Tanner's Tiger (Evan Tanner Suspense Thrillers) [Mass Market Paperback]

Lawrence Block (Author)

Book Description

Series: Evan Tanner Suspense Thrillers | Publication Date: August 28, 2007

The Cold War's boiling over. Global tensions are near the breaking point. So what's the perfect assignment for a super-spy who hasn't slept since the Korean conflict? A fun-filled trip to the Montreal World's Fair!

The adorable little girl he's escorting—who, under different circumstances, would be sitting on the Lithuanian throne—can hardly contain her excitement, but it isn't all playtime for Evan Tanner. Some mysterious disappearances, apparently linked to the fair's Cuban exhibition, need to be looked into.

Keeping his mind on business, however, won't be easy after an insatiable lovely in a tiger skin falls into Tanner's arms, and a mother lode of dangerous drugs falls into his lap. But the biggest, deadliest suprise is the terrorist plot Tanner's tumbling into, and he'll have to think and act quickly to prevent the visiting queen of England from being blown to smithereens.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A pity Block doesn't write for the movies. There's a great little B movie here. First published in 1968, this is a reissue of the fifth book in the series featuring Evan Tanner, "whose sleep center was destroyed in Korea" but who remains "not merely conscious but energetically and productively awake 24 hours a day." It reflects its era of anti-war protests and violent political activism. Tanner is a jack-of-all-spycraft, member of (almost all) subversive groups; a man of many guises who hops, skips and parachutes around the globe on errands from those who wag the dog. "The Chief" has asked him this round to investigate the Cuban Pavilion at the Montreal Expo. Rumor has it that the Cubans are using it for something nasty, which proves to be an understatement, indeed. The first nasty thing Tanner observes at the fair is the kidnapping of his daughter, Mina. He is unable to go to the Mounties, since they kicked him out of the country as a suspected terrorist when he first arrived and are now hunting him for sneaking back in. He turns for help to some Quebec nationalists, especially a bright and beautiful young woman named Arlette, who has a problem of her own. The more militant of her group want to blow up the Queen of England on her state visit to the fair. Naturally, she and Tanner team up to sort out the Cuban plot, rescue Mina and frustrate the militants, all with a dazzling display of wit and skill. Like most of Block's books, this is full of humor and high spirits, a treat for established fans and new readers alike. (Sept. 10) Forecast: Based on the performance of past books in this deluxe reprint series, expect a sell-out.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Published in 1968, this installation was the fifth in Block's Evan Tanner series. Less exotic than his usual outings, the plot finds Tanner, who is essentially a thief, getting pulled into a job while relaxing in Montreal. Fans of the series will be pleased to see this back in print.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harper (August 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061262366
• ISBN-13: 978-0061262364
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #299,011 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Authors, A-Z > ( B ) > Block, Lawrence

More About the Author

Lawrence Block (b. 1938) is the recipient of a Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America and an internationally renowned bestselling author. His prolific career spans over one hundred books, including four bestselling series as well as dozens of short stories, articles, and books on writing. He has won four Edgar and Shamus Awards, two Falcon Awards from the Maltese Falcon Society of Japan, the Nero and Philip Marlowe Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, and the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers Association of the United Kingdom. In France, he has been awarded the title Grand Maitre du Roman Noir and has twice received the Societe 813 trophy.

Born in Buffalo, New York, Block attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Leaving school before graduation, he moved to New York City, a locale that features prominently in most of his works. His earliest published writing appeared in the 1950s, frequently under pseudonyms, and many of these novels are now considered classics of the pulp fiction genre. During his early writing years, Block also worked in the mailroom of a publishing house and reviewed the submission slush pile for a literary agency. He has cited the latter experience as a valuable lesson for a beginning writer.

Block's first short story, "You Can't Lose," was published in 1957 in Manhunt, the first of dozens of short stories and articles that he would publish over the years in publications including American Heritage, Redbook, Playboy, Cosmopolitan, GQ, and the New York Times. His short fiction has been featured and reprinted in over eleven collections including Enough Rope (2002), which is comprised of eighty-four of his short stories.

In 1966, Block introduced the insomniac protagonist Evan Tanner in the novel The Thief Who Couldn't Sleep. Block's diverse heroes also include the urbane and witty bookseller--and thief-on-the-side--Bernie Rhodenbarr; the gritty recovering alcoholic and private investigator Matthew Scudder; and Chip Harrison, the comical assistant to a private investigator with a Nero Wolfe fixation who appears in No Score, Chip Harrison Scores Again, Make Out with Murder, and The Topless Tulip Caper. Block has also written several short stories and novels featuring Keller, a professional hit man. Block's work is praised for his richly imagined and varied characters and frequent use of humor.

A father of three daughters, Block lives in New York City with his second wife, Lynne. When he isn't touring or attending mystery conventions, he and Lynne are frequent travelers, as members of the Travelers' Century Club for nearly a decade now, and have visited about 150 countries.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious novel about Montreal Expo, September 8, 2009

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Booklover "LA" (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tanner's Tiger (Evan Tanner Suspense Thrillers) (Mass Market Paperback)

Evan Tanner never sleeps. Literally. A head wound resulted in a brain injury that makes it unnecessary for him to sleep.

He's someone who's world traveled and not entirely legal in everything he does. Tanner gets involved in conspiracies and spying, but he's also devoted to Minna who he hopes one day to restore to Lithuania's throne.

In this novel they journey to Canada. Here Tanner has to match wits with Canadian border officials and the people running the Cuban exhibit at Montreal's Expo.

It is laugh-out-loud funny and a great read. Wonderful dialogue and a crazy, nutty plot that includes memorable characters.