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jakewritesbooks's review
4.0
Someone asked on Twitter recently that if you could take three traits from a writer for yourself, what would they be? I should have mentioned Donald Westlake’s amazing versatility. Just consider the Grofield series: first a heist tale, then a locked room mystery, now a spy thriller, each better than the last. I enjoyed this one immensely. Westlake knew how to have fun with a story.
neilsarver's review
4.0
I finished the classic era of Parker novels, ending with [b:Butcher's Moon|457227|Butcher's Moon (Parker, #16)|Richard Stark|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1287789184l/457227._SY75_.jpg|3824] a while back and thought I'd read the Grofield books before I picked up with [b:Comeback|619717|Comeback (Parker, #17)|Richard Stark|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392091190l/619717._SY75_.jpg|3846]. I've not read [a:Donald E. Westlake|30953|Donald E. Westlake|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1336863543p2/30953.jpg]'s humorous crime writing's previous to this. I'm not sure if these, being [a:Richard Stark|13634|Richard Stark|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1287877064p2/13634.jpg] books, are put on that shelf generally, but that's definitely the skill set he's working from with these, and it makes sense for the character.
I'm more fascinated that he made them all, so far, tales of international intrigue. I suspect that was something his publisher requested. In the three I've read, starting with [b:The Damsel|447208|The Damsel (Alan Grofield, #1)|Richard Stark|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1253741891l/447208._SX50_.jpg|3829] and [b:The Dame|595821|The Dame (Alan Grofield, #2)|Richard Stark|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1295237698l/595821._SX50_.jpg|6209056], this element is the weakest, although I've enjoyed them all quite a bit. Westlake/Stark seems most aware of that here. As one point, I found myself wondering why he let the opening run on so long in a relatively slim volume before getting to the main plot, and when I was finished, I realized it was because it was much stronger overall. It's fine, mind you, all of it is pretty enjoyable.
I'm more fascinated that he made them all, so far, tales of international intrigue. I suspect that was something his publisher requested. In the three I've read, starting with [b:The Damsel|447208|The Damsel (Alan Grofield, #1)|Richard Stark|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1253741891l/447208._SX50_.jpg|3829] and [b:The Dame|595821|The Dame (Alan Grofield, #2)|Richard Stark|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1295237698l/595821._SX50_.jpg|6209056], this element is the weakest, although I've enjoyed them all quite a bit. Westlake/Stark seems most aware of that here. As one point, I found myself wondering why he let the opening run on so long in a relatively slim volume before getting to the main plot, and when I was finished, I realized it was because it was much stronger overall. It's fine, mind you, all of it is pretty enjoyable.
matt4hire's review
4.0
Finally, a Grofield novel that worked for me, and that's probably because I finally got the formula down. Also, because it ended up focusing more on the how of things than previous books.
grutt1969's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
bundy23's review against another edition
3.0
Grofield plays the role of a completely disinterested Bond but manages to save the world anyway. Definitely near the bottom of the pile of Stark books but entertaining none the less.
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Someone asked on Twitter recently that if you could take three traits from a writer for yourself, what would they be? I should have mentioned Donald Westlake’s amazing versatility. Just consider the Grofield series: first a heist tale, then a locked room mystery, now a spy thriller, each better than the last. I enjoyed this one immensely. Westlake knew how to have fun with a story.
msand3's review
4.0
In Stark's third Grofield novel, the actor-turned-thief has finally evolved into a full-fledged James Bond-type spy -- against his will! -- with the same comic underpinning as detective Nick Charles at his best. I was disappointed with the first Grofield novel, but the second one grew on me, and by this third effort, I'm very much a fan. In fact, I enjoyed The Blackbird better than a couple of the previous Parker novels and am sort of sad that there is only one left in the series, although I know he does pop up in a couple later Parker novels. It was also fun to see the return of Marba, the best supporting character in the Grofield series. I hope he might even make an appearance in the fourth and final novel.
antij's review
5.0
This is much better than the previous two Grofield books. I think the major difference is that this one actually felt like he was being put into danger, while the other felt more like the author was just having fun with him.
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