Three Shirt Deal: A Shane Scully Novel [Mass Market Paperback]

Stephen J. Cannell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 4, 2008 | Series: Shane Scully

Truit Hickman is a small-time crook doing life in a California prison for the murder of his mother. But now Hickman is claiming that his confession was coerced. Enter Secada “Scout” Llevar, the gorgeous Internal Affairs detective who partners up with LAPD detective Shane Scully to investigate the claim.

What began as a routine review is turning into something far more complicated—and deadly. Because some things, once started, cannot be stopped… Now the Hickman case is spiraling out of control as gang violence, rivaling cops, political heavyweights, and Shane’s dangerous attraction to Scout threaten to put an abrupt end to the investigation. And their lives.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Scott Brick is adept at slipping convincingly into the mindset of his characters. As Cannell's series protagonist Shane Scully, his voice is tense, with an undercurrent of almost feverish anxiety. The LAPD cop is under pressure from trouble at home and on the job. As Cannell piles on the pressure, widening the rift between the Scullys and adding threats, torture and narrow escapes to the crime story, Brick keeps pace, injecting elements of frustration, shock, anger and surprising tenderness. Cannell is particularly adept at dialogue and action, and Brick handles both well. This crime yarn is a little too convoluted, involving a mayoralty campaign, gangbangers, a tricky home security scam, a million-dollar beer contest and an attempted homicide by roller-coaster. Both Brick and the novel are on steadier ground with the more emotional and believable story of Shane and Alexa's struggle to save their marriage. Simultaneous release with the St. Martin's hardcover (Reviews, Nov. 12).
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Review

“Cannell’s brand of thriller is served straight-up…and he knows how to cut to the chase.”—The New York Times

“CANNELL IS A FIRST-RATE STORYTELLER.”—Janet Evanovich

“A very satisfying thriller written by a born entertainer.”—New York Post  on White Sister

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; First Edition edition (November 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312945310
• ISBN-13: 978-0312945312
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #513,571 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not up to the usual standard, January 24, 2008

By 

Fly in the ointment (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Three Shirt Deal: A Shane Scully Novel (Hardcover)

This book is definitely two stories instead of one. The first story is character development for Shane and Alexa. For those that don't follow the series, Alexa is recovering from a severe head injury that has produced severe behavioral effects. The second story is a generic corrpution mystery.

I've been following the Shane Scully series from the Tin Collectors. I'm an avid fan. For those that have read previous books and are interested in the Shane/Alexa personal development saga after White sister, buy the book used. If you're new to the series, start with Viking Funeral or Vertical Coffin instead and work forward chronologically.

In fact, it saddens me to say this, but I'm a little disappointed in the book. There were many incongruities in the relationship story and many loose ends left unresolved. Alexa's numerous behavioral transformations are hard to believe. The speed at which Alexa and Shane's marital problems appear to get resolved defies reality.

The corruption part of the story had many incongruities as well -- especially toward the end. Furthermore, it just wasn't that exciting. As an example, The system seemed to be against Shane from the start with no real reason given -- I assumed it had something to do with the mayoral politics, but the bureaucrats blocking the investigation weren't directly tied to the mayoral politics in play. And at the end, it all seems to magically clear up with not even an attempt at closure.

Chief Filosiani, who has been a friend in previous books is largly absent. Chooch makes a couple of cameo appearances, but that's it.

After White Sister, I couldn't wait for the next book. Now that it's come, I find myself wanting quality over quantity.

5.0 out of 5 stars Scully still cool, February 25, 2011

By 

DAVID TANZ (Voorhees, NJ, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Three Shirt Deal: A Shane Scully Novel (Shane Scully Series) (Audio CD)

This was my fifth Scully book and Canell keeps me coming back. Brick is great with iflections and accents, and the stories are creative. This was a little more of a stretch but I am into the characters and they were right on.

5.0 out of 5 stars SUSPENSE +, December 15, 2010

By 

Domini Carrington (Santa Monica, Ca, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Three Shirt Deal: A Shane Scully Novel (Mass Market Paperback)

Stephen Cannell is awesome, so much suspense I almost had to read the last page long before I was even close to it!