- SIN: B0FQP19HL1
- Publisher: Richard Ettinger
- Publication date: Sept. 30 2025
- Language: English
- Print length: 386 pages
- ISBN-13: 979-8986216393
- Gernre: Supernatural Crime Thriller
The BookViral Review:
Richard Ettinger’s The Briscoe Situation is a lean, tightly wound thriller that fuses crime noir, historical fiction, and a touch of the supernatural. At just over 200 pages, it wastes no time in plunging readers into a turbulent 1960s America marked by political unrest, organized crime, and shifting cultural norms.
The story follows Julius Truman Briscoe, an eighteen-year-old Jewish agnostic from Philadelphia who is already a multimillionaire, a mafia “made man,” and, most unusually, a psychic assassin. Far from an ordinary teenager, Julius navigates a world where violence is second nature and loyalty is constantly tested. When the Briscoe family travels to Chicago to witness Leonard Briscoe’s elevation to equity partner in a high-profile law firm, the journey sparks a chain of events involving hijackers, mobsters, and covert operatives. Julius must call upon both his ruthless instincts and his surreal abilities—trademarked powers like “Fear & Loathing” and “Zombie Mode”—to protect his family and himself.
What makes The Briscoe Situation stand out is its relentless pace. Ettinger writes with sharp, cinematic energy, moving seamlessly from a hijacked jetliner to smoky smoky coffee house, from Chicago law offices to back-alley encounters. Every scene feels purposeful, ensuring the narrative never drags. The brevity of the novel is a strength: rather than sprawling into subplots, it hones in on themes of vengeance, corruption, and the cost of survival.
Julius himself is an antihero of contradictions. He is coldly efficient in avenging the murder of his fiancée, yet vulnerable in moments of grief. His contempt for “Normals”—ordinary people—is offset by his fierce loyalty to family, especially his unpredictable Uncle Teddy. The psychic powers may sound exaggerated, but they serve as metaphors for manipulation, persuasion, and the unseen forces that govern human behavior.
The setting of mid-1960s America enriches the novel without overwhelming it. Ettinger uses the period’s turbulence—racial tensions, political assassinations, cultural upheaval—to give the story texture. Pop culture references, from Bob Dylan lyrics to cars, fashion, and iconic Chicago landmarks, ground the book in its era and create a vivid sense of place. Chicago, with its mix of glamour and grit, becomes almost a character in its own right.
Though infused with paranormal elements, the novel never strays into excess. Violence erupts suddenly, dialogue crackles with sarcasm, and dark humor offsets the intensity. Ettinger’s disciplined storytelling ensures that every twist moves the plot forward, creating a reading experience that is both fast and memorable.
Thematically, the novel examines loyalty, identity, and the price of corruption. Julius is torn between supporting his brother’s respectable legal ambitions and embracing his own darker talents. The attempted plane hijacking highlights both the era’s unpredictability and Julius’s capacity for ruthless control. By the conclusion, readers are left with the sense that survival in Julius’s world demands compromise, cunning, and a willingness to embrace moral ambiguity.
The Briscoe Situation will not suit those who prefer clean heroes or sanitized storytelling. It is raw, violent, and laced with profanity. But for readers who appreciate dark thrillers, crime fiction, and historical settings with a twist, it offers a gripping, highly original ride.
Verdict: The Briscoe Situation proves a novel doesn’t need length to feel big. Ettinger delivers a sharp, memorable thriller that lingers long after the final page.
The Briscoe Situation will appeal to readers who enjoy fast-paced crime thrillers, gritty noir, and historical fiction set in the turbulent 1960s. With its mix of mafia intrigue, political conspiracies, and supernatural twists, it is especially suited to fans of genre-bending stories and morally complex antiheroes. Mature readers who appreciate unflinching violence, sharp dialogue, and period detail—similar to the work of James Ellroy, Elmore Leonard, or even Tarantino’s films—will find Julius Briscoe’s world compelling and unforgettable.
It is highly recommended!
