'Pronto' - Always to the point (Pronto - Elmore Leonard)

Name: nlingwood

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Product:	Pronto - Elmore Leonard
Date:	26.10.00 (39 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Writing so enjoyable its addictive

Disadvantages: Not much

The master of the American crime story produces another compelling story. The story opens in the familiar setting of the Miami underworld - at least, it is becoming familiar to me through Elmore Leonard's novels. Harry Arno, running betting scams for the Mob, decides to put his retirement plan into action after being warned of a threat to his business.

The themes of the novel head into Godfather territory, and both Leonard and the characters themselves are aware of this. All the Mob archetypes appear, from the ageing Jimmy Capotorto to a hardened Italian killer, and the young heavy. Against them is another of Leonard's recurring heroes, the western-style deputy Marshall Raylan. As both sides follow Harry's return to his World-War 2 memories, conflict erupts.

Elmore uses his characters and their schemes to explore different areas; his stories have probably covered most of the USA. Here, the action moves to northern Italy, adding even more colour and tension to the standoff situation between Harry's friends and his pursuers. Shifting viewpoints, and a high-speed plot, make it compulsive reading, superbly crafted entertainment.

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