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mcf's review against another edition
5.0
GOD THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD. I mean, everything Thomas write is great (or nearly great), but this one feels special, largely b/c of how Mac handles his emotions about the kidnapping of his wife. His frankness with Padillo as he slowly falls apart is lovely (as is Padillo's patented emotionless, but also: I Will Kill For You response), and his internal tone is simultaneously self-loathing and wry in a way that is somehow both very Ross Thomas and deeply, painfully human.
martyfried's review against another edition
4.0
4 - 5 stars. I reserve 5 for truly outstanding books, so I give this one 4, which is still good.
A somewhat typical (to me, so far) Ross Thomas novel where double-crosses are expected and happen often. Like the other books I've read by him, you don't know who to trust, except for the 2 main characters, McCorkle and Padilla, who are good friends.
This story seems a bit less complex than some of the other ones, but it's interesting and has some good dialog, although it's a bit dated. For example, there's a Negro section rather than a Black section of town. The more I read of his books, the more I see the formula peeking out, but it's a good formula, so far, and I've liked them all a lot.
A somewhat typical (to me, so far) Ross Thomas novel where double-crosses are expected and happen often. Like the other books I've read by him, you don't know who to trust, except for the 2 main characters, McCorkle and Padilla, who are good friends.
This story seems a bit less complex than some of the other ones, but it's interesting and has some good dialog, although it's a bit dated. For example, there's a Negro section rather than a Black section of town. The more I read of his books, the more I see the formula peeking out, but it's a good formula, so far, and I've liked them all a lot.
nigellicus's review
5.0
Smart, sharp, fast thriller with Ross's perennial ex-spies reunited in Washington DC where McCorkle has opened a bar and Padillo turns up stabbed on the docks. Someone wants to hire Padillo to do a job and to ensure his co-operation they kidnap Mac's wife. To get out of this situation, they have to bring in three operators who may be more dangerous to them than the kidnappers.
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