- Paperback: 368 pages
- Publisher: Del Rey Books; Reprint edition (July 1993)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0440215110
- ISBN-13: 978-0440215110
- Product Dimensions: 17.3 x 9.9 x 1.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 761,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Joey Goldman's flying south for the winter. The second-string New York wiseguy just packed up his faithful girlfriend Sandra and took off for Key West -- land of sun, surf and sleaze -- where a small-time hustler in search of a racket can score the big one. If he can find it. Enter Joey's half brother Gino. On the lam from the mob after one of the most royally screwed-up jewel heists in Florida history, Gino's a man in need of a fall guy. Which is where Joey comes in . . .
Suddenly, everyone's after Joey -- including the ruthless Miami don who wants his three million worth of uncut emeralds and who just dispatched his goons to deliver Joey a one-way ticket -- out. Now Joey's where he always wanted to be -- in the big time. All he has to do is find out where the stones are stashed. And for an unikely hero out to make a killing, this could be Paradise . . . if he lives long enough.
Suddenly, everyone's after Joey -- including the ruthless Miami don who wants his three million worth of uncut emeralds and who just dispatched his goons to deliver Joey a one-way ticket -- out. Now Joey's where he always wanted to be -- in the big time. All he has to do is find out where the stones are stashed. And for an unikely hero out to make a killing, this could be Paradise . . . if he lives long enough.
About the Author
Laurence Shames was born in New Jersey and started out as a crime reporter. He then moved to the vibrant home of crime in a hot climate, Miami and became a reporter there. He now writes novels full time in between travelling around America in search of tennis and angling.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
People go to Key West for lots of different reasons. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
People go to Key West for lots of different reasons. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I first picked up this book in a Fort Myers bargain bucket many years ago. Though not expecting much from this then unknown author, I was captivated by the story of the Key West education of this pushy little gangster. Seen through the eyes of a newcomer to Key West, we are introduced to a parade of interesting and multi-faceted characters. The story is developed and unfolds in such a way that one is truly unable to put the book down. I have since bought and read all Shames & Hiaasen books - but in my opinion, it is the best written of them all and remains one of my favourite American titles. "And then he smiled".
Format:Paperback
O love this book. I live part time in Florida and when I am not there I read his books to recapture the atmosphere. His writing is so perceptive. I recommend it highly
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
24 reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
ENTERTAINING, AMUSING, JUST OVERALL GREAT!
29 Jun 2000
Format:Paperback
HAVING LIVED in Florida all my life, the added spice of this novel being set right down the road (well a long road, I-95, at that) from me, compelled me to go out on a limb and call this one of the best examples of comedy-mystery-mob novels ever written. Joey and Sandra are so incredibly "Noo Yawk" stereotypical that it makes them believable and understandable to readers! I loved this book ever since I started reading it. In a Hiaasen-esque (one must realize the similarities between Shames and Hiaasen...just look at the covers of their books) fashion, Shames tells the story of Joey Goldman and girlfriend Sandra as they seek their promised land; Joey doesn't know how, but he plans to get rich quick in the land of "sun, surf, and sleaze."
But Joey's NYC mob background catches up with him via his half brother Gino. I'll leave the rest of the story to you (I really hate when people just give a little summary of the book, that is NOT a review.).
Filled with lovable characters like Bert The Shirt and Zack, there just aren't enough words of praise to give it. You'll laugh out loud but you can really feel the things these people are going through.
I'm sure this probably isn't one of my better reviews, but this book puts me at quite a loss for words; on one hand funny, on the other poignant, but one word will describe it---excellent! 5 Stars.
But Joey's NYC mob background catches up with him via his half brother Gino. I'll leave the rest of the story to you (I really hate when people just give a little summary of the book, that is NOT a review.).
Filled with lovable characters like Bert The Shirt and Zack, there just aren't enough words of praise to give it. You'll laugh out loud but you can really feel the things these people are going through.
I'm sure this probably isn't one of my better reviews, but this book puts me at quite a loss for words; on one hand funny, on the other poignant, but one word will describe it---excellent! 5 Stars.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Elmore Leonard, but more fun
7 Nov 1999
Format:Paperback
I have always admired Elmore Leonard, but never really enjoyed his books.
This author has Leonard's skills, but tops it with more enjoyable characters, and really leaves you feeling good in the end.
Strangely enough this book is probably more a love story than a mob novel.
Shames deserves much more recognition than he gets. Is anybody buying this book as a script?
It would be "Get Shorty", but a great date movie.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
The "Sopranos" visit margaritaville.......excellent!
22 Jun 2003
Format:Paperback
This is a terrific story that seems to be a unique blend of a Jimmy Buffett "margaritaville" concert and the "Sopranos" family, with a lot of heart thrown in. Laurence Shames takes Joey Goldman,the illegitimate son of a New York wiseguy, and moves him to Key West where he intends to make a new start for himself and his amazing girlfriend Sandra.
After some very comic attempts at cornering the wiseguy market, things take a very different turn and Joey finds himself doing things he never dreamed he would do, both good and bad!
The contrast of fast-paced New York and laid-back Key West lifestyles adds to the fantastic humor of Shames tale.
When Joey Goldman begins to come to terms with the realities of his life, what he wants and what he doesn't, the story begins it's wild ride!
After some very comic attempts at cornering the wiseguy market, things take a very different turn and Joey finds himself doing things he never dreamed he would do, both good and bad!
The contrast of fast-paced New York and laid-back Key West lifestyles adds to the fantastic humor of Shames tale.
When Joey Goldman begins to come to terms with the realities of his life, what he wants and what he doesn't, the story begins it's wild ride!
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