Review of Maximum Bob by Elmore Leonard (1991, Harper)

Florida judge Bob Gibbs wears his two nicknames – ‘Big’ and ‘Maximum’ – with pride. One is self-proclaimed, the other is what the media have labelled him for his over-zealous use of the longest prison sentence possible. He’s also not averse to using his position to do a little skirt-chasing and pulling favours. One of those favours is to try and scare his wife into leaving using a dead alligator that proves to be alive. He’s also become the target of a former recipient of his harsh sentencing, who happens to be in the charge of probation officer, Kathy Diaz Baker, who is also the subject of Maximum Bob’s lecherous attention. Unwittingly Kathy has found herself trying to stave off the amorous advances of a judge whilst trying to keep him alive, though it does bring her into contact with a handsome cop.

Maximum Bob is part of the Elmore Leonard’s Florida-set screwball noir crime novels, noted for their colourful characters, slightly wacky plots, and snappy dialogue. This outing focuses on a set of related escapades surrounding Judge Bob Gibbs, also known as ‘Maximum Bob’ for his typical sentencing. Gibbs has had enough of his wife, who is possessed by a black girl killed a hundred years before, and decides to get her to leave by playing on her fear of alligators. He’s also chasing after probation officer, Kathy Diaz Baker, and is the target of two criminals who want him dead. Gibbs is not quite as in control as he would like, Diaz has her sights set on someone else, and the criminals are not as smart as they think. As a set-up it’s okay without being compelling. Indeed, my sense was this was a paint-by-numbers Leonard story that was a passable read without having a strong enough hook or characters the reader really reviles or cares for beyond Kathy Diaz Baker. As usual the prose and dialogue was very easy on the eye, but the story is a little flat and never really captured the imagination.

Review of Raylan by Elmore Leonard (William Morrow, 2012)

Marshall Raylan Givens has returned to his Kentucky roots after some time in Florida.  He’s a cop who always gets his man, usually with a bullet, and has no trouble getting the ladies either.  On raiding a motel room Raylan finds a known drug dealer in the bath, both of his kidneys removed.  A short while later the victim is offered the chance to buy the kidneys back for a substantial fee.  Raylan is soon on the trail of the thieves, but they also have their eye on him and his body parts.  To keep him busy, he’s also dealing with the death of an elderly miner shot by coal mining executives in supposed self-defence, a group of women bank robbers, and a young, pretty poker gambler who has skipped detention after a raid on an illegal game.

Rather than consisting of a single extended storyline with a couple of minor subplots, as with most novels, Raylan is made up of four interconnected stories told as three relatively distinct episodes.  The effect is the story has the feel of a television series, rather than a movie (and it might well have been written with TV in mind given the series Justified is based around the lead character).  The result is, however, that each story is too linear and underdeveloped.  Leonard could have done much more with the kidney theft episode, for example, with a more challenging investigation and chase.  Instead, everything falls into place quite quickly, though the resolution is elevated by a nice concluding scene.  The same applies to the other two episodes.  Despite the truncated stories, what makes the book worth reading is Leonard’s storytelling and prose.  He paints memorable characters, quickly conveys a sense of place and context, and is very good at depicting scenes, with a good ear for dialogue.  As a consequence, despite the shortcomings of the plot, Raylan is an engaging and entertaining read.

Review of Up in Honey’s Room by Elmore Leonard (William Morris, 2007)

Honey Deal is every red-blooded American man’s dream – a very attractive blond with a strong wit and a passion for bed. For some inexplicable reason at the start of the Second World War she marries Walter Schoen, born in Germany but raised in Detroit, who bears a striking resemblance to Heinrich Himmler. Walter thinks the Nazis are the future and is part of a spy ring sending data on US war production back to the Fatherland. After a year, Honey sees the error of her ways and leaves Walter, but as the war nears its end Deputy Marshall Carl Webster enters her life hoping that she can help him re-capture two Germany POWs that Walter’s spy ring are harbouring. There’s an immediate chemistry between Honey and Carl, but Carl is married and he’s a man of his word – he hopes.

I’ve read a number of Elmore Leonard books and enjoyed them, which is why Up in Honey’s Room skipped to the top of my to read pile. Unfortunately I found it a disappointing read. The characters are too clichéd and stereotypical, with little depth to them, and the story lacked a strong plotline, meandering around without purpose and credibility. Leonard specializes in kooky characters and a fun narrative, and the reader expects to give a bit of latitude to implausible action, but too many times I found myself thinking, ‘this makes no sense’. What partially saves the book is Leonard’s undoubted writing ability – his prose and ability to express dialogue. I’ll still pick up and read other Leonard offerings, but this one felt like it was weakly treading water.