Backflash

Backflash I think I read my first Parker book sometime in the 1970's. Parker is a realistic seeming criminal who robs for a living written by Donald Westlake writing as Richard Stark. In Backflash, Parker is brought into a caper by a New York State beaurocrat who is against gambling. There is going to be a trial period where river boat gambling is allowed on the Hudson River so the Spirit of Biloxi is recommissioned the Spirit of the Hudson and it sails to the Hudson River where Parker and crew awaits all that cash. As usual just because you think the action is all over Stark puts in a twist. That's all the hint I'm going to give to the ending. As far as I can tell the other Parker books are: 1) The Hunter (1963; AKA Point Blank, Payback; Parker, by Richard Stark). 2) The Man With the Getaway Face (1963; AKA The Steel Hit; Parker, 3) The Outfit (1963; Parker, by Richard Stark) 4) The Mourner (1963; Parker, by Richard Stark) 5) The Score (1964; AKA Killtown; Parker, by Richard Stark) 6) The Jugger (1965; Parker, by Richard Stark) 7) The Seventh (1966; AKA The Split; Parker, by Richard Stark) 8) The Handle (1966; AKA Run Lethal; Parker, by Richard Stark) 9) The Rare Coin Score (1967; Parker, by Richard Stark) 10) The Green Eagle Score (1967; Parker, by Richard Stark) 11) The Black Ice Score (1968; Parker, by Richard Stark) 12) The Sour Lemon Score (1969; Parker, by Richard Stark) 13) Slayground (1971; Parker, by Richard Stark) 14) Deadly Edge (1971; Parker, by Richard Stark) 15) Plunder Squad (1972; Parker, by Richard Stark) 16) Butcher's Moon (1974; Parker, by Richard Stark) 17) Comeback (1997; 18) Backflash (1998; Parker).. 19) Flashfire (2000; Parker, by Richard Stark).. 20) Firebreak (2001; Parker, by Richard Stark) .. 21) Nobody Runs Forever (2004) Parker, by Richard Stark Highly recommend for Parker fans and fans of action adventure stories. Gunner October, 2007

Parker novels are straightforward heist novels where the plan always goes wrong and the experience and sharpness of Parker save the day. One of the strengths of this novel is that the heist involves a large crew composed of many interesting and equally talented theives, though Parker is the sharpest and hardest of them all. This novel's heist is particularly difficult and the chapters involving the heist are especially well written and deliciously describe the reactions and thoughts of the marks that are being robbed. A quick, rough subplot involving one of Parker's mistakes helps close this dark novel and cleary demonstrate just how hard and unforgiving Parker really is. It was a great close to a clever heist.

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.

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.

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.