From "the best American writer of crime fiction alive" (Newsweek), three thrilling, bestselling mysteries in one hardcover volume. La Brava, Cat Chaser, and Split Images received rave reviews and make it clear why this New York Times bestselling author has been hailed coast to coast as the hottest thriller writer of our time.

As of 9/25/2015 have read Split Images and Cat Chaser, both good, 3.75 stars

LaBrava is completely different than the one other Elmore Leonard book I’ve read, Djibouti, and more typical of what I expected from him. The title comes from the main character’s name, Joe LaBrava, a former Secret Service agent now living in Miami. Thanks to his friend Maurice, he meets his first childhood love, screen actress Jean Shaw. Unfortunately, this also introduces him to Richard Nobles, a thug who seems to have his eyes set on Jean. LaBrava sets out to save Shaw and quickly finds himself in the middle of what could be a big screen story.

Leonard’s writing is clean and precise. He doesn’t give you much more than the essentials and creates believable characters that are all flawed but still likeable when they are supposed to be the good guys. I’m never a fan of overly flowery prose so I like this about Leonard. I can’t say much more about it without ruining it for you. After reading LaBrava, I would read more of his books. If you are a Leonard fan, I recommend you read LaBrava.

http://iubookgirl.blogspot.com/2011/08/review-labrava.html ( )