Alfred Gronevelt is also a character in Fools Die from what I heard. He is an interesting individual, and I was a bit disappointing he only received such a limited amount of pages in The Last Don. So upon hearing the news I was obviously very exited. Does the novel explore his rise to power? I realize that the book deals with many central characters, but how much does the Mafia aspect take up of the novel? Also I realize that Gronevelt's right hand man Pippi De Lena is there, just under a different name.

In Fools Die, Alfred Gronevelt's right hand man is a guy named Cully Cross. It's kinda funny, seeing as in The Last Don, Gronevelt's right hand man was Cross De Lena. But in Fools Die, it does go into detail about Gronevelt's rise to power, where he started, how he got where he is. Also, someone from the infamous Santadio family from The Last Don gets involved with the Xanadu Hotel. The Santadio control 49% of the Xanadu, I believe. But in The Last Don, the Clericuzio wipe out the Santadio, as you well know. But it is pretty cool, how The Last Don is a sorta sequel to Fools Die. If you haven't read Fools Die yet, I suggest you do. It's my second favorite Puzo book, next to The Fortunate Pilgrim.

In Fools Die, Alfred Gronevelt's right hand man is a guy named Cully Cross.

Does the novel go in to this characters background? If it doesn't then its safe to assume he is indeed really Pippi De Lena. I not certain when Pippi De Lena became Gronevelt's right hand man, so maybe this is a different time period all together. But I think The Last Don stated that De Lena was there with him as he rose to power.

The Santadio control 49% of the Xanadu, I
believe

I suppose its safe to assume they were take care off. Or does The Last Don abandon this storyline? Simply ignores this little bit?

If you haven't read Fools Die yet, I suggest you do.

I am going to go to the bookstore tomorrow I didn't see it there the last time, but I strictly went in to find Omerta. Which I did

It's my second favorite Puzo book, next to The Fortunate Pilgrim

You have good taste. It is Mario Puzo's favorite book as well. I believe he spent 11 years writing it. But here in Canada this book is not just rare, it impossible to find.

P.S Any chance you have read Inside Las Vegas? I only found one review, that didn't really shed any light on the novel.

And thank you for your reply