Synopsis: An iron worker interfers with an extortion/robbery and thus draws the attention of a mafia hitman and his moron accomplice.
This book is something of a departure from the other Leonard books I've read. The others were almost entirely about a single crime and it's fallout. This one follows more of a thriller-type formula. It was an exciting read. The moronic villain--whose name escapes me now--added quite a bit because there was no telling what he would do next.
And this the only Leonard book I've read where the hero is not a US Marshal. There is a Marshal, but he's more a villain than any other Marshal I've seen in a Leonard book.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Book Review: Up in Honey's Room by Elmore Leonard
Synopsis: Carl Webster returns. This time he is trying to track down an escaped German POW during WWII and getting involved with an underground cell of German spies in the process.
I think this is my least favorite of Leonard's books I've read. As I am writing this over a month after reading it, I can't actually think of many plot points. What I do remember is that it climaxes with Carl sitting by (naked, mind you) while the problem solves itself.
That was kinda disappointing.
I think this is my least favorite of Leonard's books I've read. As I am writing this over a month after reading it, I can't actually think of many plot points. What I do remember is that it climaxes with Carl sitting by (naked, mind you) while the problem solves itself.
That was kinda disappointing.
Updates
Okay. I have some catching up to do now. Between internet outages and general busyness, I haven't been here in a while. So here goes updating the books on which I've missed a review.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Book Review: When the Women Come Out to Dance by Elmore Leonard
Synopsis: This is a collection of short stories.
Many of these stories involve previous stories by Leonard. In fact, I can say for certain the story from Tishomingo Blues is an off screen scene we have described in the book. I have to admit, the concept is brilliant: compile deleted and character sketch scenes and sell them in a collection. It's more money for not much more work.
The story that sticks with me most is Tenkiller, wherein Ben Webster--grandson of Carl Webster from The Hot Kid and Up in Honey's Room, returns to Oklahoma and discovers squatters have taken over his ancestral land.
The other one that really leaves a mark on me is Fire in the Hole, which follows the takedown of a white supremacist. The pure racism just sent shivers. It's something I don't really get. Maybe it's because deep down I'm a good guy. Maybe because I'm a mongrel. Whatever it is, racism really gets to me.
Many of these stories involve previous stories by Leonard. In fact, I can say for certain the story from Tishomingo Blues is an off screen scene we have described in the book. I have to admit, the concept is brilliant: compile deleted and character sketch scenes and sell them in a collection. It's more money for not much more work.
The story that sticks with me most is Tenkiller, wherein Ben Webster--grandson of Carl Webster from The Hot Kid and Up in Honey's Room, returns to Oklahoma and discovers squatters have taken over his ancestral land.
The other one that really leaves a mark on me is Fire in the Hole, which follows the takedown of a white supremacist. The pure racism just sent shivers. It's something I don't really get. Maybe it's because deep down I'm a good guy. Maybe because I'm a mongrel. Whatever it is, racism really gets to me.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Book Review: The Hot Kid by Elmore Leonard
Synopsis: Carl Webster, a young US Marshal works to capture various bad guys in the thirties while building his myth.
This one took me a while to really get into. There are a series of flashbacks and flash-sideways to establish the characters. I wasn't paying enough attention to completely figure out what it was all about. Later on I realized it was to establish Carl and Jack Belmont, the antagonist. Perhaps if I'd been paying more attention, my favorite part of the book wouldn't have been so cool. About half or three-quarters of the way through, I realized that Carl and Jack have almost identical backgrounds. And they are equally hesitant to shoot.
Once I got into the story, once I knew what was going on, It was an enjoyable story. Something along the lines of The Untouchables. As I've spoken of minor character traits in previous Leonard books, I'll add one here. There's a point where Carl is facing down some pretty tough people while someone is cooking in another room. He stops in the middle of a dour statement to say, "That smells good." As I've said before, that makes him so much more human than rescuing any number of kittens.
Oh, another Elmore Leonard trait: denouement? What denouement? This is the second Elmore Leonard book I've read that ends immediately after the climax. Done right, that's not a bad thing. And Leonard does it right.
This one took me a while to really get into. There are a series of flashbacks and flash-sideways to establish the characters. I wasn't paying enough attention to completely figure out what it was all about. Later on I realized it was to establish Carl and Jack Belmont, the antagonist. Perhaps if I'd been paying more attention, my favorite part of the book wouldn't have been so cool. About half or three-quarters of the way through, I realized that Carl and Jack have almost identical backgrounds. And they are equally hesitant to shoot.
Once I got into the story, once I knew what was going on, It was an enjoyable story. Something along the lines of The Untouchables. As I've spoken of minor character traits in previous Leonard books, I'll add one here. There's a point where Carl is facing down some pretty tough people while someone is cooking in another room. He stops in the middle of a dour statement to say, "That smells good." As I've said before, that makes him so much more human than rescuing any number of kittens.
Oh, another Elmore Leonard trait: denouement? What denouement? This is the second Elmore Leonard book I've read that ends immediately after the climax. Done right, that's not a bad thing. And Leonard does it right.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Book Review: Tishomingo Blues by Elmore Leonard
Synopsis: After daredevil high-diver Dennis Lenahan witnesses a murder by the Dixie Mafia, he is threatened into silence. Then he meets a slick con man from Detroit and gets drawn into his plots to usurp the Dixie Mafia's turf. The whole of the climax takes place during a Civil War reenactment.
Okay, this being my second Elmore Leonard book (and I'm working on my third), I'm starting to understand his style. His protagonists are super-slick cool guys who typify who a man wishes he were. Throw in so quirky characters (good, bad, and neutral). Then add some great dialogue and interesting locations, and you've got something.
This one's a little slow at the beginning. It's entertaining, getting to know his characters (mostly people I'm glad I don't live next to, but despite a murder and various other crimes going back and forth, not much really sparkles plot-wise until we're moving into the reenactment.
But once we're in uniform, wow. It's just fun. I think it's the details Leonard includes with the die-hard reenactors (such as the CIB cop who is hesitant to arrest the bad guys until after the reenactment, and who dresses down the protagonist for not having his rifle on him at all times). Another thing that's pretty cool is that we spend some good time coming up with plans, and they completely fall apart in a way I don't think I've ever really seen before (let's face it, climax plans always fall apart. It's neat to see it happen somewhat originally).
Okay, this being my second Elmore Leonard book (and I'm working on my third), I'm starting to understand his style. His protagonists are super-slick cool guys who typify who a man wishes he were. Throw in so quirky characters (good, bad, and neutral). Then add some great dialogue and interesting locations, and you've got something.
This one's a little slow at the beginning. It's entertaining, getting to know his characters (mostly people I'm glad I don't live next to, but despite a murder and various other crimes going back and forth, not much really sparkles plot-wise until we're moving into the reenactment.
But once we're in uniform, wow. It's just fun. I think it's the details Leonard includes with the die-hard reenactors (such as the CIB cop who is hesitant to arrest the bad guys until after the reenactment, and who dresses down the protagonist for not having his rifle on him at all times). Another thing that's pretty cool is that we spend some good time coming up with plans, and they completely fall apart in a way I don't think I've ever really seen before (let's face it, climax plans always fall apart. It's neat to see it happen somewhat originally).
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Book Review: Split Images by Elmore Leonard
Synopsis: Lieutenant Bryan Hurd tries to pin a murder on an eccentric millionaire, who secretly likes to hunt people for sport.
This is my first Elmore Leonard book, and I liked it. The characters are all so well drawn and distinct. Even those characters who are basically stereotypes are so in a way that was fun and interesting to me.
It took a while for the plot to get moving. The first part I was a little bewildered trying to understand what the story was going to be. Then it got started, and the characters took over for me.
The plot became really strong near the end. Elmore added some strong twists and reversals that pumped up my suspense.
Based on this book, I would guess that the strength that makes Leonard one of the big names in his genre is that he has a knack for characters. He just made them come to life and made me care about them. For example: I think my connection to Lt. Hurd locked into place when he asked his lover to get the phone because he wasn't wearing any pants. It's a minor thing, but a quirk about answering the phone while naked makes him so much more real to me than if Leonard had made a point to say he gives sneakers to ghetto kids on Saturdays. It's that kind of care that people's Leonard's books with real, believable characters.
This is my first Elmore Leonard book, and I liked it. The characters are all so well drawn and distinct. Even those characters who are basically stereotypes are so in a way that was fun and interesting to me.
It took a while for the plot to get moving. The first part I was a little bewildered trying to understand what the story was going to be. Then it got started, and the characters took over for me.
The plot became really strong near the end. Elmore added some strong twists and reversals that pumped up my suspense.
Based on this book, I would guess that the strength that makes Leonard one of the big names in his genre is that he has a knack for characters. He just made them come to life and made me care about them. For example: I think my connection to Lt. Hurd locked into place when he asked his lover to get the phone because he wasn't wearing any pants. It's a minor thing, but a quirk about answering the phone while naked makes him so much more real to me than if Leonard had made a point to say he gives sneakers to ghetto kids on Saturdays. It's that kind of care that people's Leonard's books with real, believable characters.
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