Book reviews

Two Bits
Clint Gaige Book Review

Read a book review online (click here to search reviews)
Books Movies  
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Mystery/Thriller Literature Romance Biography Video
Clint Gaige Books
New book search
Clint Gaige Message Board
Get more information about this book
Plot Summary of Two Bits
"

Quiet Storm, 2003, 22.95
ISBN: 0972881905

Just released from prison, Archibald Green notices the parallels between freedom and jail, but the former sting artist vows to be a new man although he observes appalling lies or at least illusions of truth. Then again working as a bored telemarketer for a nasty employer at Earthly Goods Incorporated in Darwin, Maryland will make a cynic out of a saint.

A lifetime of either fence (jail or picket) seems too torturous to Archie so he decides that there will be no more TWO BITS scams, but to go for one big dollar con. His target is superego millionaire mob boss Pat Shannon not just because of the money but also because of a family revenge matter. Since Pat wants to star in pictures, Archie pretends to be a movie producer, setting the game afoot.

As this reviewer read TWO BITS, the movie The Sting came to mind, but not just the mob and the con connection. Like that superb movie, this wonderful novel is amusing, at times gritty and definitely darker than the film, and stars a delightful assortment of Runyonesque characters. Still in the end Clint Gaige's strong tale peels down to Archie and Pat, opponents who make for a fine gambol for readers.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Two Bits
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
descript. of violence and chases - 10%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%




Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
Time/era of story: - present (2000-2010)
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
The crook is.... - Get treasure/money from another criminal
Crime Thriller Yes
Mostly a criminal POV story Yes

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status: - thief/con artist
Age: - 40's-50's
How much violence does he/she use? - none
Ethnicity/Race - White/American
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - criminal
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist - money/treasure
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Setting
United States Yes
The US: - Midwest

Style
Person - mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths? - 0 (not a murder mystery)
Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript
Most similar books to Two Bits
Watch Your Back by Donald E. Westlake
The Christmas Thief by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark
Boyos by Richard Marinick
Walking Money by James O. Born
The Burglar on the Prowl by Lawrence Block


Click here for more information about this book




Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
Three ways to search for Thriller/Action books!

1) One-click plot searches! Simply click on a plot or subplot below!

Big vehicle disaster?

Crime Thriller

Disaster, natural or nuclear

Exploring into the wild

Horror Story?

Legal Thriller

Medical Thriller

Religious overtones?

Spying/Terrorism Thriller

War Thriller

Water adventure

Western



or 2) Simple lookup
(title or author)

or
3) Even more search options available with a Detailed Booksearch (click here)

Use our site!
17 FREE Sci-Fi Ebooks!
FREE "How to be happy" Ebook!
Feedback


Most recent discussions:

General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
Norah Lofts 6:49:46 PM
Suzanne Weyn 10:35:23 PM
George W. Bush 5:33:46 PM
Kin Platt 12:58:29 AM
Anonymous 12:47:34 PM
Lilian Jackson Braun 10:05:52 PM
Jane Rubino 10:04:38 PM
LaVyrle Spencer 10:04:00 PM
G.A. McKevett 10:03:31 PM
David Williams 10:03:01 PM
Steven Pressfield 10:02:30 PM
Jeanette Walls 10:00:19 PM
Darryl Ponicsan 9:59:27 PM
Ann Rinaldi 9:58:30 PM
R.L. Stine 9:57:34 PM
Geoffrey Huntington 9:57:14 PM
Betty Mahmoody 9:56:38 PM
Deric Longden 9:56:11 PM
Mary Downing Hahn 9:55:48 PM
Iris Johansen 9:55:24 PM

More message boards