Book: Riding the Rap
Author: Elmore Leonard
My Rating: 3.5 Quirky Stars
Hey fellow book lovers! Here are two fun facts about me. I love the movies Get Shorty and Be Cool. Also, I was a big fan of the TV show Justified. And until a few weeks ago I thought those two facts were unrelated, but then I found out that Elmore Leonard wrote all of the books that inspired those movies and the show. WHO KNEW? And why didn’t they tell me?
As soon as I saw Riding the Rap, featuring Raylan Givens, and made the connection to the TV show I just had to read it. I knew going into it I was going to love it, and I was right. Raylan is living in Florida working for the US Marshals and is in a semi-dysfunctional relationship (if you’re familiar with his character, this is on brand for him.) His girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend – who used to be a bookie – goes missing and somehow this becomes Raylan’s problem (also really on brand.) Cue the absolute wild goose chase with plot twists galore and you’ve got a classic Leonard page turner.
I was so into this from the get go. I read half the book in one evening, and were it not for my adult responsibilities I would have stayed up all night to finish it. This had all the earmarks of an Elmore Leonard thriller. Quirky characters – check. From the crooked former bookie, Harry. To the enigmatic Psychic, Reverend Dawn. To the enforcer/landscaper Bobby. Everyone is the stereotype of their character, it’s just downright fun to read.
While I wouldn’t fully classify this as a suspense novel, I will tip my hat to Leonard for ramping it up by switching the POV between chapters and revealing only what details he wants when he wants. And in the second half of the book, that frenzy of all the different storylines converging really hits the spot. I know often times I say that a book is good but it’s not a literary work of art, but in this case I think it is. From the rich characters, to the delightful dialogue, to the absolute masterclass in storytelling I think it is totally a work of art.
Krystle Goodman is a crazy cat lady, who loves to drink exorbitant amounts of coffee, and read a shocking amount of books. She lives in Benton with her husband Josh, her son Roman, and their two cats Roxanne and Abby. When she isn’t reading, you’ll find her cooking, painting, or watching true crime shows. Watch for Krystle’s book reviews every Friday. Send fanmail to: [email protected]
See more of Krystle’s reviews at www.mysaline.com/krystle.