The Narrowback [Mass Market Paperback]

Michael Ledwidge (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 3, 2001

Tom Farrell is a working-class Irish-American from the Bronx, a "narrowback" who masterminds the heist of a ritzy midtown Manhattan hotel. His well-executed scheme unravels when one of his gang claims more than his share of the loot -- and suffers a brutal fate. But the dead man's IRA ties have made Farrell a marked man.... On a violent crash course in a dangerous Gotham underworld, fleeing from terrorists, the NYPD, and his own criminal past, Farrell will survive the way he always has in his hard-luck life -- by the skin of his teeth -- and fight to be the last man standing.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This alcohol- and cocaine-fueled noir page-turner follows a posse of Bronx-born Irish "narrowbacks" whose gangster games backfire. The ringleader, Tom Farrell, is an ex-con who dreams of a career as an artist. The trouble begins when Farrell convinces his friends to help him rob $750,000 in cash and jewels from an upscale midtown hotel. When the thugs kill an IRA accomplice who attempts to hijack the booty, the terrorist's superior enlists a Vietnam-trained sniper to claim the booty for the Cause. The bloodiness that ensues?also involving a feckless FBI agent and members of an Albanian mob?contributes to the novel's urban chic, as when Farrell looks in the rearview mirror and notices that "the cut on his chin had stopped bleeding and had scabbed up like a small goatee." A few pistol-whippings later, Farrell is wandering Manhattan in a boozy haze, believing he's the last one left alive, the IRA still on his trail. Ledwidge's too-cool characters are, like his prose, lean and mean, and their inability to distinguish the difference between loyalty to a cause and senseless violence on its behalf creates an aura of futility and hopelessness that pulses through this well-executed debut. BOMC and QPB selections.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

The plot here could best be described as The Usual Suspects meets The Devil's Own meets Reservoir Dogs. Protagonist Tommy Farrell, a Bronx-born Irish American (a "narrowback"), certainly has the luck of his ancestors?all bad! Farrell seems on the verge of breaking his losing streak when he masterminds and executes a profitable heist. But he offs a member of his own gang, who unbeknownst to Farrell is a full-fledged IRA black mask with terrorist plans for the loot. Thrown into the mix are an over-ambitious FBI agent, Albanian wiseguys, and some bullet-brained Belfast boyos, all of whom are out for Farrell's hide. This taut thriller also sports many motifs found in classic literature, as Farrell descends into the underworld while seeking redemption and forgiveness for his sullied past. Though a little heavy-handed in spots, this book has an easy, fluid style; a quick-moving plot; and dialog that goes down as smoothly as Jamesons. Overall, a gangbusters first novel reminiscent of Jim Thompson and David Goodis. Recommended.?Michael Rogers, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (April 3, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743403541
• ISBN-13: 978-0743403542
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,033,713 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Gangbusters crime story with literary overtones. Fine debut., July 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Narrowback (Hardcover)

The plot here could best be described as "The Usual Suspects" meets "The Devil's Own" meets "Reservoir Dogs." Protagonist Tommy Farrell, a Bronx-born Irish American (a "narrowback") certainly has the luck of his ancestors--all bad! Failing his whole life, Farrell seems on the verge of breaking his losing streak when masterminding and executing a profitable heist. But he stumbles again and offs a member of his gang who unbeknownst is a full-fledged IRA black mask with terrorist plans for the loot. Throw into the mix an over-ambitious FBI agent, Albanian wiseguys, and some bullet-brained Belfast boyos--whose eyes aren't smilin'--all of whom are out for Farrell's hide. While on the surface a taut crime thriller, this also sports many motifs found in classic literature as Farrell descends into the underworld while seeking redemption and ! forgiveness for his sullied past. Though a little heavy-handed in spots, the author has an easy, fluid style; the plot moves quickly and the dialogue goes down as smooth as Jamesons. Overall, a gangbusters first novel reminiscent of Jim Thompson and David Goodis. Recommended.-Michael Rogers, "Library Journal

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great read. High action. Intense drama. Awesome detail., May 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Narrowback (Hardcover)

This bloke can write. I raced through Ledwidge's book in two days. The pages are filled with lively writing and great detail. I could smell the Bronx, feel the Manhattan streets and taste the Guiness coming from the pages. A great read. I can't wait for the movie.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You won't want to put it down!!, March 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Narrowback (Hardcover)

Elmore Leanord pack it in! The Narrowback is awesome. State of Grace meets Reservoir Dogs. Farrell the armed robber protagonist is on a quest for quick large cash. It gets royally bungled and he soon finds himself running from the IRA and the Albanian mafia. Toss in an ex-IRA sniper and an over ambitious FBI agent and you got a recipe for a bloody good read. Realistic, evocative, and violent crime fiction. If you liked Jim Thompson or Tom Kakonis or "The Westies" you'll love this book. Finally, a new writer who knows how to get it right.