Customer Reviews

The Narrowback

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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

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.

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.

I really liked the book. It was right in line with all of the established writers out there today - an excellent 1st book. I just ordered "Bad Connection" & I hope it's just as good. Being a fellow tech (for the same company), I must say that I am a little biased, however. Keep up the good work and you'll be a stress free (once you leave the phone company), full-time writer. Good luck Michael.

Michael Ledwidge is the most exciting new voice in crime writing to come down the pike in ages. His novel has the characters, plot, pacing and descriptions that scream "this is the real thing" to anyone who knows New York City. Ledwidge reminds me of a young Richard Price, with whom he shares a brilliantly dark sense of humor. "The Narrowback" is for anyone who enjoys Elmore Leonard, Jim Thompson, Peter Blauner or the early novels of James Ellroy. My hunch is that he's a writer headed for the big-time.

In an utterly realistic, noir novel, the reader follows the actions of Tom Farrell as if someone was walking behind him and filming every event.

After release from prison, Farrell gets a job as a night doorman on Park Avenue. There is a hotel across the street and he watches the armored car picking up money on a regular basis. He also makes note of the times of the radio car patrols.

He puts together a team for a heist and sets his plan into motion. The last person added was an Irishman named Durkin. Although the robbery went smoothly, Durkin had his own agenda for the money. He takes a shot at Farrell but misses. Farrell shoots back and wounds him, then Farrell's accomplices, the Burns Brothers take care of the rest and do away with the body.

Not long after Durkin was at the bottom of the Harlem river, Farrell learns that he was a member of the IRA.

The next step is to find a fence for the jewelry taken in the robbery. Farrell and his gang travel to the home of an Albanian but there is an altercation.

Later, when Farrell and his men are celebrating in a bar, Farrell goes downstairs to use the facilities and is fortunate to survive the bloodbath upstairs.

The story seems taken from a person from the hardest segment of Manhattan and the Bronx. It tells of the disintegration of a man and the many things that can go wrong when someone commits crimes and numbs their mind with alcohol and drugs. It teaches us of what life can be on the streets and the misery of a person's life.

I love discovering new authors...well, new to me anyway. The Narrowback is a great debut and a must read for noir fans. Those reviewers who critisized this work for having unsympathetic characters have little or no understanding of noir fiction. The writing will hook you from page one, even though there are descriptive passages that could have been trimmed a bit, this is easily overlooked as the impact of the work is mezmerizing.

Farrell, an Irish-American (nickname "Narrowback") dishonorably discharged ex-Marine and criminal, spends his first year out of prison constructing a brilliant plan to raid the safe and safety-deposit boxes of a premier New York hotel. All of his research pays off in a flawlessly executed bloodless crime and yields him $150,000 - more than enough for him to escape his gritty and depressing past in the Bronx and head out west for a new life.

A betrayal by one of his gang as they're getting rid of their getaway vehicle tips Farrell into a bloody Newtonian world of action and reaction. More and more parties get involved - first the IRA and then the Albanians - and as they clash Farrell is always on the receiving end.

Ledwidge has painted a stark picture of events and counter-events with characters trapped into acting as they must yet in horribly detrimental and brutal ways. The beauty of this thriller is that it challenges you to think about how Farrell would have had to have been different in order to step aside from the "freight train of consequences" bearing down upon him.

I absolutely recommend this book. The writer has a great literary flair that is both eleoquent and street smart- not an easy combination. The story is smart and fast. The character of Farrell is a great anti-hero. I couldn't put it down. Great!!!

I was browsing my BOMC (sorry Amazon.com) insert and came across "The Narrowback". I am always looking for new suspense writers and I am glad that I came across Michael Ledwidge's thriller. It was not the normal sloppy thriller with some romance thrown in. It was very thought-provoking (even for someone who is not Irish)with a very vivid description of the streetlife of New York. I am looking forward to the next novel.