- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Warner Books (31 Dec 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0446675261
- ISBN-13: 978-0446675260
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 13 x 2.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,070,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Review
"Parker has not lost his touch - or his nerve." (Marilyn Stasio, New York Times) "Parker at his best.... If you haven't read Stark, Backflash is the place to start your PhD in crime." (Stephen King) "Whatever Stark writes, I read." (Elmore Leonard)"
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"Parker at his best - Richard Stark is Donald E Westlake, but with a sharp edge. If you haven't read Stark Blackflash is the place to start your PH.D in crime. Stephen King
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
When the car stopped rolling, Parker kicked out the rest of the windshield and crawled through onto the wrinkled hood, Glock first. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
When the car stopped rolling, Parker kicked out the rest of the windshield and crawled through onto the wrinkled hood, Glock first. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having read a few Parker novels back in junior high (nearly 25 years ago), I can recall loving the character for his cold-eyed pragmatism and his ability to deliver a quick dose of shocking violence as needed to protect his interests. Upon hearing of Stark/Westlake's intention of resurrecting the character, I feared that the author would be tempted to "update" him, ie, start having him deliver wisecracks, worry about his relationship with his girlfriend, etc. Fortunately for us, Parker can clearly thrive in today's high-tech world and even pulls off driving a Lexus, now that those old American "hardtops" are gone. Comeback was great and Backflash is even better. The thoughts of every character in the book focus exclusively on their own pleasure and gain. Alas, just when you think Parker may have made a few mistakes this time out, he does not disappoint when it comes time to settle things in his usual ruthlessly efficient style.
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It's about time someone got to writing a tough guy book where the main character was actually tough. And about time the characters were honest in their lack of redemption.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
15 reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
A heist on a riverboat casino with twists!
2 Feb 2001
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book starts with a bang, moves through a mystery to a heist, and then deals with problems, clean up, and near disaster. Along the way, we see the incredibly detailed story of exactly how a gambling ship might be ripped off. We watch Parker, the hero of this series of books, as he plans, executes, and then cleans up little messes. These stories are very fun to read, combining well researched detail with a fast pace.
In this book, there is one character that stands out -- the retired state employee, disgruntled, unhappy, who leads Parker to the gambling ship. I work in state government. I have met this guy. He rings entirely true. His inclusion in the story makes the logic of the caper work, adds intrigue, and allows the author to create the sort of character seldom seen in fiction -- an interesting functionary. These books are good fun.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Tought & Tense
9 Aug 2000
Format:Paperback
In Richard Stark's dark new caper, the state of New York is experimenting with riverboat gambling. A floating casino's being tested for four months on the Hudson River to see how much money it brings in, and it's all going to be cash during the trial run.
Enter master criminal Parker, who's approached by an anti-gambling former state employee with a proposal to rob the boat. Something about this guy troubles Parker, but he goes ahead anyway, assembling a crack team of specialists to plan a beautifully ingenious raid.
Parker's motto in heists is "to try to control events" but he knows all too well that "they'll still get away from you anyway." Of course that's exactly what happens here, when the scent of all that money attracts other crooks with plans of their own and Parker has to clean up the mess.
Stark is the pseudonym of acclaimed mystery master Donald Westlake, author of last year's stunning The Ax, and his expert touch is evident in every part of this tense, tough and enthralling book.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
It's as if he never left.
13 Mar 1999
Format:Hardcover
Having read a few Parker novels back in junior high (nearly 25 years ago), I can recall loving the character for his cold-eyed pragmatism and his ability to deliver a quick dose of shocking violence as needed to protect his interests. Upon hearing of Stark/Westlake's intention of resurrecting the character, I feared that the author would be tempted to "update" him, ie, start having him deliver wisecracks, worry about his relationship with his girlfriend, etc. Fortunately for us, Parker can clearly thrive in today's high-tech world and even pulls off driving a Lexus, now that those old American "hardtops" are gone. Comeback was great and Backflash is even better. The thoughts of every character in the book focus exclusively on their own pleasure and gain. Alas, just when you think Parker may have made a few mistakes this time out, he does not disappoint when it comes time to settle things in his usual ruthlessly efficient style.
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
