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7seventythree3's review
3.0
The second in the US Marshal Raylan Givens 3 book series. I liked this one better than "Pronto". Similar to the "Justified" series, but I like the show much better for once. Book is pretty good though. I love me some quirky but oh so cool Raylan Givens.
cwgonzales's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
These books are super fun and easy to fly through
esshgee's review against another edition
2.0
Only 2 1/2 stars. For a reason I can't quite put my finger on, I didn't get into it as much as the others featuring this character. I hope [b:Raylan|12037108|Raylan|Elmore Leonard|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1326486289s/12037108.jpg|17003686] is a better read.
duparker's review
3.0
It is really interesting to see how different this character is from the TV series. In many ways Raylan appears in this book, but the main character is Henry Arno, and his story drives the narrative and encompasses the flexible flow of the story and the character interactions.
rchluther's review against another edition
4.0
Justified is my new favorite show of the moment, and this book was just awesome! Hilarious and great story. You can see all kinds of tidbits from different episodes that have been stretched and twisted for the show, but it's still my favorite Raylan Givens. Can't wait to read more in this series.
burner_32's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
misterjay's review against another edition
4.0
As with Pronto, the first novel to feature U.S. Deputy Marshal Raylan Givens, it was the current television show based on the same Deputy Marshal (Justified) that prompted a re-read of this novel. And, as with Pronto, it's edifying to see how well Leonard can create a character in just a few words.
Leonard's style is spare at best, at times bordering on absurdly terse. The novelist is the epitome of the "show don't tell" rule and yet, even then, his descriptions often focus in on a single, key detail, such as how a character moves his or her head as they speak, or whether they look at a person's eyes or hands when they address them. The dialog, too, is spare, often lacking connecting words and phrases, and parsed from back to front.
Yet, the characters he creates are vivid and distinct from one another. They speak their motivations and their thoughts and their plans, and between these brief descriptions and odd dialogs, the story is born.
Here, Raylan is still in South Florida, and still helping out retired bookie and hustler Harry Arno, although it's not really what he wants to be doing. However, Harry is a friend of sorts, and Joyce is after Raylan to keep an eye on him. After all, Harry's been drinking again and needs a minder on occasion. So, when Harry disappears after meeting a psychic for a reading, Raylan takes up the case, sans official sanction and sans any official complaint. In other words, he's on the case, even when there is no case.
What follows is vintage Leonard: confrontations, plain spoken truth, guns, money, greed, and murder. Good reading for fans of crime fiction.
Leonard's style is spare at best, at times bordering on absurdly terse. The novelist is the epitome of the "show don't tell" rule and yet, even then, his descriptions often focus in on a single, key detail, such as how a character moves his or her head as they speak, or whether they look at a person's eyes or hands when they address them. The dialog, too, is spare, often lacking connecting words and phrases, and parsed from back to front.
Yet, the characters he creates are vivid and distinct from one another. They speak their motivations and their thoughts and their plans, and between these brief descriptions and odd dialogs, the story is born.
Here, Raylan is still in South Florida, and still helping out retired bookie and hustler Harry Arno, although it's not really what he wants to be doing. However, Harry is a friend of sorts, and Joyce is after Raylan to keep an eye on him. After all, Harry's been drinking again and needs a minder on occasion. So, when Harry disappears after meeting a psychic for a reading, Raylan takes up the case, sans official sanction and sans any official complaint. In other words, he's on the case, even when there is no case.
What follows is vintage Leonard: confrontations, plain spoken truth, guns, money, greed, and murder. Good reading for fans of crime fiction.
jrobles76's review
4.0
I've had this book on my shelf for years and I'm not sure I ever read it. I picked it up (again?) when I realized that the new book Raylan (and the series Justified) is based on the character who first appeared in Pronto and continues in this book.
The book is definitely classic Leonard. Great crime fiction. If you love the series you'll definitely love the book.
The book is definitely classic Leonard. Great crime fiction. If you love the series you'll definitely love the book.
twotoes's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.5