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Radar Hoverlander #2
The Albuquerque Turkey
Master con artist Radar Hoverlander is getting out of the life…unless his old man drags him back in.
After their last big con netted them a nice chunk of change, Radar Hoverlander and his grifter girlfriend, Allie Quinn, have vowed to go straight. But Radar’s fragile commitment to clean living is put to the test when an oddly hefty lady in red shows up and stalks him through the streets of Santa Fe. Except that’s no lady—it’s Radar’s dad, Woody Hoverlander, a world class con artist in his own right.
Radar correctly figures if his dad is in drag, he must be in trouble. Woody is on the lam, with a Vegas hard guy after him and a large debt to clear. To help him, Radar must break his vow to leave cons behind—and risk losing Allie, who is determined to protect their nest egg and steer clear of bad influences.
Radar’s best pal, the usually hapless Vic Mirplo, had started creating art as a con, but now he’s coming into money as his sculptures start to sell. When Radar needs someone to flash some cash in Vegas and play the reckless gambler so that he can get his father off the hook, he reinvents Mirplo as the ultimate high roller--the Albuquerque Turkey--and dangles him as bait.
Art fraud, casino cons, love, loyalty, and plenty of double- and triple-crosses…they all prove that the odds of what happens in Vegas staying in Vegas are about as long as Radar Hoverlander staying straight.
After their last big con netted them a nice chunk of change, Radar Hoverlander and his grifter girlfriend, Allie Quinn, have vowed to go straight. But Radar’s fragile commitment to clean living is put to the test when an oddly hefty lady in red shows up and stalks him through the streets of Santa Fe. Except that’s no lady—it’s Radar’s dad, Woody Hoverlander, a world class con artist in his own right.
Radar correctly figures if his dad is in drag, he must be in trouble. Woody is on the lam, with a Vegas hard guy after him and a large debt to clear. To help him, Radar must break his vow to leave cons behind—and risk losing Allie, who is determined to protect their nest egg and steer clear of bad influences.
Radar’s best pal, the usually hapless Vic Mirplo, had started creating art as a con, but now he’s coming into money as his sculptures start to sell. When Radar needs someone to flash some cash in Vegas and play the reckless gambler so that he can get his father off the hook, he reinvents Mirplo as the ultimate high roller--the Albuquerque Turkey--and dangles him as bait.
Art fraud, casino cons, love, loyalty, and plenty of double- and triple-crosses…they all prove that the odds of what happens in Vegas staying in Vegas are about as long as Radar Hoverlander staying straight.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
4 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
John Vorhaus
54 books43 followersJohn Vorhaus is known to one and all as the man who brought Radar Hoverlander – con artist extraordinaire – to life in the “sunshine noir” mystery novel, The California Roll, and its acclaimed sequel, The Albuquerque Turkey.
John is also well known as the author of The Comic Toolbox: How to be Funny Even if You're Not, and its acclaimed sequel, The Little Book of SITCOM, which continue to be definitive sources of information and inspiration for writers from Santa Monica to Scandinavia.
An international consultant in television and film script development, Vorhaus has worked for television networks, film schools, production companies and film funding bodies in 28 countries on four continents. He recently worked in Bulgaria, recruiting and training writers for that country’s adaptation of Married… with Children, and in Tel Aviv, consulting on the Israeli version of The Golden Girls. He also travels regularly to Nicaragua, where he co-created the social action drama Contracorriente to provide positive role modeling for the poor, young and disenfranchised of that embattled country.
And oh by the way, he has written more than three million words on poker, just in his spare time.
Vorhaus is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and a member of the Writers Guild of America. He has taught at such institutions as Northwestern University, the American Film Institute and the Writers Program of the UCLA Extension. He is the author of a dozen books, including Creativity Rules! A Writer's Workbook, the novel Under the Gun, the Killer Poker series and, with Annie Duke, the bestselling Decide to Play Great Poker.
He sells everything but his soul through his Amazon author page,
http://tinyurl.com/jvauthorpageamazon, tweets for no apparent reason @TrueFactBarFact, and secretly rules the world from www.johnvorhaus.com.
John is also well known as the author of The Comic Toolbox: How to be Funny Even if You're Not, and its acclaimed sequel, The Little Book of SITCOM, which continue to be definitive sources of information and inspiration for writers from Santa Monica to Scandinavia.
An international consultant in television and film script development, Vorhaus has worked for television networks, film schools, production companies and film funding bodies in 28 countries on four continents. He recently worked in Bulgaria, recruiting and training writers for that country’s adaptation of Married… with Children, and in Tel Aviv, consulting on the Israeli version of The Golden Girls. He also travels regularly to Nicaragua, where he co-created the social action drama Contracorriente to provide positive role modeling for the poor, young and disenfranchised of that embattled country.
And oh by the way, he has written more than three million words on poker, just in his spare time.
Vorhaus is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and a member of the Writers Guild of America. He has taught at such institutions as Northwestern University, the American Film Institute and the Writers Program of the UCLA Extension. He is the author of a dozen books, including Creativity Rules! A Writer's Workbook, the novel Under the Gun, the Killer Poker series and, with Annie Duke, the bestselling Decide to Play Great Poker.
He sells everything but his soul through his Amazon author page,
http://tinyurl.com/jvauthorpageamazon, tweets for no apparent reason @TrueFactBarFact, and secretly rules the world from www.johnvorhaus.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 2, 2014
I had problems with the voice in THE ALBUQUERQUE TURKEY. It seemed a bit off to me, like my GPS had lost its signal. It took me a bit of time to figure out it related to word choice and some unusual phrases and dialogue. So at various points along the way, I was ready to give it up, and move on to my next read. But I’m glad I stuck with it, and that I punched through the metaphorical brick wall with both fists.
Sure, it was a bit odd, like my friend Snuffy who may have taken one too many sniffs from that superglue container I left out on the kitchen table, but like Snuffy, this novel still had its entertainment value. The plot may have seemed a bit convoluted and possibly a bit coincidental until the story truly found its direction. But the jokes were there, and so was the entertainment value, and so was the group of pranksters that staggered across the page. For starters, there was the cross-dressing absentee father figure, the nude model with the fair skin and feminine charms, the slaphappy artist with a slightly questionable work ethic and talent, and that’s just in the first half of the story.
It was always a bit of a guess as to what would happen next, so if you like being turned upside down and shaken around a bit, then this novel might hold as much promise as spiked Kool-Aid. If not, then you may want to skip out on this circus, and build your own big top in the backyard. And if that’s not enough, I’m sure you can round up a few barnyard animals to help the festivities run a little more smoothly. So to sum up, there was certainly promise, but it may have failed a bit in the execution.
I received this book for free as an early registration incentive for Left Coast Crime.
Cross-posted at Robert's Reads
Sure, it was a bit odd, like my friend Snuffy who may have taken one too many sniffs from that superglue container I left out on the kitchen table, but like Snuffy, this novel still had its entertainment value. The plot may have seemed a bit convoluted and possibly a bit coincidental until the story truly found its direction. But the jokes were there, and so was the entertainment value, and so was the group of pranksters that staggered across the page. For starters, there was the cross-dressing absentee father figure, the nude model with the fair skin and feminine charms, the slaphappy artist with a slightly questionable work ethic and talent, and that’s just in the first half of the story.
It was always a bit of a guess as to what would happen next, so if you like being turned upside down and shaken around a bit, then this novel might hold as much promise as spiked Kool-Aid. If not, then you may want to skip out on this circus, and build your own big top in the backyard. And if that’s not enough, I’m sure you can round up a few barnyard animals to help the festivities run a little more smoothly. So to sum up, there was certainly promise, but it may have failed a bit in the execution.
I received this book for free as an early registration incentive for Left Coast Crime.
Cross-posted at Robert's Reads
April 12, 2011
John Vorhaus’s Albuquerque Turkey follows on from his previous novel, The California Roll, but the reader certainly doesn’t need to read the first story to follow and enjoy the second. I haven’t read California Roll yet, but after reading Turkey I shall certainly look out for it.
The story’s told in first person by con artist Radar Hoverlander. After their last successful caper, he and girlfriend Allie Quinn have decided to go straight. But now Radar’s long-lost father steps into their lives, under the guise of a large lady in red, and asks their help in escaping a foe who’s demanding repayment of a debt.
Is the father’s story true? Is friend Vic Mirplo still conning people, or is he really an artist? Is conning an art? And will Allie ever forgive Radar for helping, or not helping his Dad? This story’s filled with cons, double-crosses, triple-crosses and more; with biting commentary on the worlds of fame and art; with clever mis-direction; wisdom in the guise of smart remarks; action; adventure; redemption; love… It’s just a rollicking good read. And in the end, well, yes, there are lessons to learn, and questions to ask about the world’s boring lives. And there’s surprise—surprises scattered on every page.
Radar reminds the reader and himself to “Love what you do,” and I’d have to say, I loved reading this book—hence my intent to look for its predecessor. The Albuquerque Turkey’s as zany, entertaining and playful as the title suggests, a romantic comedy caper with charming grifters, cool sleight of hand, and as many twists and turns as a turkey trot—highly recommended.
Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book by Stephanie at prbythebook with a request for an honest review.
The story’s told in first person by con artist Radar Hoverlander. After their last successful caper, he and girlfriend Allie Quinn have decided to go straight. But now Radar’s long-lost father steps into their lives, under the guise of a large lady in red, and asks their help in escaping a foe who’s demanding repayment of a debt.
Is the father’s story true? Is friend Vic Mirplo still conning people, or is he really an artist? Is conning an art? And will Allie ever forgive Radar for helping, or not helping his Dad? This story’s filled with cons, double-crosses, triple-crosses and more; with biting commentary on the worlds of fame and art; with clever mis-direction; wisdom in the guise of smart remarks; action; adventure; redemption; love… It’s just a rollicking good read. And in the end, well, yes, there are lessons to learn, and questions to ask about the world’s boring lives. And there’s surprise—surprises scattered on every page.
Radar reminds the reader and himself to “Love what you do,” and I’d have to say, I loved reading this book—hence my intent to look for its predecessor. The Albuquerque Turkey’s as zany, entertaining and playful as the title suggests, a romantic comedy caper with charming grifters, cool sleight of hand, and as many twists and turns as a turkey trot—highly recommended.
Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book by Stephanie at prbythebook with a request for an honest review.
June 12, 2011
The Albuquerque Turkey by John Vorhaus
An insider’s look at the world of the grifter, a peek into the mind of a con artist who struggle with his own identity in a convoluted and intricate plot of chicanery is the essence of this book.
Mr. Vorhaus does an excellent job at portraying con artists at work. He delves into their motivation and desires. He identifies grifters as living a life style not so much for the money but for the thrill of the scam. Vorhaus used a lot of terminology that is specific to con artists but he deftly defined them so there was no confusion in regards to terminology.
However the plot was astoundingly circuitous. That isn’t to say it wasn’t entertaining but you were never quite sure what was going to happen next. I like that. I hate predictability in books, what fun is it to figure out the murder in the first 50 pages? Amusingly Radar (the main protagonist) is in the same situation as the reader in trying to figure out what is going on. This is difficult to quantify, I guess mystery or maybe action adventure, regardless of the label it was a quality reading experience.
I enjoyed the book and I recommend the book.
An insider’s look at the world of the grifter, a peek into the mind of a con artist who struggle with his own identity in a convoluted and intricate plot of chicanery is the essence of this book.
Mr. Vorhaus does an excellent job at portraying con artists at work. He delves into their motivation and desires. He identifies grifters as living a life style not so much for the money but for the thrill of the scam. Vorhaus used a lot of terminology that is specific to con artists but he deftly defined them so there was no confusion in regards to terminology.
However the plot was astoundingly circuitous. That isn’t to say it wasn’t entertaining but you were never quite sure what was going to happen next. I like that. I hate predictability in books, what fun is it to figure out the murder in the first 50 pages? Amusingly Radar (the main protagonist) is in the same situation as the reader in trying to figure out what is going on. This is difficult to quantify, I guess mystery or maybe action adventure, regardless of the label it was a quality reading experience.
I enjoyed the book and I recommend the book.
March 4, 2011
I won this on Goodreads first reads .I really enjoyed this book. Allie and Rader his main characters, are conmen /grifters. This is a somewhat complicated story. But it is entrancing.There are many twists and turns throughout and it,ll keep you guessing. Ilook forward to reading more books by this author
April 23, 2011
I won this book from First Reads. It is a very good book. Very enjoyable. Thank you.
Want to read
February 24, 2011I have just won this book from First Reads. I look forward to reading it. Thanks.
August 31, 2017
Light, entertaining con-artist fiction with likable leads and appropriately loathsome antagonists.
January 27, 2018
This book started off with good humor, but took too long to get to the plot, so I gave up. I might try it again when I'm feeling more patience.
July 12, 2011
Review from my blog, The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia
First Sentence:
It started with a dog, a biggish one loping down the sidewalk with that weird canter some dogs have, the front legs syncopating and the rear legs slewing sideways in tandem.
The Albuquerque Turkey was nothing like I thought it was going to be. When I first heard about it I thought that it would have a caper-like feel, like the Ocean's 11 movies and that it was going to be funny. I was sorely mistaken. It was either just not funny or the humor was such that it just didn't ring humorous to me (which is highly possible since I don't have the best sense of humor).
The Albuquerque Turkey had a lot of potential to be a great read, and it probably would have been a lot better had the story not taken so long to pick up and get going. I felt that the author could have perhaps done a little more showing and a lot less telling when it come to the plot because it felt like he was forever (to use a word from the book) bafflegab around the story.
Of the four characters that were mentioned the most, Radar, Vic, Allie, and Woody (Radar’s dad), I never really felt much of anything for them. To me they came across as a way to relay the story, nothing to get attached to. Maybe that’s how they were supposed to be, I don’t know. *shrugs*
The one thing I did like about the The Albuquerque Turkey was the totally cute dog, Boy (not a very original name), that Radar rescued in the beginning of the book. He was such a sweetheart.
Okay, there is one other thing that I did like about this book and which kept me reading it, and that would have to be that I just had to know if they were going to be able to pull off their scheme and come out on top. I felt that Mr. Vorhaus did a very nice job of pulling together the various strings to the con, and I enjoyed how it was layered throughout the book.
What really made The Albuquerque Turkey hard to get into was the author’s excessive use of slang. Yes, the book was about grifters and them plying their trade, but I feel that the book could've benefited from less of the lingo because it tended to muddy the flow of the story as you tried to decipher what on earth they were talking about. At the very least a lexicon or glossary would have been helpful.
As for content, there was entirely too MUCH swearing, so much so that my poor mind was reeling from the foul language in which the characters talked; there was also much page skipping due to the characters sleeping with each other.
Final Verdict: The Albuquerque Turkey didn't quite live up to my expectations.
The Albuquerque Turkey earns 3 out of 5 pineapples.
First Sentence:
It started with a dog, a biggish one loping down the sidewalk with that weird canter some dogs have, the front legs syncopating and the rear legs slewing sideways in tandem.
The Albuquerque Turkey was nothing like I thought it was going to be. When I first heard about it I thought that it would have a caper-like feel, like the Ocean's 11 movies and that it was going to be funny. I was sorely mistaken. It was either just not funny or the humor was such that it just didn't ring humorous to me (which is highly possible since I don't have the best sense of humor).
The Albuquerque Turkey had a lot of potential to be a great read, and it probably would have been a lot better had the story not taken so long to pick up and get going. I felt that the author could have perhaps done a little more showing and a lot less telling when it come to the plot because it felt like he was forever (to use a word from the book) bafflegab around the story.
Of the four characters that were mentioned the most, Radar, Vic, Allie, and Woody (Radar’s dad), I never really felt much of anything for them. To me they came across as a way to relay the story, nothing to get attached to. Maybe that’s how they were supposed to be, I don’t know. *shrugs*
The one thing I did like about the The Albuquerque Turkey was the totally cute dog, Boy (not a very original name), that Radar rescued in the beginning of the book. He was such a sweetheart.
Okay, there is one other thing that I did like about this book and which kept me reading it, and that would have to be that I just had to know if they were going to be able to pull off their scheme and come out on top. I felt that Mr. Vorhaus did a very nice job of pulling together the various strings to the con, and I enjoyed how it was layered throughout the book.
What really made The Albuquerque Turkey hard to get into was the author’s excessive use of slang. Yes, the book was about grifters and them plying their trade, but I feel that the book could've benefited from less of the lingo because it tended to muddy the flow of the story as you tried to decipher what on earth they were talking about. At the very least a lexicon or glossary would have been helpful.
As for content, there was entirely too MUCH swearing, so much so that my poor mind was reeling from the foul language in which the characters talked; there was also much page skipping due to the characters sleeping with each other.
Final Verdict: The Albuquerque Turkey didn't quite live up to my expectations.
The Albuquerque Turkey earns 3 out of 5 pineapples.
March 11, 2011
I won this book from the goodreads giveaway.
I'm not sure if I'm just out of the loop or if this was an overly hard to understand book. I've never been a gambler or a grifter, so half the time I had no idea what the characters were talking about. Even when they tried to spell it out, I still was very confused. For me, I felt like it was almost a chore to get through the first half of this book. Once we got past the drama between the main character and his girlfriend trying to decide how they wanted to live their lives and got into the actual storyline, I felt like it wasn't as hard to concentrate and I could just start enjoying the story. I definitely didn't see the ending playing out the way it did at all which is the reason I even gave this book three stars. If it weren't for the surprise and suspense that played out in the last third of the book, I probably would have just given up and put it back on the shelf. I liked the book on a whole, but it's not something I'd typically read. I think if you understood the lingo going on in the book, it'd certainly be more appealing. Good, but not great.
I'm not sure if I'm just out of the loop or if this was an overly hard to understand book. I've never been a gambler or a grifter, so half the time I had no idea what the characters were talking about. Even when they tried to spell it out, I still was very confused. For me, I felt like it was almost a chore to get through the first half of this book. Once we got past the drama between the main character and his girlfriend trying to decide how they wanted to live their lives and got into the actual storyline, I felt like it wasn't as hard to concentrate and I could just start enjoying the story. I definitely didn't see the ending playing out the way it did at all which is the reason I even gave this book three stars. If it weren't for the surprise and suspense that played out in the last third of the book, I probably would have just given up and put it back on the shelf. I liked the book on a whole, but it's not something I'd typically read. I think if you understood the lingo going on in the book, it'd certainly be more appealing. Good, but not great.
April 22, 2011
John Vorhaus brings his personable, yet criminal, main character--Radar Hoverlander--back for some schemes-gone-wrong in his new release, The Albuquerque Turkey. Readers met con-man radar and his equally lovable and crooked new girlfriend, Allie, in the series debut, The California Roll. Now the pair is back for their toughest challenge yet: a respectable life as crime-free, upstanding citizens. Easier said than done for these two.
Add in a grifter patriarch, an old nemesis, and a couple of eccentric artsy friends on the make for fame and glory, and pretty soon it's impossible to tell who's double crossing whom.
Radar's a charming, affable narrator and I really enjoyed his quirky supporting cast, both the good guys and the bad. (Probably because much of the time I couldn't be sure of the difference.) Twists in the story are frequent and amusing. This is a great choice for those looking for fast thrills and a break from predictable PG humor.
I almost never laugh out loud while reading, but The Albuquerque Turkey got me more than once. Thumbs up.
Add in a grifter patriarch, an old nemesis, and a couple of eccentric artsy friends on the make for fame and glory, and pretty soon it's impossible to tell who's double crossing whom.
Radar's a charming, affable narrator and I really enjoyed his quirky supporting cast, both the good guys and the bad. (Probably because much of the time I couldn't be sure of the difference.) Twists in the story are frequent and amusing. This is a great choice for those looking for fast thrills and a break from predictable PG humor.
I almost never laugh out loud while reading, but The Albuquerque Turkey got me more than once. Thumbs up.
April 13, 2011
Oh another would be Route 66. It travels all over. Even right through Albuquerque, New Mexico. You can also see the Balloon Fiesta there in October. Of course if you can not travel there you can visit through a story. I have been to Albuquerque when I was a child to visit my Grandmother. It was native and wild to me. But I have been back through my books when reading The Albuquerque Turkey recently. This was just as wild for me as it was when I was a child. Now back then it was seeing things so unknown to me. Now it was reading about the con artist and his escapades through out Vegas. Yeah, I thought I was traveling to New Mexico but ended up in Nevada. Goes that way with travel doesn't it. I had a rip roaring good time learning about the high roller life while following the con cross, double-cross and triple-cross people all over. I know that I had to stay on my toes with this one. Not the safe lil traveling companion I imagined.
October 30, 2012
Quite a bit of techno education on running con games in this world - especially for Vegas people. Character development quite good and the inclusion of a one-eared dog early on makes this a well-balanced kind of read. A man can learn a lot about woman-think from some stirrings in the hero's mind and the balance of tough and talented spirits between men and women. The drives and motivations of con-artists, artists and businessmen in general are on the table for you. The surprises are, of course, under the table and are revealed over time. Not a predictable book. You aren't really sure until the end of the story.
I developed a steady smile in reading this and opened my eyes a little wider to the motivations of men and women, and, let's not forget the dog.
I developed a steady smile in reading this and opened my eyes a little wider to the motivations of men and women, and, let's not forget the dog.
April 1, 2011
I won this book through the GoodReads First Reads.
In short, The Albuquerque Turkey is a fun book. The writing style is quirky, fast-paced and easy to read. It was interesting and kept my attention and was a worthwhile read.
The reason I find it not as compelling as it should be is because I found the "twists" in the plot somewhat predictable. The story was interesting and fun but I never felt fully immersed because I did not feel like the surprises were real. The fourth wall did not feel completely there the whole time.
That said, it was definitely worth reading as a fun, light read. I read it while traveling, which was perfect.
I recommend this book as a good light read but not a book with too much depth.
In short, The Albuquerque Turkey is a fun book. The writing style is quirky, fast-paced and easy to read. It was interesting and kept my attention and was a worthwhile read.
The reason I find it not as compelling as it should be is because I found the "twists" in the plot somewhat predictable. The story was interesting and fun but I never felt fully immersed because I did not feel like the surprises were real. The fourth wall did not feel completely there the whole time.
That said, it was definitely worth reading as a fun, light read. I read it while traveling, which was perfect.
I recommend this book as a good light read but not a book with too much depth.
March 8, 2011
I love getting books from GoodReads contests. I find author's I might never have looked at before.
Quite a bit of humor follows the adventures of Radar, Allie & Mirplo (a group of grifters who came together in the author's first book, The California Roll). Even though I had a pretty good idea what was really going on, there were more than enough twists and turns to keep my head spinning.
I would recommend reading the first book to get to know the characters first. There's not a lot of back story in this book on the characters, just quick references to the first book. I think they were likely fleshed out there.
I plan to go back and read The California Roll and I look forward to the next book.
Quite a bit of humor follows the adventures of Radar, Allie & Mirplo (a group of grifters who came together in the author's first book, The California Roll). Even though I had a pretty good idea what was really going on, there were more than enough twists and turns to keep my head spinning.
I would recommend reading the first book to get to know the characters first. There's not a lot of back story in this book on the characters, just quick references to the first book. I think they were likely fleshed out there.
I plan to go back and read The California Roll and I look forward to the next book.
March 18, 2011
I would like to thank Goodreads First Reader Giveway and Crown Publishers for selecting me to read John Vorhaus's new novel "The Albuquerque Turkey". Let me start by saying I don't like reviews that contain spoilers and plot lines, for I want future readers to discover this wonderfully witty, and colorful fun ride of a caper novel.
The twists, turns, and hidden agendas keep you riveted to the final word of this caper tale. This well written novel is funny, fast, and full of colorful characters and locations. The author immerses you in the world of these characters by educating you to their slang language.
I truly enjoyed reading every single word of this delightful novel.
The twists, turns, and hidden agendas keep you riveted to the final word of this caper tale. This well written novel is funny, fast, and full of colorful characters and locations. The author immerses you in the world of these characters by educating you to their slang language.
I truly enjoyed reading every single word of this delightful novel.
May 24, 2011
I really had a time getting into this book. It was one I won on Goodreads. Once I got into it, the story was pretty good. It's a story about a con-man trying to go straight and lead a regular life with the girl of his dreams. Because of his father, he ends up backsliding into his old life. Several twists and turns later, the story ends on a happy note. I wasn't sure that it would for a while. Reminded me very much of the movie "The Sting". You really have to pay attention but it is worth it.
March 2, 2014
Conman Radar Hoverlander isn't sure if he can trust his dad, who has walked into his life after over 20 years and saying he desperately needs money to pay off a man in Vegas. Once again, this is a wild ride that seems a bit too complicated and leaves the reader in a dark a bit much in the name of twists. Still, it was a fun ride
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
April 8, 2016
This is one of those comic crime novels in which characters have odd, wacky names (Rover Hoverlander, Honey Moon) and cross and double-cross one another amid zany situations. While the premise of two masterful con artists coming out of 'retirement' to save one's long-lost father had promise, the ultimate con game got too labyrinthian for me to follow, and the book was never over-the-top enough to be truly funny.
March 1, 2011
I enjoyed this book. I've never read Vorhaus before and I received this ARC through a Goodreads giveaway. His main characters, Allie and Radar, are con men/grifters and this is a thoroughly entracing, if somewhat complicated, story. There are many twists and turns throughout the plot and it'll keep you guessing. I'll definitely read the next Allie and Radar book.
March 18, 2011
It took me a little while to get used to the rhythm of the author's voice, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. I spent most of my time trying to figure out the con, and will probably go back and read The California Roll when I get a chance. The characters weren't perfect, but they were fun. I could totally picture this book as a Tarantino movie.
May 13, 2011
It was fun to reunite with the characters from The California Roll, but something seemed off. Sure, Radar is supposed to be off-kilter in this book due to the unexpected reappearance of his long-lost grifter father, but he's still Radar Hoverlander. Too often I found myself frustrated that the legendary con man couldn't see the twists and turns that seemed all too obvious to me.
November 23, 2011
This is slapstick in book form. Radar Hoverlander has vowed to go straight from his life of cons, but his father reappears in his life and sends his plans and resolutions packing. The ending is grand, hilarious, over-the-top, and totally entertaining (as is the entire book). You'll laugh out loud, roll your eyes, and enjoy it immensely.
February 6, 2012
Hilarious romp by an extremely likeable con man and his partners. I found this book on my shelf and am not sure how it got there... a giveaway in Santa Fe at last year's Left Coast Crime? When I saw it had been nominated for a Lefty at this year's conference, I pulled it down and laughed my way through.
March 11, 2011
I enjoyed this book, as did my husband. We liked the humor and personalities of the characters. This is a fun book about conartists that are maybe trying to lead a "normal" life. Enjoyable and easy to read.
April 13, 2011
I won this book via a First Reads Contest and was glad I did. The voice of the protagonist is quirky and conversational. The characters and plot twists are intriguing. Overall it was a fun, light read.
November 24, 2022
Although I usually read mystery and detective genres I found this quite entertaining to read. There were so many turns at the end that my head was spinning. Kudos to goodreads.com and Crown Publishing for providing this book as a free read, it helped open doors to other genres for me.
March 8, 2011
A very enjoyable story. The characters are thoroughly self assuming, semi annoying, which for me, makes me love/hate all of them, even the meaner badder guys. Great con jargon, learned some new words, which i will be using in my everyday vocab.
June 29, 2011
its ok so far. a con artist and his con girlfriend moved to albauerque to live a straight life. his dad shows up and he doesnt know if his dad is conning him or if hes really in trouble owing money to people in vegas. he is on his way to vegas now
its just ok
its just ok
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2011
Delightful book featuring... conmen/conwomen/conpeople..., let's just leave it at grifters who take us through cons, crosses, double crosses, bag drops and more. Pure reading pleasure with the great advice of "Be the show".
Truly a Good Read.
Truly a Good Read.
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