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A review by remlezar
Deadly Edge by Richard Stark
4.0
Reading Stark is like taking a master class in tight, economic, vivid writing, all within the framework of trashy crime pop fiction. He was a great writer working in a "low-brow" genre, which sounds like an insult but really isn't. Fun, light, easy reading has its place. David Foster Wallace, for example, included the work of Thomas Harris, Stephen King, and Tom Clancy on his list of top ten books. If Wallace, author of Infinite Jest - a 1,000+ page tome famously complete with extensive end notes - let himself enjoy some trashy fun reading, you should too. And you shouldn't feel bad about it.
Besides, Shakespeare was also a great writer working in a genre that was considered "low-brow" at the time.
Anyway.
My favorite Parker novels tend to be the ones that break the formula a little bit, and this one does. The heist takes place in the beginning of the book, and the remaining 2/3rds deals with the fallout, which includes stakes for Parker that run deeper than usual. As usual, Stark delivers with clever writing, a good story, and a nice payoff.
If you're into noir/crime/pulp and you want some experience with one of the best writers ever to work the genre, check out the Parker series.
Besides, Shakespeare was also a great writer working in a genre that was considered "low-brow" at the time.
Anyway.
My favorite Parker novels tend to be the ones that break the formula a little bit, and this one does. The heist takes place in the beginning of the book, and the remaining 2/3rds deals with the fallout, which includes stakes for Parker that run deeper than usual. As usual, Stark delivers with clever writing, a good story, and a nice payoff.
If you're into noir/crime/pulp and you want some experience with one of the best writers ever to work the genre, check out the Parker series.