andrew_russell's review against another edition
4.0
I was toying with the idea of giving this five stars and including it my top books shelf. There are reasons why I didn't but first I'll cover off the positives, of which there are many. The book takes you on a rollercoaster ride, really fleshing out the characters, particularly Joey. It's pacey, gripping and takes you on the crest of an exciting wave, right to the last page. The ending is poignant and there is without doubt a moral question, which is left unanswered in the mind of the reader at the finish. This makes the story thought provoking and worthy of some discussion. So why is it not included in my top books category? Well, the only reason for that decision is what I call re-readability; I would be unlikely to go back to this book again because its story is in straightforward terms too simple. Guy steals money, guy goes through emotional turmoil, guy gets caught. It deserves 4 stars on the basis of Bowdens mastery in telling the story but fails to quite achieve the hallowed top book status, due to the thinness of plot.
mpetruce's review against another edition
4.0
Bowden is known for Blackhawk Down, of course. But this little book is a quick read and amazingly entertaining reconstruction of what became a complicated crime.
reenum's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Minor: Suicide
cootarooski's review against another edition
4.0
Great story. Written by a newspaper reporter, therefore told in the style of a news story. Definitely not a lyrical novel but a very interesting, sad, and at times sweetly humorous narrative.
harvio's review against another edition
4.0
- the interesting true story of 26 year old Joey Coyle, addicted to speed and living with his ailing mother, who actually finds 1.2 million dollars just lying on the street
madiswanreads's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide and Suicide attempt
samchase112's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
3.25
Bowden presents a fascinating portrait of a drug addict who happens upon $1.2 million - finders keepers! Joey's story is a crazy and interesting one, including the highest highs and lowest lows. The trial definitely drags the story, even if it is interesting, but the majority of this book is a fast-paced and compelling - if dry - book for anyone interested in true crime and the portrait of an (accidental?) criminal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Drug abuse, and Addiction
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Suicide, and Self harm
Minor: Grief and Sexual content
moreadsbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Bowden is usually a perfectly capable writer who can make most stories interesting. This book gets 2 stars not because of him necessarily, but just because of the tale. I wanted to slap the main character from the first page. There's so little to the story, just, "He shot up some meth. Found money. More meth. Run away, more meth, get caught, the end." I read rather fast, but this book was such a blip, I literally read the entire thing in about 45 minutes. Not at all worth it.
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