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Snatched
They had just 48 hours to find him. Then tanks would roll across the desert. The flow of oil from the Persian Gulf would stop. Around the globe, lights would dim and life would grind to a dead halt. Everything hinged on Toby Rinaldi - the boy whose father was the key to vital Mideast negotiations. . .the boy whose ransom the world could not afford to pay. . .the eight-year-old whiz-kid who had been put aboard a flight to San Francisco and mysteriously disappeared.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1980
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February 9, 2022
This is a two-for-one double bill that harkens back to the old Ace Double paperbacks. Snatch offers us not one, but two, novels from Gregory McDonald, both reprints. The first is “Snatched,” a 1978 book, also released as “Who Took Toby Rinaldi?.” The second is “Safekeeping,” a 1985 book. The two novels, whose pages add up to a whopping 448 pages (two complete novels for the price of one) are wholly distinct, separate, and unrelated, but sharing the fact that both involve kidnapping of somewhat precocious eight-year-olds, diplomatic intrigue, and satire. Neither of the two novels, moreover, is the usual hardboiled fare that one expects from Hard Case Crime.
I have never read McDonald before, who is best known for his Fletch series of eleven novels issued between 1974 and 1994, a comedic detective endeavor, involving a journalist and a murder-for-hire, widely known because it was turned into a movie vehicle for Chevy Chase. Having never been a Chevy Chase fan (I’m more of a Belushi fan), I unfairly and unjustly have avoided the Fletch novels as well as the movie.
“Who Took Toby Rinaldi,” the first of the two Snatch novels is a comedic crime caper that reminds me quite a bit of some of Donald Westlake’s comedic crime novels. It is a bit tongue-in-cheek and involves a diplomatic mission to the United Nations, a plot to kidnap the diplomat’s young son, and the oddest of kidnappers. The novel has a made-to-be-a-movie feel to it and, with the right cast, it could be quite humorous and successful. The best parts of the book involve young Toby who hasn’t quite got the idea that he is a kidnapping victim being held against his will and the ex-con who holds him hostage. The pair play Marco Polo at a motel pool with other children and end up at Fantasyland, an eratz-Disneyland type place where all kinds of action takes place, often in comedic fashion. For my tastes, this was the better of the two Snatch novels.
The second Snatch novel is “Safekeeping,” and begins in a prim and proper British boarding school during the Second World War. There are some odd scenes involving the head of the school and it is really tongue-in-cheek stuff. Somewhat Oliver Twist-like, young Robby becomes an orphan when his parents’ home is bombed by the Germans and he is shuttled off as an orphan to America for safekeeping. There, his adventures begin in earnest as a drunken reporter takes him in and sends him off to school in the morning, with the advice that he should walk in concentric circles growing ever wider around the apartment until he found the local school. Robby is spotted as the heir to a noble British peerage and kidnapped by an odd collection of kidnappers. Again, as in the Toby Rinaldi novel, at first, Robby doesn’t always seem to get the idea that he is indeed a kidnapping victim, although later on he gets it. As with the first novel in this two-novel collection, the second novel also appears written with a possible eye to a movie tie-in. One can just picture some of these oddball characters on the big screen.
Both novels in this collection are enjoyable and easy to read. Remember when reading them that they are meant to be funny, odd, and humorous.
I have never read McDonald before, who is best known for his Fletch series of eleven novels issued between 1974 and 1994, a comedic detective endeavor, involving a journalist and a murder-for-hire, widely known because it was turned into a movie vehicle for Chevy Chase. Having never been a Chevy Chase fan (I’m more of a Belushi fan), I unfairly and unjustly have avoided the Fletch novels as well as the movie.
“Who Took Toby Rinaldi,” the first of the two Snatch novels is a comedic crime caper that reminds me quite a bit of some of Donald Westlake’s comedic crime novels. It is a bit tongue-in-cheek and involves a diplomatic mission to the United Nations, a plot to kidnap the diplomat’s young son, and the oddest of kidnappers. The novel has a made-to-be-a-movie feel to it and, with the right cast, it could be quite humorous and successful. The best parts of the book involve young Toby who hasn’t quite got the idea that he is a kidnapping victim being held against his will and the ex-con who holds him hostage. The pair play Marco Polo at a motel pool with other children and end up at Fantasyland, an eratz-Disneyland type place where all kinds of action takes place, often in comedic fashion. For my tastes, this was the better of the two Snatch novels.
The second Snatch novel is “Safekeeping,” and begins in a prim and proper British boarding school during the Second World War. There are some odd scenes involving the head of the school and it is really tongue-in-cheek stuff. Somewhat Oliver Twist-like, young Robby becomes an orphan when his parents’ home is bombed by the Germans and he is shuttled off as an orphan to America for safekeeping. There, his adventures begin in earnest as a drunken reporter takes him in and sends him off to school in the morning, with the advice that he should walk in concentric circles growing ever wider around the apartment until he found the local school. Robby is spotted as the heir to a noble British peerage and kidnapped by an odd collection of kidnappers. Again, as in the Toby Rinaldi novel, at first, Robby doesn’t always seem to get the idea that he is indeed a kidnapping victim, although later on he gets it. As with the first novel in this two-novel collection, the second novel also appears written with a possible eye to a movie tie-in. One can just picture some of these oddball characters on the big screen.
Both novels in this collection are enjoyable and easy to read. Remember when reading them that they are meant to be funny, odd, and humorous.
September 27, 2019
Published in 2017 by Hard Case Crime as a two-for-one, Snatched (originally published as Who Took Tony Rinaldi) and Safekeeping are kidnap capers with interesting and well developed characters who find themselves in compromising and unpleasant situation.
Form the synopsis, Snatched reads like a thriller laden with politics, lies, and deceit and whist there are lies and deceit aplenty the political angle was played down to the extend it was more background noise than prominent plot piece which allowed for the kidnap and events proceeding it to take center stage.
8yr old Tony Rinaldi, son of a prominent political figure is kidnapped by criminals who can only be described as blundering and semi-professional insofar as their plans are complicated by the comedic nature of their enterprise and penchant for self destructive behavior. It's like the blind leading the blind with no braille; this makes for some light heartened moments in what could've been a dark slice of crime fiction.
The short punchy chapters didn't skimp on detail and progressed the story at just the right pace, all the way through to the entertaining (though a tad drawn out) cat and mouse finale.
Safekeeping unfortunately didn't live up to expectations and was very nearly a DNF. I'm not sure the premise worked; a heady mix of satire and comedy blended with heartache, death, and a homeless orphan. It's a confusing concoction that doesn't mix.
8yr old Robby is pulled from his sleeping quarters at the boarding school he attends in England to hear his family has been killed following the bombing of their house; innocent victims of WWII. He's promptly shipped off to America to live with his 'uncle'; a man who turns out to be of no relation (nor has he a single parental bone in his body), a journalist, and well known in criminal circles. This 'uncle' irresponsibly sends Robby off on his own to find a school in New York because all young children 'know where to find a school'. Robby is kidnapped shortly after getting lost and the story just goes downhill from there.
If you're reading this two-for-one, I strongly suggest putting the book down after Snatched, Safekeeping just isn't worth it.
My ratings:
Snatched - 4 stars
Safekeeping - 1 star
Overall - 2.5 stars
Form the synopsis, Snatched reads like a thriller laden with politics, lies, and deceit and whist there are lies and deceit aplenty the political angle was played down to the extend it was more background noise than prominent plot piece which allowed for the kidnap and events proceeding it to take center stage.
8yr old Tony Rinaldi, son of a prominent political figure is kidnapped by criminals who can only be described as blundering and semi-professional insofar as their plans are complicated by the comedic nature of their enterprise and penchant for self destructive behavior. It's like the blind leading the blind with no braille; this makes for some light heartened moments in what could've been a dark slice of crime fiction.
The short punchy chapters didn't skimp on detail and progressed the story at just the right pace, all the way through to the entertaining (though a tad drawn out) cat and mouse finale.
Safekeeping unfortunately didn't live up to expectations and was very nearly a DNF. I'm not sure the premise worked; a heady mix of satire and comedy blended with heartache, death, and a homeless orphan. It's a confusing concoction that doesn't mix.
8yr old Robby is pulled from his sleeping quarters at the boarding school he attends in England to hear his family has been killed following the bombing of their house; innocent victims of WWII. He's promptly shipped off to America to live with his 'uncle'; a man who turns out to be of no relation (nor has he a single parental bone in his body), a journalist, and well known in criminal circles. This 'uncle' irresponsibly sends Robby off on his own to find a school in New York because all young children 'know where to find a school'. Robby is kidnapped shortly after getting lost and the story just goes downhill from there.
If you're reading this two-for-one, I strongly suggest putting the book down after Snatched, Safekeeping just isn't worth it.
My ratings:
Snatched - 4 stars
Safekeeping - 1 star
Overall - 2.5 stars
August 1, 2017
In the interest of brevity, I'll just say this: the best thing about "Snatch," by Gregory McDonald, is the cover art. The two books in this volume are pretty awful. Don't bother reading them. The end.
If you're not as much into brevity, I'll explain further. "Snatch" is two novels in one. But both have the same subject--smart young boys are kidnapped by morons. The first novel is about a Middle Eastern Ambassador whose son is stolen to influence a policy speech at the United Nations in the 1970's. The second novel is about a British war orphan (during World War 2) who is shipped off to America and whose accidental "kidnapping" becomes a manufactured media sensation.
Gregory McDonald wrote "Fletch," which became the excellent Chevy Chase movie of the same name. But I saw none of the wit and humor in these two books (written in 1980 and 1985, respectively) that I saw in the "Fletch" film. McDonald seems to feel that no one has ever written satire adequately before and that he can take aim at big, easy targets (Disneyland! Religion! Politics! Yellow journalism!) and finally slip wholly into allegory.
Yes, we're in "Home Alone" territory here as far as the plots. And these two books make those insipid "Home Alone" movies seem well-written by comparison.
I won't mince words. The "satire" involved is not remotely funny. None of it is witty or interesting. The characters are either obnoxious or pathetic. Even the "adorably" smart kidnapped kids are grating after a while. The running joke in the second novel is that the kidnapped boy is slowly starving to death in the "land of plenty" as he gets passed from one set of fools to another.
Between the two novels, the first, set in the 70's, is marginally better than the second. Both seem to be written by a very old man who has no idea what a modern audience wants to read--even a modern audience in the 1980's. His characters are mere shells for the creation of satire and they grimly jump through the hoops required for the so-called plots to advance.
Anyway, you get the idea of what I'm saying. Enjoy the cover art, which is quite nice, and skip reading either of these books. You'll be glad you did.
If you're not as much into brevity, I'll explain further. "Snatch" is two novels in one. But both have the same subject--smart young boys are kidnapped by morons. The first novel is about a Middle Eastern Ambassador whose son is stolen to influence a policy speech at the United Nations in the 1970's. The second novel is about a British war orphan (during World War 2) who is shipped off to America and whose accidental "kidnapping" becomes a manufactured media sensation.
Gregory McDonald wrote "Fletch," which became the excellent Chevy Chase movie of the same name. But I saw none of the wit and humor in these two books (written in 1980 and 1985, respectively) that I saw in the "Fletch" film. McDonald seems to feel that no one has ever written satire adequately before and that he can take aim at big, easy targets (Disneyland! Religion! Politics! Yellow journalism!) and finally slip wholly into allegory.
Yes, we're in "Home Alone" territory here as far as the plots. And these two books make those insipid "Home Alone" movies seem well-written by comparison.
I won't mince words. The "satire" involved is not remotely funny. None of it is witty or interesting. The characters are either obnoxious or pathetic. Even the "adorably" smart kidnapped kids are grating after a while. The running joke in the second novel is that the kidnapped boy is slowly starving to death in the "land of plenty" as he gets passed from one set of fools to another.
Between the two novels, the first, set in the 70's, is marginally better than the second. Both seem to be written by a very old man who has no idea what a modern audience wants to read--even a modern audience in the 1980's. His characters are mere shells for the creation of satire and they grimly jump through the hoops required for the so-called plots to advance.
Anyway, you get the idea of what I'm saying. Enjoy the cover art, which is quite nice, and skip reading either of these books. You'll be glad you did.
January 17, 2018
In my inability to do diligence, I discovered upon receiving this book it consists of two books I read years ago under two different titles, now plastered together.
I realize that I should check furter into books prior to purchasing them, so I take partial blame, yet I hold anger and animosity toward Hard Case Crime for this deceptive packaging,
The first half of the book was a hardcover (which already I own) first printed in 1980 by Putnam, titled “Who Took Toby Rinaldi?". the story is about a kidnaping in the middle east of a kid.
The second half of the book is another reprint of a book I already owned titled "Safekeeping" , this one published by Mysterious Press in 1985 about another kid, this one set in world war 2.
I seem to recall enjoying both books back when I read them. The reason for this (for me) bad book review mainly reflects my anger at Hard Case Crime's packaging department.
Mcdonald is the author of the Fletch books which I also enjoyed, he is a pretty good author and I don't blame him in any way, however...
Raspberry's all around.
I realize that I should check furter into books prior to purchasing them, so I take partial blame, yet I hold anger and animosity toward Hard Case Crime for this deceptive packaging,
The first half of the book was a hardcover (which already I own) first printed in 1980 by Putnam, titled “Who Took Toby Rinaldi?". the story is about a kidnaping in the middle east of a kid.
The second half of the book is another reprint of a book I already owned titled "Safekeeping" , this one published by Mysterious Press in 1985 about another kid, this one set in world war 2.
I seem to recall enjoying both books back when I read them. The reason for this (for me) bad book review mainly reflects my anger at Hard Case Crime's packaging department.
Mcdonald is the author of the Fletch books which I also enjoyed, he is a pretty good author and I don't blame him in any way, however...
Raspberry's all around.
February 6, 2017
Gregory Mcdonald, who passed away in 2008, is best known for his FLETCH series. Yes. Fletch. That loveable, quirky crime solving journalist depicted by Chevy Chase on the big screen. Back-when I'd read a handful of the Fletch books, and loved them. Now, some two decades later, I am rediscovering Mcdonald's work.
SNATCH is like picking up a 45 record down at the music store. (Feel free to Google the reference if necessary). Hard Case Crime has re-released two novels under one title. SNATCH. And, just like that 45 RPM record there is clearly a Side A, and a Side B.
In the first novel, SNATCHED, we are looking at a kidnapping. Difference is, the abduction has nothing to do with money. When eight year-old Toby Rinaldi goes missing, his parents find themselves in the midst of a nightmare.
Teodoro is a Middle East Ambassador to the King, living in New York City. His wife, Christina, an American, is overwhelmed by the politics, and diplomatic life that seem to have driven a wedge into her marriage, and threatens her family.
There is a powerful article on the table. Resolution 1176R. It deals with closing, or not closing, the Persian Gulf to the shipping of oil. Whether passed, or dropped, the possibility of war hangs in the balance. Teodoro's presentation, and vote, could make all of the difference.
A phone call confirms it. Toby will either live or die based on how Teodoro votes. The choice is up to the ambassador.
Working with the king's secret security personnel, Teodoro does not trust anyone. And he has every right to feel paranoid. Something has gone wrong. There is more behind the kidnapping. Toby's life is in danger, and the vote is only a few days away!
SNATCHED was an easy, straight forward read. Some good twists. The characters were simple, but well drawn. Some of the best parts of the book pertained to Toby and his Kidnapper, Spike. The last forty, to fifty pages was packed with action. Fantazyland-style action. And the pages just kept turning, and turning.
IN THE SECOND book in SNATCH, we have SAFEKEEPING.
Unfortunately, for me, SAFEKEEPING was clearly the B Side of the 45, the lesser known song, if you will. It is meant as satire. I needed to continually remind myself of that while reading. It is nothing at all like the Fletch novels, and nothing at all like SNATCHED.
I saw some reviews compare SAFEKEEPING to the likes of Mark Twain. I did not see that. The story takes place during World War II. Our main character, the hero, if you will, is Robert James Saint James Burnes Walter. (Robby Burnes for short). The eight year old boy is in an England bordering school when he learns that his parents have died in a bombing.
The school informs the child in a very flippant way of the deaths. They inform Robby that he will be sent to stay with his uncle in New York City. Journalist Thadeus Lowry shows up hours late to retrieve his nephew. He is clearly self-absorbed, arrogant, and does not seem to realize no one takes him serious at all.
There is no sympathy, or questions asked about the death of Robby's parents. Thadeus seems indifferent about the death of his sister, Robby's mother, and more concerned with finding his next story--always looking for the byline.
The two get tangled up in some misadventures that, I presume, are meant to be funny, and ironic, and full of satire. Me? I either just didn't get, or just didn't care enough to try. The story reads easy. Smooth writing. For me, SAFEKEEPING was like drinking from the container in the 'fridge and expecting sodapop, only to end up swallowing milk. Milk's still good, but not when you are expecting soda. Perhaps I thought I was in for a noir-style story, and was a bit taken aback by getting something more Steinbeck-ish instead.
Phillip Tomasso,
Author of the Severed Empire Series,
and The Vaccination Trilogy
www.onadarkstormyreview.com
SNATCH is like picking up a 45 record down at the music store. (Feel free to Google the reference if necessary). Hard Case Crime has re-released two novels under one title. SNATCH. And, just like that 45 RPM record there is clearly a Side A, and a Side B.
In the first novel, SNATCHED, we are looking at a kidnapping. Difference is, the abduction has nothing to do with money. When eight year-old Toby Rinaldi goes missing, his parents find themselves in the midst of a nightmare.
Teodoro is a Middle East Ambassador to the King, living in New York City. His wife, Christina, an American, is overwhelmed by the politics, and diplomatic life that seem to have driven a wedge into her marriage, and threatens her family.
There is a powerful article on the table. Resolution 1176R. It deals with closing, or not closing, the Persian Gulf to the shipping of oil. Whether passed, or dropped, the possibility of war hangs in the balance. Teodoro's presentation, and vote, could make all of the difference.
A phone call confirms it. Toby will either live or die based on how Teodoro votes. The choice is up to the ambassador.
Working with the king's secret security personnel, Teodoro does not trust anyone. And he has every right to feel paranoid. Something has gone wrong. There is more behind the kidnapping. Toby's life is in danger, and the vote is only a few days away!
SNATCHED was an easy, straight forward read. Some good twists. The characters were simple, but well drawn. Some of the best parts of the book pertained to Toby and his Kidnapper, Spike. The last forty, to fifty pages was packed with action. Fantazyland-style action. And the pages just kept turning, and turning.
IN THE SECOND book in SNATCH, we have SAFEKEEPING.
Unfortunately, for me, SAFEKEEPING was clearly the B Side of the 45, the lesser known song, if you will. It is meant as satire. I needed to continually remind myself of that while reading. It is nothing at all like the Fletch novels, and nothing at all like SNATCHED.
I saw some reviews compare SAFEKEEPING to the likes of Mark Twain. I did not see that. The story takes place during World War II. Our main character, the hero, if you will, is Robert James Saint James Burnes Walter. (Robby Burnes for short). The eight year old boy is in an England bordering school when he learns that his parents have died in a bombing.
The school informs the child in a very flippant way of the deaths. They inform Robby that he will be sent to stay with his uncle in New York City. Journalist Thadeus Lowry shows up hours late to retrieve his nephew. He is clearly self-absorbed, arrogant, and does not seem to realize no one takes him serious at all.
There is no sympathy, or questions asked about the death of Robby's parents. Thadeus seems indifferent about the death of his sister, Robby's mother, and more concerned with finding his next story--always looking for the byline.
The two get tangled up in some misadventures that, I presume, are meant to be funny, and ironic, and full of satire. Me? I either just didn't get, or just didn't care enough to try. The story reads easy. Smooth writing. For me, SAFEKEEPING was like drinking from the container in the 'fridge and expecting sodapop, only to end up swallowing milk. Milk's still good, but not when you are expecting soda. Perhaps I thought I was in for a noir-style story, and was a bit taken aback by getting something more Steinbeck-ish instead.
Phillip Tomasso,
Author of the Severed Empire Series,
and The Vaccination Trilogy
www.onadarkstormyreview.com
March 26, 2019
This omnibus brings together two short, nearly forgotten novels by the late Gregory Mcdonald. They are not sequels. Both plots revolve around the kidnapping of eight-year boys, but they vary widely in style, tone, and sensibility.
In Snatched (1980), Toby Rinaldo is kidnapped from the New York airport. He is the only son of a UN ambassador from a small, unnamed wealthy Arab nation—think Qatar or United Arab Emirates—and the ransom involves stopping an economic proposal that would keep the Persian Gulf open to free trade.
Despite the political overtones, this book is more Elmore Leonard than John Le Carre. The criminals are clueless and easily outwitted by their victim time and again. Maybe that is part of why I could never really get into this story. Toby and his mother were shrewd and engaging, but the plot felt purely paint-by-numbers right down to its tedious and predictable climax—a chase through a theme park.
Favorite quote: “This whole world is run, always, by tired people. People who eat a little too much, drink a little too much, take a few too many pills, sleep too little. History is nothing more than the best arrangements that can be achieved by tired minds.”
Next up is Safekeeping (1985). When a minor British duke is killed by a Nazi air strike, his son Robby Burnes is sent to live in the US. There is a touch of Dickens in the opening chapters, with this 8-year old orphan, hungry and cold on the streets of New York, taken in by a pompous but cheerful old drunk who wants to exploit him for a newspaper story. Later, there is an added touch of Westlake when Robby is absconded by a much more loving set of kidnappers who want to ransom him for money.
Safekeeping is a social satire right from the start. The author apparently thought of this as a work of serious literature. It got critical acclaim but not a lot of commercial success. In Mcdonald’s own words, Robby “proceeds through all levels of American Society like baked beans through a sailor." He lampoons British manners, American violence, the Church, the welfare system, and the free press.
The book is smartly written but (unfortunately) not very funny. All the social commentary also means the plot is oh so slow getting anywhere.
Skip this one.
In Snatched (1980), Toby Rinaldo is kidnapped from the New York airport. He is the only son of a UN ambassador from a small, unnamed wealthy Arab nation—think Qatar or United Arab Emirates—and the ransom involves stopping an economic proposal that would keep the Persian Gulf open to free trade.
Despite the political overtones, this book is more Elmore Leonard than John Le Carre. The criminals are clueless and easily outwitted by their victim time and again. Maybe that is part of why I could never really get into this story. Toby and his mother were shrewd and engaging, but the plot felt purely paint-by-numbers right down to its tedious and predictable climax—a chase through a theme park.
Favorite quote: “This whole world is run, always, by tired people. People who eat a little too much, drink a little too much, take a few too many pills, sleep too little. History is nothing more than the best arrangements that can be achieved by tired minds.”
Next up is Safekeeping (1985). When a minor British duke is killed by a Nazi air strike, his son Robby Burnes is sent to live in the US. There is a touch of Dickens in the opening chapters, with this 8-year old orphan, hungry and cold on the streets of New York, taken in by a pompous but cheerful old drunk who wants to exploit him for a newspaper story. Later, there is an added touch of Westlake when Robby is absconded by a much more loving set of kidnappers who want to ransom him for money.
Safekeeping is a social satire right from the start. The author apparently thought of this as a work of serious literature. It got critical acclaim but not a lot of commercial success. In Mcdonald’s own words, Robby “proceeds through all levels of American Society like baked beans through a sailor." He lampoons British manners, American violence, the Church, the welfare system, and the free press.
The book is smartly written but (unfortunately) not very funny. All the social commentary also means the plot is oh so slow getting anywhere.
Skip this one.
January 16, 2020
Snatch is actually two books rather than one (Snatch and Safekeeping) by the late Gregory McDonald. The novels are linked thematically (they both involve kidnapping) but other than that they are two separate entities. So-two books for the price of one means two reviews as well.
Snatch
Snatch is a very readable book. The son of an ambassador is kidnapped but the devious child (apparently channeling Kevin from Home Alone) manages to manipulate his kidnapper into taking him to Disneyworld (or at least the fictional equivalent.) I kept wondering why our malefactor (Spike) reminded me of someone-then I checked out some dates. This novel was published in 1978. DC's Lobo made his first appearance in 1983. They might as well be twins, but I am sure that is just a coincidence.
Safekeeping
Safekeeping takes place in New York during the height of WWII. I never realized that a side effect of every able bodied person enlisting for military service would be to have a New York full of mental defectives but there you go you learn something new every day. Most of the humor in this story is derived from our young kidnap victim's various travails. Problem: it's not funny.
The main issue I had with both books is the fact that Gregory McDonald made each eight year old kidnapping victim behave in ways that were totally unrealistic. Maybe Mr McDonald did not know how to "write" children? Sometimes an imperfection can make something beautiful-consider why a pearl is formed. That is not what we have here, though-and the jarring weirdness of having children not be able to figure out they have been kidnapped is jarring and stretches credulity.
Snatch
Snatch is a very readable book. The son of an ambassador is kidnapped but the devious child (apparently channeling Kevin from Home Alone) manages to manipulate his kidnapper into taking him to Disneyworld (or at least the fictional equivalent.) I kept wondering why our malefactor (Spike) reminded me of someone-then I checked out some dates. This novel was published in 1978. DC's Lobo made his first appearance in 1983. They might as well be twins, but I am sure that is just a coincidence.
Safekeeping
Safekeeping takes place in New York during the height of WWII. I never realized that a side effect of every able bodied person enlisting for military service would be to have a New York full of mental defectives but there you go you learn something new every day. Most of the humor in this story is derived from our young kidnap victim's various travails. Problem: it's not funny.
The main issue I had with both books is the fact that Gregory McDonald made each eight year old kidnapping victim behave in ways that were totally unrealistic. Maybe Mr McDonald did not know how to "write" children? Sometimes an imperfection can make something beautiful-consider why a pearl is formed. That is not what we have here, though-and the jarring weirdness of having children not be able to figure out they have been kidnapped is jarring and stretches credulity.
November 24, 2017
Nová kniha od Gregory McDonalda, autora Fletche? To je událost! I když je samozřejmě termín "nová" použitý poměrně volně. V knize Snatch jsou dva jeho romány, jeden z roku 80 a druhý z roku 85. Oba jsou na téma únos dítěte, který se poněkud vymkne z rukou.
Ten první román, Snatched, je ze sborníku rozhodně ten lepší. Je unesen syn politika, aby se mu zabránilo v prosazení zákona, jenže díky okolnostem a předávkování spojky zůstane kluk s druholigovým kriminálníkem, který moc netuší, co s ním, tak s ním každý den chodí do "disneylandu" - zatímco ho zoufale hledají jak rodiče, tak ti, co únos naplánovali. Je to zajímavé v tom, že kniha začíná poměrně vážně až temně... a postupně se v ní začínají nenápadně objevovat humorné momenty, které s dalšími stránkami stále sílí. Třeba když si zločinec porovnává zkušenosti s cca desetiletým žákem internátní školy, jestli je to horší na internátu nebo ve vězení. Nebo celé crazy finále v zábavním parku, ve kterém si každou přestřelku a vraždu nadšeně fotí turisté, domnívající se, že je to součástí programu.
Druhý román, Safekeeping, už, co se týče humoru, víc tlačí na pilu a je to spíš sled velmi volně provázaných situací než příběh. Odehrává se během druhé světové a i tady je hlavním hrdinou malý kluk, oběť anglického školního vzdělání - čili zvyklý poslušně dělat všechno, co mu dospělí řeknou. I když ho unesou. Rychle se mu ale podaří utéct (no, vlastně spíš odejít) a pak jen bloudí New Yorkem (kam byl odvezený poté, co mu bomba zabila rodiče) a potkává podivné lidi - zatímco novinář, který ho dostal na starost, se snaží z jeho únosu vymáčknout jak popularitu, tak prachy (takže v podstatě je to takový předchůdce Fletche). Zatímco první román byl přes temný rozjezd vlastně docela pozitivní, tak druhý je rozhodně od začátku víc legrační, ale taky depresivnější - skoro všichni jsou parchanti, kteří dětského hrdinu jen využívají a ignorují. Svět zločinců a policie je od sebe skoro neoddělitelný a realita nemá žádnou váhu - platí jen to, co je napsané v novinách.
Jak jsem byl z prvního románu nadšený, tak druhý je skutečně jen sled satirických výstupů, sledovaných očima pasivního dětského hrdiny, což táhne děj dolů a brzdí čtení. Navíc jsou nejlepší pasáže na začátku, pak se zdá, že se autor unavil a vynahrazuje to tím, že se hrdina stane cílem neúnavného zabijáka.
Ale jo. Obvykle, když se takhle vyhrábne šuplík slavného autora, vypadnou věci, které se tak úplně nepovedly. Ale to v tomhle případě rozhodně neplatí. Snatched řadím rozhodně k těm lepším McDonaldovkám... a i Safekeeping mělo pár skvělých momentů a rozhodně to nebyla ztráta času.
Ten první román, Snatched, je ze sborníku rozhodně ten lepší. Je unesen syn politika, aby se mu zabránilo v prosazení zákona, jenže díky okolnostem a předávkování spojky zůstane kluk s druholigovým kriminálníkem, který moc netuší, co s ním, tak s ním každý den chodí do "disneylandu" - zatímco ho zoufale hledají jak rodiče, tak ti, co únos naplánovali. Je to zajímavé v tom, že kniha začíná poměrně vážně až temně... a postupně se v ní začínají nenápadně objevovat humorné momenty, které s dalšími stránkami stále sílí. Třeba když si zločinec porovnává zkušenosti s cca desetiletým žákem internátní školy, jestli je to horší na internátu nebo ve vězení. Nebo celé crazy finále v zábavním parku, ve kterém si každou přestřelku a vraždu nadšeně fotí turisté, domnívající se, že je to součástí programu.
Druhý román, Safekeeping, už, co se týče humoru, víc tlačí na pilu a je to spíš sled velmi volně provázaných situací než příběh. Odehrává se během druhé světové a i tady je hlavním hrdinou malý kluk, oběť anglického školního vzdělání - čili zvyklý poslušně dělat všechno, co mu dospělí řeknou. I když ho unesou. Rychle se mu ale podaří utéct (no, vlastně spíš odejít) a pak jen bloudí New Yorkem (kam byl odvezený poté, co mu bomba zabila rodiče) a potkává podivné lidi - zatímco novinář, který ho dostal na starost, se snaží z jeho únosu vymáčknout jak popularitu, tak prachy (takže v podstatě je to takový předchůdce Fletche). Zatímco první román byl přes temný rozjezd vlastně docela pozitivní, tak druhý je rozhodně od začátku víc legrační, ale taky depresivnější - skoro všichni jsou parchanti, kteří dětského hrdinu jen využívají a ignorují. Svět zločinců a policie je od sebe skoro neoddělitelný a realita nemá žádnou váhu - platí jen to, co je napsané v novinách.
Jak jsem byl z prvního románu nadšený, tak druhý je skutečně jen sled satirických výstupů, sledovaných očima pasivního dětského hrdiny, což táhne děj dolů a brzdí čtení. Navíc jsou nejlepší pasáže na začátku, pak se zdá, že se autor unavil a vynahrazuje to tím, že se hrdina stane cílem neúnavného zabijáka.
Ale jo. Obvykle, když se takhle vyhrábne šuplík slavného autora, vypadnou věci, které se tak úplně nepovedly. Ale to v tomhle případě rozhodně neplatí. Snatched řadím rozhodně k těm lepším McDonaldovkám... a i Safekeeping mělo pár skvělých momentů a rozhodně to nebyla ztráta času.
March 5, 2017
Two-time Edgar Award-winner Gregory McDonald is best remembered for FLETCH and its 10 comedic mystery sequels, but he also wrote a number of popular standalone thrillers and mysteries. Snatch collects two McDonald novels that have no characters in common but both revolve around the kidnapping of eight-year-olds.
SNATCH (originally published in 1980 as WHO TOOK TOBY RINALD?) is the breezier of the two, expertly blending action, quirky characters and an acerbic sense of humor. It is told in 67 bite-sized chapters for maximum forward momentum. Toby Rinaldi, the son of a UN ambassador from a Middle Eastern monarchy, is snatched by a group who want to control his father's actions. But the inexperienced kidnapper is no match for the savvy kid, who is more concerned with visiting a California amusement park than being reunited with his folks.
The second novel, SAFEKEEPING (1985), feels like a mixture of Oliver Twist and Damon Runyon. Eight-year-old Robby Burnes, orphaned son of a duke, is one of many children shipped to New York during World War II to escape the London bombings. An Italian family with ransom dreams immediately kidnaps him from his inattentive, boozy guardian. But when Robby witnesses a mob murder, he flees to the streets--chased by one group trying to keep their ransom safe and another intent on killing a witness.
Both entertaining novels are fun, fast-paced capers with colorful, sympathetic characters, surprising plot twists and crackling, snappy dialogue. Snatch offers two less-familiar but top-notch Gregory McDonald novels in one delightful volume.
SNATCH (originally published in 1980 as WHO TOOK TOBY RINALD?) is the breezier of the two, expertly blending action, quirky characters and an acerbic sense of humor. It is told in 67 bite-sized chapters for maximum forward momentum. Toby Rinaldi, the son of a UN ambassador from a Middle Eastern monarchy, is snatched by a group who want to control his father's actions. But the inexperienced kidnapper is no match for the savvy kid, who is more concerned with visiting a California amusement park than being reunited with his folks.
The second novel, SAFEKEEPING (1985), feels like a mixture of Oliver Twist and Damon Runyon. Eight-year-old Robby Burnes, orphaned son of a duke, is one of many children shipped to New York during World War II to escape the London bombings. An Italian family with ransom dreams immediately kidnaps him from his inattentive, boozy guardian. But when Robby witnesses a mob murder, he flees to the streets--chased by one group trying to keep their ransom safe and another intent on killing a witness.
Both entertaining novels are fun, fast-paced capers with colorful, sympathetic characters, surprising plot twists and crackling, snappy dialogue. Snatch offers two less-familiar but top-notch Gregory McDonald novels in one delightful volume.
July 12, 2019
Two crime novels from the author of Fletch, only the focus is not so much on the crimes but on the more bizarre undersides of American society, seen through the eyes of unassuming 8 year old boys - reminded me a little of Kafka's novel 'America'.
August 30, 2018
This book is a crazy thrill ride that's hard to put down.
I first found this book when I decided to gather and read all the Fletch novels. As part of an E-bay auction that contained several of those books, this one (by the same author) was included (as well, I think, as one of the Flynn novels, which connects with Fletch anyway). I wasn't sure what this one was and if I would enjoy it.
But, holy crap is it good!
What starts as the seemingly simple kidnapping of an ambassador's son meant to keep him from announcing an important resolution involving oil in the Persian Gulf (this book was released in 1980, by the way) turns into a twisting, turning adventure for everyone involved.
There's the ambassador's wife, sick with worry and determined to do something instead of sitting around waiting. There's the colonel of His Majesty's secret intelligence agency with ulterior motives. There's the kidnapper, who isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. There's Toby, the kidnapped, who has a way of getting what he wants from anyone. There's the man who made the plan, a guy who works for those who don't want the resolution introduced. And finally, there's the many employees and characters at Uncle Whimsy's Fantazyland trying to figure out exactly what is going on in their park while keeping the patrons happy and in the dark.
Things get crazy, and it's so much fun to read. This is the second time I've read this one, but it's been years and I'd forgotten many of the twists.
I first found this book when I decided to gather and read all the Fletch novels. As part of an E-bay auction that contained several of those books, this one (by the same author) was included (as well, I think, as one of the Flynn novels, which connects with Fletch anyway). I wasn't sure what this one was and if I would enjoy it.
But, holy crap is it good!
What starts as the seemingly simple kidnapping of an ambassador's son meant to keep him from announcing an important resolution involving oil in the Persian Gulf (this book was released in 1980, by the way) turns into a twisting, turning adventure for everyone involved.
There's the ambassador's wife, sick with worry and determined to do something instead of sitting around waiting. There's the colonel of His Majesty's secret intelligence agency with ulterior motives. There's the kidnapper, who isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. There's Toby, the kidnapped, who has a way of getting what he wants from anyone. There's the man who made the plan, a guy who works for those who don't want the resolution introduced. And finally, there's the many employees and characters at Uncle Whimsy's Fantazyland trying to figure out exactly what is going on in their park while keeping the patrons happy and in the dark.
Things get crazy, and it's so much fun to read. This is the second time I've read this one, but it's been years and I'd forgotten many of the twists.
April 8, 2017
This publisher continues to deliver the goods. Somewhat different from the other titles I've read I thoroughly enjoyed both of depictions of the art and tragedies of kidnappings gone awry.
December 21, 2017
A fun little duo of novels about kidnapping that Mcdonald did before his Fletch books made him famous.
August 30, 2019
An easy read. Very deceptive cover.
September 18, 2018
Two books in an omnibus. The first one (Snatched, or Who Stole Tony Rimbaldi?) is the better of the two, a then-contemporary 1970s thriller from the writer of Fletch. It has a little of The Ransom of Red Chief in its dna, lots of sparkling dialogue and it all moves super fast. It does lack a really terrific central figure like Fletch, Flynn or Jack.
The second book (Safekeeping) is a little funny. It’s set during World War II, and follows an evacuee, an English orphan. It starts off very unMcdonaldian, like he was trying to do Dickens or something - an orphan meeting strangers on a kind of adventure. It ends up being far more enjoyable with a lot of strong characters and fun writing. In both books, the main character is an 8 year old boy who has a lot less idea what is going on, but the young lad in Safekeeping becomes savvy but virtue of his experiences. It was a nice story with heart, but not especially what I want out of Hard Case Crime.
The second book (Safekeeping) is a little funny. It’s set during World War II, and follows an evacuee, an English orphan. It starts off very unMcdonaldian, like he was trying to do Dickens or something - an orphan meeting strangers on a kind of adventure. It ends up being far more enjoyable with a lot of strong characters and fun writing. In both books, the main character is an 8 year old boy who has a lot less idea what is going on, but the young lad in Safekeeping becomes savvy but virtue of his experiences. It was a nice story with heart, but not especially what I want out of Hard Case Crime.
July 14, 2017
I read McDonald's Fletch and Flynn books years ago when they were first published. I enjoyed them immensely and was quite upset when they were made into the Chevy Chase films. Chevy Chase actually was a good choice for Fletch, but the films were awful, relying on gross gags and ridiculous situations and disguises. I kept reading the books though but the quality fell off there as well. But I had found enough memories that I chose to read these re-issus from Hard Case Crime. Again, I found them amusing and rather fun, although I didn't buy everyone's motivations all the time. Enjoyable but forgettable. In fact, all through Snatched, I had the vague feeling I had read it before. And perhaps I had read "Who took Toby Rindaldi?" when it was first released, but if so, I had totally forgotten it. So, enjoyable and forgettable. Oh, I forgot I said that already.
December 14, 2022
“That sonofabitch is the Spirit of Christmas!”
So these were a total goddamn blast.
I’m trying to avoid saying too terribly much here since I’ll likely be reviewing it for DIS/Member but YEAH, just a total romp from start to finish.
This is two separate novels, both with the same basic premise. A super precious kid (who is slightly connected to a powerful family; one is the son of a diplomat and the other the son of a British Duke) is kidnapped by morons and super specifically written hilarity ensues.
I will say they are both a touch woolier than Hard Case Crimes usually are but it totally nails the classic 2-in-1 spinner rack paperback feel. And I really can’t stress enough how FUNNY these both are. It’s so refreshing to read comedy that’s actually funny and well-written. This is going to be a total blast to actually review.
So these were a total goddamn blast.
I’m trying to avoid saying too terribly much here since I’ll likely be reviewing it for DIS/Member but YEAH, just a total romp from start to finish.
This is two separate novels, both with the same basic premise. A super precious kid (who is slightly connected to a powerful family; one is the son of a diplomat and the other the son of a British Duke) is kidnapped by morons and super specifically written hilarity ensues.
I will say they are both a touch woolier than Hard Case Crimes usually are but it totally nails the classic 2-in-1 spinner rack paperback feel. And I really can’t stress enough how FUNNY these both are. It’s so refreshing to read comedy that’s actually funny and well-written. This is going to be a total blast to actually review.
April 7, 2024
First story was a real comedy of errors with a very vicious foundation. A diplomat's son is kidnapped. But who really pulled off the deed. As bad guys and some not so good guys start to unravel the snatch, the young boy starts to pull a 'ransom of red chief' response on his kidnapper. In the end, a Disneyland type amusement park is the center of the final showdown as the mother confronts the bad guys and her son has the time of his life going where kids are not allowed behind the scenes.
Second story is another comedy as another 8 year old is moved from England to the US and meets very strange characters. Most are ok. Some are just caught in the events and others are really trying to make the snatch a kidnapping for ransom. And in the end again, the young man is the smartest player in the tale.
Second story is another comedy as another 8 year old is moved from England to the US and meets very strange characters. Most are ok. Some are just caught in the events and others are really trying to make the snatch a kidnapping for ransom. And in the end again, the young man is the smartest player in the tale.
December 21, 2022
Please understand that I'm a HUGE fan of Gregory Mcdonald and believe that the Fletch novels represent one of the most underappreciated mystery series of all time. I also think that Hard Case Crime is doing the Fictitious Deity's work when it comes to reviving obscure works from major crime writers. But there was little Hard Case Crime could do to polish off these two completely disappointing novels. The kid Toby Rinaldi is a brat. The characters are surprisingly stiff. The wild storytelling and brilliant dialogue that Mcdonald is known for simply isn't practiced here. And even if you're a hardcore Mcdonald/HCH fan, you're going to be significantly disappointed by these limp mystery plots. Look, you can't hit a homerun every time. But these books are surprisingly bad!
May 1, 2024
Before I learned to write my own mysteries, Gregory McDonald was one of the authors I wanted to emulate. I loved that he could make you laugh on page 2 and cry on page 20. When I discovered SNATCH, I bought it immediately. Buyer beware: The two kidnappings bundled into this title are of young boys, which makes the name and cover the most misleading of any book I can remember. The first story I’d read before and enjoyed again. The second was a wonderful surprise —sophisticated, humorous, and thoroughly entertaining. Best of all, the voice was entirely new for McDonald (if memory serves), third person limited, ostensibly from the vantagepoint of a wise and ingenuous eight year old. I loved every page, admired it almost more than the Fletch series, and I bet you’ll love it, too.
March 26, 2017
I enjoyed the Toby Rinaldi story with it's twists and turns in a wholly absording plot. Very much a page turner and with a very believable account of a kidnapping. I thought the way characters developed was very well done with very few characters ending up as they initially seemed. The only weakness was when "Jackson" is left to mind Toby and the person originally tasked with this overdoses. Otherwise a well written and enjoyable story.
The second story of Robby Burns I didn't enjoy. It seemed rather laboured and manufactured and the story all worked out in the end in a rather tongue in cheek manner and lacked something real.
The second story of Robby Burns I didn't enjoy. It seemed rather laboured and manufactured and the story all worked out in the end in a rather tongue in cheek manner and lacked something real.
May 24, 2022
Two books in one! Both of them not good! The first is painfully dull and uninspired, with the author padding out the page count with needless back stories for his two-dimensional characters which somehow only serves to make them even more two-dimensional and uninteresting. The second at least has the author doing his best Charles Dickens/Horatio Alger impression, which is still bad, but at least the attempt is somewhat engaging. For a bit anyhow and then it drags and drags and drags. Never a good sign when the cover of the book is by far the most interesting thing about it.
June 24, 2025
Mcdonald created a great character and a great mystery in Fletch, and also did very well with Flynn. Both novels also featured whip-smart dialogue that really crackled.
This is a big step down from those novels. It's not terrible, and at least it gallops along. But there are no particularly memorable characters, no great dialogue exchanges, and the plot is simultaneously mundane and unbelievable. My paperback copy also contained numerous typos.
This is passable filler entertainment suitable for Mcdonald completists ... but it isn't anything more than that.
This is a big step down from those novels. It's not terrible, and at least it gallops along. But there are no particularly memorable characters, no great dialogue exchanges, and the plot is simultaneously mundane and unbelievable. My paperback copy also contained numerous typos.
This is passable filler entertainment suitable for Mcdonald completists ... but it isn't anything more than that.
September 19, 2017
Really liked this hard-boiled crime book. I didn't realize that there were actually 2 books in this one volume, and there was no indication on the cover that there was a second book within. So when I abruptly came to the end (thinking I was only halfway through) I was surprised. Guess that's why you read books on devices!
Liked the characters and the dialogue. Especially the criminal with a heart, Spike. Fac' is....
Liked the characters and the dialogue. Especially the criminal with a heart, Spike. Fac' is....
May 28, 2019
Okay weird one as this is two different books in one volume. This score is for the first of the two. I’ll see if I can log it in again to score the second book.
This first one is a totally entertaining comedy thriller set in the 80s. Reads very much like a Carl Hiaasan. Which is obviously a good thing.
This first one is a totally entertaining comedy thriller set in the 80s. Reads very much like a Carl Hiaasan. Which is obviously a good thing.
April 25, 2020
Thoroughly unnecessary twofer, bundling a couple of unconnected books together that McDonald originally published in the 80s. Weirdly they both feature 8 year old boys being kidnapped. As usual it's the author's wit and chutzpah that sell these books which are as silly as anything of his I've read. Good for a lockdown read, but not much good for anything else.
February 25, 2022
3.25 for Snatch
2.25 for Safekeeping
2.75 average
Why Safekeeping is included on this, I don’t know. Snatch was enjoyable and rang true to fans of Fletch series as true Gregory McDonald. Safekeeping did not feel that way. Though the cover was from Safekeeping not Snatch which I will admit gave some of its charm.
2.25 for Safekeeping
2.75 average
Why Safekeeping is included on this, I don’t know. Snatch was enjoyable and rang true to fans of Fletch series as true Gregory McDonald. Safekeeping did not feel that way. Though the cover was from Safekeeping not Snatch which I will admit gave some of its charm.
June 10, 2023
Wonderful satire
On the surface, this is a collection of two novels about kidnapping of two resilient young boys. Lots of intellectual, political, social and economic satire throughout, yet one can enjoy the stories without unpacking the details.
On the surface, this is a collection of two novels about kidnapping of two resilient young boys. Lots of intellectual, political, social and economic satire throughout, yet one can enjoy the stories without unpacking the details.
July 10, 2017
Entertaining and kind of charming. Different from other books I've read by McDonald.
September 4, 2017
The First Snatch
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