tbjork's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chrismello's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
kecb12's review against another edition
4.0
I read this to prepare for the new Justified/Raylan Givens show coming out later this year. I’m so glad I have the backstory! The main character of this novel is not Raylan, but there are certainly Raylan overtones, and I can’t wait to see which scenes from the novel appear in the show. Elmore Leonard doesn’t really need a lot of embellishment or extra—he’s such a deliberate writer, with each word and sentence and phrase building toward something that comes later. This novel is no different. Great characters, believable dialogue, interesting questions about the line between good and evil. Definitely worth a read!
pkavanagh's review against another edition
4.0
Great detective thriller set in Detroit that really felt like an old Western movie. Tense game of cat-and-mouse with an exciting final showdown felt like it was pulled straight from a Clint Eastwood shootout.
tscott907's review against another edition
3.5
Exciting with interesting characters, but something in the writing felt lacking in comparison to Leonard’s other works that I’ve read. I’m assuming that this is basically what the Justified spin-off is based on, and interested to see how that turns out!
oneesk's review
3.0
I always enjoy a good Elmore Leonard. This one features a Detroit detective who is trying to put away a gun thug who shot an impopular judge. It ended in a Raylan-esque shoot-out. Good stuff.
antkneeomonster's review
4.0
Absolutely rock solid older Elmore Leonard. Not one of his quirkier ones, with zappy back and forth dialogue, but a much straighter, grimmer tale of a cop and a crim and the inevitable showdown between the two.
Still, superb dialogue, sparse descriptions, knowing character stuff - all the Leonard gear you know and love. Total old fashioned crime page turner.
Still, superb dialogue, sparse descriptions, knowing character stuff - all the Leonard gear you know and love. Total old fashioned crime page turner.
ariel_isais's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5