Andrew
I enjoyed this one more than the first book in the series. I really enjoyed how low the stakes were this time around...yes, Parker is a professional thief but he's not a criminal mastermind or world's most elusive jewel thief, and the heist in this story is not a complicated multi-layer operation with twists and bluffs and reveals like Ocean's 11. This more of a "slice of life" story about the criminal element. He meticulously plans a relatively straight-forward robbery, deals with some complications along the way, and at the end he is just as malcontent and empty inside as at the beginning. It's fascinating stuff.
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
I enjoyed this one more than the first book in the series. I really enjoyed how low the stakes were this time around...yes, Parker is a professional thief but he's not a criminal mastermind or world's most elusive jewel thief, and the heist in this story is not a complicated multi-layer operation with twists and bluffs and reveals like Ocean's 11. This more of a "slice of life" story about the criminal element. He meticulously plans a relatively straight-forward robbery, deals with some complications along the way, and at the end he is just as malcontent and empty inside as at the beginning. It's fascinating stuff.
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
