Rejected by the CIA, an ex-commando fresh from the jungles of Vietnam attempts to retire to a jungle island but is lured back into action with an offer of unfathomable profit and unlimited danger.
Do nothing. That's what Paul Kavanagh wants to do—absolutely nothing. Ten years of jungle combat have left him numb to mankind, and the only way he seems to keep from hurting people is to stay as far away as he can. He flees to an isolated patch of Caribbean sand, a paradise built for one. But paradise has a way of being found.
An old CIA contact appears with a proposition. Four trucks of nuclear weapons have disappeared on their way to a covert campaign in a Cold War hotspot, and he is the only one who knows that they are not in South America—but in South Dakota. Steal them without blowing the American heartland to hell and Paul can retire in style. It's the opposite of doing nothing. But it sounds like a lot more fun.
First he gets a partner, George Dattner, who has the cold eyes of a trained killer. Each of these men alone is dangerous. But anyone who tries to stop them together is guaranteed not to come out of it alive.
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"Great Lawrence Block book. It reminded me slightly of Killing Castro in the writing style, definitely not typical block, but a great read. "
— Benjamin (5 out of 5 stars)
“Will sock you right between the eyes.”
— Publishers Weekly“Subtitled A Novel of Violence, this travels like a dose of salts and stings like iodine.”
— Kirkus Reviews" Good read, and yes men like these are dangerous. "
— Anita, 12/2/2013" I've read this book a few times, and enjoy it each time. "
— Jamie, 7/31/2013" Writing style is more clipped, and not as amusing as his other novels. Still like Tanner best. "
— Martha, 5/6/2013" An early Block book and a good little thriller, or maybe a cheap thrills thriller since it is purged quickly from memory. Fun to read, but not important. "
— Mike, 4/14/2013" I like the amoral leanings of the lead character that in the end lead him to his own set of morals. "
— Christine, 12/10/2012" Great style, good plot, interesting book... "
— Rendier, 7/2/2012" Great book by one of the greats. Interesting and engaging story. "
— Andy, 3/23/2012" Great Lawrence Block book. It reminded me slightly of Killing Castro in the writing style, definitely not typical block, but a great read. "
— Benjamin, 3/13/2012" An early Block book and a good little thriller, or maybe a cheap thrills thriller since it is purged quickly from memory. Fun to read, but not important. "
— Mike, 10/2/2011" Writing style is more clipped, and not as amusing as his other novels. Still like Tanner best. "
— Martha, 1/25/2010" I like the amoral leanings of the lead character that in the end lead him to his own set of morals. "
— Christine, 9/24/2008Lawrence Block is the recipient of a Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America and a New York Times bestselling author. His prolific career spans over one hundred books, including four bestselling series and dozens of short stories and articles. He has won multiple Edgar, and Shamus awards, two Falcon Awards from the Maltese Falcon Society of Japan, the Nero and Philip Marlowe Awards, the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers Association of America, and many others. Aside from being a mystery writer, he has also written a number of episodes for television, including two episodes of the ESPN series Tilt; he also cowrote the screenplay for the film My Blueberry Nights, starring Norah Jones. Block currently lives in New York City with his wife, Lynne.
Fred Sullivan is an actor and an AudioFile Earphones Award-winning narrator. He has played over one hundred roles as an award-winning resident actor at Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island. He is resident director at Gamm Theatre and teaches acting at the Rhode Island School of Design.