Jackrabbit Parole

by Stephen Reid

Move over Frank and Jesse James -- Here come the two-minute gangDedicated to a life of crime, they take their vocation seriously, practing the world's second-oldest profession on a bankrobbering spree across the American West. Bobby, the shameless hedonist, loves wine, women, hot beaches and X-rated movies. Emile, the cocky former hockey player, can deadlift 6000 pounds. Luc, Emile's brother-in-law, is short on brains and long on the draw. And Denny, the clown with moxie, is plotting their glorious career -- starting with research at the John Dillinger museum in Moorestown, Indiana.But when they're finally caught, the gang that wants money and infamy, that saves press clippings and courts publicity, finally figures out how to pass into bad boy legend once and for a "jackrabbit parole" from one of Canada's toughest lockups -- in a thumbs-up, fingers-crossed, feet-down-and-running pass at eternal fame.

Genres: Fiction, Crime

259 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Stephen Reid was a Canadian criminal and writer, who was a member of the notorious Stopwatch Gang and was also convicted twice of bank robbery. Reid served time in over 20 prisons in Canada and the United States.

Reviews

[Susan Quenneville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by Stephen Reid, Jackrabbit Parole Is a work of fiction despite being penned by the one of the members of the notorious Stop Watch Gang, famed for their perfectly timed bank robberies. Well written! My interest in Stephen Reid was piqued when I read of his recent death.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. It took me awhile to really get into this book but once I did I was hooked. So glad I stuck with it. There is something about unrepentant criminality that I find very alluring.

[William Gnjatovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read

[What Angie Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grew up hearing about this guy from my parents. My dad was friends with him back in the day as they grew up in the same town. Then he went off and started to rob banks.

It is really horrible to know he does only 20 years for bank robbery, gets out then becomes a TEACHER. Then boom does it again cause he's high (not a great reason to rob a bank) gets life in prison only to get out in 14 years.

He wins awards for his writing while in jail. I believe they even optioned a movie for this book. I hope it doesn't really come to light. this book glorified his life IMO and that's not right.

[Dave Hazzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun.

[Don Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I met Stephen Reid at a writers' meeting back in the early 1990s. I didn't know anything about who he was but we had an interesting conversation about writing in general. I soon learned of his criminal past and was glad to see he was making something of himself after serving his time. Well, that didn't turn out well, as he was soon back to his old habits and once again ended up in prison.

Jackrabbit Parole is a novel based on his earlier crime exploits as a member of the Stopwatch Gang. If you want to get some insight into what goes on in the personal lives of bank robbers and perhaps why they do what they do--including experiencing some of the thrill, this is definitely a book worth reading. A talented writer, who died in 2018, Reid knew how to tell a page-turning story.

[Daniel Schertzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A crime novel that goes to unexpected places. The book is full of these dissociative thoughts and slower moments. There is a Halloween party, a mundane roadtrip, and uninteresting diner breakfasts. But Reid manages to always keep it funny, and with enough sleeze to make it a guilty pleasure kind of read. It's a meal with vegetables, steak and candy all in one.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining. The middle part with all the wheeling and dealing dragged a bit. The style of writing reminds me of the Norwegian writer Jon Michelet. Lots of quick-witted macho talk.