L.A. Outlaws

It's not a new problem . . . heck, John Milton had it in Paradise Lost: You write a story about the eternal struggle between good and evil, and evil turns out to be way more interesting than good. It's a problem that doesn't go away, though, and Parker has it in spades with this novel about a rookie deputy sheriff and a charismatic armed robber. The crook is way more interesting than the cop, and far better developed as a character, albeit in ways that demand your willing suspension of disbelief operate at full power. She's so much more interesting, in fact, that she almost seems to be inhabiting a different story (maybe one written by Carl Hiaasen?).

The plot whizzes along efficiently, and the main characters do their thing . . . as do show more a raft of supporting characters, many of whom are also more interesting than the hero. The climax, though it comes too early, is exciting enough, and the too-long coda doesn't entirely dissipate the good will it built up. As a fast-moving, escapist crime story, it delivers.

Hanging over it all, though, is the gloomy realization that this this the first book in a series, and that the crook and the colorful supporting cast are all going to fade away, leaving the noble-but-dull hero to carry the ball. I'm not hurrying to pick up the next installment. show less

This book has a great little engine of a plot, which sped me along turning pages but ultimately left me feeling...meh. Basically, I wanted more believable characters with more believable motivations. The story revolves around the efforts of a modern day Robin Hood character (when not at her day job as teacher and single mom) to fence a fortune in diamonds that fell into her hands by happy accident. There are plenty of twists and turns as she just barely stays ahead of the gems' "rightful" and quite dangerous owners. There is also an honest cop who quickly figures out her alias but can't quite bring himself to turn her in. There is closure for all the characters at the end, but it's noir at best.

This novel follows the exploits of Elizabeth Jones nee Allison Muerrita, mild mannered schoolteacher by day, daring armed robber by night. While plotting to relieve a desperate jeweler of a half-million dollars in diamonds she becomes a reluctant witness to a gang related massacre that leaves ten men dead. The trail of bodies leads to her desert home and she must take to her heels to stay alive. Protected by a young cop who is beginning to catch on to her double identity and is being played by corrupt and greedy superiors, she must escape the clutches of the evil man out to slay her and reclaim the gems. It must be said that Parker gives excellent voice to his characters, he writes in a smooth, flowing manner that makes for a good tale. show more The problem is this: like teenagers fumbling in the backseat of a car, the story just climaxes too fast, and the final chunk of the book is a perfunctory wrapping up of loose ends. Parker has been on the verge of putting together a truly fine crime novel for some time now. He has all the pieces; if he can ever nail the plot and pacing he has the potential to uncork something really special. show less

LA Outlaws is a modern-day crime thriller featuring a street-savy sexy schoolteacher with a secret identity as Allison Murrieta, great granddaughter of a legendary western outlaw, car thief, particularly
fire-breathing hot rods, Jewel thief, and convenience store robber. The
story is alternatively told through the point of view of LA Sheriff's Charlie Hood, troubled veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and lone wolf deputy.

The book feels like an action-packed movie and is sometimes compared to the Jennifer Lopez movie Out Of Sight and
Gone Zin Sixty Seconds. It definitely works as a story and the battles with the wily MS 18 enforcer are the climax. It's an easy book to dive into.

It does somewhat however miss being a great book. It feels show more sometimes like its nothing more than a rehash of movies you've seen before and the level of suspense doesn't hold up all the way through it. While not perfect, it's a fine action packed thriller and worth reading. show less

Bought this a while back at a used bookstore in Detroit. Picked it up this week and didn't stop reading until I was finished. Funny, smart, and the author sure seems to know a lot about women.

Deputy Charlie Hood is called upon to solve the senseless murder of opposing gang members and a diamond merchant, and like the rest of L.A. falls for a daring female Robin Hood, who robs fast food joints and steals cars, giving the money to the needy.

I started reading Parker when Laguna Heat was released because we were living near Laguna Beach at the time. It's been some time since I've read anything from him, mainly because the promise of the first book did not seem to be realized. When I saw this book for sale at the library, the blurb from Robert Crais inside the cover persuaded me to read it. It was a pleasant surprise. For me, Parker's style has changed for the better.