Rating: 
Summary: New Genre; Same Remarkable Talent
Review: INTENSE! ENTERTAINING! EXCITING! Thieve's Paradise will definitely give readers a greater respect for Eric Jerome Dickey (if that's possible) because he successfully broke the paradigm without losing the romance/sensuality, excitement, emotional depth and humor elements that have made him a literary icon.
Thieves' Paradise was a story about people from different backgrounds who are now all on the same common ground, which is needing a hustle to make a serious 'come-up'. The reader learns very early that even the characters that seemingly wouldn't 'hurt a fly' would do anything to turn life's tables to their favor. Also, for this to not have been an isloated romance novel, it is filled with relationship drama and is INTENSELY SENSUAL.
Thieves' Paradise was an enjoyably fast-paced story, taking place in three days (and it has to be a gift to be able to fill three days with enough action to write a whole novel!) and I was right there the whole time waiting to see when these wonderfully-developed, unpredictable characters would crack under the extreme pressure put on them by this incredible author.
I am so excited for Eric Jerome Dickey for being able to write such an EXCEPTIONAL story that strays from what his readers are accustomed to without losing his gift of sapid story-telling.
Summarily, Thieves' Paradise was on point and off the hook!
5 stars from me!
Rating:
Summary: Exciting, Intense, Romantic...
Review: The story started off a little slow, however, as I continued reading the story sort of grew on me. Well, overall a good story with real substance. Great writing and story telling about a group of people that made money by acting out different con games. Dante, Pam, Big Slim, Scamz, Jackson, Robin and others played games with people lives and that is dangerous. I really do believe that Dante was looking for love in all the wrong places, Pam was to selfish to love anyone other than herself. Scamz forgot what love was long time ago when he sold his soul to the devil. Poor Jackson, a man without a country and Robin, again, looking for love in all the wrong places. EJD proved again to be in a class of its own by writing material that will live on... Great job Eric, and as always, I enjoyed this book and look forward to others.
Rating: 
Summary: A page turner, yet missing something
Review: I found this to be a good book, like most of Eric's work. However, the characters were somewhat under developed. Pam, for instance, is sitll a question mark as far as I'm concerned. This book could have used a little less setting description and more character dialog.
Rating:
Summary: BRAVO, Powerfully, Edgy, Gritty Bestselling Read
Review: All I can say is Eric Jerome Dickey has done it yet again. Thieves Paradise pulls you in from the very first page and keeps you there until the end. What a powerfully, edgy and gritty book, that's sure to be another bestseller for the man with the magic touch and insight. Since I've read his first book, I've been a "HUGE" fan of Eric's and he hasn't disappointted me yet. I like the fact that his books don't all have the same plot or storyline and that he carries people over from his books. It makes for a more realistic type of read. T.P. follows the life of Dante Black and some of his colorful friends like, the unforgettable Scamz, Pam, Jackson, Sabrina, Robin, Big Slim, Molly and sisters Sierra and Arizona, who give a whole new meaning to sisterly love. This book has it all and is sure to be a page-turner for you. You can't/couldn't be disappointed in it the least. It reads so realistically with it's action and drama filled pages, which is something I've always loved about Eric's books. Well EJD, you've done it once more for me and I'm already looking forward to next's newest, hottest, bestseller from you. Blessings and continued success always to one of my favorite writers. The Sistah Circle Book Club-Houston, will there to support you as always.
Rating: 
Summary: Reader's Paradise!
Review: Oops.I've done it again. I rarely fall in love with a writer on their debut effort. 'Thieves' Paradise', if I'm not mistaken, is Eric Jerome Dickey's 7th novel? I've been asleep at the literary wheel. With the exception of the prologue (which was a dramatic and necessary bit of background - though I would rather have gotten it a little later in the story), I was hooked from chapter one by his cool, gritty style. From 'cool hand' Dante & Scamz, to grotesgue Big Slim and the sad Pam; from smokey and murderous dives to lifestyles of the rich Cribs & Clubs . . . the characters and settings in Thieve's... are so real you can see them, smell them, and feel their pain. I don't know if anyone else has ever experienced this---a moment when you simple must make eye contact with the writer and say, 'You go, Boy!' or 'You nasty MF!'---but at least once in every chapter, a certain scene, turn of phrase or just SOMETHING caused me to flip the book to EJD's picture on the back cover and express some sort of dramatic emotion. The book is THAT GOOD! Now I'm not one to ruin a plot, so simply put . . . it's about crime, scams, and the things that we sometimes must do to make a buck. But it's the fullness and richness of the characters (mostly Dante & Big Slim, some of the other's are less 3-dimensional... but that's OK 'cause it works), which makes 'Thieves' Paradise' my most engaging read of 2003 . . . to date. The good thing about getting my teeth into E. J. Dickey at this stage of his game is that I can now backtrack and absorb the first six novels.
Big Ups to Eric Jerome Dickey, you've got one more fan, not that you need it, I'm sure.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting Suspense Thriller
Review: This time EJD is back with an action thriller. One that will have you on the edge of your seat as he gives you a quick glimpse into the streets of Los Angeles, and how those who are down on their luck survive. It's hard to believe all the action takes place over three days. Dante learned survival early on and though he tried to better himself and get a real job, when the going got tough he found himself unemployed and barely able to pay his bills. Jackson, a 50-something, laid off "dot-commer", who tried to do right, has baby mama drama and finds himself owing a tremendous amount of child support. Although, they both have been on the right track, in order to make ends meet they feel the need to return to the life of running cons for an extra buck. Enter Scamz, the mastermind of the games. You get a gig with Scamz, then you are sure to make a little extra cash. Since this is an EJD book, you know there is also more than these guys running scams. Dante finds himself infatuated with a waitress/actress named Pam. He also hooks Pam up with Scamz when he learns she needs money. But his main goal is to get with this older lady and let her know that young guys can satisfy. Hot and steamy is the title of their story. I have followed EJD since the beginning and he is yet to disappoint me. He has tackled different genres and never lost his talent in providing excellent dialogue, great character development, and a sensuous scene or two. There are also other characters in this novel that provide the missing pieces and contribute greatly to this story. In this book the action is fast paced and exciting. This is one you must read this summer. Jeanette Wallington
APOOO bookclub
Rating:
Summary: Thieves' Paradise was good, but . . .
Review: I enjoyed this book. The descriptions, the graceful and rhythmic tempo of Mr. Dickey's writing created an emotional connection and realism to the characters. I was expecting the ending to be different. However I had a few minor issues with the book: 1) I found a minor error in the book that almost ruined the realism of the characters. On Page 26 of the book, Robin, Jackson's girlfriend's car, is described as a silver Passat with EYE FLY 4U vanity plates. It reads as follows: "Robin's silver Passat was pulled to the side down at Wilshire at Mariposa, across from the Equitable Building. She was easy to spot because her vanity plates read EYE FLY 4 U." On page 271, it read that Robin owned a green Nissan. It reads as
follows: "Robin was ready to go. We headed out to the parking lot. I was dead on my feet and eight miles from home. I asked Robin to give me a ride to North Hollywood. I expected her to turn her nose up at me, but she motioned for me to follow her. She hit the remote, the lights flashed on EYE FLY 4U, and we both got in her green Nissan. The green Nissan belonged to another character in the book, Pam. 2) Another problem I had with this book was the negative portrayl of African American women which is pretty uncharacteristic of EDJ's writing. Sabrina is the vindictive and scorned ex-lover of Jackson who is making his life miserable and causing him to make mistakes. Robin, who started out as positive, was later portrayed as a cheating and lying fiancee. Pam is portrayed as scandalous, money-hungry, sex-starved, and insecure. All of the females in Dante's life let him down, including his mother, who committed suicide. Unlike his novel, Friends and Lovers, there were positive African American females in that novel. I love EDJ's writing, I just wish there could have been a different ending. I also thought his characters were real and well developed. I just wish that Dante and Pam's relationship could have had a happy ending. The way their relationship ended was so abrupt, especially considering how much they had opened up to each other after he and Scamz were attacked. I thought the final phone call between Jackson and Dante was so impersonal. It brought little closure for me as a reader between these two men who were the best of friends.
Rating:
Summary: not ejd at his best
Review: Thieves' Paradise was mediocre at best. For me, EJD is at his best when sticking to male/female relationships. When he ventures into this foray of plot twists, seemingly complex characters, and varied storylines, it's not working for him. Tip to EJD: quit using the same voice for multiple characters -- i.e. -- I can see one character talking a certain way and using certain slang, phrasing, syntax, etc. , but your characterization gets murky when another character uses the same slang, phrasing, syntax, etc. Also, some of the lines didn't seem to match the characters. Who talks like this???
Rating:
Summary: Energy filled
Review: OMG I just finished reading TP (Thieves' Paridise) and omg I must admit, this is one of your best works. Drama(Sabrina and Robin), suspense(Nazario and Dante),Life altering situations (Scamz's death Vs Dante's new beginning). Two thumbs way way up! I've always appreciated your work.
Rating:
Summary: ERIC JEROME DICKEY STAGE PLAY!
Review: Eric Jerome Dickey's Friends and Lovers is being done as a stage play. I am one of his biggest fans, and thought I should let everyone know. You can check it out at www.imreadyproductions.com
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