Ray Franze
Ray Franze’s combination of curiosity, knowledge and amazing exposure to stories of the Chicago mob has given him a unique perspective to bring to life his debut novel. The Heights (Blue Handle Publishing, 2023), a work of historical organized crime fiction based story telling.
Ray has spent nearly 30 years trading options at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade after graduating with a BBA from the University of Iowa. He grew up with his two older sisters in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, where his loving parents and grandparents helped instill a strong work ethic, including the mantra “There’s no such word as can’t.”
When Ray chose writing as a creative outlet, he relied on that mantra to finish his debut. And after more than 25 years in the “pits,” he has many more stories to tell.
He lives with his wife of 20 years, Nicole, in the Chicago suburbs, where they raised three daughters.
Books By Ray Franze
The Heights
FALL IN LINE, OR FALL IN A GRAVE
Based on the true story of an Italian immigrant who ruthlessly fought his way into Al Capone's inner circle and expanded organized crime across the American West
It's hard to believe Sal Liparello has survived long enough to enjoy a midday scotch on his California tomato farm.
The sixty-something crime boss from Chicago Heights helped take out Sicilian gangs, advised Al Capone on some of his biggest moves, and rubbed elbows with the Kennedys, Sinatra, and Marilyn Monroe - all while avoiding the likes of Eliot Ness and J. Edgar Hoover.
But as he surveys the fruits of his labor, Sal also remembers the cost of staying above ground and out of prison.
And all those decisions are about to catch up with him.