Customer Reviews

Caper

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Jannie Shean is a moderately successful writer of thrillers, using at least 6 pen names to churn out "penny dreadfuls" as fast as the public will buy them. When the sales of her books begin to dry up, her publisher suggests that she gets out into the real world to gain some life experience, instead of slavishly copying the writing styles of writers of previous generations like Mickey Spillane. Jannie and her friend Dick Fleming plan a jewellery theft and getaway plan, exactly as if it were actually going to happen, even to the point of contacting a group of men of dubious character, to be their gang. Needless to say, it all gets out of hand and the adventurous, amateur crooks find themselves involved in real crime and the marks for mob heavies. It was all quite exciting, with Jannie dressing and acting like a floosie and sleeping with two men at the same time, but so highly improbable that it suspends belief.

It has been quite a while since I became captivated by a particular author, but Lawrence Sanders has a style and way with words that help me to visualize the words on the page into a film that plays in my mind. Caper is the 7th Lawrence Sanders work I have read, and I am happy to report that this work is on par with the excellent work of his "Deadly Sins" series. The writing is crisp, the ideas well thought out, and the characters interesting and creative. The McNally Series of books by Sanders are awfully simplistic and tiresome to read, but Caper and the Deadly Sins works are a pure joy.

The story revolves around a writer who finds she needs to insert "realism" into her work as a detective novelist. How does she do this? By attempting to live the life of a criminal.... planning a big heist.... but backing out at the last moment.... or will she?

Fun and enjoyable, this work has allowed me to find what I really enjoy about Sanders work again after the dull and insipid McNally works.

I had just got done with The First Commandment, and as I'm wont to do, I picked up the next book I saw by the same author. I don't think I've enjoyed a book like this in a long time. Whereas the characters are predictable, the middle of the book sweeps you up in its stunning twist. From there foreward, its a roller coaster ride of quick, descriptive action with a penchant for bloodletting becoming of a detective/mystery writer. I fell head over heels for Jack, Jannie, and Dick, even holding a soft spot for Himey Gore. I've re-read the book at least 8 times since owning it. You just can't go wrong with "healthy junk food" writing like this.

Interesting characters and a good plot. Moves along well, with plenty of action and suspense. But somehow it doesn't grip the reader like an ideal book should. Not one of Sanders best.

1/3 of the way in and I cannot finish it. Read the other critical reviews - I agree with them all.

This is one of my favorite books in the world. I first read it as a teenager in the late 80's and then again in the late 90's. And, much to my amazement, for a novel that was written in 1980, I was pleasantly surprised to find, when I re-read it this past weekend (in 2009) that it holds up remarkably well, given its age. This book is not like any of the other Lawrence Sanders novels, nor is it really like anything else in its supposed "genre". My only complaint is that a happy ending would have made this book perfect. Also, when I saw the movie "From Dusk Till Dawn" several years ago (which has nothing whatsoever to do with CAPER) I couldn't help but wonder if Quentin Tarantino got the idea for the sudden plot twist in the middle of that movie, from the equally (totally) unexpected plot twist that occurs about a third of the way through CAPER. This book is a great read that will stay with you long after you've finished the last page.

I have read this book 4 ou 5 times now, and I guess I will read it again.

This is not what you could objectively call a good book, well written, with a solid plot and really believable and thick characters.

However this book has something, something different from standard crime novels. Maybe it's the plot construction, beginning with the game-like crime exploration made by a upper-class female novelist, followed by a twist plot at mid-book, and ending with a sad and bloody road movie.

Maybe this comes from the characters too, which have some refreshing lightness even if you can't believe them as true.

But this is an enjoyable book and you end up involved in the story and with Jannie Shean, Dick Flemming and Jack Donohue.

Lawrence Sanders, presents a spellbinding masterpiece, featuring 'the perfect crime.' A mystery writer turns thief and plans a multi-million dollar heist. A fortune in jewels. A lifetime of leisure. A make beleive caper that turns horribly and murderously real...

I've read this book 5 times now, and I just started my 6th reading. The plot is pretty simple, the characters quite predictable, but there's just something about it that's appealing. I bought it at a yard sale about 15 years ago, and have held onto it as one of those books that's an easy read, something to pick up anytime. I highly recommend it!

Next time you drive through Macon, take the correct exit off I-75. There are no oxen plows here, nor do the women look 30 years older than they should. A good read but must you kill off so many people?