A crop from the front page of Orlando Sentinel on April 21, 1955. Credit: newspapers.com
In his new book, “The Everlasting Life of Charlie Wall.” author Paul Wilborn lets his imagination run wild as he builds a world where one of Tampa’s most famous gangsters wasn’t killed in 1955, instead falling into depression before being built back up by an underling.
The truth is that Wall was actually murdered in brutal fashion (think baseball bats, jugulation); that side is pretty well-covered in Scott Deitche’s 2004 novel “Cigar City Mafia,” which is a must-have on the bookshelf for any self-respecting Tampeño.
Both authors will be onstage for this after-dinner discussion of Wall, where the Centro Asturiano de Tampa will serve Cuban pot roast (boliche!) and baked ziti from Tony’s Ybor.
The district’s new bookseller, Bookends, will be there with inventory so you can get an autograph. Tickets for folks who would rather cook at home are also available.
Tickets to Charlie Wall’s Tampa—An Evening with Paul Wilborn & Scott Deitche happening Friday, Aug. 14 are still available and start at $12.51.
Details on the event and others happening over the next seven days are available at Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s weekly roundup of the best things to do.
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Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief…
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