-




David | 2/15/2014
" This is the sort of Parker novel that I like best: it focuses fairly narrowly on Parker planning and executing a heist and then dealing with the aftermath. So why didn't I like it more? Why did I actually find it a wee bit tedious? The answer, I think, is that while Starklake ably executes the Parker formula, it feels like a formula this time out. Starklake doesn't play with his own conventions as he sometimes does--he just marches through them. Of course, this wouldn't be my reaction if this were my first encounter with Parker, in which case I would probably think this was a great book. More than anything, this all suggests that I ought to take a break from Parker. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT ALERT: In Backflash, Parker laughs at a joke. "
-




Larry Webber | 12/30/2013
" Parker is back as strong as ever. "
-




Jeff | 12/28/2013
" Solid Parker novel. The Parker series has got to be the most-consistently well-written series in hardboiled crime novel history. "
-




Doug Howgate | 12/12/2013
" Like all Stark novels, incredibly quick pace. Never read any Archer whose novels move as quickly. "
-




Ed | 12/8/2013
" Vintage Stark/Westlake hardboiled caper featuring Parker, the thief who works for his money and leaves no loose ends, ever. "
-




Amanda | 11/7/2013
" Clean crime writing and the upstate New York setting is great. "
-




Korynn | 11/6/2013
" Heist on a floating riverboat casino on the Hudson. Flawless planning and careful elimination of problems as they crop up. Even a bunch of opportunists that show up to heist the heist are dealt with in a methodical fashion. Beautiful. "
-




Mike/ma | 10/16/2013
" I knew of Starks work having enjoyed "Payback" movie. Figured I'd read a few Parker novels to see if the books were enjoyable, and I wasn't disappointed. Interesting main character and support characters, simply written and compelling to keep reading! Heading to the library to get another one! "
-




Dennis Willingham | 10/12/2013
" One of the later Parker novels involving a job to rob a gambling riverboat. Stark's writing improves throughout the series, but I miss the more hard boiled/noirish style of the earlier books. "
-




Tom | 3/26/2013
" Parker takes on someone else's score, and has to deal with an unhappy scammer locked out of the deal. "
-




Matt | 9/17/2012
" Classic Parker - setup, heist, problems and solutions (usually quite unpleasant for the problem person). "
-




Chadwick | 9/20/2011
" Seriously kids, this is the last of the Parker books that I'll read for a while. I think I've covered everything that the library has. And boy, it was killer. "
-




Alex | 8/19/2011
" This one is kind of a back to basics Parker story. Just a regular old heist with some excellent complications. Highly recommended. Can't believe this is number eighteen. Richard Stark (a.k.a. Donald Westlake) is a guy who never seemed to run out of ideas. "
-




Tom | 4/21/2011
" Parker takes on someone else's score, and has to deal with an unhappy scammer locked out of the deal.
"
-




Alex | 4/11/2011
" This one is kind of a back to basics Parker story. Just a regular old heist with some excellent complications. Highly recommended. Can't believe this is number eighteen. Richard Stark (a.k.a. Donald Westlake) is a guy who never seemed to run out of ideas.
"
-




Jeff | 3/8/2011
" Totally out of order. I am.
Finish Slayground before I start Butcher's Moon.
I will.
Promise.
"
-




Korynn | 11/9/2009
" Heist on a floating riverboat casino on the Hudson. Flawless planning and careful elimination of problems as they crop up. Even a bunch of opportunists that show up to heist the heist are dealt with in a methodical fashion. Beautiful.
"
-




Ed | 7/17/2009
" Vintage Stark/Westlake hardboiled caper featuring Parker, the thief who works for his money and leaves no loose ends, ever.
"
-




Doug | 6/14/2008
" Like all Stark novels, incredibly quick pace. Never read any Archer whose novels move as quickly.
"
-




Chadwick | 2/14/2008
" Seriously kids, this is the last of the Parker books that I'll read for a while. I think I've covered everything that the library has. And boy, it was killer.
"
-




Larry | 1/11/2008
" Parker is back as strong as ever.
"
> Hide All