The heist was a piece of cake. It didn't bother Parker that the priceless statue was in a Russian diplomat's house... because he had no scruples about ripping off a Red. It didn't bother Parker that his ex-girlfriend had blackmailed him into pulling this job... because he figured out how to make an extra fifty grand on the deal. It did bother Parker that somebody else was trying to steal the statue first - because being second wasn't Parker's style. Whether he was up against the mob or the KGB, Parker intended to beat them all at the stealing game. Of course, he didn't count on a double cross, a two-timing blonde, and one lethal luger aimed at making him not only second, but last. Dead last.
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"This is the original hard boiled tough guy. Stark (Westlake writing as Stark) boils the essence of a smart no-nonsense tough guy down from the work of the greats that wrote detective and crime fiction before him, and created Parker. Forget the movies you may have seen - be they timeless classics or modern dreck - and do yourself a favor and read these. If you like crime fiction you have to check these books out. The Chicago Press has re-released them in sharp stylish new paperbacks that are inexpensive and look great. Perfect reading for a single afternoon: they are short, fun and really pop. They are like Pringles: I bet you can't read just one." — Alex (5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the original hard boiled tough guy. Stark (Westlake writing as Stark) boils the essence of a smart no-nonsense tough guy down from the work of the greats that wrote detective and crime fiction before him, and created Parker. Forget the movies you may have seen - be they timeless classics or modern dreck - and do yourself a favor and read these. If you like crime fiction you have to check these books out. The Chicago Press has re-released them in sharp stylish new paperbacks that are inexpensive and look great. Perfect reading for a single afternoon: they are short, fun and really pop. They are like Pringles: I bet you can't read just one."
" So it starts off oddly, but the book picks up the pace quickly, and Menlo's an engaging enough foil for Parker to really make things sing. Plus, more Handy McKay, who is awesome. "
" I found this book pretty darn dull for something billed as a mystery. Although I am not a seasoned mystery novel reader, I did expect to not be able to figure it out within the first 10 or 20 pages. Even still, it was a fast read, and I'm sure it would be great for a high school book report. "
" A lean, mean crime thriller. In his fourth outing, Parker is blackmailed into stealing a medieval statue. However, he finds that another party is after the same target. "
" Possibly the most violent book yet in the series! Blackmailed into retrieving a statue for a wealthy collector, Parker runs up against not only the Outfit/Mob, but KGB agents. Things I learned: remember to watch out for those small town Southern speed traps! "
" I really like Donald Westlake and have read all or most of his Dortmunder books. When he writes as Richard Stark, in a true noir fashion, I still see glints of his humor underneath all the tough guy stufff. His writing is clean, spare and just great. This was a very quick read, but enjoyable. "
" My least favorite Parker novel. But that's okay because it only took like an hour and a half to read. This one feels formulaic. "
" A gritty revenge drama combined with a clever heist. Unlike some of the other Parker novels, this one has an international twist. Loved it! "
" Richard Stark (Donald Westlake) is always a good and quick read. Enjoyed this one as I always do Westlake's books. "
" Its not bad, its not great. But I was entertained. "
" Still good, unapologetic Parker action, but less interesting than the last few. "
" Parker combines a bit of payback with a good caper in this series piece about stealing an antiquity. Parker gets shot, but it's just by a mousegun, so that can hardly slow him down. "
" Perhaps my favorite Parker novel to date. As always a tightly written plot -- this time moving from caper to revenge. "
" Fourth in the Parker series. Another fast-paced read. The Mourner is a statuette remindful of the Maltese Falcon dingus. I liked how this one was structured with the shifting POVS. Minor character Menlo, a foreign agent Parker deals with, is interesting. Good read for a rainy Sunday afternoon. "
" The best Parker novel I've read so far, mostly because of Parker's locquacious, amoral, and ingenious rival/partner, Auguste Menlo, who comes from across the Iron Curtain for the very same thing Parker's pursuing. "
" Great, but I'm starting to feel like I'm reading the same book over and over again. "
" Take a moment to savor that first line: "When the guy with asthma finally came in from the fire escape, Parker rabbit-punched him and took his gun away." "
" Parker plans a heist in which he'll liberate a statue known as the Mourner for a well moneyed client, but ends up entangled in a separate incident involving the Outfit, some fleeing KGB operatives, and a lot of embezzled cash. People never learn, you can't cross Parker and survive. "
" Yet another gritty, cold hard Parker novel...this time with simpering Eastern Europeans! "
" Parker does a lot of lurking in this book, and it's awesome. "
" Multiple people learn a very important lesson in this tale - don't try to use or double-cross Parker. Richard Stark's unrelenting hard-man gets his due and deals out "justice" to those who cross him in another gripping yarn. "
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