Joe De Falco joins the Marines upon high school graduation. He knows the military will provide income for otherwise unattainable higher education. He enlists for two years and lands an easy desk job. He bides his time and keeps out of trouble. De Falco congratulates himself for funding college through the G.I. bill and part time summer jobs. His ordinary life takes a twist when a coworker hopes De Falco’s Italian-American connections can solve a shady, personal business matter. De Falco turns to his Uncle Sal for advice. The underhanded transaction ignites Uncle Sal’s imagination. Uncle Sal spins the deal for their benefit, and De Falco gains a great deal of cash. Despite the rewards, these illegal offshoots are sandwiched into a straight and narrow life. When De Falco applies to become Secret Service agent, will they uncover his secret transactions? Or worse, will he find himself prosecuted for criminal acts?

Maddaloni shares a semi-autobiographical story based on his experience in the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Secret Service. The story gets bogged down at times with too many secondary names and more tell than show. I did enjoy reading about the secret life of an agent, covert operations, and Presidential detail. Maddaloni shows great conflict in the fatherless main character who reaches for goals based on his uncles’ opposing beliefs. Readers will enjoy the insider look at trustworthy institutions that are Not on the Level.