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posies23's review
4.0
This one is second-to-last in the long-running PARKER series. It's basically just a continuation of the previous novel, NO ONE RUNS FOREVER, and deals with the aftermath of the heist in that book.
Parker runs into a disgruntled track employee who agrees to help Parker avoid the authorities in exchange for helping him rip off his former employer.
There's lots to enjoy here, and Stark/Westlake certainly entertains. This one continues directly in the next, and final, book in the series, DIRTY MONEY.
Parker runs into a disgruntled track employee who agrees to help Parker avoid the authorities in exchange for helping him rip off his former employer.
There's lots to enjoy here, and Stark/Westlake certainly entertains. This one continues directly in the next, and final, book in the series, DIRTY MONEY.
duparker's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars the beginning of this book, say the first 50 pages, and the last 20 were great. the middle 200 were ho hum. unlike the previous book with annoying amateur heist concepts, this time it worked.
jeansbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
dantastic's review
3.0
When Parker was on the run from police dogs and chanced upon a rabbit hunter who unexpectedly aided him, he should have known the rabbit hunter had motives of his own. Now Parker's teaming with him to rob a racetrack. Can Parker get away with the robbery while a manhunt is going on for him?
Ask the Parrot was one of the better books of the new era Parker. Parker is his ruthless self, evident in the way he handles most of the supporting cast. Unlike some of the more recent Parker books, Parker doesn't seem soft in this one. The way he handles Thiemann after Thiemann accidentally kills a bum is vintage Parker, cold and calculating. The robbery was pretty simple but the petty crimes Parker pulled along the way were pretty good. Parker showed he was as ballsy as ever, participating in his own manhunt.
Ask the Parrot also shares many of the flaws that have marred the more recent Parker books. For one thing, the style is long winded compared to the earlier ones and the story feels padded. For another thing, there's a chapter from the damn parrot's point of view! WTF, Stark? That's okay for a Dortmunder book but not for Parker. This isn't a Monty Python sketch, though the parrot does wind up deceased.
The gripe list was shorter than usual for a post-Butcher's Moon Parker. Good, not great, the earlier ones are better, etc. I'm a little sad that I only have one Parker book left to read after this one.
Ask the Parrot was one of the better books of the new era Parker. Parker is his ruthless self, evident in the way he handles most of the supporting cast. Unlike some of the more recent Parker books, Parker doesn't seem soft in this one. The way he handles Thiemann after Thiemann accidentally kills a bum is vintage Parker, cold and calculating. The robbery was pretty simple but the petty crimes Parker pulled along the way were pretty good. Parker showed he was as ballsy as ever, participating in his own manhunt.
Ask the Parrot also shares many of the flaws that have marred the more recent Parker books. For one thing, the style is long winded compared to the earlier ones and the story feels padded. For another thing, there's a chapter from the damn parrot's point of view! WTF, Stark? That's okay for a Dortmunder book but not for Parker. This isn't a Monty Python sketch, though the parrot does wind up deceased.
The gripe list was shorter than usual for a post-Butcher's Moon Parker. Good, not great, the earlier ones are better, etc. I'm a little sad that I only have one Parker book left to read after this one.
matt4hire's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting entry into the Parker canon. Some of the later Parker books seem to be variations-on-a-theme type books; Breakout is all about breaking out of places, while Firebreak is about creating redundancies. This one is the strangest theme; it's Parker affecting everyday people's lives, and generally ruining them. It's really interesting reading, once that's noticed, and the side characters are interesting. Good stuff.
bundy23's review
3.0
Probably the weakest of the Parker books (so far). The major let down for me is that it was a little bit lighthearted at times which just doesn’t mesh with the brutality of the series up to this point. Luckily Parker still gives no fucks and will happily kill anyone dumb enough to get between him and the payload.
Sadly there’s now only one book to go before Parker leaves my life forever ☹️
Sadly there’s now only one book to go before Parker leaves my life forever ☹️
benfiretag's review
3.0
In which Parker narrowly escapes the cops. Which makes the money his crew stole worthless. As he escapes, he runs into a hunter, who is more interested in partnering with Parker to get revenge on a racetrack. Parker needs clean money. So, they set it up. But there are problems along the way and things never go the way they’re supposed to go.
jennyfael's review against another edition
4.0
J'ai trouvé que l'écriture de l'auteur était plutôt agréable, simple mais précise. Le roman dans sa globalité était agréable à lire, un peu lent parfois, mais avec des personnages aussi étranges que complexes, qui entretiennent des relations très tendues et l'intrigue est vraiment prenante. L'ambiance est totalement décalée et malsaine. Au final, je pense que j'ai bien aimé cette lecture mais la conclusion m'a un peu déçue.
ericwelch's review
4.0
Listened to the audio. Typical Richard Stark, aka Donald Westlake, but if you don't care for amoral heroes, you won't like Parker. Parker is the ultimate narcissist who sees the world only as how any action will affect him. If that means shooting someone who gets in the way, so be it. Nary a sign of remorse. This one gets complicated, a heist within a heist, while Parker is being pursued by the police from all over because of a botched bank robbery. Really good escapist reading.
guiltyfeat's review
4.0
The penultimate Parker picks up exactly where the ante-penultimate Parker ended. As usual Parker has to deal with situations not entirely of his making and, as usual, he is able to improvise to turn a buck and save his own skin. Only one more to go and I'll be sorry when it's done.