Wiseguys in Love

The Mafia takes comic hits in this cheerful debut romp that wickedly portrays certain elements of modern New York society. Failed law student Michael Bonello didn't intend to work for don Solly Soltano, but, with his options limited, he now finds he has to ``make his bones''--kill his man to prove himself. As he and his already ``made'' cousin Tony provide ``enforcement'' against union leader Giuseppe Geddone, they are asked to help out Tony's aunt, Rosa Morelli. Just a few months short of her retirement, Rosa was fired from her accounting job by her boss, trendy magazine editor Henry Morgan, for questioning his expenses. Now she wants the boys to kill him. They dragoon Morgan's naive secretary, Lisa Johnson, who accidentally shoots Geddone, triggering a chain of events that includes Michael's falling in love with Lisa, Tony's lusting after her and Solly's getting headaches over the whole affair. Criscuolo's evocations of mob social clubs and society-type hangouts are dead-on. An East Hampton society wedding is particularly well-done. (July)