Riding the Rap - Softcover

Leonard, Elmore

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0440214416 ISBN 13: 9780440214410

Publisher: Dell, 1996

Synopsis

Many imitate him but none can touch him. He's set  the standard against which all other crime novels  are measured. His signature is vise-tightening  suspense, crackling dialogue, and deadeye wit. And  now, in Riding The Rap, Elmore  Leonard proves once again that he is "the  greatest living writer of crime fiction."  (The New York Times) Raylan Givens,  U.S. Marshal, is working on Warrants, bringing in  fugitive felons, when Harry Arno disappears again  and Raylan feels obliged to find him. This time  with misgivings. Raylan believes Harry has dropped  out of site to get attention and win back his  former lover, Joyce, who had fallen into Raylan's  arms, but now seems concerned only with Harry's  welfare. The last person to see Harry is a nifty  young psychic--certified medium and  spiritualist--named Dawn Navarro. As soon as Raylan talks to her  he senses that Harry has very likely beenkidnapped  and Dawn is involved. Cut to the bad guys. Chip  Ganz describes his idea, a way to make millions,  as "taking hostages." Not unlike the way  it was done in Lebanon, but this time for profit.  Does he mean kidnapping? "In a way,"  Chip tells his ex-con accomplice, Louis Lewis and  Bobby Deo, "only different. A lot different."  It's the victim who has to come up with a way to  pay the ransom. "It had better be the best  idea you've ever had," Chip tells Harry,  blindfolded and in chains. "Because if we don't  like it, you're dead." In time Raylan's  pretty sure he knows where Harry is being held, but  doesn't have "probable cause" to get a  warrant and gain entry. As he closes in, though,  Chip's hostage plan begins to come apart and the  scene is set for a showdown--one of the best you'll  ever see.

About this title

Review:

In this sequel to Pronto, Harry Arno has retired from bookmaking but is still closing out some of his outstanding debts. But then his collection agent, an ex-con by the name of Bobby Deo, goes to pick up $1,800 from Chip Ganz and ends up getting hired for a hostage-taking operation (like kidnapping "in a way," Chip tells him, "only different. A lot different.") When Harry's taken by his own man, it's up to United States Marshal Raylan Givens to track him down, in the same methodically relentless fashion he tracked Harry that time he ran off to Italy. Throw in a henchman named Louis Lewis with plans of his own and an attractive young psychic named Reverend Dawn, and you've got yet another crime story that'll keep you on the edge of your seat--occasionally chuckling to yourself--straight through to the finish. (And bonus points to loyal Leonard fans who can spot the crossover elements from Rum Punch and Maximum Bob.) --Ron Hogan

From the Publisher:

"Riding the Rap made me feel like a kid again. Kept me up until four in the morning. When Elmore Leonard's people start talking, I can't help myself, I have to listen."--Lawrence Block

"Leonard gets better and better. He makes the rest of us mystery writers green with envy."--Tony Hillerman

"Elmore Leonard is a distinctive American artist, the way our great jazz musicians are. He proves once again with Riding the Rap that there is still his sound, and then everybody else's."--Mike Lupica" Riding the Rap is the work of an old master--it's taut, fierce and mesmerizing."--Stephen Hunter

"Another masterpiece from the master...Leonard's never been better. This is the novel of the year."--James Crumley

About this edition

• Publisher: Dell
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0440214416
• ISBN 13: 9780440214410
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352