The Godfather Returns

By Mark Winegardner

Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

The Godfather Returns is a 2004 novel by Mark Winegardner, authorized by the estate of Mario Puzo as a continuation of The Godfather. It fills in the years between 1955 and 1962, the gap between the first two Godfather films. Michael Corleone tries to steer the family toward legitimacy while his brother-in-law and new rivals pull him back into violence. Winegardner also gives Tom Hagen, Fredo, and the novelist Johnny Fontane their own threads, expanding Puzo's world.

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• Stephen King: “Reviews in the mainstream press were mixed, but I believe the late Mario Puzo would have loved this full-blooded continuation of the Corleone saga…if only for the spectacular death of Pete Clemenza. I mean, holy hot stove, Batman.”