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posies23's review against another edition
5.0
Another in the long-running PARKER series about a tough career criminal and his attempts to keep from getting caught, or worse. This is actually a very atypical novel in the series, mostly due to the fact that Parker just can't seem to catch a break. I don't want to give away too much of the plot, but Parker spends most of the book trying to get back some money he feels is owed him, which leads to more problems down the road.
I really liked the atypical interplay between Parker and the real-estate agent, and the way their relationship develops. Parker is still tough, but his reliance on her in sections of the book shows a tiny bit of vulnerability that Parker hasn't show in the previous novels. He also has some nice bits in here regarding Claire that show he might, possibly, be more than just the cold killer we've seen before.
Which isn't to say Parker is a cuddly teddy bear. As usual, there is mayhem galore, and lots of that patented Richard Stark action. Also atypically, there are some plot lines don't get wrapped up, causing me to think there will be some payoff in the later books.
Highly recommended.
I really liked the atypical interplay between Parker and the real-estate agent, and the way their relationship develops. Parker is still tough, but his reliance on her in sections of the book shows a tiny bit of vulnerability that Parker hasn't show in the previous novels. He also has some nice bits in here regarding Claire that show he might, possibly, be more than just the cold killer we've seen before.
Which isn't to say Parker is a cuddly teddy bear. As usual, there is mayhem galore, and lots of that patented Richard Stark action. Also atypically, there are some plot lines don't get wrapped up, causing me to think there will be some payoff in the later books.
Highly recommended.
jeansbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
duparker's review
3.0
Read this out of order, because I saw the movie again and wanted to see how close it was. Not too bad, as far as closeness. I actually liked the movie's added twists and plot much better.
dantastic's review against another edition
3.0
This is the book the upcoming Parker movie starring Jason Statham is based on.
Parker helps a crew on a bank job and then they take off with his money. Parker goes after them like a bloodhound, gathering money and planning to take their next heist out from under them. Only the man who furnished Parker with a new identity is gunned down and the killer is coming for Parker! Can Parker get his money and avoid getting dead?
Flashfire is one of the non-standard Parker books. Parker is out to steal back his money from the guys who stiffed him in the first place. It feels a little like The Hunter in that regard. Parker certainly goes through the wringer in this one. Flashfire definitely showcases Parker's toughness and tenacity.
I liked Parker's relationship with Leslie Mackenzie and I really liked the interplay between Parker and the sheriff. As always, the fun came with watching Parker deal with the complications.
Any gripes? Just the same ones I have with all of the post-Butcher's Moon Parker books so far. For what it was, it was at least seventy pages too long. There was a lot of extraneous crap and it felt more like a Westlake book than a Richard Stark. The reason people were on Parker's trail also seemed a little weak.
While it's not my favorite Parker, it's still a worthy part of the Parker canon. An easy three stars.
Parker helps a crew on a bank job and then they take off with his money. Parker goes after them like a bloodhound, gathering money and planning to take their next heist out from under them. Only the man who furnished Parker with a new identity is gunned down and the killer is coming for Parker! Can Parker get his money and avoid getting dead?
Flashfire is one of the non-standard Parker books. Parker is out to steal back his money from the guys who stiffed him in the first place. It feels a little like The Hunter in that regard. Parker certainly goes through the wringer in this one. Flashfire definitely showcases Parker's toughness and tenacity.
I liked Parker's relationship with Leslie Mackenzie and I really liked the interplay between Parker and the sheriff. As always, the fun came with watching Parker deal with the complications.
Any gripes? Just the same ones I have with all of the post-Butcher's Moon Parker books so far. For what it was, it was at least seventy pages too long. There was a lot of extraneous crap and it felt more like a Westlake book than a Richard Stark. The reason people were on Parker's trail also seemed a little weak.
While it's not my favorite Parker, it's still a worthy part of the Parker canon. An easy three stars.
matt4hire's review
3.0
Probably one of the lesser Parker books. It's definitely still fun, but, unlike previous books in the series, there's nothing in the setting or the circumstances that really grabs me, not a problem in earlier Parker books. Still a great read, though.
bundy23's review against another edition
4.0
Parker over-reacts a little here and a bunch of people die because of it. 3.5 stars.
cmcrockford's review against another edition
5.0
The best Parker novel I've read so far with six or seven parallel plotlines burnt through with ruthless efficiency and unexpected turns. Great, witty prose and a dark commentary on a character built on a rule of pure ownage.
jeremyhornik's review against another edition
4.0
This one was almost perfect escapism, except it was written around 2000, set in Palm Beach, and mentions Donald Trump and Mar a Lago. I mark it down two full stars for that. It’s a negative reference, so it gets one star back, but it could’ve been five star Parker.
ed_kay's review against another edition
4.0
Looking for a substitute for Reacher now I've nearly finished that series, I heard good things about this character Parker. He's a bit harder, a bit meaner, and a lot more taciturn, so steps in neatly to fill the hole left wanting revenge fantasies pursued by utterly assured and realistic but invincible protagonists.