matt4hire's review against another edition
5.0
Another great Parker book, but one that definitely shies from the formula. This time, there's no money at stake, just the identities of a few murderers. And that makes it so much more compelling.
mschlat's review against another edition
4.0
This was good, but not great, Parker. The book isn't about a score, but rather about Parker investigating why a colleague of his has died (with some very important ramifications for Parker). I liked the portrayal of a greedy and overreaching local sheriff, and the violence you expect from a Stark novel is there, but the stakes didn't feel as high as I prefer.
jimmypat's review against another edition
3.0
Another solid Parker novel with the same four act structure, but without the typical heist. This time Parker goes to help an old friend (while really helping himself) and gets embroiled in something more personal than usual. While Parker seems to have mellowed, the scene in the basement with the hole in the ground let’s you know that Parker is still the bad man that we like to read about.
brentolie's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't found myself rooting for someone to be killed as much as someone in this book for quite a while.
heather_g's review
4.0
Love these short fun stories. Also it’s always interesting what shocking things Richard stark does. Those gangsters are wild
shane_marble's review
4.0
Parker novels are the best, this one is kind of sleight but still fun. Recently I watched some shitty movies that had me thinking about how iritating it is when a story is built on a 'plot twist' that is only surprising because there is no way human beings could act that way. This comes by its twists honestly, i.e., the twists are always that the most obvious possible thing has happened, and still you are surprised. Well, I was.
ryno23's review
5.0
Richard Stark threw us a little curveball with this book -- it isn't about a heist. It's about keeping Parker's (bad) name (and his fake name) in good standing.
Joe Sheer was a jugger, the name for a safecracker, which Joe was in his early days. As of late, he kept the income rolling in by being the connection between others who need help in a heist.
Parker received two letters from Joe, not calling Parker by his fake name, telling Parker he's in trouble. He hurries from Miami to Nebraska, but too late -- Joe had died. By suicide? Parker had to deal with three amateurs -- a town cop, a nutty crook, and the boy next door -- to not only find out what really happened to Joe, but to try and save his life. Or lives, actually. And all his money. And all the companies he has as tax breaks. A great tale!
Joe Sheer was a jugger, the name for a safecracker, which Joe was in his early days. As of late, he kept the income rolling in by being the connection between others who need help in a heist.
Parker received two letters from Joe, not calling Parker by his fake name, telling Parker he's in trouble. He hurries from Miami to Nebraska, but too late -- Joe had died. By suicide? Parker had to deal with three amateurs -- a town cop, a nutty crook, and the boy next door -- to not only find out what really happened to Joe, but to try and save his life. Or lives, actually. And all his money. And all the companies he has as tax breaks. A great tale!
vailynst's review against another edition
3.0
Notes:
Currently on Audible Plus
I liked the first half more than the conclusion. It's cool to see the way Stark can draw out a scene with just a few sentences and then go off on a rambling flashback. lol Contrast. =P
Currently on Audible Plus
I liked the first half more than the conclusion. It's cool to see the way Stark can draw out a scene with just a few sentences and then go off on a rambling flashback. lol Contrast. =P
colonel2sheds's review against another edition
5.0
A bit of a different type of story for this Parker novel. Much more of a mystery than the previous entries in the series. It's amazing that Stark can write such a great cold, heartless character and still have you love him the whole time.