Mondo by Anthony DeStefano

Mondo
by Anthony DeStefano
1975 Manor Books

When we meet John Mondo he's alcoholic and homeless, living on the streets.  A former heist man in the Parker vein, the death of his child broke him. The torture murder of his estranged wife and his only friend lead him to a path of violent revenge.

Starts of strong before taking a turn to Vermont, of all places, to train in the martial arts with his Japanese master and generally futz around before a final showdown leads to an anti-climax.

The first third is pure 42nd Street grindhouse, but DeStefano couldn't maintain the pace throughout. Mondo is an interesting character as well - not a hero, not an anti-hero, he's consciously presented as a miserable human being whether he's a criminal, a bum, or a revenge junky. Also a racist, laying down as many n-bombs as you'd expect from a Sicilian gangster in the 70s.

The Asian elements are also starkly out of place, with Mondo clearly ignoring any spiritual advice his sensei tries to provide.

Mondo looks to be written as a one-shot with sequels later, especially as the book ends with Mondo dying on an operating table. He presumably survives for the next two installments.

Paperback from Amazon