manages to build suspense like a master of the thriller genre. There is actually very little violence in the book and that violence has a point. Some may find some of the language objectionable, but even the profanity is used judiciously, serving merely to remind the reader of who is speaking and where the plot is heading.

Eric Dezenhall weaves the various elements of politics, organized crime and personality into a seamless story that grips, fascinates and informs. "Money Wanders" is highly recommended.