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posies23's review
4.0
This episode in the long-running PARKER series of books took me awhile to get into. I actually started it twice and then read something else until I finally came back to it and finished it this time. Parker is up to his usual activities here, planning heists and making sure he lives to steal another day. It's an interesting premise: Parker is asked to steal all the money from a casino on a riverboat. It has some interesting characters and action. It's nowhere near my favorite of the Parker books (which is probably BUTCHER'S MOON), but it's a solid entry in a remarkable series. I'll definitely keep reading them.
remlezar's review
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Very solid middle upper tier Parker. Loved the setting, the caper, and the cast of characters. Not an all-timer, but if the modern run of Parker stays this good until the end, I'll have zero complaints.
Not looking forward to running out of these books.
Not looking forward to running out of these books.
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
Other than the references to modern cars, the overall tone and flow of this book was similar to ones in the past, a heist with not too much depth to it, just some puzzle pieces that need to be put into place to make the heist work, and then the fall out when not all the pieces flow together. I liked this story as much as the general Parker novel, and in some ways I am finishing the series to be done with it, but at the same time I am enjoying the simplicity of the books.
ogreart's review against another edition
4.0
I just can't get over how these stories twist and turn and always fit together so perfectly in the end. They always make sense and always keep me interested all the way through.
jimbose's review against another edition
3.0
Un battello sul fiume Hudson ospita un casinò. È una montagna di dollari galleggiante. Si deve solo trovare il modo di accedere alla camera blindata.
In USA storie come questa le hanno inserite in un sottogenere della crime fiction: le chiamano caper story, dove caper può stare per cappero ma anche per capriola, scherzo, gioco. In italiano non abbiamo un termine equivalente (d'altra parte per noi esiste solo la Grande Letteratura, tutto il resto è spazzatura indifferenziata), sono dei gialli in cui i "cattivi" sono i protagonisti, avvengono cose piuttosto improbabili e le indagini della polizia sono irrilevanti.
La serie dedicata a Parker, di cui questo è il 18° episodio, è senz'ombra di dubbio uno tra i più validi esempi di questo divertente genere. Ci si trova a fare il tifo per i delinquenti e si spera che le forze dell'ordine facciano fiasco. La scrittura lineare e diretta di Stark è piacevole, momenti di stanca o di approfondimento psicologico sono del tutto assenti (a meno di considerare approfondimento Parker che pensa - "Ma questo tizio me la racconta giusta?"). In ogni pagina succede qualcosa, non c'è tempo per annoiarsi.
Indice Jimbose: 69%
In USA storie come questa le hanno inserite in un sottogenere della crime fiction: le chiamano caper story, dove caper può stare per cappero ma anche per capriola, scherzo, gioco. In italiano non abbiamo un termine equivalente (d'altra parte per noi esiste solo la Grande Letteratura, tutto il resto è spazzatura indifferenziata), sono dei gialli in cui i "cattivi" sono i protagonisti, avvengono cose piuttosto improbabili e le indagini della polizia sono irrilevanti.
La serie dedicata a Parker, di cui questo è il 18° episodio, è senz'ombra di dubbio uno tra i più validi esempi di questo divertente genere. Ci si trova a fare il tifo per i delinquenti e si spera che le forze dell'ordine facciano fiasco. La scrittura lineare e diretta di Stark è piacevole, momenti di stanca o di approfondimento psicologico sono del tutto assenti (a meno di considerare approfondimento Parker che pensa - "Ma questo tizio me la racconta giusta?"). In ogni pagina succede qualcosa, non c'è tempo per annoiarsi.
Indice Jimbose: 69%
dantastic's review against another edition
3.0
When a retired bureaucrat told Parker about the job, it sounded like a good score; rob a riverboat casino and take nearly half a million dollars, cash. Only other people know what's going down and want the money for themselves. And what's in it for the bureaucrat anyway? Will Parker finish the job with his money and his life intact?
Parker's back and still up to the same old tricks. I wonder how much money he's stolen and spent over the years. As always, the plan is both believable and well-executed. Dan Wicza, Noelle, Mike Carlow and Lou Sternberg all return to give Parker a hand. Cathman, the guy who tipped Parker to the job, is an odd bird and I was glad he got what was coming to him. I really liked the way Parker came up with to get the money off the boat.
But Dan, you ask. You've only given this a 3? What gives? I'll tell you, Arnold. My problem with Backflash was the same as my problem with Comeback. It read a lot more like a Donald Westlake novel than a Richard Stark. Some of the economy of the prose was gone. It felt a little watered down, like I was drinking a MGD 64 instead of a Miller Genuine Draft. I know I shouldn't expect Westlake to be the same writer he was at the time of the original Parker run but it's definitely noticeable.
Other than that, I don't have any complaints. It was a solid caper and a worthwhile entry in the Parker series.
Parker's back and still up to the same old tricks. I wonder how much money he's stolen and spent over the years. As always, the plan is both believable and well-executed. Dan Wicza, Noelle, Mike Carlow and Lou Sternberg all return to give Parker a hand. Cathman, the guy who tipped Parker to the job, is an odd bird and I was glad he got what was coming to him. I really liked the way Parker came up with to get the money off the boat.
Spoiler
The bit with Parker and Ray at the end was by far the most intense part of the book. Parker was poised like a serpent, ready to strike. You knew it wasn't going to be pretty when he did and it wasn't.But Dan, you ask. You've only given this a 3? What gives? I'll tell you, Arnold. My problem with Backflash was the same as my problem with Comeback. It read a lot more like a Donald Westlake novel than a Richard Stark. Some of the economy of the prose was gone. It felt a little watered down, like I was drinking a MGD 64 instead of a Miller Genuine Draft. I know I shouldn't expect Westlake to be the same writer he was at the time of the original Parker run but it's definitely noticeable.
Other than that, I don't have any complaints. It was a solid caper and a worthwhile entry in the Parker series.
matt4hire's review against another edition
4.0
Another fun Parker novel. It's a great time, reading about the various mechanics of the riverboat heist that occurs, trying to keep up with all the moving parts. It's an even better time reading about Parker dealing with the various loose ends right after. And hey, it's got one of my favorites of Parker's compatriots, Dan Wycza.
zorc_'s review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75