Riding the Rap

Rating:
Summary: "Mis-Givens" die hard.
Review: Here's the scenario. Out of impulse, I walk into a store and who should I find but Mr Leonard sitting there in those flashy primaries he always wears. Sitting there and smiling at me, knowing he's got the stuff I want.So there's no escape. I like his books. I buy his books. Not just that, I sit back and smoke them, inhaling every last deadbeat, no-gooder he scratches into the story. So what can I say about "Riding the Rap". I liked it, of course. But I didn't like it as much as the book it follows on from, "Pronto". I don't know whether it would be different if I had read "Riding the Rap" before "Pronto" but do I know it made a big difference to how I read the "Rap". In "Pronto" I had grown attached to his well drawn character, crack-shot US Marshall/Cowboy, Raylan Givens, so much so that I didn't want to see him come off the rails in any further adventure that Leonard might employ him in. So I had some misgivings about "Riding the Rap". Fortunately they weren't all well founded. In this, his latest novel, Leonard is successful in taking his hero to new levels, retaining his character but also revealing new aspects, even letting Givens's law abiding nature rule the plot a little. Givens is again in search of old acquaintance and almost friend Harry Arno. This time Harry has been kidnapped and is in serious danger of being killed. Leonard turns up the temperature nicely as Givens hunts for Arno while the trio of kidnappers begin to distrust each other and eventually lose control. It's a good book. As a crime novel it's still up there and won't disappoint if you're looking for a crackling good yarn. But be warned, Mr Leonard. Your cowboy only has a six-gun. Use your remaining shots wisely.

Rating:
Summary: An introduction to E.L.
Review: I have not read many crime novels in my days, but i did really enjoy Riding the Rap. It was a fairly easy read which made it good to fly through it in a couple sittings. I really liked the story and like how the plot developed throughout the book. The characters all seemed to very well developed and interesting. I have not read any other Leonard books, but i will definetly seek to read more. I would recommend this book if you are looking for a simple read that will not take a whole lot of energy or time, but are looking for something exciting that will keep you interested until the end. It was not a real crime thriller or focus too much on the legality of the whole situation. As i read it, i was simply riding along with the characters as they proceeded on their journey of trying to become very wealthy. They simplicity of the story made it easy to stay interested and did not have a lot of low points. I hope that as i read more of Elmore Leonard, i can be as motivated as to get to the end as i was with this book.

Rating:
Summary: Riding the Rap
Review: This is Elmore Leonard at his best. A Stetson-wearing hero, a soothsaying love interest, three greedy but likable villains, and--like in all Leonard novels--a story told through dialogue and not showy exposition . . . how could you go wrong? And if you really want to be entertained, buy the audio version read by the brilliant Frank Muller.