"It's essentially a mystery tale, a piece of investigative journalism that unravels what happened to Davis' estate, and in the process reveals more about the man that we knew. Birkbeck spoke to people that have never spoken before — and the portrait of Sammy that emerges is difficult, demanding, and ultimately tragic." National Public Radio (NPR)
"Deconstructing Sammy” was written by an investigative journalist, and it shows: Birkbeck has killer leads, gripping kickers and sensational descriptions. This cinematic book reads more like a detective story than a traditional 'life of.'" Ada Calhoun, The New York Times
"Matt Birkbeck in 'Deconstructing Sammy' has done a tremendous amount of reporting into the life of Sammy, but the book is more than a newspaper story. It’s a melancholy dirge: Horatio Alger in his stirring rise, but also in the reckless appetite that hurries his fall." Rich Cohen, Los Angeles Times
Instagram interview with Anthony Johnson (The Movie Brutha)
THE QUIET DON
"A stunning work of investigative journalism that is memorable and alive and unveils the incredible life and legacy of one of the mob's most important power brokers. The Quiet Don is a Triumph!" Nicholas Pileggi, author of Wiseguy and co-writer of Goodfellas and Casino
"Even as he awaits trial, accused murderer Robert Durst can't seem to stay out of the headlines. The subject of the HBO documentary The Jinx and the Lifetime movie based on this book, The Lost Wife of Robert Durst, his story is as captivating as it is horrifying."