Strange Horizons, December 3 & 10, 2012

“America Thief” by Alter S. Reiss

Reviewed by Chuck Rothman

Strange Horizons published their first December story in two parts. “America Thief” tells the story of Bennie Newman, a small-time crook in 1920s New York City, whose considered something of an oddball because he knows something about magic. He’s summoned by some of the top gangsters in the city — Arnold Rothstein, Meyer Lansky, and Bugsy Siegel — to find out something about another small-time crook Hyman Goldberg: is he turning lead into gold? The search leads Benny to run-ins with the police, as well as his father, who’s a rabbi. Alter S. Reiss has created some very vivid characters, not only with the historical figure, but with Benny himself, with a story that shows a lot of heart and good sense. Definitely a delight.

Chuck Rothman‘s short story “The Last Dragon Slayer” will be appearing in Unidentified Funny Objects any day now.