Customer Reviews

The Specialists

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Ah, what might have been. This novel reads like it's part of a series, but, alas, Lawrence Block only wrote about these guys in one book. Too bad because this is LB at his best. The characters are strong, the plot is fun, and it's dark, dark, dark. It won't take you long to read it, so go ahead and find this one. One of my favorites.

It's not Eight Million Ways to Die or even Girl with the Long Green Heart, but I couldn't help liking this book. It's fast-paced, with wildly implausible action scenes and tongue-in-cheek humor. (I particularly liked the part where one of the commandos would tape a knife to his leg and then sneak up behind someone, remove the knife quiety, and kill him. Really? How does the intended victim not hear you ripping duct tape off your leg?)

I realize this book is deeply silly on many levels. But it's like watching a James Bond movie from the 70's: Yes, the plot barely makes sense. And yes, the characters are little more than cardboard cutouts. But you still can't turn away because it's so much fun seeing what comes next.

One interesting twist in this story was that the "good guys" were arguably morally worse than the bad guys. In fact, throughout the book, the menacing gangsters never actually killed anyone. Oh, they threatened and they beat a few people up, but nothing like the "good guy" commandos who basically ran around killing gangsters, gangster wives, and hapless security guards almost at random.

But hey, who doesn't like a good shoot-em-up every once in a while?

I can not believe Block wrote this.

it is the worst writing I have ever seen outside of an 8th grade English class. Block claims he wrote it in one sitting and I believe that. A Very Short sitting.

Block states he didn't like writing about the characters, so he never did another book on them, and thank God for small favors for that.

This book is written by someone that has ZERO knowledge of Vietnam, Special Forces, the US Army, war or combat.

ZERO KNOWLEDGE.

If a child wrote it, and I won't argue that possibly one did, one would read it and smile and say, well, good job, when you grow up you will learn what research is as applied to writing, or simply stick to a subject you have knowledge of.

I have read a stinker from Block now and then but why in sweet heaven would anyone willingly dredge this pile of crap back up from the past and label it a work of Block?

Whomever suggested Block release this again, deeply hates the man. It is Absolute Crap.

If you can read beyond where the Special Forces soldier now turned assassin routinely tapes a skeleton knife to his arm and leg to hide it !!! you are braver than I....ever try to quickly get a taped knife off of your arm of leg in a combat situation? not only does he do it again and again but it sounds like a good idea to his team mates too....He jumps fences, scales walls, goes hand to hand and the kife stays right there because of all the tape, probably duct tape, sure, why not?
then when he needs it...RRRRIIIIIPPPPPP, it is ready, then it simply gets stuck back in place when he is done slicing and dicing...he also hides under the victims car, ever try to leap out from under a car?

ever try to leap out from under a car to attack an armed body guard and a valet while ripping a duct taped knife off your leg? or forearm?

holy crappin crap this is childish stuff and I can't read more.

This forgotten gem is the reason I love eBooks. A long-fan of Block (and of pulp fiction from days past), It's so nice to discover books I've never heard of. Definitely worth a few hours of your time. I finished this book instantly wishing there was another I could start.

Great read!!! If you like Lawrence Block, then don't miss out on this elusive title.