Caught Stealing: A Novel by Charlie Huston
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Book Reviews of Caught Stealing: A Novel
Book Review: Very Entertaining Read!
Summary: 5 Stars
Granted some parts of Caught Stealing are a little bit unrealistic or farfetched but Huston has written a very fast paced thriller that is one of those rare reads that makes the reader forget about the outside world and keep turning the pages until the final page. I will definitely be on the lookout for other novels by Huston who has a similar story told through the main character's eyes style to Harlan Coben but with a fair bit more violence than Coben's work.
In Caught Stealing, once upon a time child sport prodigy Henry (Hank) Thompson through injury never accomplished his dreams and now works as a bartender. Being the nice guy that he is Hank reluctantly takes possession of his neighbour's cat while Russ his neighbour goes to visit his sick father. One night at work some disgruntled Russians beat Hank to a pulp over the poor quality of their drinks. Hank low on money decides to just suck it up and not go to hospital but when he lapses into a coma when keeping an appointment with his doctor about an unrelated foot problem and wakes up with one less kidney and other problems, he finds out the Russians did some serious damage. Shortly after release he is terrified to see them across the street while doing his laundry and hides on the roof of his apartment block as they ransack Russ' apartment across the hall. Upon reporting them to the police he learns through torture to himself and the cat that his neighbour wasn't the average guy he thought he was and that Russ gave him the cat for a reason. With those around him being killed until he hands over what the criminals want, Hank has no choice but to discover Russ' secret and win their deadly game.
Book Review: When Doing the Right Thing Becomes Increasingly Impossible
Summary: 5 Stars
Caught Stealing was a fantastic novel from the beginning to the very end. I started reading this book and literally (and figuratively) did not put it down until it was over, several hours later.
There is an all star cast of characters that it is impossible not desire to learn about their motivations and anticipate their next moves. They are so unique it is almost laughable... almost. The pacing of the story is extremely fast and furious and the dialogue is sharp. I could not help but be compassionate to some of the characters.
The plot is gritty, dark, and mildly disturbing in some parts. This is one of those books that sucked me in from the first page and took me for the ride of a lifetime with two hands clinching my throat. The situations posed in the book test the characters in every sense. The main character is especially real, and I truly felt for each painstaking decision he had to make while his life spiraled out of control. I loved how just when I thought his life could not get any worse, it did... by leaps and bounds. This book was a tour de force. I highly recommend this book for noir buffs, action junkies, and really... anyone.
I cannot say enough how glad I am I discovered this author. I anticipate finishing Six Bad Things tonight and A Dangerous Man the following night, because the story was that compelling.
J.Stoner
Book Review: WOW, THIS BOOK IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST MUST MUST 5 Stars
This book kept popping up in front of my eyes, here, there, and everywhere. I finally decided to take the hint and read. Am I ever glad that I did.This is a great, big, wonderful, slam-bam, keep-you-guessing, don't-want-it-to-end WINNER. I first thought this was a book for men, but I was hooked by the end of the first page.
Hank is a great character. What a GREAT movie this would make!! Who would play Hank -- the kind, smart-aleck, hard-drinking, been there/done that guy? What an action packed thriller it would be.
This book moves along quickly -- almost too quickly cuz than you are done -- and keeps the reader guessing CONSTANTLY. Hank and his friends and enemies alike are all great. Hank does things he never dreamed he would do. And even though you know they are the wrong things, you keep rooting for Hank.
This book is one that should not be missed. There is a second in this trilogy, SIX BAD THINGS. This too should be read, savored, and enjoyed. Get yourself a six pack, or a bottle of cheap, red wine and just sit back and enjoy the ride. You will be wanting for more.
There is also the third book coming out this year {I THINK September} and is called a Dangerous Man. Read them in order --
Caught Stealing
Six Bad Things
A Dangerous Man
Also, there is another book by Charlie Huston, ALREADY DEAD. Not to be missed -- it is not part of this series, but stands alone. You don't believe in the undead? Charlie Huston will MAKE you. This author rocks!!!!!!
Thanks -- Pam
Book Review: A really great book...!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I just have to say that i have never written a review for anything on any site before, but I have been so excited about this book and author, that I have no other choice. Huston's newest novel Already Dead has even just been released and I am in the process of reading it now and will almost definately leave a review for it.
Now about this book.....
I came upon it by random originally, it was listed under books that other people bought who bought another book, or something like that. I have to say that i was really excited reading this book. I also have to add that I don't mean excited in the sense that I was excited to find a character or some kind of incident in the book that I was able to relate to in some change of life kind of way; but that I was excited to find a book where the writing was fresh, the characters were imperfect, and the story was just plain unrelenting.
Many people seem to keep posting comments about the violence level and how it is not needed, or how it ruined the book for them. But in all reality, if the character had not been through the horrible things he went through, how would he have been able to accomplish not only staying alive, but also doing the things he needed to do to get by in the second book.
The second book was just as good and I can't wait to read the final conclusion this upcoming year. I also must highly recomend going to Charlie Huston's website: www.puplnoir.com
It will give anyone interested a better understanding about who the author really is.
Book Review: Shades of Jim Thompson...or Hunter S.?
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the best first novels I've read in a long time. The author has created an interesting character who's not a particularly bad guy, but who gets into a predicament through no fault of his own, and is pulled down in a spiral of violence, greed, and betrayal that just keeps going at a rocket-ship pace.
Henry "Hank" Thompson (a name picked perhaps as an homage to Jim?) was once a high school baseball prodigy, his career ended before it ever started by a broken leg. He drifted into crime, dropped out of college, drifted to New York City with a girl who promptly dumped him, and wound up tending bar in a grungy place and living in a tiny, crappy apartment. His biggest worry, now, is that his job is killing his feet, and he's in debt. He drinks too much and smokes the occasional joint.
Then his neighbor from across the hallway leaves his cat with Hank for the weekend while he goes to visit his sick father, a pair of outrageous Russians in bad-taste tracksuits beat him up so badly the doctor has to remove one of his kidneys, and suddenly everyone's trying to kill him, or at least interrogate him about things he doesn't understand. They all seem to be looking for something he doesn't have.
This is an excellent first novel. The author is sure with his plot and characters, and though there are a few things that are at least sort of unbelievable, it's a good story and it moves right along. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in this sort of story.