(pb; 1969, 2012: third novel in the Alan Grofeld series. Foreword by Sarah Weinman.)
From the back cover:
"Both Parker and his sometimes associate, Alan Grofeld, are pros when it comes to stealing loot and staging heists. But where Parker is cold and calculating, Grofeld is slick, funny and flirtatious - a criminal Casanova. The Blackbird shares its first chapter with the Parker novel Slayground: after a traumatic car crash, Parker eludes the police, but Grofeld gets caught. Lying injured in the hospital, Grofeld is visited by G-Men who offer him an alternative to jail, and he finds himself forced into a deadly situation involving international criminals and a political conspiracy."
Review:
Blackbird is my favorite Grofeld novel thus far - not only is it humorous, action-packed, James Bond-esque and tightly written, it also ties other elements (including some of their more intriguing characters) from previous Grofeld books into this fast-moving tie-together story, which is attention-getting from its first word to its last. Like every Stark work I've read this is worth owning.
Followed by Lemons Never Lie.
(pb; 1969, 2012: second novel in the Grofeld series. Foreword by Sarah Weinman.)
From the back cover:
"An occasional conspirator in Parker heists, Alan Grofeld is everything Parker isn't: charming, funny and easily distracted by dames. But Parker and Grofeld are both great at what they do -- steal. And even when Parker isn't around, Grofeld manages to get himself into sticky situations. The Dame follows Grofeld to Puerto Rico, where he takes up a job protecting a rich, demanding woman in her isolated jungle villa. When events take a deadly turn, Grofeld must reluctantly assume the role of detective."
Review:
Shortly after the events of The Damsel, Grofeld's south of the border roadtrip continues, though this time a murder mystery - with him as the caustic-witted main suspect - flavors the fun, action-punctuated proceedings. Like every Stark work I've read thus far, Dame is worth owning.
Followed by The Blackbird.
(pb; 1967, 2012: first novel in the Grofeld series. Foreword by Sarah Weinman.)
From the back cover:
"On the surface, Alan Grofeld and Parker seem to be strange allies. Where Parker is cold and calculating, Grofeld is chatty and charismatic. But while they may not have much in common, they are both great at what they do -- steal. The Damsel. . . follows the action of the Parker novel The Handle, and it finds our hero, dazed and injured, waking up to discover a girl crawling through the window of his hotel room. [Soon,] Grofeld and his new companion begin a scenic, action-packed road trip from Mexico City to Acapulco. . ."
Review:
Chatty - compared to the waste-no-words efficiency of the Parker series - and entertaining crime tale about Grofeld and his south of the border road trip-adventure with Ellen Marie, a charming hotel room burglar whose circumstances involve political intrigue, corruption and murderous thugs.
Followed by The Dame.
