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The Soak
It was the perfect plan, until it all went wrong.An aging, heavy heister goes for one last score. A boy struggles to prove himself in a man's game. A beautiful FBI agent is driven across the line by her personal demons. Twists, turns, betrayals, murders are all topped off by a delicious slab of revenge. The Soak is a refreshing neo-noir slap in the face that grabs you early and doesn't let up.See why Publisher's Weekly says "Fans of Richard Stark will love it."
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2015
4 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Patrick E. McLean
14 books155 followersPatrick's work ranges from the autobiographical, to the absurd and fantastic. Describing himself as a "writer raised by Economists" his perspective on the world is naturally unusual. From violent revenge and musings on the value of life from a character who is dead (Unkillable) to the rage and frustration of a consultant who grows so sick of having his advice ignored that he decides to take over the world (How to Succeed in Evil) Patrick's work is high-concept, penetrating satire that manages twists and turns while never shorting true psychological insight into fascinating characters caught in desperate situations.
In 2005, feeling that "he wasn't putting any torque through the axle of the world" he started the Seanachai podcast (http://www.theseanachai.com) He wrote and produced an original short story or essay every week for a year.
Among his influences, Patrick cites Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Mark Helprin, S.J. Perleman, H.L. Mencken, Albert Jay Nock, Hafiz, Homer and George RR Martin.
In 2005, feeling that "he wasn't putting any torque through the axle of the world" he started the Seanachai podcast (http://www.theseanachai.com) He wrote and produced an original short story or essay every week for a year.
Among his influences, Patrick cites Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Mark Helprin, S.J. Perleman, H.L. Mencken, Albert Jay Nock, Hafiz, Homer and George RR Martin.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 12, 2019
The Soak by Patrick E. McLean is a decent, occupy-the-mind heist thriller.
Hobbs is a sixty-year-old criminal looking to finish one big haul to call it day from criminality. He wakes up in a secured rest home after being shot up and left for dead. The story is then revealed in flashbacks and through the points of view of different characters as Hobbs seeks retribution against those that have disrupted his attempt at finishing his last crime job.
From reading the novel and in the acknowledgments, it appears Hobbs is inspired by the writings of Richard Stark (Donald Westlake) and of his character Parker.
Recommended to those that enjoy pulpy crime novels and novels found in the Hard Case Crime series.
Hobbs is a sixty-year-old criminal looking to finish one big haul to call it day from criminality. He wakes up in a secured rest home after being shot up and left for dead. The story is then revealed in flashbacks and through the points of view of different characters as Hobbs seeks retribution against those that have disrupted his attempt at finishing his last crime job.
From reading the novel and in the acknowledgments, it appears Hobbs is inspired by the writings of Richard Stark (Donald Westlake) and of his character Parker.
Recommended to those that enjoy pulpy crime novels and novels found in the Hard Case Crime series.
May 24, 2017
The Soak is a unique take on a hard-boiled mystery. Hobbs, our main character and thief, is a rugged older man who is an expert at what he does, though he now finds himself struggling against advances in technology that he doesn't like and doesn't really understand. His character is complex and I totally enjoyed spending time with him.
McLean's writing style immediately drew me in. We're right there with the characters, experiencing events as they do.
The plot revolves around one specific heist. The story is told in five parts, and those part are not in linear order. Part One is "Three months after", Part 2 is "Three months before", Part 3 is "Five minutes before", and then we go back to the main timeline, which is "Three months after". This was my biggest problem with the book. We see the outcome of certain events before we see those actual events occur, and therefore I didn't feel any suspense when we went back in time and saw those things play out. I already knew too much about the outcome, and that sucked the power out of the scenes.
My other issue comes with the latter part of the book, when we leave Hobbs' narration and are introduced to two FBI agents. I found their characters far less compelling. In fact, for me, they were too silly to be realistic. They felt like caricatures, their parts a parody, and that felt out of place with the realism we're given with Hobbs.
There is a lot to love about this book. If you don't mind stories being told out of order, I suggest giving it a try.
*I was provided with a copy by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*
McLean's writing style immediately drew me in. We're right there with the characters, experiencing events as they do.
The plot revolves around one specific heist. The story is told in five parts, and those part are not in linear order. Part One is "Three months after", Part 2 is "Three months before", Part 3 is "Five minutes before", and then we go back to the main timeline, which is "Three months after". This was my biggest problem with the book. We see the outcome of certain events before we see those actual events occur, and therefore I didn't feel any suspense when we went back in time and saw those things play out. I already knew too much about the outcome, and that sucked the power out of the scenes.
My other issue comes with the latter part of the book, when we leave Hobbs' narration and are introduced to two FBI agents. I found their characters far less compelling. In fact, for me, they were too silly to be realistic. They felt like caricatures, their parts a parody, and that felt out of place with the realism we're given with Hobbs.
There is a lot to love about this book. If you don't mind stories being told out of order, I suggest giving it a try.
*I was provided with a copy by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*
May 5, 2017
This is a good old fashioned heist story. Hobbs is an old crook, looking to do one last job. He is an expert on robbing armored trucks, and he puts together a small crew in order to pull off the robbery.
Hobbs' story is an interesting one. The reader gets a sense of just how old and tired he really is. Even Hobbs himself can't believe he is trying to do this.
Agent Wellsley from the FBI is tracking Hobbs with single minded determination. It becomes a battle of wits between the two of them.
The first part of the book was very good. It details planning and executing the heist. Then, suddenly the book shifts from Hobbs' point of view to the FBI's viewpoint. This shift was a bit abrupt for me, and made the book lose momentum. At the end we shift back to Hobbs' view and it is a welcome return. The last quarter of the book just flew by for me. I think if you are a fan of crime noir, you will enjoy this book.
I received a free copy from Brash Books in exchange for an honest review.
Hobbs' story is an interesting one. The reader gets a sense of just how old and tired he really is. Even Hobbs himself can't believe he is trying to do this.
Agent Wellsley from the FBI is tracking Hobbs with single minded determination. It becomes a battle of wits between the two of them.
The first part of the book was very good. It details planning and executing the heist. Then, suddenly the book shifts from Hobbs' point of view to the FBI's viewpoint. This shift was a bit abrupt for me, and made the book lose momentum. At the end we shift back to Hobbs' view and it is a welcome return. The last quarter of the book just flew by for me. I think if you are a fan of crime noir, you will enjoy this book.
I received a free copy from Brash Books in exchange for an honest review.
November 6, 2015
In the interests of full disclosure, I have to admit that I was given this copy gratis by Mr McLean himself because I told him I still had *those* negatives...(okay, okay, I confess that it was merely that I pointed out a problem with the Amazon page).
This was just great. I mean, really great. It was a proper page-turner in the best noir traditions of Chandler et al. I just burned through it in about 3 hours of reading. Sure, it wasn't high literature but it made no claims to be and was all the better for that.
My favourite line (amongst many) was: "He was as happy as a protractor in a room full of angles". I'm sure Mr McLean is (rightfully) proud of that one.
Read this, I urge you, you'll enjoy it.
This was just great. I mean, really great. It was a proper page-turner in the best noir traditions of Chandler et al. I just burned through it in about 3 hours of reading. Sure, it wasn't high literature but it made no claims to be and was all the better for that.
My favourite line (amongst many) was: "He was as happy as a protractor in a room full of angles". I'm sure Mr McLean is (rightfully) proud of that one.
Read this, I urge you, you'll enjoy it.
August 23, 2016
I hate endings. You read and get involved with the characters...their drama, their adventure and know it must come to an end....but then there is no end. You want the good guys to win, but then again who are the good guys? Maybe they are the bad guys? Hobbs - an old man who wants one last go at it...to rob an armored truck....plans are made, but he is feeling his age and wants just this one...but then every chapter brings you closer to surprises and things you didn't see coming.....especially the ending. At first I wasn't giving this book 5 stars because of that ending.....but then the epilogue clears it all up for me.....This book was just the beginning.....
December 3, 2015
Unusual tale, unusual characters
You don't think that you will ever get old, but you will. If you are lucky that is. Maybe all the things you have learned in life will save you from a smelly rest home and the ignoble fade out. Spend a few hours with this gripping story and your point of view may be altered.
You don't think that you will ever get old, but you will. If you are lucky that is. Maybe all the things you have learned in life will save you from a smelly rest home and the ignoble fade out. Spend a few hours with this gripping story and your point of view may be altered.
June 14, 2017
Armored car heist. New school young kid showing old guy old man how to do it... The old guy was using maps and polaroid pictures. The new kid was showing him how to do it by net, gps and footage. Rogue fbi agent. Good story nicely paced. Great ending. Quick read. who do you think got the money in the armored car?
July 9, 2018
Top Notch Crime Noir!
With echoes of James Cain, Chandler, Ellroy, this novel has teeth and a rapid-fire storytelling style that keeps it from ever growing tedious. Vivid characters populate this helluva a heist story.
With echoes of James Cain, Chandler, Ellroy, this novel has teeth and a rapid-fire storytelling style that keeps it from ever growing tedious. Vivid characters populate this helluva a heist story.
February 12, 2017
A favorite author
One of the best authors to come out of the new media. A thinking persons writer. Try all of his books.
One of the best authors to come out of the new media. A thinking persons writer. Try all of his books.
July 18, 2017
Not quite right. After some thought, I decided that I just could not suspend disbelief to this degree. Fundamentally unpersuasive.
July 19, 2017
This is such a good thriller. One could point to it as the definition of a suspense novel. I also appreciated the fact that the protagoinist is my age. Read it.
December 14, 2018
A decent effort
Kept my interest but not as amusing as other works. Worth a read. Decent plot and interesting characters, particularly the female FBI officer gone bad.
Kept my interest but not as amusing as other works. Worth a read. Decent plot and interesting characters, particularly the female FBI officer gone bad.
May 15, 2020
Parker redone
I good thriller read. It is basically a to off or homage to Ricard StRk but very well do e. If your a fan of Parker or Wyatt by Harry Fisher highly recommended
I good thriller read. It is basically a to off or homage to Ricard StRk but very well do e. If your a fan of Parker or Wyatt by Harry Fisher highly recommended
February 24, 2016
If you enjoyed Ocean's Eleven and can imagine Danny Ocean as a senior citizen then you will love this book. It's filled with witty one-liners and bullets in the back of the head. Don't get emotionally attached to anyone because death is inevitable. I laughed, I gasped and I read this book in 2 days because I couldn't put it down. As an added bonus, some of the action takes place near Charlotte, NC, so if you're familiar with the area that's pretty cool. If you love detective novels, professional thieves and stories where no one is safe from a GSW then you'll jump right into this story and love every minute.
December 11, 2015
Bad meets bsd and loses.
An unusual approach, but very entertaining.
I look forward to the next book which is due quite soon,I understand.
Bye.
An unusual approach, but very entertaining.
I look forward to the next book which is due quite soon,I understand.
Bye.
April 30, 2017
A Last Great Heist
Hobbs is a professional thief and now he got old.
At the beginning of the story this is made quiet clear. There is no room for discussion. Hobbs is not an "elderly citizen", he is old, he is injured and he hurts with every step he does.
This is quiet a shock, especially if one has read before the short story "Lucky Dime" that introduced Hobbs. But "Lucky Dime" takes place some 40 years before, and "The Soak" is now.
While in "Lucky Dime" he is like a person from a Chandler or Hammet story, in "The Soak" he looks like an older brother of Parker from Richard Stark.
Nevertheless it is the same guy and he still has punch.
The book tells the story of a big heist gone wrong and how Hobbs gets his revenge.
And it tells this in an extremely gripping way, that took me by surprise more than once.
The book really is fun reading, with unexpected twists.
A great noir tale, that no one should miss.
5/5 stars
Hobbs is a professional thief and now he got old.
At the beginning of the story this is made quiet clear. There is no room for discussion. Hobbs is not an "elderly citizen", he is old, he is injured and he hurts with every step he does.
This is quiet a shock, especially if one has read before the short story "Lucky Dime" that introduced Hobbs. But "Lucky Dime" takes place some 40 years before, and "The Soak" is now.
While in "Lucky Dime" he is like a person from a Chandler or Hammet story, in "The Soak" he looks like an older brother of Parker from Richard Stark.
Nevertheless it is the same guy and he still has punch.
The book tells the story of a big heist gone wrong and how Hobbs gets his revenge.
And it tells this in an extremely gripping way, that took me by surprise more than once.
The book really is fun reading, with unexpected twists.
A great noir tale, that no one should miss.
5/5 stars
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews