The Hunted

I wasn't quite sure what to expect with The Hunted, it being by far the earliest of Elmore Leonard's books that I've read, in addition to being one of his somewhat lesser known ones, but the style that I'm familiar with (from Glitz and Get Shorty) was definitely there.

I got confused at a few points regarding setting and geography, but I'm guessing that's my lack of experience with big cities, let alone Israel, more than anything. In addition, I couldn't help but think about Davis (my pick for the best character): would a Marine really get involved with this kind of stuff, these kinds of people? But then: does it really matter in a story like this?

There is a line during the ending sequence (which was great, and more than a little show more Western-like) that I think really sums up Elmore Leonard action scenes and endings, from what I can tell. It is the start of a chapter, and it goes like this, verbatim:

(TWO THINGS WERE HAPPENING at the same time.) show less

I found this book muddled, messy, and ultimately unsatisfying. The man who at first seems to be the cool-headed hero, by the end transforms into an ineffectual wimp, as another character somehow takes over as the hero. Dick Sergeant, Dick York — did they think we wouldn't notice? Leonard writes aimlessly and leaves me searching for answers to questions a reader shouldn't be asking.

This one was a disappointment. There are no characters developed well enough for me to get interested in them. The story is only moderately interesting without a reason to care what happens to any of the characters. The writing is competent, the sequence of events is laid out clearly, but there's just no reason to care.

As a resident of metro Detroit since 1967 and an avid mystery fan, I've long admired Elmore Leonard's work.
But this novel isn't set in Detroit, or even in the US. It's set in Israel, but with a primarily American cast of characters. Good read, though it's not one of Elmore's best.

I read Up In Honey's Room earlier this year and thought it was one of his worst books - well this is slightly worse than that ! Please try any other one (Rum Punch, Glitz, Out of Sight, Freaky Deaky or Touch spring to mind) before going for this one. Although the spaghetti western style standoff ending is quite good the characters don't stand out and the early plot is quite confused and jumps around.

very entertaining and hard to put done - this was my first by Mr. Leonard, and I am looking forward to reading more

Really odd early Leonard set in Israel. He uses real, recognizable settings to tell a simple tale.