Welcome to Litsy!

Written in 1971, I can definitely see how influential this novel must have been on many of the recent noir revival in American crime. Fizzing with witty dialogue this is the story of how Eddie is at the centre of gun running for various criminal gangs, including those involved in cross state border bank heists, while there is also ref to black panthers and hippy gangs. The book also features fbi officers hunting the crims. Short but v satisfying

Finally starting to feel a bit of ~normalcy~ again after settling into new job, easing back into reading with a few different books: one being this classic (as recommended by Tony Bourdain). Never dove too deep into crime novels before but am so far enjoying this one.

A lot of contemporary books like to call themselves "noir," but that's just marketing. Most modern novels dubbing themselves "noir" are really hard-boiled or gothic. Rule of thumb: If it's a serial character like a private eye or amateur sleuth, it ain't noir. Can't be. But this, this beautiful book of gutter-high characters and pervading doom, this is noir. A must-read. #noir #noirfiction

This book is great. It feels like a valuable piece of noir. The book really seems to nail the dialogue between characters and the feel of the "criminal element". Pretty short read but immediately engrossing. Moves at a good pace.

So good. No wonder it's a seminal piece of American noir

This was billed as "the best crime novel ever written." Elmore Leonard, the master himself, said so. And now I'm inclined to agree. It's fast, funny, intense, and fun to read.