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posies23's review against another edition
4.0
Parker returns after almost two decades, and nothing has really changed. He's still a problem solver, and he's still as tough as the proverbial nail. This time, problems arise for Parker and his cohorts after a robbery at a Christian Crusade. Double-and-triple-crosses ensue, as Parker tries to escape the law, the christian crusaders, and some amateurs that find out about the heist.
There's nothing that stands out too much about this one as compared to the ones done in the 60's and 70's, but it's still a compelling "heist" novel, and Stark/Westlake is a always a joy to read.
It's nice to have Parker (and Stark!) back. It's like being back with an old friend. (Well, an old friend who happens to be a cold-hearted career criminal.)
There's nothing that stands out too much about this one as compared to the ones done in the 60's and 70's, but it's still a compelling "heist" novel, and Stark/Westlake is a always a joy to read.
It's nice to have Parker (and Stark!) back. It's like being back with an old friend. (Well, an old friend who happens to be a cold-hearted career criminal.)
jeansbooks's review
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
4.0
Much better than I expected it was going to be. This is an unfortunate phrase to start a review with, but I didn't have high hopes figuring that the 20 year hiatus would be clearly evident. It wasn't. The heist was fun and had a tongue in cheek feel to it. I liked the lack of character development. It fits the formula and would be off putting if after 17 books, the characters started to evolve; the timlessness of the stories would be negatively affected.
ogreart's review
4.0
It's hard to tell there was a 23 year gap between this book and the prior one in the series. The taut plot is filled with action. It is a hell of a ride.
dantastic's review against another edition
3.0
When George Liss told Parker and Mackey about the job, it sounded too good to be true; four hundred thousand dollars cash, in the hands of a televangelist. Things go south when their inside man spills his guts to a woman and she tells her no good brother. With another gang gunning for the money and George Liss wanting it all, can Parker get the money and get out alive?
Here we are, the first Parker book Richard Stark wrote after 25 Parker-less years. As usual, the caper was well planned. I almost felt sorry for Carmody and Quindero. George Liss made a pretty good foil for Parker, as did Detective Calavecci, who I'm betting will show up again. Mackey and Brenda were okay but mostly bit characters. I'm delighted to say Parker hasn't lost his form and hasn't gone soft. Going up against a guy with two guns armed with only a stubby 2 x 4 and an L bracket in a burning building proved that to me.
So why only three stars? It was good but not fantastic. While Parker didn't lose anything in the 25 years off, I thought the writing was a little more Donald Westlake than it was Richard Stark. It seemed slightly padded and lacked the punch of the earlier books. Don't get me wrong, I still thought it was good and I still enjoyed it. It was just half a step behind the earlier books. I'll definitely be re-reading it along with the others when I run out of Parker books.
Parker fans, you're going to want to read this regardless of what you hear. Just expect it to be slightly less awesome than the earlier books.
Here we are, the first Parker book Richard Stark wrote after 25 Parker-less years. As usual, the caper was well planned. I almost felt sorry for Carmody and Quindero. George Liss made a pretty good foil for Parker, as did Detective Calavecci, who I'm betting will show up again. Mackey and Brenda were okay but mostly bit characters. I'm delighted to say Parker hasn't lost his form and hasn't gone soft. Going up against a guy with two guns armed with only a stubby 2 x 4 and an L bracket in a burning building proved that to me.
So why only three stars? It was good but not fantastic. While Parker didn't lose anything in the 25 years off, I thought the writing was a little more Donald Westlake than it was Richard Stark. It seemed slightly padded and lacked the punch of the earlier books. Don't get me wrong, I still thought it was good and I still enjoyed it. It was just half a step behind the earlier books. I'll definitely be re-reading it along with the others when I run out of Parker books.
Parker fans, you're going to want to read this regardless of what you hear. Just expect it to be slightly less awesome than the earlier books.
remlezar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Crazy how after such a long break Westlake can just pop Parker back out of retirement and make it seem like the series hadn't stopped for over 20 years.
Comeback is solid mid-tier Parker. Back to the formula of something short, punchy, and mean, with maybe a little more humor than some of the older ones.
Comeback is solid mid-tier Parker. Back to the formula of something short, punchy, and mean, with maybe a little more humor than some of the older ones.
bryce_is_a_librarian's review against another edition
5.0
Parker's back and he didn't miss a step. Among the best of the series, propulsive and mean.
matt4hire's review
4.0
Another great Parker book, rife with twists, turns, and tension. The Mackeys come back, and everything goes to hell like it always does. Though I wouldn't have it any other way.
bundy23's review against another edition
4.0
23 years between Parker books and Mr Westlake didn’t skip a beat. Classic Parker.