Con man Joe Marlin was used to scoring easy cash off beautiful women. But that was before he met Mona Brassard and found himself facing the most da...
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Jun 28, 2011
Stephen
rated it: 
ALERT: HARD CASE CRIME MAY CAUSE INTENSE, MULTIPLE BOOKGASMS!!
HCC, you saucy, filthy, gorgeous little minx. I’m so glad I found you. After gobbling up book #1, I learned there are...steady...steady...65 MORE OF THESE...which made me...well...
NOIRites, I gotta tell you, I fell hard, fast and "damn the consequences" for this sinister steaminess. And to then find out that there are 60+ more of these seedy, unwholesome, dangerously bits of noirish nastiness, c More...
HCC, you saucy, filthy, gorgeous little minx. I’m so glad I found you. After gobbling up book #1, I learned there are...steady...steady...65 MORE OF THESE...which made me...well...
NOIRites, I gotta tell you, I fell hard, fast and "damn the consequences" for this sinister steaminess. And to then find out that there are 60+ more of these seedy, unwholesome, dangerously bits of noirish nastiness, c More...
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Dec 17, 2011
Bill
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After plowing through about 1500 pages of the last two Dark Tower novels, Grifter's Game was exactly what I needed: A 200 pager cut-to-the-chase no nonsense story-driven novel.
I've read quite a bit of Lawrence Block, I think about five of the Matthew Scudder ones, and I enjoyed every one of them. Very dark crime fiction with a strong lead character. But a been there, done that attitude struck, and he fell off my radar for years.
Then I saw my Goodreads friend Stephen had hit a More...
I've read quite a bit of Lawrence Block, I think about five of the Matthew Scudder ones, and I enjoyed every one of them. Very dark crime fiction with a strong lead character. But a been there, done that attitude struck, and he fell off my radar for years.
Then I saw my Goodreads friend Stephen had hit a More...
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Dec 12, 2011
Esme
rated it:
Grifter's Game (Mona/Abzocker) ist schon 1961 erschienen. Und das merkt man auch daran, dass Geld in ganz anderen Dimensionen gewertet wird, an karierten Badehosen mit applizierter Tasche, dem übermäßigen Rauchen und natürlich öffentlichen Telefonen.
Erwähnenswert ist auch das Cover, als Reminiszenz an den Pulp, wenn es auch nicht das Beste der Reihe Hard Case Crime ist.
Joe Marlin ist ein Gauner, der sich mit kleineren Betrügereien durchs Leben schlägt. Als er ein paar schicke More...
Erwähnenswert ist auch das Cover, als Reminiszenz an den Pulp, wenn es auch nicht das Beste der Reihe Hard Case Crime ist.
Joe Marlin ist ein Gauner, der sich mit kleineren Betrügereien durchs Leben schlägt. Als er ein paar schicke More...
Jan 07, 2010
Loren
rated it: 
From ISawLightningFall.com
Chronological snobbery cuts both ways. Although the term is usually applied to those who dismiss arguments simply because they're old, it could also describe people who eschew new things because they happen to be, well, new. You see this equally in literature as well as logic. There's the one camp endlessly surfing Amazon for new releases, yearning to catch the Next Big Thing right from the get go, while the other sniffs at anything published after, say, the More...
Chronological snobbery cuts both ways. Although the term is usually applied to those who dismiss arguments simply because they're old, it could also describe people who eschew new things because they happen to be, well, new. You see this equally in literature as well as logic. There's the one camp endlessly surfing Amazon for new releases, yearning to catch the Next Big Thing right from the get go, while the other sniffs at anything published after, say, the More...
Aug 31, 2011
Jayaprakash
rated it:
Wow, this was dark.
Until the killing immortalised in the cover art, you could be forgiven for thinking of this as a dashing caper with a charming, crooked narrator spouting quotable one-liners and turning romantic. Then things become darker after the murder; the killer isn't quite racked with guilt, he says, but spects of the act keep returning to haunt him. Then, as happens in a noir, there's one double-cross more than expected and things get seriously dark. I thought Jim Thompson ga More...
Until the killing immortalised in the cover art, you could be forgiven for thinking of this as a dashing caper with a charming, crooked narrator spouting quotable one-liners and turning romantic. Then things become darker after the murder; the killer isn't quite racked with guilt, he says, but spects of the act keep returning to haunt him. Then, as happens in a noir, there's one double-cross more than expected and things get seriously dark. I thought Jim Thompson ga More...
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May 10, 2009
John
rated it: 
Small-time grifter hits the big one when he steals a suitcase with $1 million in heroin stashed inside. Copyright 1961 by Lawrence Block (original title 'Mona') but republished in 2004 as part of the Hard Case Crime series, which apparently aims to recapture the grit (and look) of the pulp-fiction novel. In that respect, Grifter's Game succeeds. It's well-written and hard-edged, with lean prose and a classic setup (grifter, two-timing wife, rich husband). The ending I've seen characterized as di
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Oct 23, 2011
William Thomas
rated it:
Lawrence Block makes me insane. His novels written in modern times that replicate police procedurals are just throw-aways, nothing to hang onto, stories that spoil quickly and need to be tossed. Like he and Robert Parker were having a contest to see who could remove more edge from their writing, who could dull the blade more.
But then he writes for Hard Case and cranks out some of the most entertaining and well-written pulp books the label puts out. GG is one of these, hardboiled shell More...
But then he writes for Hard Case and cranks out some of the most entertaining and well-written pulp books the label puts out. GG is one of these, hardboiled shell More...
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Oct 22, 2009
Sophie
rated it:
I enjoyed about ninety percent of this book. The author has a terrific eye for detail and it was like opening a time capsule from the late fifties/early sixties to read this novel (who knew people hated power steering when it first came out, for instance). The characters were believable and the hero sufficiently hard-boiled for the noir label, and I was absorbed in the story from the first paragraph. But it's the last ten percent of the book that will stay with me. The ending of this book is so
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Feb 29, 2008
Andy
rated it:
Kick-ass drug dealer noir from Lawrence Block from way back in 1961 when such things were still scary. Get this instead of the awful write-for-the-rent "A Diet of Treacle" that Hard Case just released. This is da shit.
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Mar 06, 2010
Mikel
rated it:
Block's 2 books in the hard case crime series have been a welcome surprise the last couple of days. There is not much that is distinct from noir traditions here, but Block fuses things together pretty well and paces the text pretty quickly - the rhythm carries you through, the language is fresh/snappy enough, or at last aware of itself. I would recommend checking Block out - starting with Grifter's Game and if you dig it come back to the other titles available by Hard Case Crime.
I'm More...
I'm More...
Nov 26, 2011
chris
rated it:
In the same way as Fake ID, this book's title has little to do with what the book entails. It's great though. I think that Block's books in the Hardcase series are my favorites because he is almost always writing about good-time criminals doing really terrible things, in a really grim but fun way, if you can imagine things being both grim and fun. The narrator here seems like a pretty normal con man until the last quarter of the book, when he turns into an obsessive, dark force. The last solil
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Apr 05, 2009
Sam
rated it:
Lawrence Block’s Grifter’s Game is a vintage title, originally published as Mona in 1961. Block does what any good hard-boiled crime writer should be able to do–take a hackneyed set of characters and plot devices and turn them into a thoroughly entertaining read. Not every portrait of a lady has to be the Mona Lisa, but the artist should at least be able to make the subject look decent enough on canvas. Otherwise, he might want to try his hand at bricklaying instead.
David Gavilan is More...
David Gavilan is More...
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Jan 18, 2010
Eric
rated it: 
The book has a fairly simple plot with too much introspection on the part of the protagonist. It felt like he was spending so much time thinking to fill up pages so the book could reach novel length. A couple of the major twists were predictable and the protagonist should have figured them out sooner then he did. However, the ending worked. I didn't see it coming and it helped redeem the book. Also, some great lines in here. Block is one of the legends of the genre and this is one of his e
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Dec 31, 2008
Dennis
rated it:
This is the first publication of a great new publisghing house called Hardcase Crime. They are bringing back the hard-boiled novels of the 50's and 60's and also asking comtemporary authors to write in that style.
If you enjoy that style of writing, I strongly suggest checking out their website.
I've read five or six Hardcase Crime novels so far and none of them dissapoint. Good, quick reads that always keep me engaged.
As for this book, you can't go wrong wi
If you enjoy that style of writing, I strongly suggest checking out their website.
I've read five or six Hardcase Crime novels so far and none of them dissapoint. Good, quick reads that always keep me engaged.
As for this book, you can't go wrong wi
Mar 20, 2010
Maddy
rated it:
PROTAGONIST: Con man Joe Marlin
SETTING: Atlantic City
SERIES: Hard Case Crime #1
RATING: 3.5
WHY: Originally released in 1961 as Mona, this hardboiled gem still holds up well today. A con man steals some luggage and finds a surprising stash of heroin. He ends up getting involved with the owner's wife, and they make plans to eliminate the husband and run off together. Sounds pretty straightforward, but there are some nice twists. Worthy to be the first Hard Case Crime of
SETTING: Atlantic City
SERIES: Hard Case Crime #1
RATING: 3.5
WHY: Originally released in 1961 as Mona, this hardboiled gem still holds up well today. A con man steals some luggage and finds a surprising stash of heroin. He ends up getting involved with the owner's wife, and they make plans to eliminate the husband and run off together. Sounds pretty straightforward, but there are some nice twists. Worthy to be the first Hard Case Crime of
Dec 18, 2011
Ryssa
rated it:
I listened to this from Audible.
If you're looking for a politically correct story with a politically correct hero who seems bad but has a heart of gold, don't read this book.
Mona and Joe get involved in a con game, but it gets hard to tell who the players are and who's playing who.
At the end, I didn't want to hate Joe, but I did, for a while. Right up until the very last line of the book, then I saw how brilliantly Lawrence Block pulled off his plot. I was blown awa More...
If you're looking for a politically correct story with a politically correct hero who seems bad but has a heart of gold, don't read this book.
Mona and Joe get involved in a con game, but it gets hard to tell who the players are and who's playing who.
At the end, I didn't want to hate Joe, but I did, for a while. Right up until the very last line of the book, then I saw how brilliantly Lawrence Block pulled off his plot. I was blown awa More...
Aug 05, 2009
Greg of A2
rated it:
An interesting read as there wasn't any "good guys" in the story. The story is mainly about bad people preying on other bad people (Grifters). I like Block's style here as it's very lean with short terse little sentences. Sometimes the main character's thoughts come in a staccato of rapidity. It's definitely not a novel for everyone but I found the look into the main character's shrewd and profiteering life sort of refreshing (in an ugly fashion). It's a story that from the outset you
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Feb 23, 2009
Solitairerose
rated it:
My first read at a Lawrence Block book, and it's from early in his career, but it was enough to get me to look for more of his work. The plot itself was simple and easy to put together ahead of the protagonist, but the lead character was engaging without being a "good guy." We get deep in his head, without having a bunch of psychobabble as to why he cons people. A nice 50's entertainment novel that made a couple of afternoons pass pleasantly.
Jun 20, 2011
Daniel
rated it:
Quick, enjoyable noir read with excellent, tight pacing and narrative. Block is good at writing about the minutia of his character's lives while keeping the suspense. What I found interesting about this one was I had the situation sussed out rather quickly, well-before the protagonist. However, once the protag figured out what was really going on his response I didn't see coming at all, and made one of the best endings I've ever read/seen.
Jan 25, 2009
John
rated it:
At first, I was ready to give this book three stars, the story being the formulaic, cynical man meets smoking hottie, knocks off her rich husband, then finds that he's been set up kind of thing.
The ending really clenches it. His solution to his problem is so simple, I wonder why I never thought of it when I encountered desirable women who just doesn't seem to want me that much. About two thirds of the wy through the book, he decides, "I would get the money, and I WOULD get Mona More...
The ending really clenches it. His solution to his problem is so simple, I wonder why I never thought of it when I encountered desirable women who just doesn't seem to want me that much. About two thirds of the wy through the book, he decides, "I would get the money, and I WOULD get Mona More...
Jul 03, 2009
Travis
rated it:
My fist book of 2009. I was hoping that this would be my last of '08 but I will have to settle with first of '09. What I enjoyed most about this book was the way Lawrence could describe ordinary sequences of life in the most gripping way. I also liked that the book felt ripped from time during the height of pulp fiction. I like how I could figure things out a few lines or pages ahead of the main character, Joe, but the real twist to this book is in the last two chapters. Completely unique and u
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Aug 21, 2011
Casey
rated it:
This is what crime/noir books should be. There is no "good guy", the story is told through the eyes of someone who at first is simply a criminal then at the end something far far worse. It is also welcome to see that there isn't any political correctness nonsense here and no thinly veiled political manifesto that many of the writers of today force feed us.
Jul 30, 2011
Isidore
rated it:
A grim ending and Block's customary clean, witty prose do not quite raise this above the routine. Some amusing touches: Block's 'hero' keeps going to movies he never actually watches; and reads cheap paperbacks from off the news stand, mirroring his original 1961 audience (alas, today these books can no longer be described as 'cheap'!).
Feb 04, 2010
Bradley
rated it:
It's only fitting the the first Hard Case Crime paperback pulp fiction novel published comes from a Grandmaster, Lawrence Block. I think that I've read just about everything he's penned, from the light Bernie Rhodenbarr series to Matt Scudder with Evan Tanner and Chip Harrison thrown in. If you haven't been reading Block, get started!
Aug 12, 2009
Steve
rated it:
Before his hit man series, before Bernie the burglar, Lawrence Block was writing excellent novels featuring antiheroes. Actually, forget the "hero" bit -- the reason the main character in this 1961 novel is at all sympathetic is because Block so skillfully voices the character's motives and confusion. Yes, the superficial touchstones in this book are dated firmly in the "Mad Men" era (lots of public smoking, very low prices) but the primary touchstones remain timeless (crime,
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Sep 05, 2011
Sam
rated it:
Great fun, good twists, and an incredibly strong voice. It's the first Block I've read, and I'll definitely be checking out more.
Only thing I disliked was the ending. I'll keep things spoiler free, but it was a bit... well, horrifying.
Only thing I disliked was the ending. I'll keep things spoiler free, but it was a bit... well, horrifying.
Jul 27, 2010
Jim
rated it:
Dark, o very dark ending, unforgettable. The revenge here is not so much hard-boiled as flame-tempered cold steel. And it begins in such an innocuous fashion! Makes Eddie Bunker's novels cozy. Who knew Block had such a sadistic streak?
Sep 27, 2010
David
rated it:
First entry in the Hard Case Crime series of original and re-issued pulp novels. This was a re-issue from the early 60's and has an unusually dark finish to it's jet propelled plot.
Jul 17, 2011
Hnmestel
rated it:
Really one of his best works, and I'm already a huge fan. He took a predicatable storyline and did an amazing job of bringing it to a new and understandable conclusion.
Sep 07, 2011
Jim
rated it:
This a solid-if-unspectacular noir/crime novel that nicely evokes the period in which it was written (the early '60s). If you're looking for a pulpy, dimestore paperback read, Grifter's Game scratches that itch.
