Monday, June 16, 2014

The Mourner, by Richard Stark

(pb; 1963, 2009: fourth novel in the Parker series.  Foreward by John Banville.)



Review:

Parker and his sometimes-partner-in-crime Handy McKay are in the middle of a job, stealing a priceless statuette for Bett Harrow (last seen in The Outfit), who has blackmailed Parker into doing so, when - naturally - unforeseen (and possibly fatal) complications arise.  In true Parker fashion, he and Handy work these complications into opportunities - opportunities that ensure that not everyone who crosses them will be left standing.

Stark keeps the writing lean, entertaining and character-focused (as he has in previous Parker novels), making this another reader-engaging crime novel.  Worth owning, this.

Followed by The Score.

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