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Can't Buy Me Love
The Beatles' first performance in the U.S. was a milestone in American pop culture and the beginning of the British Invasion. For many of the 73 million people tuned in to watch, it was a life-changing experience. In fact, there is an urban legend that says that in the hour they performed on that February night in 1964, not a major crime was committed in New York City.
Or was there?
Meet Sonny Carter, an aging bank robber just recently released from prison after a 25-year stretch for bank robbery. Unrepentant, Sonny is determined to finish what he started back in '39: knocking over New York City's prestigious Hudson National Bank and Trust Company. It's not gonna be easy, though. Banks are a whole lot tougher than they used to be, and the members of his old gang are just about ready for the retirement home. And if that wasn't enough, adding insult to injury is the fact that the stool pigeon responsible for Sonny's lengthy incarceration is now the president of the very bank he wants so desperately to hit. This time, however, Sonny has a plan that just might prove to be foolproof, thanks to two unlikely sources: a sexy bank employee with secrets and a shady past, and the four unsuspecting mop tops from Liverpool about to make their historic American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Can't Buy Me Love is a lighthearted suspense novel featuring four ex-cons who plan and execute a five-million-dollar heist. In one night, these partners in crime face conflict with New Jersey mobsters, unexpected love, loss, and bittersweet triumph during one of the most important eras in American Rock & Roll history.
Or was there?
Meet Sonny Carter, an aging bank robber just recently released from prison after a 25-year stretch for bank robbery. Unrepentant, Sonny is determined to finish what he started back in '39: knocking over New York City's prestigious Hudson National Bank and Trust Company. It's not gonna be easy, though. Banks are a whole lot tougher than they used to be, and the members of his old gang are just about ready for the retirement home. And if that wasn't enough, adding insult to injury is the fact that the stool pigeon responsible for Sonny's lengthy incarceration is now the president of the very bank he wants so desperately to hit. This time, however, Sonny has a plan that just might prove to be foolproof, thanks to two unlikely sources: a sexy bank employee with secrets and a shady past, and the four unsuspecting mop tops from Liverpool about to make their historic American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Can't Buy Me Love is a lighthearted suspense novel featuring four ex-cons who plan and execute a five-million-dollar heist. In one night, these partners in crime face conflict with New Jersey mobsters, unexpected love, loss, and bittersweet triumph during one of the most important eras in American Rock & Roll history.
228 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2012
86 people want to read
About the author
Dan McNeil
5 books13 followersDan McNeil was born in Toronto in October of 1962. He grew up in a home surrounded by books and music, ensuring that he would have a love for both. When he got older, his love of all things trivial led him to make an appearance when he was 16 years old on the CBC television show "Trivia" where his team managed to make it all the way to the finals. He spent much of the 80's playing in bands around Ottawa, later writing and recording two albums of original pop rock with his cousin and song-writing partner Steve Casey. The two had some success, winning a number of song-writing contests including the prestigious NSAI (National Songwriters Association International) competition in 2002.
Dan spent 24 years at CHRO TV in Ottawa as a camera operator and later as senior editor for the station, often composing much of the music for many of their local productions. It was during this time that he decided to try penning a novel. His first book, "The Judas Apocalypse" was published in 2008. His latest offering is "Can't Buy Me Love," a light hearted romp about a heist during the Beatle's first visit to the United States in 1964, was released September 13, 2012.
Website - http://www.danmcneil.ca/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/DanMcNeil888
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Dan-McNeil/e/B0...
http://www.ipublishpress.com/
http://www.pulsepub.net/Dan_McNeil.html
Dan spent 24 years at CHRO TV in Ottawa as a camera operator and later as senior editor for the station, often composing much of the music for many of their local productions. It was during this time that he decided to try penning a novel. His first book, "The Judas Apocalypse" was published in 2008. His latest offering is "Can't Buy Me Love," a light hearted romp about a heist during the Beatle's first visit to the United States in 1964, was released September 13, 2012.
Website - http://www.danmcneil.ca/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/DanMcNeil888
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Dan-McNeil/e/B0...
http://www.ipublishpress.com/
http://www.pulsepub.net/Dan_McNeil.html
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 12, 2013
If you love to read about a great Bank Heist, this is a MUST read!! Set during the Beatles first American performance on The Ed Sullivan Show, the colourful characters have hatched a perfect plan to rob a bank. The many twists and turns leave you guessing how this book is going to end. It has all the elements you expect to find in this extremely well written and fun novel set in the early Sixties! I loved this story and strongly recommend it to all!
August 1, 2013
Reviewed on: http://totallybookedblog.com/2013/08/...
We all need a little something different to read every once in a while and what a fabulous surprise this story was. I found myself really enjoying it, reading it in one sitting rooting for a baddie whilst reminiscing about my childhood which was filled with the music of The Beatles. My Mum was a huge Beatles fan (she loved Ringo best because she felt sorry for him for being the least good looking haha), she even has their voices on an old Dictaphone tape as she got to meet them coming off the plane in Copenhagen in the sixties. So yeah, I grew up singing along to these long haired Scousers.
The writing style of this Author is mesmerizing, in the sense, that it invokes such tangible emotion and really sets the mood. I felt like I’d been placed in a time capsule and transported back to 1964 the year in which this book is set, yet equally I could’ve been an extra on a film set. Such is the talent of this Author.
This story is tongue in cheek, emotional and full of suspense and whilst I don’t like real life icons having conversations with fictional characters, as it puts me off, I didn’t find I minded as much as I normally do. Perhaps this comes down to the fact that it was set in a different era. Not really sure. I felt nostalgia for a time I never actually lived through and experienced. I put that down to the pure natural power of music.
So, this is a story of a group of friends who made a mistake 25 years ago. They trusted the wrong person and got caught trying to rob a bank, consequently each spent time locked up. Sonny, our main guy being the last one of them to be let back out.
We meet him just as he’s released from spending half his life in prison.
“With one foot in front of the other, Sonny hit the ground into freedom.”
Sonny’s missed out on a lot. He comes out and has no idea what happened to the world and feels lost as it has obviously moved on without him.
“What’s an Elvis?” – Sonny
He not only wants revenge, he also want to pull off what he was unable to all those years ago and Sonny wants his mates with him. The fact that they’re not young anymore and happily settled means Sonny has to work for it. Times have changed and pulling off a heist of this scale in the same bank is not going to be easy.
Enter The Beatles and their fervent American fans, one Ed Sullivan and a gorgeous bird named Sarah. Yeah we even get a dose of sweet second chance love.
“Sonny Carter, I want to hold your hand.”
The silence of crickets, the empty streets as people are wowed in front of their telly’s makes for an opportune time to pull off a heist. Or does it?
So absolutely yes, I really enjoyed this story, it was funny, sweet and exciting. Even though I felt the depth of the characters was lacking, being in my opinion sacrificed slightly to the story line, the emotion with which they were written and their individual stories brought tears to my eyes several times. Can’t Buy Me Love had real heart and I loved that!
“Can you imagine? A guy spends his life making friends, experiencing stuff, falling in love, and builds up a whole boxful of memories – then some bastard comes along, steals the box, and empties it out on him until there’s nothing left but the scratched up insides and a whole lot of nothing…”
Arc provided by Author for an honest review
We all need a little something different to read every once in a while and what a fabulous surprise this story was. I found myself really enjoying it, reading it in one sitting rooting for a baddie whilst reminiscing about my childhood which was filled with the music of The Beatles. My Mum was a huge Beatles fan (she loved Ringo best because she felt sorry for him for being the least good looking haha), she even has their voices on an old Dictaphone tape as she got to meet them coming off the plane in Copenhagen in the sixties. So yeah, I grew up singing along to these long haired Scousers.
The writing style of this Author is mesmerizing, in the sense, that it invokes such tangible emotion and really sets the mood. I felt like I’d been placed in a time capsule and transported back to 1964 the year in which this book is set, yet equally I could’ve been an extra on a film set. Such is the talent of this Author.
This story is tongue in cheek, emotional and full of suspense and whilst I don’t like real life icons having conversations with fictional characters, as it puts me off, I didn’t find I minded as much as I normally do. Perhaps this comes down to the fact that it was set in a different era. Not really sure. I felt nostalgia for a time I never actually lived through and experienced. I put that down to the pure natural power of music.
So, this is a story of a group of friends who made a mistake 25 years ago. They trusted the wrong person and got caught trying to rob a bank, consequently each spent time locked up. Sonny, our main guy being the last one of them to be let back out.
We meet him just as he’s released from spending half his life in prison.
“With one foot in front of the other, Sonny hit the ground into freedom.”
Sonny’s missed out on a lot. He comes out and has no idea what happened to the world and feels lost as it has obviously moved on without him.
“What’s an Elvis?” – Sonny
He not only wants revenge, he also want to pull off what he was unable to all those years ago and Sonny wants his mates with him. The fact that they’re not young anymore and happily settled means Sonny has to work for it. Times have changed and pulling off a heist of this scale in the same bank is not going to be easy.
Enter The Beatles and their fervent American fans, one Ed Sullivan and a gorgeous bird named Sarah. Yeah we even get a dose of sweet second chance love.
“Sonny Carter, I want to hold your hand.”
The silence of crickets, the empty streets as people are wowed in front of their telly’s makes for an opportune time to pull off a heist. Or does it?
So absolutely yes, I really enjoyed this story, it was funny, sweet and exciting. Even though I felt the depth of the characters was lacking, being in my opinion sacrificed slightly to the story line, the emotion with which they were written and their individual stories brought tears to my eyes several times. Can’t Buy Me Love had real heart and I loved that!
“Can you imagine? A guy spends his life making friends, experiencing stuff, falling in love, and builds up a whole boxful of memories – then some bastard comes along, steals the box, and empties it out on him until there’s nothing left but the scratched up insides and a whole lot of nothing…”
Arc provided by Author for an honest review
May 14, 2013
Being a Beatles fan for more years than I care to remember, I was drawn to the basic premise of this book. It’s February 1964 and the Fab Four are about to arrive in America. Ahead of them their first appearance on US TV as stars of the Ed Sullivan show, to an expected audience of 70 million.
Meanwhile having been caught and jailed for robbing a bank twenty-five years before, a group of aged criminals make plans to rob the same bank on their release from jail. With seventy million Americans glued to their television screens, what better time to pull off a bank heist?
Of course, as Robert Burns once wrote; ‘the best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley’.
As Sonny Carter reassembles his old gang, he is offered inside help in the shape of the beautiful Sarah, an employee of Eddie Bishop, manager of The Hudson bank, and the man who betrayed Sonny and his gang all those years ago. Meanwhile, of course, where there’s money the Mob is usually never far away.
The scene is therefore set for a hugely enjoyable tale of love, loyalty, treachery, double dealing and downright chicanery. With an action driven plot, characterisation often takes second place, but I thought some of the characters here were well drawn and very believable. My favourite was Provenzano the mob boss whose command of English gave Dan McNeil the chance to show that he can also write comedy with the best of them.
And the Beatles? I expected their inclusion in this book to be no more than window dressing. In fact we meet the boys on several occasions, where they are not only characters in their own right, but become an intrinsic part of the plot. If you want to know more, well you’ll just have to invest in a copy of Cant Buy Me Love yourself, won’t you? It really is money well spent.
In short, this is an excellent book which is not only a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable read, but one that deserves to take its place in the library of literature inspired by the Beatles.
Meanwhile having been caught and jailed for robbing a bank twenty-five years before, a group of aged criminals make plans to rob the same bank on their release from jail. With seventy million Americans glued to their television screens, what better time to pull off a bank heist?
Of course, as Robert Burns once wrote; ‘the best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley’.
As Sonny Carter reassembles his old gang, he is offered inside help in the shape of the beautiful Sarah, an employee of Eddie Bishop, manager of The Hudson bank, and the man who betrayed Sonny and his gang all those years ago. Meanwhile, of course, where there’s money the Mob is usually never far away.
The scene is therefore set for a hugely enjoyable tale of love, loyalty, treachery, double dealing and downright chicanery. With an action driven plot, characterisation often takes second place, but I thought some of the characters here were well drawn and very believable. My favourite was Provenzano the mob boss whose command of English gave Dan McNeil the chance to show that he can also write comedy with the best of them.
And the Beatles? I expected their inclusion in this book to be no more than window dressing. In fact we meet the boys on several occasions, where they are not only characters in their own right, but become an intrinsic part of the plot. If you want to know more, well you’ll just have to invest in a copy of Cant Buy Me Love yourself, won’t you? It really is money well spent.
In short, this is an excellent book which is not only a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable read, but one that deserves to take its place in the library of literature inspired by the Beatles.
October 31, 2013
I think Dan McNeil's novel "Can't Buy Me Love" would make a great book-to-movie! The author has written the dialogue with such precision that every character in the book stands out on their own just from their speaking parts. The plot is masterfully woven together right down to the last page. Dan's writing is crisp and direct leaving sharp images in the reader's mind that linger and help to create the moving images of this story that weave together visually. I most enjoyed the artful and respectful portrayal of the Beatles. The Beatlemania phenomenon takes on an entire character of its own in this book. I finished the novel in two days because I simply couldn't put it down! It's a wonderful heist story, love story, adventure story and musical history story all rolled up in one that will leave every reader satisfied on every level.
September 6, 2013
I can rave on and on about Dan McNeil’s “Can’t Buy Me Love”. From beginning to end, the characters gripped and drew me in. Although I knew what the plot entailed, I did not expect the skillful manner in which Dan created this masterpiece.
Sonny Carter and his friends – Morrie, Al and Bernie – served time for a foiled bank heist, in the late 1930s. The story opens up when all of the men are out, with the exception of Sonny, who is the last to get out of the pen some 25 years later. So what does Sonny instantly plan to do with his life? Get a job, or try to walk the straight and narrow? Of course not! Sonny plans to rob the same bank that they failed at previously. Keeping this in mind, I was poised to see Sonny and his friends fail again miserably. What I didn’t expect were the twists and turns that Dan laced throughout the story. At every turn, at every angle some idea or plan was bound to change. I was so caught up in the characters and the plot that I’d get over-eager at the various shifts – feeling the excitement right down through my gut and onto my toes.
I almost felt like Dan McNeil sat down to write this story and his characters took over. His ideas were no longer his own; in fact, he no longer commanded the plot because the characters transformed at their own will. Even right down to the minor ones, this story was clearly ruled by the unique personalities that he created. Granted there was adventure, a hint of romance, comradeship, criminal activities beyond the obvious, Beatlemania, humor and so much more. This reading was certainly an unforgettable experience.
If any reader is looking for a book that will keep them on their toes, hands down, “Can’t Buy Me Love” by Dan McNeil is a MUST!
Sonny Carter and his friends – Morrie, Al and Bernie – served time for a foiled bank heist, in the late 1930s. The story opens up when all of the men are out, with the exception of Sonny, who is the last to get out of the pen some 25 years later. So what does Sonny instantly plan to do with his life? Get a job, or try to walk the straight and narrow? Of course not! Sonny plans to rob the same bank that they failed at previously. Keeping this in mind, I was poised to see Sonny and his friends fail again miserably. What I didn’t expect were the twists and turns that Dan laced throughout the story. At every turn, at every angle some idea or plan was bound to change. I was so caught up in the characters and the plot that I’d get over-eager at the various shifts – feeling the excitement right down through my gut and onto my toes.
I almost felt like Dan McNeil sat down to write this story and his characters took over. His ideas were no longer his own; in fact, he no longer commanded the plot because the characters transformed at their own will. Even right down to the minor ones, this story was clearly ruled by the unique personalities that he created. Granted there was adventure, a hint of romance, comradeship, criminal activities beyond the obvious, Beatlemania, humor and so much more. This reading was certainly an unforgettable experience.
If any reader is looking for a book that will keep them on their toes, hands down, “Can’t Buy Me Love” by Dan McNeil is a MUST!
April 28, 2013
Sonny Carter just doesn't get it. Why has the world gone crazy over a bunch of screeching, mop-headed kids, the Beatles. And Elvis? What the hell is an Elvis? Sonny doesn't know because they didn't play rock and roll in the prison where he's been for the past 25 years. But now he's out, along with his three accomplices, and he's looking for revenge.
But the little snot who set him and his gang up 25 years before has now become president of the same bank they'd tried to rob. Yeah, Eddie Bishop has done quite well for himself.
Sonny tries to rally his old gang for another try, but things have changed. They've all gotten old, the bank is now an electronic fortress. None of this deters Sonny. He goes in for a look and encounters his old nemesis, Eddie. He also meets one of Eddie's associates, the lovely Sarah.The writer spices up the tale with mob figures, money laundering, and a 5.2 million dollar first prize. Needless to say this attracts a lot of attention.
This is a book Damon Runyon would have liked to read, if not write. It's obvious that the planned heist will fail, but the characters are entertaining enough that one hopes for the best, still.
This reader was very taken with McNeil's style. The dialogue is crisp and real. The pacing is spot on for this type of toned down thriller. Highly recommended.
But the little snot who set him and his gang up 25 years before has now become president of the same bank they'd tried to rob. Yeah, Eddie Bishop has done quite well for himself.
Sonny tries to rally his old gang for another try, but things have changed. They've all gotten old, the bank is now an electronic fortress. None of this deters Sonny. He goes in for a look and encounters his old nemesis, Eddie. He also meets one of Eddie's associates, the lovely Sarah.The writer spices up the tale with mob figures, money laundering, and a 5.2 million dollar first prize. Needless to say this attracts a lot of attention.
This is a book Damon Runyon would have liked to read, if not write. It's obvious that the planned heist will fail, but the characters are entertaining enough that one hopes for the best, still.
This reader was very taken with McNeil's style. The dialogue is crisp and real. The pacing is spot on for this type of toned down thriller. Highly recommended.
August 17, 2013
When Sonny Carter earned his freedom after serving twenty five years behind bars, he had the chance to make an honest man out of himself and put his criminal past behind him. But that wasn't Sonny's style and when an opportunity to rob a bank that was now ran by the man that ratted him out presents itself, he gets the gang back together and with a little help from his friends; plans to make himself rich on one of the most unlikely occasions.
Can't Buy Me Love takes us back to a time before computers and cell phones; when if you wanted to steal money, you had to rob the bank yourself. Author Dan McNeil created a sensational story that's fun and fast paced but with enough drama and twists to make this novel a real page turner that's wrapped around one of the most famous nights in television history. Along with the main characters that are all unique in their own way, this author also includes a sexy brunette who's too smart for her own good and four young men from Liverpool who change the course of the music industry forever. The setting and dialogue stay true to the time without sounding dated. This is a great read for those that can remember that night like it was yesterday and for those who only know of this history through the music that created it. Highly recommend.
Can't Buy Me Love takes us back to a time before computers and cell phones; when if you wanted to steal money, you had to rob the bank yourself. Author Dan McNeil created a sensational story that's fun and fast paced but with enough drama and twists to make this novel a real page turner that's wrapped around one of the most famous nights in television history. Along with the main characters that are all unique in their own way, this author also includes a sexy brunette who's too smart for her own good and four young men from Liverpool who change the course of the music industry forever. The setting and dialogue stay true to the time without sounding dated. This is a great read for those that can remember that night like it was yesterday and for those who only know of this history through the music that created it. Highly recommend.
October 1, 2012
Can't Buy Me Love is a witty, mysterious, suspenseful story with characters (even the bad guys) that are funny as hell. There's something for everyone in this book---especially if you're a Beatles Fan, and even if you're not, you will absolutely enjoy the way Dan McNeil has taken real life events in that time period and weaved them into the story, with a behind the scenes look at what took place before the Beatles' historic appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. This book has intrigue for the thriller reader, a mystery for the sleuth-type reader and a love story to satisfy all readers who want some love in their books, shaping this book into a well-rounded read.
Dan McNeil draws you into Sonny Carter's up-for-another-bank-job world from the beginning and will leave you riveted to the book until you're finished. It's one of those books that you can't put down.
I like all the characters, not just the main characters because even the secondary characters were three-dimensional and likeable (I have a soft spot for Morrie and I know you will too, once you read his journey in the book).
This book would make a great movie. I could picture Jason Statham playing Sonny.
Dan McNeil draws you into Sonny Carter's up-for-another-bank-job world from the beginning and will leave you riveted to the book until you're finished. It's one of those books that you can't put down.
I like all the characters, not just the main characters because even the secondary characters were three-dimensional and likeable (I have a soft spot for Morrie and I know you will too, once you read his journey in the book).
This book would make a great movie. I could picture Jason Statham playing Sonny.
September 3, 2013
This book is a Tribute to a Simpler Time.
This is a guy's guy book. A longing to be the man who finally has his sights set on a big heist payoff that should go right--this time. A chance to get the girl and prove, one last time, that he's not just a paroled jailbird: Sonny sets out for revenge, love and money. Gangsters, a bank with millions for the taking, a double-cross, his past and a few friends give this anti-here much to run to and from in Can't Buy Me Love.
Set in the time of no cell phones, no computers, and no digital music--just The Beatles; the author gives us a fun summer read.
This is a guy's guy book. A longing to be the man who finally has his sights set on a big heist payoff that should go right--this time. A chance to get the girl and prove, one last time, that he's not just a paroled jailbird: Sonny sets out for revenge, love and money. Gangsters, a bank with millions for the taking, a double-cross, his past and a few friends give this anti-here much to run to and from in Can't Buy Me Love.
Set in the time of no cell phones, no computers, and no digital music--just The Beatles; the author gives us a fun summer read.
October 9, 2020
This was a quick enjoyable read. Lots of madcap fun. Seniors rob a bank on the night The Beatles are on The Ed Sullivan Show in New York. Sonny the MC is a lovable guy who has been in the clink for 30 years. He meets Sarah who works in the bank he is going to rob. The bank manager is a stoolie who sold him out 30 years ago for the bank robbery that landed him in prison. There were mobsters who were typical Wise Guys. It ended too soon.
November 15, 2014
Dan McNeil has executed a delightful 60's crime caper that I really enjoyed. Filled with physical comedy and laugh out loud moments, the lively pace and well-drawn characters kept me hooked until the very end. I loved the relationship between Sonny and Sarah, and although I'm not a Beatles fan (don't hate me) the realistic portrayals of the Fab Four's fateful night in February woven into a highly suspenseful ending gave me some nail biting moments. If you like entertaining suspense sprinkled with humor this is the book for you!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews