Michael Corrente's Brooklyn Rules, set in Brooklyn in 1985 is the powerful story of three friends with different ambitions which threaten to tear them apart.

Michael, the narrator, wants to leave the dangerous streets of Brooklyn behind and uses his charms to make his way onto the pre-law programme at Columbia University. While there he meets the beautiful Ellen who falls for his preppy schoolboy charms and his aspirations to leave the streets behind are nearly fulfilled. Also looking to leave the streets is Bobby who desperately wants the simple life of working at the Post office and settling down with his fiancé. But, when their close friend Carmine, a handsome lady-killer who has gotten involved in the mafia lifestyle, catches the eye of feared mobster Caesar, Michael and Bobby are reluctantly drawn back into the underworld of Brooklyn's streets and they must make some hard decisions. For them, being a loyal friend can mean making the ultimate sacrifice.