Freaky Deaky

From Publishers Weekly Leonard starts and ends his latest page turner with a bang, and between explosions we meet a vivid group of characters who are mainly veterans of the youth rebellion of the 1960s. Chief among them are Chris Mankowski, 38-year-old Detroit police sergeant, newly transferred from the bomb squad to sex crimes; Woody Ricks, alcoholic auto scion; Donnell Lewis, ex-Black Panther who is acting as Woody's driver, nursemaid and would-be swindler; Robin Abbott, ex-con, exfugitive (she bombed a federal office building) who has plans for a million dollar movie based on Woody's life, with help from her old boyfriend and erstwhile bombing partner Skip Gibbs, now a movie dynamite expert. The only character who does not have ties to the '60s is Greta ("Who's Huey Newton?") Wyatt, stagenamed Ginger Jones, who meets Chris when she reports that Woody has assaulted her. When Chris pursues the investigation, he is suspended from the force, ostensibly for nonresidence in Detroit but really because of Woody's clout. Now determined to get to the bottom of things, Chris is caught up in a web of scams plotted by Robin, Skip and Donnell. Leonard (Bandits, Glitz) excels here with his trademark menace and his deadpan, throwaway humor. His superlative ear for the vernacular makes all the characters spring to life; Woody,"always in low with his dims on," is a brilliant creation. This bang-up novel has bestseller written all over it. BOMC featured selection; major ad/promo; author tour. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Library Journal Soon after Chris Mankowskilately transferred from the bomb squad to sex crimesvisits rich, mindless alcoholic Woody Ricks on a rape complaint, someone blows up Woody's limousinealong with Woody's brother Mark. Ghosts from their student activist past have returned to haunt them. One ex-Panther even now takes care of Woody, and two ex-demonstrators hope to extort cash. Leonard's latest sports the usual draws of crisp dialogue, satiric wit, and crazy characterization, but it also lacks the pervasive sparkle of Glitz . Better than most, though, and with a wild finale that hoists the villains by their own petard. BOMC featured selection. REK Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

he Used To Be On The Bomb Squad, But It's Not Until He Transfers Out That Chris Mankowski Really Begins Juggling With Dynamite. Rape And Revenge Are Just The Tip Of The Iceberg In A Twisty Tale That Brings Detroit's Denizens To Life — And Occasional Death — In All Their Seedy Glory. Electrifying, Explosive, And Unexpected, This Is Elmore Leonard At His Suspenseful Best.

publishers Weekly

leonard Starts And Ends His Latest Page Turner With A Bang, And Between Explosions We Meet A Vivid Group Of Characters Who Are Mainly Veterans Of The Youth Rebellion Of The 1960s. Chief Among Them Are Chris Mankowski, 38-year-old Detroit Police Sergeant, Newly Transferred From The Bomb Squad To Sex Crimes; Woody Ricks, Alcoholic Auto Scion; Donnell Lewis, Ex-black Panther Who Is Acting As Woody's Driver, Nursemaid And Would-be Swindler; Robin Abbott, Ex-con, Exfugitive (she Bombed A Federal Office Building) Who Has Plans For A Million Dollar Movie Based On Woody's Life, With Help From Her Old Boyfriend And Erstwhile Bombing Partner Skip Gibbs, Now A Movie Dynamite Expert. The Only Character Who Does Not Have Ties To The '60s Is Greta (who's Huey Newton?'') Wyatt, Stagenamed Ginger Jones, Who Meets Chris When She Reports That Woody Has Assaulted Her. When Chris Pursues The Investigation, He Is Suspended From The Force, Ostensibly For Nonresidence In Detroit But Really Because Of Woody's Clout. Now Determined To Get To The Bottom Of Things, Chris Is Caught Up In A Web Of Scams Plotted By Robin, Skip And Donnell. Leonard (bandits, glitz) Excels Here With His Trademark Menace And His Deadpan, Throwaway Humor. His Superlative Ear For The Vernacular Makes All The Characters Spring To Life; Woody,always In Low With His Dims On,'' Is A Brilliant Creation. This Bang-up Novel Has Bestseller Written All Over It.

“Wonderfully wicked...a nonstop, pedal-to-the-metal romp.” —Chicago TribuneOver-the-hill former counter-culture SDS revolutionaries decide to turn bomb-making—and detonating—from a political statement to a profitable enterprise in the master Elmore Leonard’s electrifying and explosively funny thriller Freaky Deaky. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch calls Leonard, “the world’s greatest cops ‘n’ robbers novelist.” The Seattle Times says, “Leonard is more than just one of the all-time greats of crime fiction. He’s fast becoming an authentic American icon.” No matter where you wish to place the man who created the character of U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, lately of TV’s hit series Justified, in the pantheon of mystery and noir detective fiction demigods—John D. MacDonald, Dashiell Hammett, James M. Cain and the like—there is no denying that nobody does it better than the Grand Master Elmore Leonard! Wonderfully wickeda nonstop, pedal-to-the-metal romp. Chicago Tribune Over-the-hill former counter-culture SDS revolutionaries decide to turn bomb-makingand detonatingfrom a political statement to a profitable enterprise in the master Elmore Leonards electrifying and explosively funny thriller Freaky Deaky . The St. Louis Post-Dispatch calls Leonard, the worlds greatest cops n robbers novelist. The Seattle Times says, Leonard is more than just one of the all-time greats of crime fiction. Hes fast becoming an authentic American icon. No matter where you wish to place the man who created the character of U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, lately of TVs hit series Justified , in the pantheon of mystery and noir detective fiction demigodsJohn D. MacDonald, Dashiell Hammett, James M. Cain and the likethere is no denying that nobody does it better than the Grand Master Elmore Leonard! A pair of former 1960s student activists who learned how to blow things up as part of their political education have teamed up after a prison stint and are on the loose in Detroit, out for a revenge against a former comrade who they now suspect of being an informant. Chris Mankowski of the Detroit Police Force finds himself suddenly faced with the problem of neutralizing their lust for destruction. Detroit police detective Chris Mankowski investigates when an actress walks into the Sex Crime Division claiming to have been raped by one of Detroit's richest and drunkest citizens