Rating: 
Summary: It's a crooks paradise.
Review: I have always loved Richard Stark's Parker novels. They are all tough, mean, fast paced, short, and easy to read. This one, "Flashfire", is up there. Parker is involved in one heist where he's ripped off, and then he goes to take revenge on his former partners. I think the robberies are brilliant, and have always wondered if they'd work in real life (though I wouln't bet my life on it). Parker is mean, cold, and precise, an expert. He certainly lacks defintion, but it isn't a flaw, for some reason. I liked this one, as well all the others. A must ofr anyone who like crime thrillers.
Rating:
Summary: Five BIG stars! Flashfire's the best of the new Parker!
Review: I love all the Parker novels, new and old. But Flashfire is a definate cut above. Here we see our favorite anti-hero thief pulling no punches in his pursuit of three men who were foolish enough to take off with his share of the loot. What happens next is--oh, I don't wanna spoil it. This is absolutely essential reading! You'll swallow this book in one satisfying gulp.
Rating: 
Summary: A weaker entry, but good none the less
Review: The only problem that I had with this book in the Parker Saga, is that Parker ended up hurt through most of the book. While it successfully showed that he is human after all, in most books Parker is mean and strong. I wasn't ready for my favorite anti-hero to be weak and nearly dead.This book does have some very positve points. You see how Parker looks through the eyes of someone else (this time a woman who helps him through everything). The bad guys are interesting characters as well. All in all, the goods do overcome the large con, but just barely. Luckily, the next two in the series, Firebreak and Breakout are great, and show Parker in his full speed and angry glory. I can't wait for the next in the series!
Rating:
Summary: A weaker entry, but good none the less
Review: The only problem that I had with this book in the Parker Saga, is that Parker ended up hurt through most of the book. While it successfully showed that he is human after all, in most books Parker is mean and strong. I wasn't ready for my favorite anti-hero to be weak and nearly dead. This book does have some very positve points. You see how Parker looks through the eyes of someone else (this time a woman who helps him through everything). The bad guys are interesting characters as well. All in all, the goods do overcome the large con, but just barely. Luckily, the next two in the series, Firebreak and Breakout are great, and show Parker in his full speed and angry glory. I can't wait for the next in the series!
Rating:
Summary: Noir
Review: The protaganist con artist/thief known as Parker gets double crossed by three of his partners. In the ensuing story he seeks revenge. As he goes across the country acquiring money for his vengence, he crosses pathes with an unknown enemy that wants him dead. A very powerful enemy. The story moves at a rapid pace with a moderate amount of suspense. Somehow, you get a certain liking for this Parker character even though he is a thief and murderer. If you can feel any compassion for Parker, then I think you'll really enjoy this novel. If not, you'll come away unsatisfied. For me it was an entertaining read. Recommend
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant anti-hero
Review: This book served as my introduction to Richard Stark's cold-blooded master thief Parker, and I loved every minute of it. Stark (the pen name of crime writer Donald E. Westlake) has brilliantly crafted a character who you'd despise if you were to meet in real life, but with whom you come to completely sympathize through his experiences. His calculating ruthlessness and masterful ability to avoid capture make him great, but my favorite attribute of Parker is that he is completely amoral. Here is a man who, unlike modern-day protagonists that authors feel obligated to make ethically upright, has no qualms whatsoever about killing a man that has wronged him in some way, or who he feels is a "loose end." He doesn't go out of his way to be offensive and crude, but he doesn't care if he happens to be that way either. He is not a good person because of his complete indifference to stealing other people's money to make a living, but at the same time you love him because he only harms those who have it coming to them.
In this installment, Parker tags along with three men he has never worked with on a bank robbery job, only to discover that they plan on using his share as a deposit on a house in Palm Beach so that they can make an even bigger score in Florida. Parker is naturally none too pleased, and begins making his own plans to sweep his former partners' score out from under their feet and exact his revenge.
This was a great book in an amazing series that I plan to read much more of. I would highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: The best recent Parker book
Review: This is the best of the recent Parker books, on a par with the great ones of the past, like Butcher's Moon. Definitely worth reading. Stark/Westlake is an amazingly good writer, who has created both the funniest criminal of all time (Dortmunder) and the most serious bad guy around (Parker). Sometime check out his non-fiction, too: Under An English Heaven is a terrific book.
Rating:
Summary: Splendid!
Review: This was my introduction to the work of Richard Stark (aka Donald Westlake) and I just loved Parker. The character is a compelling blend of bad guy with good reason that reminded me powerfully of Patricia Highsmith's Ripley. It's quite a feat to put the reader squarely on the side of someone who, basically, is not a nice person. Highsmith did it; Stark/Westlake has done it, too. The man is a fine writer, with the gift of economy; no unnecessary descriptions, just pure driving narrative and vivid characterizations. I plan to get all the previous Parker books just as soon as I finish writing this review. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: outstanding
Review: vintage Parker.TOUGH,SINGLE MINDED HE GETS THE JOB DONE.No whistles and bells,what you see is what you get.If you like crime noir and realism at its best Parker and Richard Stark are your best bet.
Keep it coming Stark,if only you could write more often Parker novels.
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