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Jack Foley #2
Road Dogs
Every prison inmate needs a Road Dog - someone to watch their back, someone they can trust on the inside and out. For wealthy Cuban criminal Cundo Rey, that person is Jack charmer, ladies' man and infamous bank robber. With the services of a shark attorney and a whole heap of cash, Cundo engineers his buddy's early release, and Jack is soon living large in Cundo's house in Venice Beach, enjoying the attentions of his sexy wife, Dawn. But Dawn has ulterior motives and a to relieve her husband of his considerable fortune...and she needs Jack's help. But with Cundo's release imminent and rogue FBI agent Lou Adams on his tail, just who can Jack trust if he's to pull off the biggest score of his life...?
262 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
681 people are currently reading
1777 people want to read
About the author
Elmore Leonard
211 books3,707 followersElmore John Leonard lived in Dallas, Oklahoma City and Memphis before settling in Detroit in 1935. After serving in the navy, he studied English literature at the University of Detroit where he entered a short story competition. His earliest published novels in the 1950s were westerns, but Leonard went on to specialize in crime fiction and suspense thrillers, many of which have been adapted into motion pictures.
Father of Peter Leonard.
Father of Peter Leonard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 569 reviews
December 23, 2021
La novela destaca, sobre todo, por la creación de personajes y por sus diálogos.
El trío protagonista es excepcional. Cundo, el cubano mafioso; Dawn, la vidente y Foley, el atracador de bancos atractivo y seductor. No obstante, el resto de personajes aportan mucho a la novela: Tico, el pandillero; el agente del FBI, Lou Adams; Jimmy Rios, el contable y Zorro, su guardaespaldas. También hay "skinheads", actrices venidas a menos, criadas filipinas, etc. Todo el elenco aporta sentido.
Los diálogos son originales. No están al nivel de George V. Higgins, pero es un nivel muy aceptable. Aprovecho para recomendar a este autor muy desconocido a quién le apetezca el mundo de los diálogos. Por ejemplo, "Los amigos de Eddie Coyle".
No pasan muchas cosas. Hay poca acción y es de nivel familiar hasta que al final se anima un poco, sin pasarse. La novela va por el camino de la traición, la duda, el juego del sexo y el dinero.
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The novel stands out, above all, for the creation of characters and for its dialogue.
The protagonist trio is exceptional. Cundo, the Cuban mobster, Dawn, the psychic, and Foley, the attractive and seductive bank robber. However, the rest of the characters add a lot to the novel: Tico, the gang member; FBI agent Lou Adams; Jimmy Rios, the accountant; and Zorro, his bodyguard. There are also skinheads, washed-up actresses, Filipino maids, and so on. The whole cast makes sense.
The dialogue is original. They are not on the level of George V. Higgins, but it is a very acceptable level. I would like to take this opportunity to recommend this very unknown author to anyone who is interested in the world of dialogue. For example, "The Friends of Eddie Coyle".
Not much happens. There's little action and it's family level until the end when it livens up a bit, without going over the top. The novel goes down the road of betrayal, doubt, the game of sex and money.
El trío protagonista es excepcional. Cundo, el cubano mafioso; Dawn, la vidente y Foley, el atracador de bancos atractivo y seductor. No obstante, el resto de personajes aportan mucho a la novela: Tico, el pandillero; el agente del FBI, Lou Adams; Jimmy Rios, el contable y Zorro, su guardaespaldas. También hay "skinheads", actrices venidas a menos, criadas filipinas, etc. Todo el elenco aporta sentido.
Los diálogos son originales. No están al nivel de George V. Higgins, pero es un nivel muy aceptable. Aprovecho para recomendar a este autor muy desconocido a quién le apetezca el mundo de los diálogos. Por ejemplo, "Los amigos de Eddie Coyle".
No pasan muchas cosas. Hay poca acción y es de nivel familiar hasta que al final se anima un poco, sin pasarse. La novela va por el camino de la traición, la duda, el juego del sexo y el dinero.
---------------------------
The novel stands out, above all, for the creation of characters and for its dialogue.
The protagonist trio is exceptional. Cundo, the Cuban mobster, Dawn, the psychic, and Foley, the attractive and seductive bank robber. However, the rest of the characters add a lot to the novel: Tico, the gang member; FBI agent Lou Adams; Jimmy Rios, the accountant; and Zorro, his bodyguard. There are also skinheads, washed-up actresses, Filipino maids, and so on. The whole cast makes sense.
The dialogue is original. They are not on the level of George V. Higgins, but it is a very acceptable level. I would like to take this opportunity to recommend this very unknown author to anyone who is interested in the world of dialogue. For example, "The Friends of Eddie Coyle".
Not much happens. There's little action and it's family level until the end when it livens up a bit, without going over the top. The novel goes down the road of betrayal, doubt, the game of sex and money.
May 27, 2014
If Elmore Leonard meant for there to be a theme running through this book it's probably: There is no honor among thieves...
In Road Dogs, two buddies get out of the joint and immediately hatch up plans for new heists. But then a girl muddies things up. Then another one makes it even more complicated. And what about the loyal prison bitch of one of the buddies? Which side is he taking? And for that matter, whose side are any of them on?
This probably deserves 4 stars. It's good writing. It's an interesting story. But I think I was expecting something more "Hollywood," if you will.
That's ironic, because the setting for most of the book is Los Angeles. Specifically, the expensive houses along the canal system just off of Venice Beach. I've been there and the tiny area has a very movie set look about it. In fact, everything about this book feels like it should be an action-packed, Hollywood heist flick, but it's not. There's a low-key con. People go down. However, Road Dogs never does kick into high gear. It's very talky and more cerebral than I expected.
On second thought, three stars does seem fair for a good book that I enjoyed, but what didn't light any particularly burning fires within my reading soul.
In Road Dogs, two buddies get out of the joint and immediately hatch up plans for new heists. But then a girl muddies things up. Then another one makes it even more complicated. And what about the loyal prison bitch of one of the buddies? Which side is he taking? And for that matter, whose side are any of them on?
This probably deserves 4 stars. It's good writing. It's an interesting story. But I think I was expecting something more "Hollywood," if you will.
That's ironic, because the setting for most of the book is Los Angeles. Specifically, the expensive houses along the canal system just off of Venice Beach. I've been there and the tiny area has a very movie set look about it. In fact, everything about this book feels like it should be an action-packed, Hollywood heist flick, but it's not. There's a low-key con. People go down. However, Road Dogs never does kick into high gear. It's very talky and more cerebral than I expected.
On second thought, three stars does seem fair for a good book that I enjoyed, but what didn't light any particularly burning fires within my reading soul.
July 25, 2024
3.5 stars, rounded up for the simple fact that an Elmore Leonard novel has the ability to transport the reader to another place and time, regardless of the degree to which credulity has been stretched.
This novel is probably better enjoyed after reading Out of Sight, La Brava and Riding The Rap. Having read these three very enjoyable novels, the reader will be familiar with the characters that occupy the central plot of this one and will feel, perhaps as I did, that one was visiting with old friends. Well, that is, if your friends are ex-cons and scheming miscreants willing to do anything for the lure of getting rich quick.
As is invariably the case with E.L. novels, the dialogue is king-- one doesn't so much read these books as sort of listen in as the characters come to life and play out the story right before your eyes and ears. It's really the best aspect of this author's novels and represents a very rare and wonderful skill.
As for the plot, Jack Foley spends 3 years in prison with a Cuban outlaw called Cundo who, for some reason, became fond of Jack, resulting the two of them becoming "road dogs," or inmates who stick together and watch each other's backs. Cundo helps Jack get out of a long sentence and released early and will soon follow him to the outside, where the real story unfolds. But... you have probably already read enough other reviews for me to skip any more details and suggest that you just read the book. It'll be enjoyable and a nice respite from whatever ails you these days.
This novel is probably better enjoyed after reading Out of Sight, La Brava and Riding The Rap. Having read these three very enjoyable novels, the reader will be familiar with the characters that occupy the central plot of this one and will feel, perhaps as I did, that one was visiting with old friends. Well, that is, if your friends are ex-cons and scheming miscreants willing to do anything for the lure of getting rich quick.
As is invariably the case with E.L. novels, the dialogue is king-- one doesn't so much read these books as sort of listen in as the characters come to life and play out the story right before your eyes and ears. It's really the best aspect of this author's novels and represents a very rare and wonderful skill.
As for the plot, Jack Foley spends 3 years in prison with a Cuban outlaw called Cundo who, for some reason, became fond of Jack, resulting the two of them becoming "road dogs," or inmates who stick together and watch each other's backs. Cundo helps Jack get out of a long sentence and released early and will soon follow him to the outside, where the real story unfolds. But... you have probably already read enough other reviews for me to skip any more details and suggest that you just read the book. It'll be enjoyable and a nice respite from whatever ails you these days.
April 19, 2013
This review, much like an Elmore Leonard novel, is destined to be short and to the point. As it should be.
Road Dogs picks up where the novel Out of Sight left off. In Out of Sight we were introduced to Jack Foley, a bank robber whose escape from prison leads to his "kidnap" of U.S. Marshal Karen Sisco. Star-crossed lovers far more interesting than Romeo and Juliet, Jack and Karen are a couple who are meant to be, but can never be. Watching the sparks fly between them and their ongoing banter made Out of Sight one of my favorite Leonard novels.
Road Dogs follows Jack Foley's life after Karen Sisco. When fellow inmate Cundo Rey (a wealthy Cuban with serious outside connections) pays for a high-powered attorney to help Jack reduce the 30 year sentence handed down by a judge aptly nicknamed "Maximum Bob" (for his propensity to always give the maximum sentencing allowed), Jack finds his sentence significantly reduced. And he also finds himself in debt to Cundo. As a result, Jack gets mixed up with Cundo's wife, Dawn Navarro, and various plots from conning a wealthy movie star to robbing Cundo himself. All the while, a zealous FBI agent is watching Jack's every move.
As with all Leonard novels, it's hard to track where the narrative will take us, which is always part of the fun. For me, however, the real joy in a Leonard novel comes from the dialogue. No one, and I mean no one, has a better ear for the natural rhythms of everyday speech than Leonard. He can develop entire characters simply based on their conversation. Little is needed in the way of physical description; you can take the measure of a character simply from the sound of his or her speech.
Despite all of this, this is not Leonard's best novel, but even a mediocre Leonard novel is better than most popular fiction out there today. Foley still comes across as the likable scamp of a bank thief, but it lacks the sizzle that came from his interaction with Karen Sisco. I did enjoy seeing Dawn Navarro again and thought her character the most interesting in the book. A psychic with a real gift for seeing the future, she opts to make her living pulling cons and waiting to get her hands on Cundo's money. Her constantly shifting persona as she plays one man against another is like watching a reptile blend into its surroundings and waiting for its prey. I wouldn't mind seeing a book turn up in the near future strictly focused on her life after Road Dogs.
Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder
Road Dogs picks up where the novel Out of Sight left off. In Out of Sight we were introduced to Jack Foley, a bank robber whose escape from prison leads to his "kidnap" of U.S. Marshal Karen Sisco. Star-crossed lovers far more interesting than Romeo and Juliet, Jack and Karen are a couple who are meant to be, but can never be. Watching the sparks fly between them and their ongoing banter made Out of Sight one of my favorite Leonard novels.
Road Dogs follows Jack Foley's life after Karen Sisco. When fellow inmate Cundo Rey (a wealthy Cuban with serious outside connections) pays for a high-powered attorney to help Jack reduce the 30 year sentence handed down by a judge aptly nicknamed "Maximum Bob" (for his propensity to always give the maximum sentencing allowed), Jack finds his sentence significantly reduced. And he also finds himself in debt to Cundo. As a result, Jack gets mixed up with Cundo's wife, Dawn Navarro, and various plots from conning a wealthy movie star to robbing Cundo himself. All the while, a zealous FBI agent is watching Jack's every move.
As with all Leonard novels, it's hard to track where the narrative will take us, which is always part of the fun. For me, however, the real joy in a Leonard novel comes from the dialogue. No one, and I mean no one, has a better ear for the natural rhythms of everyday speech than Leonard. He can develop entire characters simply based on their conversation. Little is needed in the way of physical description; you can take the measure of a character simply from the sound of his or her speech.
Despite all of this, this is not Leonard's best novel, but even a mediocre Leonard novel is better than most popular fiction out there today. Foley still comes across as the likable scamp of a bank thief, but it lacks the sizzle that came from his interaction with Karen Sisco. I did enjoy seeing Dawn Navarro again and thought her character the most interesting in the book. A psychic with a real gift for seeing the future, she opts to make her living pulling cons and waiting to get her hands on Cundo's money. Her constantly shifting persona as she plays one man against another is like watching a reptile blend into its surroundings and waiting for its prey. I wouldn't mind seeing a book turn up in the near future strictly focused on her life after Road Dogs.
Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder
January 18, 2025
Jack Foley and Cundo Rey are serving time in the Glades Correctional Facility, Foley for armed robbery and Cundo for second degree murder. Rey is trying to convince Foley to come live in Venice Beach when they get out. Cundo is rich, and pays his attorney $30,000 to file an appeal to get Foley's sentence as a repeat felon reduced. When the plan works, and both men are released within a few weeks of each other, things get complicated, including their feelings for each other. Jack knows he owes Cundo big time, but he's not sure that the schemes Cundo has in mind for them are the direction he wants to move in now. He's had a dream of moving to Costa Rica. Cundo and his long-time girlfriend Dawn Navarro the psychic (a character Leonard aficionados will remember from another novel) would like to use Foley's savvy to pull off a new scam or two, but in the back of his mind Cundo's wary of getting ripped off by Jack, Dawn or his financial manager Little Jimmy. And wait til you see what Dawn has up her sleeve. Classic Leonard - who's zooming who?
Leonard wrote Road Dogs in 2009; he only wrote two more novels after this. But it is vintage Leonard - he hadn't lost any of his wit or style. The title refers to the co-protective relationship that two inmates sometimes develop, kind of like two stray dogs roaming the streets - "I've got your back and you've got mine." This could EASILY be a wonderful film. The dialogue kicks butt, as always:
"Give him a break, he's a good guy."
"You picked him up at Glades Correctional," Lou said. That's where they keep the good guys, uh?"
I had forgotten how Leonard liked to write - like his characters talk, omitting the starting noun in sentences, and all in present tense: "Goes to the store ..." instead of "The guy went to the store."
In this one, Leonard couldn't help referencing his hometown of Detroit, when he refers to an agency called Young Boys United, a nod to the notorious Motown drug delivery operation of the 80's, Young Boys Incorporated.
Recently, I saw a poll on Goodreads about whether readers prefer character- or plot-driven novels. I didn't answer, because I really wasn't sure which I prefer. As I read Road Dogs, and remembered how I get a hankering for Leonard if I haven't read one for a while, I realized that it's his characters that keep me coming back. I don't care what happens in the plot. His characters are so darn colorful!
Leonard wrote Road Dogs in 2009; he only wrote two more novels after this. But it is vintage Leonard - he hadn't lost any of his wit or style. The title refers to the co-protective relationship that two inmates sometimes develop, kind of like two stray dogs roaming the streets - "I've got your back and you've got mine." This could EASILY be a wonderful film. The dialogue kicks butt, as always:
"Give him a break, he's a good guy."
"You picked him up at Glades Correctional," Lou said. That's where they keep the good guys, uh?"
I had forgotten how Leonard liked to write - like his characters talk, omitting the starting noun in sentences, and all in present tense: "Goes to the store ..." instead of "The guy went to the store."
In this one, Leonard couldn't help referencing his hometown of Detroit, when he refers to an agency called Young Boys United, a nod to the notorious Motown drug delivery operation of the 80's, Young Boys Incorporated.
Recently, I saw a poll on Goodreads about whether readers prefer character- or plot-driven novels. I didn't answer, because I really wasn't sure which I prefer. As I read Road Dogs, and remembered how I get a hankering for Leonard if I haven't read one for a while, I realized that it's his characters that keep me coming back. I don't care what happens in the plot. His characters are so darn colorful!
November 16, 2024
In Road Dogs, Elmore Leonard reunites characters from several earlier novels, principally Jack Foley, the All-American bank robber from "Out of Sight." When last seen, Jack was headed off for a thirty-year stretch in the pen, having been shot in the leg and captured by his one-time lover, Marshall Karen Cisco.
Jack is now released early, after serving only a few months, thanks to the hot shot lawyer hired by his prison pal, Cundo Rey. Jack and Cundo are road dogs--friends who watch each others' backs while doing time together. Cundo, who is about to be released himself, sends Jack to live in one of his exclusive Venice, California beach houses. Cundo's other beach house is inhabited by Cundo's extremely sexy and ambitious common-law wife, Dawn Navarro.
Jack expects that Cundo will want something in return for his generosity. Dawn has plans of her own regarding Cundo's fortune, and when Cundo gets early release lots of schemes are set into play.
As is always the case in an Elmore Leonard novel, the characters are far more interesting than the thin plot. And, as always, the author does not disappoint. These are great characters and watching them play with and scheme against each other is great fun. Leonard fans will rejoice.
James L. Thane
www.jameslthane.com
Jack is now released early, after serving only a few months, thanks to the hot shot lawyer hired by his prison pal, Cundo Rey. Jack and Cundo are road dogs--friends who watch each others' backs while doing time together. Cundo, who is about to be released himself, sends Jack to live in one of his exclusive Venice, California beach houses. Cundo's other beach house is inhabited by Cundo's extremely sexy and ambitious common-law wife, Dawn Navarro.
Jack expects that Cundo will want something in return for his generosity. Dawn has plans of her own regarding Cundo's fortune, and when Cundo gets early release lots of schemes are set into play.
As is always the case in an Elmore Leonard novel, the characters are far more interesting than the thin plot. And, as always, the author does not disappoint. These are great characters and watching them play with and scheme against each other is great fun. Leonard fans will rejoice.
James L. Thane
www.jameslthane.com
August 24, 2023
Superb, funny, clever, great story, original, clearly written.
August 7, 2010
Out of Sight was one of my favorite Elmore Leonard novels (and a great movie despite having Jennifer Lopez in it) so I was really excited to hear that Jack Foley would be a character in this one along with a couple of other Leonard characters from other books, Dawn Navvaro from Riding the Rap and Cundo Rey from LaBrava.
Unfortunately, half of what made Out of Sight so fun was Karen Sisco and Jack’s crazy romance, and with no Karen in this one, the whole book doesn’t have the same zing. Dawn was a great ambiguous character in Riding the Rap, and she and Jack have good chemistry, but I still missed Karen.
Still, even after all the books I’ve read by him, I’m always amazed at Leonard’s great dialogue and characters, and his amazing ability to write the crazy inner monologues that most people have running in their heads about what they should say or how they should act.
And you never know where an Elmore Leonard book is going. I’ve read interviews where he stated that he doesn’t know what will happen when he starts one, and it’s easy to believe since the plots almost never end up where you think they will. And you never know which characters you thought were 'good' end up 'bad' or vice versa.
Not his best, but there’s no such thing as a bad Elmore Leonard book, or at least I haven’t found one, so it’s still a fun read. And I’ll keep hoping that Karen Sisco makes an appearance soon.
Unfortunately, half of what made Out of Sight so fun was Karen Sisco and Jack’s crazy romance, and with no Karen in this one, the whole book doesn’t have the same zing. Dawn was a great ambiguous character in Riding the Rap, and she and Jack have good chemistry, but I still missed Karen.
Still, even after all the books I’ve read by him, I’m always amazed at Leonard’s great dialogue and characters, and his amazing ability to write the crazy inner monologues that most people have running in their heads about what they should say or how they should act.
And you never know where an Elmore Leonard book is going. I’ve read interviews where he stated that he doesn’t know what will happen when he starts one, and it’s easy to believe since the plots almost never end up where you think they will. And you never know which characters you thought were 'good' end up 'bad' or vice versa.
Not his best, but there’s no such thing as a bad Elmore Leonard book, or at least I haven’t found one, so it’s still a fun read. And I’ll keep hoping that Karen Sisco makes an appearance soon.
January 23, 2015
O escritor norte-americano Elmore Leonard (1925 – 2013) escreveu “Unha com Carne” (Road Dogs) em 2009, um thriller, com Jack Foley, Cunda Rey e Dawn Navarro.
Foley, o maior assaltante de bancos dos Estados Unidos da América, bonito e charmoso, está a cumprir uma pena de prisão de trinta anos, na penitenciária de Glades, Miami, Florida, onde encontra Cundo Rey, um criminoso cubano riquíssimo, com quem inicia e mantém uma relação de amizade, e que lhe indica a eficiente e belíssima advogada Megan Norris, para se encarregar da sua defesa, num anterior processo judicial de evasão e no recurso judicial da sentença a que foi condenado, com o pagamento de honorários a cargo de Rey.
Para Cundo Rey, “O Jack Foley é o gatuno mais honesto que encontrei na porra da vida, e deve ser o mais esperto.” (Pág. 44), e é nessa relação de confiança e amizade – e após a libertação de Foley duas semanas antes de Rey – que Foley vai viver temporariamente para Venice Beach, na Califórnia, alojando-se numa das duas casas de Rey, sendo que a outra é ocupada pela sua namorada Dawn Navarro, uma bonita vidente profissional e que prometeu castidade a Rey durante os cerca de oito anos que este passou na prisão.
É neste triângulo de personagens – Jack Foley, Cundo Rey e Dawn Navarro – que Elmore Leonard desenvolve a história, interligando negócios e amor, numa narrativa “rápida”, cinematográfica, com diálogos curtos mas acutilantes, com descrições brilhantes dos cenários e caracterizações das personagens, jogando maravilhosamente com as palavras e as mentiras, subjacente a várias temáticas, como o sexo, a violência, a confiança, a traição, a amizade e o dinheiro.
As personagens secundárias – Jimmy Rios (o gestor dos negócios de Rey), Zorro (o guarda-costas de Jimmy), Lou Adams (o agente do FBI, inimigo ancestral de Foley), Tico Sandoval (o pequeno marginal) e Danialle Karmanos (a estrela de cinema e lindíssima viúva) – estabelecem elos de ligação entre as várias personagens principais e as diferentes linhas narrativas, com voltas e reviravoltas, administradas por Elmore Leonard com muita ironia e humor, numa lógica de imprevisibilidade e suspense.
“Unha com Carne” é um excelente thriller, com três personagens inesquecíveis – Jack Foley, Cundo Rey e Dawn Navarro.
Foley, o maior assaltante de bancos dos Estados Unidos da América, bonito e charmoso, está a cumprir uma pena de prisão de trinta anos, na penitenciária de Glades, Miami, Florida, onde encontra Cundo Rey, um criminoso cubano riquíssimo, com quem inicia e mantém uma relação de amizade, e que lhe indica a eficiente e belíssima advogada Megan Norris, para se encarregar da sua defesa, num anterior processo judicial de evasão e no recurso judicial da sentença a que foi condenado, com o pagamento de honorários a cargo de Rey.
Para Cundo Rey, “O Jack Foley é o gatuno mais honesto que encontrei na porra da vida, e deve ser o mais esperto.” (Pág. 44), e é nessa relação de confiança e amizade – e após a libertação de Foley duas semanas antes de Rey – que Foley vai viver temporariamente para Venice Beach, na Califórnia, alojando-se numa das duas casas de Rey, sendo que a outra é ocupada pela sua namorada Dawn Navarro, uma bonita vidente profissional e que prometeu castidade a Rey durante os cerca de oito anos que este passou na prisão.
É neste triângulo de personagens – Jack Foley, Cundo Rey e Dawn Navarro – que Elmore Leonard desenvolve a história, interligando negócios e amor, numa narrativa “rápida”, cinematográfica, com diálogos curtos mas acutilantes, com descrições brilhantes dos cenários e caracterizações das personagens, jogando maravilhosamente com as palavras e as mentiras, subjacente a várias temáticas, como o sexo, a violência, a confiança, a traição, a amizade e o dinheiro.
As personagens secundárias – Jimmy Rios (o gestor dos negócios de Rey), Zorro (o guarda-costas de Jimmy), Lou Adams (o agente do FBI, inimigo ancestral de Foley), Tico Sandoval (o pequeno marginal) e Danialle Karmanos (a estrela de cinema e lindíssima viúva) – estabelecem elos de ligação entre as várias personagens principais e as diferentes linhas narrativas, com voltas e reviravoltas, administradas por Elmore Leonard com muita ironia e humor, numa lógica de imprevisibilidade e suspense.
“Unha com Carne” é um excelente thriller, com três personagens inesquecíveis – Jack Foley, Cundo Rey e Dawn Navarro.
October 8, 2009
Hip and snappy, ROAD DOGS concerns a pair of ex-cons who get each others back inside and outside of prison ("road dogs"). Throw in a spiritualist romance interest along with other disparate characters. Somehow the mix works for an entertaining, somewhat light read. I've liked Mr. Leonard's Westerns more than his crime books, but this one appealed enough to me.
February 6, 2013
A couple of ex cons friendship put to the test by the plans of others. 8 of 10 stars.
March 5, 2024
A Late Novel From Elmore Leonard
Elmore Leonard's (1925 -- August 20, 2013) novel "Road Dogs" (2009) was a late work, written when the author was in his 80s. The novel has a valedictory touch as Leonard brings back several characters who appeared separately in earlier novels. The book can be read on its own by readers, including myself, unfamiliar with the earlier novels.
The novel is set in a Florida prison and in an expensive residential community in Venice, California. The two primary male characters are convicts. Jack Foley, who has spent his life robbing banks, faces a 30 year prison sentence and the diminutive Cundo Rey,50, is a wealthy Cuban immigrant involved in many illicit activities in California who has served five years of a seven year sentence for second degree murder. Foley and Rey become apparent fast friends or "Road Dogs" in the tough prison world. Rey uses his great wealth to hire a gifted woman attorney who successfully appeals Foley's conviction and secures a marked reduction in his jail time. The two men thus are released from prison within weeks of one another. At Rey's prompting, Foley heads to California to prepare for Rey's release. He meets Rey's wife, Dawn Navarro, a professional and grossly fraudulent and exploitative psychic. During his prison term, Rey has been highly jealous of Dawn. He reminds her at every opportunity to act the part of a "saint" during his long absence.
The book is heavily plotted with many twists, turns, and secondary characters. The themes of the book include the nature and possibility of friendship and trust, the ability or lack of it of people to change strongly entrenched character traits, trust and love between men and women, and betrayal. Each of the three main characters seem to work against one another and to be out for the main chance.
The book reads quickly with Leonard's esteemed skill in snappy, realistic dialogue. With all the robbery, murder, sex, and extortion shown in the book, it has in places a surprisingly light touch. The book frequently has more of the feel of humor and irony as opposed to a tough-minded crime thriller. Elmore seems somehow to be telling his story and reflectively standing outside it.
The characters and themes are well-developed and the writing is sharp. I thought the story line was brittle and convoluted. The humor and detachment Leonard brings to the story are more effective than the actions he describes. "Road Dogs" is a readable, interesting novel but probably most readers will find it not one of Leonard's best.
Robin Friedman
Elmore Leonard's (1925 -- August 20, 2013) novel "Road Dogs" (2009) was a late work, written when the author was in his 80s. The novel has a valedictory touch as Leonard brings back several characters who appeared separately in earlier novels. The book can be read on its own by readers, including myself, unfamiliar with the earlier novels.
The novel is set in a Florida prison and in an expensive residential community in Venice, California. The two primary male characters are convicts. Jack Foley, who has spent his life robbing banks, faces a 30 year prison sentence and the diminutive Cundo Rey,50, is a wealthy Cuban immigrant involved in many illicit activities in California who has served five years of a seven year sentence for second degree murder. Foley and Rey become apparent fast friends or "Road Dogs" in the tough prison world. Rey uses his great wealth to hire a gifted woman attorney who successfully appeals Foley's conviction and secures a marked reduction in his jail time. The two men thus are released from prison within weeks of one another. At Rey's prompting, Foley heads to California to prepare for Rey's release. He meets Rey's wife, Dawn Navarro, a professional and grossly fraudulent and exploitative psychic. During his prison term, Rey has been highly jealous of Dawn. He reminds her at every opportunity to act the part of a "saint" during his long absence.
The book is heavily plotted with many twists, turns, and secondary characters. The themes of the book include the nature and possibility of friendship and trust, the ability or lack of it of people to change strongly entrenched character traits, trust and love between men and women, and betrayal. Each of the three main characters seem to work against one another and to be out for the main chance.
The book reads quickly with Leonard's esteemed skill in snappy, realistic dialogue. With all the robbery, murder, sex, and extortion shown in the book, it has in places a surprisingly light touch. The book frequently has more of the feel of humor and irony as opposed to a tough-minded crime thriller. Elmore seems somehow to be telling his story and reflectively standing outside it.
The characters and themes are well-developed and the writing is sharp. I thought the story line was brittle and convoluted. The humor and detachment Leonard brings to the story are more effective than the actions he describes. "Road Dogs" is a readable, interesting novel but probably most readers will find it not one of Leonard's best.
Robin Friedman
April 25, 2012
Road Dogs Cundo and Jack Foley have spent time in prison watching each others back. Cundo, by way of appreciation offers Foley a chance at a drastically reduced sentence by offering his crafty lawyer free of charge. Soon enough, the bank robber is out and occupying one of Cundo's houses along with his long-distance wife, Dawn. Upon Cundo's release a plot has been hatched by Dawn to take Cundo for all he's worth and bring Foley along for the ride.
Elmore Leonard is renowned for his razor sharp dialogue and even sharper true-to-life characters and this is no different. Dawn, Cundo, and Foley are all repeat characters from other Leonard novels (all recently added to my read-list) and serve as a great Easter egg for readers who are familiar with their back stories and how the three arrived where they are in 'Road Dogs'.
Like any Elmore Leonard novel, there is a fair amount of black humour (the ghost whispers for instance) and drama (Dawn and Cundo reunited) but its the characterisation of each of these diverse and distinctly unique individuals that maintains the readers interest throughout. At any one time I found my myself hoping bit players in Lou Adams (the Foley obsessed FBI agent) and 'reformed' banger Tico achieved their goals while at times even siding with bad girl Dawn.
This is one hell of a read and probably my favourite Elmore Leonard novel to date. 5 stars all the way!
A booknerd footnote:
Dawn appears in 'Riding The Rap' -
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16...
Cundo appears in 'LaBrava' -
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28...
Foley appears in 'Out of Sight' -
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28...
Elmore Leonard is renowned for his razor sharp dialogue and even sharper true-to-life characters and this is no different. Dawn, Cundo, and Foley are all repeat characters from other Leonard novels (all recently added to my read-list) and serve as a great Easter egg for readers who are familiar with their back stories and how the three arrived where they are in 'Road Dogs'.
Like any Elmore Leonard novel, there is a fair amount of black humour (the ghost whispers for instance) and drama (Dawn and Cundo reunited) but its the characterisation of each of these diverse and distinctly unique individuals that maintains the readers interest throughout. At any one time I found my myself hoping bit players in Lou Adams (the Foley obsessed FBI agent) and 'reformed' banger Tico achieved their goals while at times even siding with bad girl Dawn.
This is one hell of a read and probably my favourite Elmore Leonard novel to date. 5 stars all the way!
A booknerd footnote:
Dawn appears in 'Riding The Rap' -
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16...
Cundo appears in 'LaBrava' -
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28...
Foley appears in 'Out of Sight' -
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28...
June 28, 2009
I knew Elmore Leonard books. Elmore Leonard books were friends of mine. Road Dogs, you're no Elmore Leonard book.
Elmore Leonard is proud of starting his books with no real idea of where they're going to come out, and his varied and entertaining array of successes is proof that that method has worked for him. But even the greats have off days, and this is one of them. This is a book without a point, one that wanders aimlessly and winds up nowhere. We've met Jack Foley before, and he's entertaining enough, although in this book he performs impossible feats and gets away, incredibly (as in, not believable), with more stuff than he ever did when he was robbing banks for a living. The other characters are lifeless, and Leonard's gift for snappy dialogue deserts him.
I couldn't help feeling that one day when he had been playing with a few writing exercises, found he had something that vaguely resembled a book, and decided to see if the public would buy anything he wrote. Well, judging from the New York Times review that led me to read this book, it seems that they will. As I (dimly) recall, the review waxed euphoric on the way Leonard explores themes of friendship, loyalty and who knows what other cosmic themes in this book. I don't see it. This book is a mess. If you feel like reading Elmore Leonard, pick up anything else and you'll be happier. (PS: Try his Westerns; they're great.)
Elmore Leonard is proud of starting his books with no real idea of where they're going to come out, and his varied and entertaining array of successes is proof that that method has worked for him. But even the greats have off days, and this is one of them. This is a book without a point, one that wanders aimlessly and winds up nowhere. We've met Jack Foley before, and he's entertaining enough, although in this book he performs impossible feats and gets away, incredibly (as in, not believable), with more stuff than he ever did when he was robbing banks for a living. The other characters are lifeless, and Leonard's gift for snappy dialogue deserts him.
I couldn't help feeling that one day when he had been playing with a few writing exercises, found he had something that vaguely resembled a book, and decided to see if the public would buy anything he wrote. Well, judging from the New York Times review that led me to read this book, it seems that they will. As I (dimly) recall, the review waxed euphoric on the way Leonard explores themes of friendship, loyalty and who knows what other cosmic themes in this book. I don't see it. This book is a mess. If you feel like reading Elmore Leonard, pick up anything else and you'll be happier. (PS: Try his Westerns; they're great.)
July 21, 2017
Cundo and Foley are "Road Dogs," two guys in prison that watch each other's backs. They walk the yard and chatter to each other. Cundo is a Cuban boat refugee who has earned a fortune and has Jimmy the accountant watching his books. The ultra- sexy Dawn is his woman waiting for eight years like a saint for him to return. Foley has all by his lonesome robbed more banks than anyone else, more than Dillinger, more than Willy Sutton. Cundo pays a tough as nails woman lawyer to get Foley's sentence reduced and sends Foley out to Los Angeles to wait for Cundo who is getting out two weeks later. Meanwhile Dawn the seductive psychic works on getting Foley to take out Cundo and an FBI agent chases Foley clear across the country and waits for him to rob another bank. A great novel from page one. It is filled with Leonard's trademarked realistic dialogue and that alone is so good that it carries the story. Nobody writes like Leonard.
March 17, 2018
I'm not a special fan of crime fiction, so this is my first Elmore Leonard novel. He's a very good writer, a very clean, rhythmic style and a capacity for fascinating scenes that are strong in themselves and move the action forward. He's created two compelling characters in Foley and Cundo, though they're pretty predictable, and Foley eventually wears a bit thin in his being on top of every situation: sort of a Batman, vulnerable but you know he'll never succumb. It starts to lose me toward the end, as the action gears up, depending on the major female character Dawn to carry the action. Alas, I feel she's a thin stereotype, not much advanced from what you'd expect of Micky Spillane. That may just be me projecting what I'd like to see with her—a more empathetic motivation, more complexity. Overall, an entertaining read, and I'll definitely go back to Leonard to absorb his clarity of style.
April 1, 2012
Once again Elmore shows off his mastery of dialogue. You can just see the film script flowing out as you read. It's fast and cool with some old characters reprised. You can forgive some instances of slightly unbelievability (like when TB just hands his gun over - don't worry it's not a spoiler)because the rest come across as very real. One thing I noticed though is that Cundo's accountant is referred to as the Monk and Don Winslow's 'Life and death of Bobby Z' has an accountant named monk too - must be a coincidence I feel. If you like Elmore's books you'll just eat this up.
February 25, 2023
Review to follow.
September 4, 2013
Jack Foley, the hero of "Out of Sight" and in prison for the next 30 years, becomes friends with a powerful Cuban called Cundo Rey who assigns him a hotshot attorney, getting him out of the jailhouse inno time. Cundo asks Foley to watch over his expensive houses in Venice Beach, California, and keep an eye on his girl's fidelity, a psychic called Dawn Navarro, who makes a living playing up her "powers" to wealthy (and gullible) Hollywood wives. But with Cundo's upcoming release from prison, Dawn has other plans in mind rather than a reunion with her partner. A plan that involves her and Cundo's millions, alone together...
Elmore Leonard writes a pretty decent crime thriller with one of his best loved characters back in the saddle. The book, despite not having much in the way of action until the final 50 pages or so, still manages to maintain interest mostly because of the superb dialogue. A conversation between two people walking in a prison yard would be mundane in the hands of a lesser writer but with Leonard the pages crackle with life.
And that's what mostly saves this book and makes it worth reading: the snappy back and forths between the characters as they strive for their goals. Foley - to get out alive; Navarro - to take everything and escape; the others - well, just surviving would do but with Leonard you never know until the end what everyone's really up to.
I thought the book was a bit static though with most of the novel taking place between two expensive houses in Venice Beach. I would've preferred if Leonard had gone outside of this as it felt very much like a play with its limited settings.
"Road Dogs" is a pretty great novel where Leonard shows how much he can do with so little and bringing real characters to life with ease. The ending is especially masterful, done with two guns, whiskey, and some genius dialogue. Great fun to read for all fans of fiction and Elmore Leonard.
Elmore Leonard writes a pretty decent crime thriller with one of his best loved characters back in the saddle. The book, despite not having much in the way of action until the final 50 pages or so, still manages to maintain interest mostly because of the superb dialogue. A conversation between two people walking in a prison yard would be mundane in the hands of a lesser writer but with Leonard the pages crackle with life.
And that's what mostly saves this book and makes it worth reading: the snappy back and forths between the characters as they strive for their goals. Foley - to get out alive; Navarro - to take everything and escape; the others - well, just surviving would do but with Leonard you never know until the end what everyone's really up to.
I thought the book was a bit static though with most of the novel taking place between two expensive houses in Venice Beach. I would've preferred if Leonard had gone outside of this as it felt very much like a play with its limited settings.
"Road Dogs" is a pretty great novel where Leonard shows how much he can do with so little and bringing real characters to life with ease. The ending is especially masterful, done with two guns, whiskey, and some genius dialogue. Great fun to read for all fans of fiction and Elmore Leonard.
February 10, 2015
Jack's back! Jack Foley that is. And while I loved the character in Out of Sight this one didn't didn't stir me to five stars as did the first Foley book which I loved.
Audio version which I read while driving.
Audio version which I read while driving.
May 5, 2017
Road Dogs is classic Elmore Leonard.
A very funny read (I often grin when reading Leonard) with his usual cool cast of interesting characters , great dialogue and a unpredictable ending with more twists and turns then a bad ass roller coaster from hell. Always enjoyable.
A very funny read (I often grin when reading Leonard) with his usual cool cast of interesting characters , great dialogue and a unpredictable ending with more twists and turns then a bad ass roller coaster from hell. Always enjoyable.
February 7, 2022
crisp writing and language this is why screenwriters make so much money
Leonard was a good observer and interpreter of the modern culture while not taking sides
Leonard was a good observer and interpreter of the modern culture while not taking sides
Read
August 27, 20253.5
October 28, 2019
'Road Dogs' isn't Elmore Leonard's best, but I'm pretty sure he could write an interesting story about a career criminal packed with punchy dialogue and realistic yet often humorous situations in his sleep that would be better than almost anything else in the genre out there. And I'd read it.
Road Dogs answers that question that's on everyone's (?) mind: what's old Jack Foley up to? Jack, the country's most prolific bank robber, last seen in the trunk of a car with J-Lo (I mean US Marshal Karen Sisco), gets released from prison in Florida due to the efforts of his 'road dog' buddy, Cundo, a well-connected Latino with a lot of property in LA. Foley makes his way to LA and takes advantage of his road dog's offer to stay in one of his houses in Venice, which happens to be across the canal from his other house, which happens to be populated by his hot girl/wife who happens to be a psychic (or plays one on TV....). Oh yeah, and to top it all off an FBI agent with a real hard-on for Foley follows him out there in anticipation of Foley's next caper. Additionally, Cundo's 2nd in command, who has all of Cundo's assets in his name, has his doubts about Foley's intentions and the FBI guy has a bunch of gang bangers 'hired' to keep an eye on him as well. So, everybody's watching everybody, everybody wants Cundo's assets, Cundo gets an early release and surprises everyone by showing up early....what the heck do you think will happen?
Leonard's trademark dialogue propels the story, as it almost always does in his novels. I love his work because it totally lacks pretension. There are no super criminal minds at work, just normal folks who are a little off on the morality continuum. There are no superstar cops chasing them, just your run of the mill guys with varying levels of competence. Road Dogs is a decent story, expertly written, with an ending that shouldn't surprise anyone but probably will. Again, not Elmore Leonard's best, but pretty darn good. I'd love to see a movie made out of it, just to see Clooney and J-Lo together again for a brief moment......
Road Dogs answers that question that's on everyone's (?) mind: what's old Jack Foley up to? Jack, the country's most prolific bank robber, last seen in the trunk of a car with J-Lo (I mean US Marshal Karen Sisco), gets released from prison in Florida due to the efforts of his 'road dog' buddy, Cundo, a well-connected Latino with a lot of property in LA. Foley makes his way to LA and takes advantage of his road dog's offer to stay in one of his houses in Venice, which happens to be across the canal from his other house, which happens to be populated by his hot girl/wife who happens to be a psychic (or plays one on TV....). Oh yeah, and to top it all off an FBI agent with a real hard-on for Foley follows him out there in anticipation of Foley's next caper. Additionally, Cundo's 2nd in command, who has all of Cundo's assets in his name, has his doubts about Foley's intentions and the FBI guy has a bunch of gang bangers 'hired' to keep an eye on him as well. So, everybody's watching everybody, everybody wants Cundo's assets, Cundo gets an early release and surprises everyone by showing up early....what the heck do you think will happen?
Leonard's trademark dialogue propels the story, as it almost always does in his novels. I love his work because it totally lacks pretension. There are no super criminal minds at work, just normal folks who are a little off on the morality continuum. There are no superstar cops chasing them, just your run of the mill guys with varying levels of competence. Road Dogs is a decent story, expertly written, with an ending that shouldn't surprise anyone but probably will. Again, not Elmore Leonard's best, but pretty darn good. I'd love to see a movie made out of it, just to see Clooney and J-Lo together again for a brief moment......
July 15, 2009
This book started well. Of course, it has the baggage (in a good way) of characters from previous novels, including Foley from Out of Sight, and that helps to draw you in. After all, everyone wants to know what happens between George and J-Lo, excuse me, Jack and Karen, but Leonard gets past that in a hurry. At first I thought this book was going to be a return to form for Leonard after his two rather dull forays into historical fiction, but ultimately, this book also falls short. The plot, such as it is, is mostly wandering and the resolution is more of a "it's time to end the book" than any sort of exciting or satisfying end. And for what then becomes a character driven book, I did not find any of the characters very interesting. Not even Jack Foley, who I did not find charming at all. That may of course be due to Clooney's performance and not Leonard's characterization - perhaps I should go back and re-read Out of Sight - but even if this Foley is a true continuation of the previous book, at least Out of Sight had Karen Sisco for us to care for and her feelings for Jack influenced ours. In this book, there is nobody to like, and I'm sorry, I just don't think the guy loyalty thing of convicts is that interesting or even inspiring. I'm still looking forward to the next Leonard, but it's been awhile now since his books really excited me, and that pains me to write.
May 19, 2019
I think Road Dogs deserves a four out of five star rating. The reasons because it is very clever and its the kind of book that keeps you reading. To add a bonus it has a really good twist at the end of the book.
In road Dogs the characters speak their minds as often as possible. While they do this it could be just dumb comments making fun of somone or insulting people but sometimes the characters speak philisophical thoughts that will make you scratch your head. Some of them make you wonder if you chose the right profession or if life is worth living. The other clever side is that the book all ties into itself in the end.
This book will keep you reading no dought. In almost every chapter they leave you with a cliff hanger wondering what will happen next chapter. In the middle of the chapters it usually unfolds a little bit of a characters life or past life making you want to read the book more and more every day.
Lastly the book has an amazing twist at the end of it. Even if your looking for it I dont think you will see it coming. Throughout the whole story the life of this character has been leading up to one thing and you'll have to read it to find out.
I liked the beginning and end of this book. It starts off really interesting of the two characters getting out of jail but almost goes no where after that. Once you get to the end of the book things start to pick up and gets real interesting up to a point where hell breaks loose.
In road Dogs the characters speak their minds as often as possible. While they do this it could be just dumb comments making fun of somone or insulting people but sometimes the characters speak philisophical thoughts that will make you scratch your head. Some of them make you wonder if you chose the right profession or if life is worth living. The other clever side is that the book all ties into itself in the end.
This book will keep you reading no dought. In almost every chapter they leave you with a cliff hanger wondering what will happen next chapter. In the middle of the chapters it usually unfolds a little bit of a characters life or past life making you want to read the book more and more every day.
Lastly the book has an amazing twist at the end of it. Even if your looking for it I dont think you will see it coming. Throughout the whole story the life of this character has been leading up to one thing and you'll have to read it to find out.
I liked the beginning and end of this book. It starts off really interesting of the two characters getting out of jail but almost goes no where after that. Once you get to the end of the book things start to pick up and gets real interesting up to a point where hell breaks loose.
March 18, 2017
Primeira leitura de Leonard, por recomendação (e oferta) de um amigo de leituras fiáveis. Sou um apreciador do género policial, sem ser um aficionado. Tenho no currículo os incontornáveis Doyle, Christie, Hammet, Chandler, Ellroy, etc., etc. Nunca me senti defraudado no final, bem pelo contrário. Dizem-me que Leonard ombreia com os maiores. Não é difícil acreditar pela leitura deste "Unha com Carne". Os diálogos são muito bons, o tema da amizade improvável mas quase sagrada que atravessa o livro está bem explorado, o ritmo da escrita é cativante. Nada de errado com este livro: está escrito de forma competente. Mas não é um bom "thriller": personagens demasiado estereotipadas e um desenvolvimento previsível, deu para aquecer mas não houve fogo-de-artifício. Acredito que terei começado pela obra errada, por isso vou ler o outro (o meu amigo foi generoso e deu-me dois!) e ver no que dá. Recomendo a leitura deste livro? Sim, para as alturas de leituras leves, num almoço a sós, ou na sala de espera de um consultório. Com o devido respeito.
May 7, 2021
At this point in Leonard's career, critics started picking on his loosey-goosey storytelling, in which he'd just introduce characters and "turn them loose," any planned out plot be damned.
Here's the thing tho, the guy was in his mid 80s and still churning out pretty entertaining stuff. For this book, he'd forgotten that a character he wanted to use again actually died in a previous book, and full-on confused the fate of another character with the fate of his movie-adaptation equivalent. That's ADORABLE!
It's low stakes, easy-reading stuff, and I'm happy he was still able to do that. It's kinda like watching an episode of the Bake-Off, where you have a fave you want to end up on top, but you're not really super emotionally involved or biting your nails in tension or anything.
Would that we could all have such artistic lives!
Here's the thing tho, the guy was in his mid 80s and still churning out pretty entertaining stuff. For this book, he'd forgotten that a character he wanted to use again actually died in a previous book, and full-on confused the fate of another character with the fate of his movie-adaptation equivalent. That's ADORABLE!
It's low stakes, easy-reading stuff, and I'm happy he was still able to do that. It's kinda like watching an episode of the Bake-Off, where you have a fave you want to end up on top, but you're not really super emotionally involved or biting your nails in tension or anything.
Would that we could all have such artistic lives!
November 6, 2010
Listened to on audio.
Foley and Cundo Rey are friends in prison. They spend time together every day for more than 3 years. Cundo pays for a laywer for Foley and gets his sentence reduced. Foley goes to LA to wait for Sundo. Fresh out of prison, Foley hooks up with Dawn Navarro, the common-law wife Cundo Rey, in a plan to relieve Cundo of his fortune.
The character development is great for Cundo and Foley, but other characters are flat.
The book had a lot of possibilities in the beginning, but it seemed every choioce Leonard made in plot development shut doors instead of opening them. In the end I was very disappointed in the story.
Foley and Cundo Rey are friends in prison. They spend time together every day for more than 3 years. Cundo pays for a laywer for Foley and gets his sentence reduced. Foley goes to LA to wait for Sundo. Fresh out of prison, Foley hooks up with Dawn Navarro, the common-law wife Cundo Rey, in a plan to relieve Cundo of his fortune.
The character development is great for Cundo and Foley, but other characters are flat.
The book had a lot of possibilities in the beginning, but it seemed every choioce Leonard made in plot development shut doors instead of opening them. In the end I was very disappointed in the story.
December 24, 2014
When I learned Elmore Leonard had died I also learned of the existence of this book, a sequel to Out Of Sight. This may the most disappointing book I've ever read. Painfully boring and the worst thing I've read of Leonard's. It pains me to say it so close to Leonard's passing but I gotta be honest. Jack Foley is a great character and bringing him back was welcome. There are flashes of Leonard's genius but spread way to thin. Ugh. Bloody shame.
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