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Letty Dobesh Chronicles #1-3
Good Behavior
Now a television series starring Michelle Dockery, coming to TNT this fall.
Fresh out of prison and fighting to keep afloat, Letty Dobesh returns to her old tricks burglarizing suites at a luxury hotel. While on the job, she overhears a man hiring a hit man to kill his wife. Letty may not be winning any morality awards, but even she has limits. Unable to go to the police, Letty sets out to derail the job, putting herself on a collision course with the killer that entangles the two of them in a dangerous, seductive relationship.
Good Behavior comprises three interlinked novellas (The Pain of Others, Sunset Key, and Grab), which together form a novel-length portrait of Blake Crouch’s all-time favorite character creation, Letty Dobesh. This edition is the complete Letty Dobesh collection.
270 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2013
1955 people are currently reading
7383 people want to read
About the author
Blake Crouch
79 books59.2k followersBlake Crouch is a bestselling novelist and screenwriter. He is the author of the forthcoming novel, Dark Matter, for which he is writing the screenplay for Sony Pictures. His international-bestselling Wayward Pines trilogy was adapted into a television series for FOX, executive produced by M. Night Shyamalan, that was Summer 2015’s #1 show. With Chad Hodge, Crouch also created Good Behavior, the TNT television show starring Michelle Dockery based on his Letty Dobesh novellas. He has written more than a dozen novels that have been translated into over thirty languages and his short fiction has appeared in numerous publications including Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Crouch lives in Colorado with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 853 reviews
November 6, 2016
After reading Dark Matter and enjoying it so much, I thought I would try this. These are three short stories featuring Letty Dobesh, a thief and addict, with a mesmerising personality. There is a TV series based on Letty with Michelle Dockery in the title role. Crouch provides a commentary of how he got the idea for Letty, how the stories and the odd character were changed and rearranged for the TV series. The Letty stories come with twists and a sting in the tale, this behoves me to not spill the beans on the storylines and spoil it for others.
In The Pain of Others, Letty has been stealing from occupants of hotel rooms when two men, Arnold and Chase return early. Letty hides in a closet and hears plans to murder Daphne, the wife of Chase. Letty is unable to let this go, only to find her actions have unexpected consequences. Sunset Key has Letty being paid to spend the last night of freedom for a Kenneth Lay type of character on his island. The following morning, he will go to prison. Letty finds there is more planned for this evening than she has bargained for. The longest story is Grab, and it showcases Letty's talent as a grifter in a Las Vegas casino heist where nothing is as it appears.
Blake Crouch is certainly a gifted storyteller who spins yarns I want to read. Even with these short stories he succeeds admirably well in keeping the reader hooked with the character of Letty Dubosh. It does not take long to read this book of short stories and I can recommend them. Many thanks to Thomas and Mercer for an ARC.
In The Pain of Others, Letty has been stealing from occupants of hotel rooms when two men, Arnold and Chase return early. Letty hides in a closet and hears plans to murder Daphne, the wife of Chase. Letty is unable to let this go, only to find her actions have unexpected consequences. Sunset Key has Letty being paid to spend the last night of freedom for a Kenneth Lay type of character on his island. The following morning, he will go to prison. Letty finds there is more planned for this evening than she has bargained for. The longest story is Grab, and it showcases Letty's talent as a grifter in a Las Vegas casino heist where nothing is as it appears.
Blake Crouch is certainly a gifted storyteller who spins yarns I want to read. Even with these short stories he succeeds admirably well in keeping the reader hooked with the character of Letty Dubosh. It does not take long to read this book of short stories and I can recommend them. Many thanks to Thomas and Mercer for an ARC.
February 7, 2017
Good Behavior aka the Letty Dobesh Chronicles is an action-packed, pulse-pounding and exciting collection of stories told through the eyes of a junkie thief. Typically, I’m not the biggest fan of short stories, but there was a part of me that couldn’t resist this compilation from the mastermind behind Dark Matter, a story that left me completely mesmerized last year. Not to mention, these stories are the foundation for a new show, so what better way to find out if it’s worth a watch.
The Pain of Others - Letty Dobesh, our lead character and meth head, one that just spent the last nine months in prison, is back at it. She’s in the midst of a job at a hotel, using a pilfered master key to lift things from guest rooms, when she overhears a murder-for-hire scenario. Should she intervene? Her choice is interesting, considering the easy alternative right at her fingertips. It all comes together in a way that lends a human side to her character in the eyes of the reader, but be warned, it just might leave you questioning the alternative, at least it did for me and Letty. I mean . . . WOW! What an ending.
Sunset Key - This story features the most down-and-out version of Letty. Jonesing for a score, with absolutely nothing to her name, not even a way to make it through the next day, she gets an opportunity . . . maybe of a lifetime. With the assurance of a huge payoff from a business associate, she heads to Sunset Key to pull off a heist. Once again, things aren’t what they appear to be. The lesson to take away here - never underestimate ANYONE! With a bit of a horror feel, this was the most suspenseful and heart-pounding of the three, which I loved. The reality of the situation hadn’t even crossed the realm of possibilities in my mind . . . what a twist!
Grab - Going in, I honestly thought this was going to be my least favorite. Something about a Vegas heist sounded like a ‘been there, done that’ too many times already scenario. I have absolutely no shame in admitting I misjudged this story from its synopsis. This was definitely the most high energy of the three and featured who I thought was the most ‘determined to change’ version of Letty. All of the mishaps along the way, and fear they weren't going to pull it off, had me biting my nails in anticipation. Again, Blake Crouch hit me in the gut with an unexpected ending. What was that lesson again? Oh yeah, nobody and nothing is what it appears to be at first glimpse.
After each short story, the author discusses his inspiration behind the idea and how it will play a part in the show, or not. Sadly, Sunset Key won’t be happening because it doesn’t line up with the overall feel of the show. Bummer. It was interesting to read Blake Crouch’s thoughts on collaboration, how working with others has morphed his idea from a short story into something he never could have created on his own. I’m definitely excited to see how it all comes together on screen.
*Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Pain of Others - Letty Dobesh, our lead character and meth head, one that just spent the last nine months in prison, is back at it. She’s in the midst of a job at a hotel, using a pilfered master key to lift things from guest rooms, when she overhears a murder-for-hire scenario. Should she intervene? Her choice is interesting, considering the easy alternative right at her fingertips. It all comes together in a way that lends a human side to her character in the eyes of the reader, but be warned, it just might leave you questioning the alternative, at least it did for me and Letty. I mean . . . WOW! What an ending.
Sunset Key - This story features the most down-and-out version of Letty. Jonesing for a score, with absolutely nothing to her name, not even a way to make it through the next day, she gets an opportunity . . . maybe of a lifetime. With the assurance of a huge payoff from a business associate, she heads to Sunset Key to pull off a heist. Once again, things aren’t what they appear to be. The lesson to take away here - never underestimate ANYONE! With a bit of a horror feel, this was the most suspenseful and heart-pounding of the three, which I loved. The reality of the situation hadn’t even crossed the realm of possibilities in my mind . . . what a twist!
Grab - Going in, I honestly thought this was going to be my least favorite. Something about a Vegas heist sounded like a ‘been there, done that’ too many times already scenario. I have absolutely no shame in admitting I misjudged this story from its synopsis. This was definitely the most high energy of the three and featured who I thought was the most ‘determined to change’ version of Letty. All of the mishaps along the way, and fear they weren't going to pull it off, had me biting my nails in anticipation. Again, Blake Crouch hit me in the gut with an unexpected ending. What was that lesson again? Oh yeah, nobody and nothing is what it appears to be at first glimpse.
After each short story, the author discusses his inspiration behind the idea and how it will play a part in the show, or not. Sadly, Sunset Key won’t be happening because it doesn’t line up with the overall feel of the show. Bummer. It was interesting to read Blake Crouch’s thoughts on collaboration, how working with others has morphed his idea from a short story into something he never could have created on his own. I’m definitely excited to see how it all comes together on screen.
*Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 16, 2016
Letty Dobesh is fresh out of prison and has that nasty little meth addiction.
A girl does what she has to do and ends up falling into her old ways once a 'job' is offered. The book is three novellas put together for the upcoming TV show so the first one is Letty on the job and overhears a husband and a hit man planning to kill the wife. Letty does have some principles and she gets more involved than she should have. (I actually liked this story the best of the three...so that means everyone else will hate it.)
Letty then gets offered a heist type job, that entails her being the female companion of a rich guy who's last night before prison happens.
(I loved this gif..so shoot me)
Then the last story has Letty once again down on her luck and contemplating using again.
She ends up in Vegas on another job. (The job's give her the same thrill that using drugs do). This kinda goes the whole Hollywood version of a heist and I can see how it would work better on the screen verses the reading of it.
So for the overall book? I think Blake Crouch has spoiled me. I expect great things from him after reading "The Wayward Pines" series and the unbelievably awesome Dark Matter. So I expected to be blown away with this one. It just never really felt put together well enough for me. I know that each story wrapped itself up well and for novellas these are really pretty good. BUT as a whole book, nope. The stories didn't blend together well enough and I felt like I could figure out what was going to happen in every one of them. Blake Crouch usually has the magic to blow my granny panties off and they still on my butt right now.
Letty's character could be so interesting. So I'm not giving up on her. I totally picture her in my head differently than the woman that is going to play her in the series though.
She is forever this chick in my head.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
A girl does what she has to do and ends up falling into her old ways once a 'job' is offered. The book is three novellas put together for the upcoming TV show so the first one is Letty on the job and overhears a husband and a hit man planning to kill the wife. Letty does have some principles and she gets more involved than she should have. (I actually liked this story the best of the three...so that means everyone else will hate it.)
Letty then gets offered a heist type job, that entails her being the female companion of a rich guy who's last night before prison happens.
(I loved this gif..so shoot me)
Then the last story has Letty once again down on her luck and contemplating using again.
She ends up in Vegas on another job. (The job's give her the same thrill that using drugs do). This kinda goes the whole Hollywood version of a heist and I can see how it would work better on the screen verses the reading of it.
So for the overall book? I think Blake Crouch has spoiled me. I expect great things from him after reading "The Wayward Pines" series and the unbelievably awesome Dark Matter. So I expected to be blown away with this one. It just never really felt put together well enough for me. I know that each story wrapped itself up well and for novellas these are really pretty good. BUT as a whole book, nope. The stories didn't blend together well enough and I felt like I could figure out what was going to happen in every one of them. Blake Crouch usually has the magic to blow my granny panties off and they still on my butt right now.
Letty's character could be so interesting. So I'm not giving up on her. I totally picture her in my head differently than the woman that is going to play her in the series though.
She is forever this chick in my head.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
November 26, 2016
Blake Crouch blew my mind and threw me for a loop with
Dark Matter
(see my review). When I decided to read
Good Behavior
, a collection of three interlinked novellas, I wondered if lightning would strike twice for me when reading Crouch's books.
My verdict? Crouch really is one hell of a writer. While this book didn't quite take my breath away like Dark Matter did, he proved once again that he knows how to create some fantastic action scenes and ratchet up tension until you are absolutely dying to know what's going to happen next. And in Letty Dobesh, he has created a fantastically memorable character I hope we'll see again soon. (The adaptation of some of these stories, starring Downton Abbey 's Michelle Dockery, is currently airing, and Crouch provides some insight into the creation of the television show in this book.)
Letty Dobesh is fresh out of prison. She has a son she's not fit to see, a drug habit that she can't quite seem to shake, and while she needs to get herself back on the straight and narrow, she realizes more and more that she's happiest when she's in the middle of a scheme—or using drugs. The sad thing is, despite a few missteps, she's generally really good at being a criminal.
In "The Pain of Others," Letty has returned to her old pastime of robbing hotel rooms when she overhears a conversation between two men, one who has just hired the other to kill his wife. Letty is unsure what to do. Should she contact the police, despite the compromising position she was in when she heard the murder being agreed upon? Should she just walk out of the room when she can and pretend she heard nothing? Or should she try and warn the wife of what is imminent?
In "Sunset Key," Letty is offered a multi-million dollar scheme from an old friend and fellow criminal. A very wealthy banker has been found guilty of defrauding millions of people, and he has been sentenced to a long prison term. He'd like to spend his last night of freedom with a special woman, and Letty can be that woman—for a price. And in "Bad," Letty gets the chance to be part of a heist unlike any others, but it is far from what she expected.
Each of these novellas has a lot of twists and turns, and while you think you know how Crouch will wrap things up, you're not always right. The first and the third novellas in particular ("The Pain of Others" and "Bad") really threw me for a loop a few times. I don't know what it will be like watching the television adaptations knowing all I know, but I'm definitely going to have to see Letty in motion.
Don't go into this expecting Dark Matter or even the Wayward Pines series (which I've definitely added to my list). These are more straightforward crime stories than anything else, but they're still fascinating and utterly compelling. I'm seriously a huge Blake Crouch fan now, not that I wasn't before!
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
My verdict? Crouch really is one hell of a writer. While this book didn't quite take my breath away like Dark Matter did, he proved once again that he knows how to create some fantastic action scenes and ratchet up tension until you are absolutely dying to know what's going to happen next. And in Letty Dobesh, he has created a fantastically memorable character I hope we'll see again soon. (The adaptation of some of these stories, starring Downton Abbey 's Michelle Dockery, is currently airing, and Crouch provides some insight into the creation of the television show in this book.)
Letty Dobesh is fresh out of prison. She has a son she's not fit to see, a drug habit that she can't quite seem to shake, and while she needs to get herself back on the straight and narrow, she realizes more and more that she's happiest when she's in the middle of a scheme—or using drugs. The sad thing is, despite a few missteps, she's generally really good at being a criminal.
In "The Pain of Others," Letty has returned to her old pastime of robbing hotel rooms when she overhears a conversation between two men, one who has just hired the other to kill his wife. Letty is unsure what to do. Should she contact the police, despite the compromising position she was in when she heard the murder being agreed upon? Should she just walk out of the room when she can and pretend she heard nothing? Or should she try and warn the wife of what is imminent?
In "Sunset Key," Letty is offered a multi-million dollar scheme from an old friend and fellow criminal. A very wealthy banker has been found guilty of defrauding millions of people, and he has been sentenced to a long prison term. He'd like to spend his last night of freedom with a special woman, and Letty can be that woman—for a price. And in "Bad," Letty gets the chance to be part of a heist unlike any others, but it is far from what she expected.
Each of these novellas has a lot of twists and turns, and while you think you know how Crouch will wrap things up, you're not always right. The first and the third novellas in particular ("The Pain of Others" and "Bad") really threw me for a loop a few times. I don't know what it will be like watching the television adaptations knowing all I know, but I'm definitely going to have to see Letty in motion.
Don't go into this expecting Dark Matter or even the Wayward Pines series (which I've definitely added to my list). These are more straightforward crime stories than anything else, but they're still fascinating and utterly compelling. I'm seriously a huge Blake Crouch fan now, not that I wasn't before!
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
April 1, 2018
Well shit this comes as a shock...
I LOVED Dark Matter and Wayward Pines. Heck I'm always raving about them. I even decided to read as many Blake Crouch's books as I can get my hands on. However this was a big let down for me. I didn't really care for the stories (the first one was the best out of the three), didn't really care about the characters and wasn't surprised by the twists.
I'll watch the TV series and update you on it!
I LOVED Dark Matter and Wayward Pines. Heck I'm always raving about them. I even decided to read as many Blake Crouch's books as I can get my hands on. However this was a big let down for me. I didn't really care for the stories (the first one was the best out of the three), didn't really care about the characters and wasn't surprised by the twists.
I'll watch the TV series and update you on it!
February 14, 2019
Well this book was like bird shit on the windshield.
My introduction to the fiction of Blake Crouch is Good Behavior, a collection of three novellas published in 2011, 2013 and 2016 featuring Letty Dobesh, an addict thief who loves recovery, fine dining and stealing. This book is a tie-in for the TNT series launched in 2016 that ran for two seasons and twenty episodes. I mention this because the book is stuffed with notes by Crouch--one at the beginning, one following each novella--discussing the origins of Letty Dobesh or how her adventures were adapted for TV. The book is dedicated to the female and male leads on the TV series. There's a photo of Crouch on set. For the TV series. Just so we all know this is a TV series.
From here on out, I'll try to express my opinion of the book in staccato paragraphs, which Crouch loves and do keep the book moving.
Bird shit.
Letty Dobesh has the characteristics of a doll. She is plastic.
She has a background--an estranged nine-year-old son, substance abuse, prison--but no depth, defined by how she looks, how she dresses and the places she breaks into. Any of these seem more exciting to the author than who Letty is.
Letty doesn't drive the action. Action happens to her.
It's the difference between a child holding a doll and taking her on adventures, or leaving her on the floor, and using another doll or toy to do things to Letty. She's double-crossed, chased, manipulated, threatened. She is not the hero of her own story, she's an accessory.
Crouch may not know who his female protagonist is and would not be the first male author not to. He seems more excited by the pitfalls surrounding the character than the character herself.
The pitfalls or crime stories are been there/ done that. One involves Letty hiding in a closet, where she overhears a murder plot. That's original. And why she wouldn't have been discovered in or when she leaves the closet demonstrates her adversaries are even dumber than she is.
The dialogue is terrible.
She said, "What if he freaks when his phone doesn't work?"
"If he's into you, maybe he doesn't even think about his phone for an hour."
"This is a tall order," she said. "Just so you know."
"Tall orders come with big paydays. You got this, Letisha?"
"Yeah. And by the way, it's Letty. I go by Letty."
"Aiight. Since we turning into homies, I go by Ize."
"See you at the club, Ize."
That's from a chapter break that I opened the book to at random.
Letty Dobesh is not very good at her job.
She is a substance abuser. Name me one job performed better while impaired (except for TV writer.)
She discusses criminal conspiracies with her handlers at a diner. She uses their names repeatedly. They use hers.
She works with people she doesn't know.
She goes into places without planning how she'd get out. Example: She can't swim, but accepts a job on an island!Letty! Crouch!
She leaves the scene of a robbery in the SUV belonging to her therapist and driven by her therapist.
Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the donkey they rode in on.
If Blake Crouch had read any two Elmore Leonard novels or Frank Ryan’s ten rules for success and happiness in armed robbery (from Swag and Stick), these stories might've at least bordered on believable.
"But, Joe, Letty is a tweaker! She's a mess! She'd be terrible at anything!" That's reality, but it's not compelling fiction. I wanted her to be good at her job so that I could learn about that job and what it takes to do the things she does, how it would affect her. Crouch isn't interested.
This book was a missed opportunity for a novel about a female professional thief, which I could read over and over the way other readers love cowboys or Scottish highlanders. Crouch has none of the imagination, technical expertise or panache of Wallace Stroby and his Crissa Stone novels. Both Stone and Stroby have read Ryan's Rules and though Stone makes mistakes, they result from her strengths and weaknesses, not author laziness.
I did finish the book to better articulate why a product that has many fans seemed like dried excrement for me. The novellas move fast and the second of three did interest me enough to see how Letty would get out of the mess she was in, but are too poorly conceived and executed for me to recommend at all.
Change the channel.
Length: 56,138 words
My introduction to the fiction of Blake Crouch is Good Behavior, a collection of three novellas published in 2011, 2013 and 2016 featuring Letty Dobesh, an addict thief who loves recovery, fine dining and stealing. This book is a tie-in for the TNT series launched in 2016 that ran for two seasons and twenty episodes. I mention this because the book is stuffed with notes by Crouch--one at the beginning, one following each novella--discussing the origins of Letty Dobesh or how her adventures were adapted for TV. The book is dedicated to the female and male leads on the TV series. There's a photo of Crouch on set. For the TV series. Just so we all know this is a TV series.
From here on out, I'll try to express my opinion of the book in staccato paragraphs, which Crouch loves and do keep the book moving.
Bird shit.
Letty Dobesh has the characteristics of a doll. She is plastic.
She has a background--an estranged nine-year-old son, substance abuse, prison--but no depth, defined by how she looks, how she dresses and the places she breaks into. Any of these seem more exciting to the author than who Letty is.
Letty doesn't drive the action. Action happens to her.
It's the difference between a child holding a doll and taking her on adventures, or leaving her on the floor, and using another doll or toy to do things to Letty. She's double-crossed, chased, manipulated, threatened. She is not the hero of her own story, she's an accessory.
Crouch may not know who his female protagonist is and would not be the first male author not to. He seems more excited by the pitfalls surrounding the character than the character herself.
The pitfalls or crime stories are been there/ done that. One involves Letty hiding in a closet, where she overhears a murder plot. That's original. And why she wouldn't have been discovered in or when she leaves the closet demonstrates her adversaries are even dumber than she is.
The dialogue is terrible.
She said, "What if he freaks when his phone doesn't work?"
"If he's into you, maybe he doesn't even think about his phone for an hour."
"This is a tall order," she said. "Just so you know."
"Tall orders come with big paydays. You got this, Letisha?"
"Yeah. And by the way, it's Letty. I go by Letty."
"Aiight. Since we turning into homies, I go by Ize."
"See you at the club, Ize."
That's from a chapter break that I opened the book to at random.
Letty Dobesh is not very good at her job.
She is a substance abuser. Name me one job performed better while impaired (except for TV writer.)
She discusses criminal conspiracies with her handlers at a diner. She uses their names repeatedly. They use hers.
She works with people she doesn't know.
She goes into places without planning how she'd get out. Example: She can't swim, but accepts a job on an island!
She leaves the scene of a robbery in the SUV belonging to her therapist and driven by her therapist.
Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the donkey they rode in on.
If Blake Crouch had read any two Elmore Leonard novels or Frank Ryan’s ten rules for success and happiness in armed robbery (from Swag and Stick), these stories might've at least bordered on believable.
"But, Joe, Letty is a tweaker! She's a mess! She'd be terrible at anything!" That's reality, but it's not compelling fiction. I wanted her to be good at her job so that I could learn about that job and what it takes to do the things she does, how it would affect her. Crouch isn't interested.
This book was a missed opportunity for a novel about a female professional thief, which I could read over and over the way other readers love cowboys or Scottish highlanders. Crouch has none of the imagination, technical expertise or panache of Wallace Stroby and his Crissa Stone novels. Both Stone and Stroby have read Ryan's Rules and though Stone makes mistakes, they result from her strengths and weaknesses, not author laziness.
I did finish the book to better articulate why a product that has many fans seemed like dried excrement for me. The novellas move fast and the second of three did interest me enough to see how Letty would get out of the mess she was in, but are too poorly conceived and executed for me to recommend at all.
Change the channel.
Length: 56,138 words
September 20, 2019
Good Behavior is a hard-hitting collection of three interconnected novellas by Blake Crouch - The Pain of Others, Sunset Key, and Grab - about a con artist/thief named Letty Dobesh. This book was published on November 15, 2016, which was the broadcast date for the pilot episode of "Good Behavior" on TNT, a new crime drama series based on this character and, in large part, on these novellas. (Michelle Dockery - Lady Mary from Downton Abbey - played the role of Letty, in a major change of pace.)
Letty's had an extremely rough life: she had an abusive father, she's a meth addict, an ex-con, and she's addicted to the high of a great crime job. She lost her parental rights to her now five year old son several years ago, when she was sent to prison. She's trying to get her act together (at least to stop using drugs) so she can visit her son again, but it's been rough. On the plus side, she's an intelligent, quick-witted woman and a survivor.
In The Pain of Others, Letty is stealing valuables from a hotel room when she overhears two men talking about a murder for hire, with one of the men about to kill the wife of the other man. Letty wants to help this unknown woman, but she doesn't feel like she can go to the police, given her past and the fact that she was in the middle of a crime when she overheard the plan. What to do? There was a twist here that caught me by surprise.
In Sunset Key, Letty is sent by a crime lord to be the final fling of a hugely wealthy CEO of a corporation, before he's sent to prison. Rather than flinging with this guy, their plan is that she's going to put him to sleep with a drug and steal a Van Gogh painting from his office. The twist here , but it's still an intense, fascinating read.
Grab is an Ocean's Eleven-type of heist story, with a plot to steal millions from a Las Vegas casino and some double-crossing going on in the heist team. This was a lighter and more fun read than the others, and is as long as the other two stories put together.
Read this if you enjoy stories where you're rooting for the criminal (even if they're a very flawed person). Blake Crouch says Letty is his favorite character that he's ever created. She's a well-realized character, with major struggles with her addictions and her past history. These stories aren't too deep or complex, but they have some pretty good twists to them. This was a quick read that I finished off in one evening.
Content notes: R-rated for language and violence.
I received a free copy of this ebook from NetGalley and the publisher. Thanks!
Letty's had an extremely rough life: she had an abusive father, she's a meth addict, an ex-con, and she's addicted to the high of a great crime job. She lost her parental rights to her now five year old son several years ago, when she was sent to prison. She's trying to get her act together (at least to stop using drugs) so she can visit her son again, but it's been rough. On the plus side, she's an intelligent, quick-witted woman and a survivor.
In The Pain of Others, Letty is stealing valuables from a hotel room when she overhears two men talking about a murder for hire, with one of the men about to kill the wife of the other man. Letty wants to help this unknown woman, but she doesn't feel like she can go to the police, given her past and the fact that she was in the middle of a crime when she overheard the plan. What to do? There was a twist here that caught me by surprise.
In Sunset Key, Letty is sent by a crime lord to be the final fling of a hugely wealthy CEO of a corporation, before he's sent to prison. Rather than flinging with this guy, their plan is that she's going to put him to sleep with a drug and steal a Van Gogh painting from his office. The twist here , but it's still an intense, fascinating read.
Grab is an Ocean's Eleven-type of heist story, with a plot to steal millions from a Las Vegas casino and some double-crossing going on in the heist team. This was a lighter and more fun read than the others, and is as long as the other two stories put together.
Read this if you enjoy stories where you're rooting for the criminal (even if they're a very flawed person). Blake Crouch says Letty is his favorite character that he's ever created. She's a well-realized character, with major struggles with her addictions and her past history. These stories aren't too deep or complex, but they have some pretty good twists to them. This was a quick read that I finished off in one evening.
Content notes: R-rated for language and violence.
I received a free copy of this ebook from NetGalley and the publisher. Thanks!
June 15, 2017
Blake Crouch channeled his inner Elmore Leonard and produced a crime genre template for a protagonist in this 2016 collection of three novellas, all featuring one of the best heroines in recent history.
Letty Dobesh is a very talented thief, a pick pocket with artful hands and a quick mind. She is also damaged: being a multiple offender and frequent inmate. She has a serious substance abuse problem and is no longer the legal mother of her son, having lost her parental rights. Crouch’s creation of her is remarkable. He is able to convey in her all the conflicting emotions of a creative, obsessive mind struggling with addiction and emotional issues of monster truck proportions.
Truth be said, I very much enjoyed his 2012 Pines and his 2016 Dark Matter, but it was this visit with Letty that pushed me over the edge and demanded with a junkie’s insistence that I declare myself a Crouch fan. (A Crouch Potato?)
All three novellas are entertaining but Grab is by far the best. I plan to read more from Crouch and hope to see a lot more of Letty.
Letty Dobesh is a very talented thief, a pick pocket with artful hands and a quick mind. She is also damaged: being a multiple offender and frequent inmate. She has a serious substance abuse problem and is no longer the legal mother of her son, having lost her parental rights. Crouch’s creation of her is remarkable. He is able to convey in her all the conflicting emotions of a creative, obsessive mind struggling with addiction and emotional issues of monster truck proportions.
Truth be said, I very much enjoyed his 2012 Pines and his 2016 Dark Matter, but it was this visit with Letty that pushed me over the edge and demanded with a junkie’s insistence that I declare myself a Crouch fan. (A Crouch Potato?)
All three novellas are entertaining but Grab is by far the best. I plan to read more from Crouch and hope to see a lot more of Letty.
November 19, 2017
'Recognize. Avoid. Cope.' Words to live by for Letty Dobesh. Thief, pickpocket extraordinaire, an all around gifted grifter. She's also a convicted felon, recently released from prison and on parole. Oh, and Letty is a recovering meth addict. She's trying desperately to make peace with herself . Quick on her feet and gutsy as they come, but always just a shot away from slipping back into the abyss. Letty returns to her life of crime, finding it provides a high that precludes her need of drugs. She'll just need to be more careful.
This book is made up of three novellas, three of Letty's escapades, if you will. Believable? Not in the least. Entertaining? You betcha! I like Letty in spite of myself.
This book is made up of three novellas, three of Letty's escapades, if you will. Believable? Not in the least. Entertaining? You betcha! I like Letty in spite of myself.
June 22, 2022
Fast read
Blake Crouch wrote with a different style in this Novel. It is exciting the entire way through. I recommend this to readers that enjoy reading his books and doubt you'll be disappointed.! I'm going to watch this on Netflix starting tonight and looking forward to reading more of this adventure if he continues as a series.
Blake Crouch wrote with a different style in this Novel. It is exciting the entire way through. I recommend this to readers that enjoy reading his books and doubt you'll be disappointed.! I'm going to watch this on Netflix starting tonight and looking forward to reading more of this adventure if he continues as a series.
May 25, 2018
Not being familiar with the TV series or the character prior to picking this up, I had no preconceptions as to what to expect from this collection of three supposedly interlinked short stories.
This was also my first foray into the gimmick Kindle-In-Motion ebook, of which I also had no idea what to expect.
Contrary to popular opinion on Goodreads, I was entertained by the fun fast paced stories but not all that impressed with what the stories themselves had to offer nor the ‘extras’ by the author or the experience offered by the Kindle-In-Motion gimmick.
What worked:
- Fun fast-food stories for the mind which were well paced, and easy to read
- Letty is a cool character with loads of potential
What didn’t:
- I didn’t see the connection from story to story, each reads as a one-and-done episode
- The images from the kindle in motion didn’t match the prose (location/time of day/Letty’s clothing etc.); visual and text continuity was inconsistent
- The author rundowns at the end of each story re: the corresponding TV episode and footnotes – it just didn’t interest me
- The ending of the last story – it felt forced and a little dumb, shame as I had been enjoying it prior to,
My rating; 3/5 stars, Good Behavior would work well as a full length novel featuring Letty’s backstory, and a high level heist or two, rather than the episodic take on this collection.
This was also my first foray into the gimmick Kindle-In-Motion ebook, of which I also had no idea what to expect.
Contrary to popular opinion on Goodreads, I was entertained by the fun fast paced stories but not all that impressed with what the stories themselves had to offer nor the ‘extras’ by the author or the experience offered by the Kindle-In-Motion gimmick.
What worked:
- Fun fast-food stories for the mind which were well paced, and easy to read
- Letty is a cool character with loads of potential
What didn’t:
- I didn’t see the connection from story to story, each reads as a one-and-done episode
- The images from the kindle in motion didn’t match the prose (location/time of day/Letty’s clothing etc.); visual and text continuity was inconsistent
- The author rundowns at the end of each story re: the corresponding TV episode and footnotes – it just didn’t interest me
- The ending of the last story – it felt forced and a little dumb, shame as I had been enjoying it prior to,
My rating; 3/5 stars, Good Behavior would work well as a full length novel featuring Letty’s backstory, and a high level heist or two, rather than the episodic take on this collection.
March 15, 2024
Blake Crouch returns from Wayward Pines and Dark Matter (2016) with his latest smashing hit, GOOD BEHAVIOR The book, audio, TV series- (The Letty Dobesh Chronicles): EPIC! Brilliantly crafted.
Extraordinary from book, audio, to TV on-screen, Landing on my Top Books of 2016, and best 2016 book to screen. The collaboration between Blake Crouch and Chad Hodge is a “match made in heaven.”
Yes, I am enjoying the ride. Please do not let it stop!
Ongoing: “I am the best me I can be!” (Letty)
In the series, Letty is fresh out of prison, (meth-addicted) when she overhears a hitman being hired to kill a man's wife. When she sets out to derail the job, she puts herself in the crosshairs of a killer, entangling them in a dangerous and seductive relationship, and so much more.
This sexy hitman man Javier may be her path and key to redemption. That is if she does not screw it up.
Javier is sensitive and caring. He has pain in his life and his past. Leading him to his path as a hitman. They have a love/hate relationship. He lives on the outskirts of society due to an event from his childhood (we discover in the TV series).
A constant pull between them as well as their own individual lives. They have a connection and this makes them want to be better. They are perfect for one another. They rescue each other and find a home in one another.
Forgive me here, since I have watched the TV series (Season one Episodes 1-9, read the book, and listened to the audio (twice). You could say, I LOVE GOOD BEHAVIOR, so using this review as a combo review of all three.
I first listened to the audiobook narrated by Julia Whelan and the author, Blake Crouch. (Exceptional).
Afterward, immersed in Amazon Prime (TNT) TV Good Behavior. Purchased the entire season. Taking the fantastic information provided by Blake in the audiobook and applied to how the 3 novellas were transformed to on-screen.
This is a “Must” to read the book and learn all the backstory. The backstage, inside scoop of how the author created these characters, and his collaboration with Chad Hodge for the television show. Quite intriguing. (Dying for a Season 2)….please, please!
In between, while getting caught up with the TV episodes, anxiously awaiting the weekly next episode, was “granted my wish” for a digital copy of the book, Good Behavior via NetGalley. Was so excited, with “Christmas coming early”, began diving into the book, and once again, read it in one sitting. I bookmarked so many pages.
Letty Dobesh is troubled, flawed, beautiful, striking, smart, inventive, charismatic, self-destructive, a chameleon. She crosses between good and bad. A constant struggle. She is authentic. Real. Even though in (Episode 9) not happy with her attitude and kicking Javier to the curb with her betrayal. (Let’s hope she can turn her mistakes around once again). I was dying with this one. Javier is good for her.
Don't score. Don't kill.
We follow Letty on a journey as she attempts to discover who she really is, and wants more than anything to make peace with that woman, even if she does not fit “inside the box” society has drawn for her. She wants to be a good mother, a daughter, and a friend; to make up for her past mistakes and misdeeds. Every time she tries, she gets knocked down.
Crouch is pitch perfect with his character development of both Letty and Javier. I like the transition from the book to the screen.
The book:
• The Pain of Others
• Sunset Key
• Grab
After each of these novellas the author adds some insightful commentary about the work, the show, images, and other additional content from the journey, he has taken with Letty. No, I would not dare skip over these parts. I love it!
With the book, it is like a backstage pass, with a peak at the inside operations. The reader becomes invested in the characters, the story, and a fan for life. Letty is flawed, irresistible, broken, lovely and brave. She wants desperately to get her son back. She keeps running into obstacles and pulled in by her addictions to stealing and the high. She is so good at being bad!
I wanted to hold off writing my review until the last TV episode Season One; however, being it was on my Top Books for 2016 List my fellow GRs friends wanted to know my thoughts. Yes, I loved it!
Letty Raines is a thief and con artist (impulsive), whose life is always one wrong turn, one bad decision, from implosion. Michelle Dockery is amazing. Juan Diego Botto (Javier) is sexy and to die for; each episode, I love him even more. Currently I am in HIS corner.
Christian, Jacob, Estelle ( a piece of work), Rob and the other supporting characters only add to the intense drama. What a riot! In the meantime, I am now just finishing the 9th episode, and let me say, starting at episode 5, I fell totally in LOVE. A turning point, from five on.
Letty and Javier are intimately connected on so many levels, and ultimately become each other’s saviors. Both emotionally-- two souls which are perfect for one another.
At the opening of the 5th episode, when Letty opens with, “you came.” Javier replies, “you called.”
OMG, that look between the two of them, was the best since: Jerry McGuire’s "You had me at 'hello," and Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook, "I wrote you 365 letters. I wrote you every day for a year. It wasn't over… it still isn't over."
A modern SEXY twist of The Notebook and Bonnie and Clyde. Letty can rock a wig. I think she needs to have her own line. I would definitely buy one.
Season One: (TV)
• So You’re Not an English Teacher (Good opening-Statesville, NC caption) even though filmed in Wilmington; Letty is rocking the red bob wig—love the Grove Park Inn) book mention, even though not filmed here. She has the southern accent down as well as the blonde bangs.
• Only the Best for Mrs. Diaz
• From Terrible Me
• Your Mama Had a Hard Night (Letty-Sad but moving)
• Beautiful Things Deserve Beautiful Things (Hilarious!)** My favorite. Loved the short blonde wig and the St. John’s knit ensemble—Classy!
• We Pretend We’re Stuck (Loved the tie in with Jacob)- Emotional
• The Ballad of Little Santino (Javier-Sad but moving) Fantastic look at his character’s past.
• It Still Fits Bitch – A fun episode featuring Letty’s mom and Jacob. Tables are turned.
• For You, I’d Go with Strawberry – Did not like the turn this one took. Please get Letty back on track with Javier. Bad, bad girl. Sure, there is a plan here.
Waiting anxiously for the next episode . . .. in suspense.
Letty and Javier: Sexy, dangerous, thrilling, and flawed. With their tough exterior, we see their hearts, their desires, and love of family. The pull- of right and wrong. A fitting title for a struggle between right and wrong. Good and evil. From danger, intrigue, style, humor, emotion, heart, sex appeal, well-developed characters and an edge of your seat plot. All the ingredients for a HIT! Superb acting and pitch-perfect writing.
OK, Crouch fans and everyone else, BUY—the book, GOOD BEHAVIOR and watch the series! A show stopper. Hats off - A job well-done. Hopefully, we will see Season Two. I am hooked! Fingers crossed. 5 Stars +
Now that I have sold you on the book, and the author, I want to add a side personal note: I am a native of Statesville, NC, as is the author, Blake Crouch. Read More on my Blog @ JDCMustReadBooks
A very special thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for granting my wish with a review copy.
Extraordinary from book, audio, to TV on-screen, Landing on my Top Books of 2016, and best 2016 book to screen. The collaboration between Blake Crouch and Chad Hodge is a “match made in heaven.”
Yes, I am enjoying the ride. Please do not let it stop!
Ongoing: “I am the best me I can be!” (Letty)
In the series, Letty is fresh out of prison, (meth-addicted) when she overhears a hitman being hired to kill a man's wife. When she sets out to derail the job, she puts herself in the crosshairs of a killer, entangling them in a dangerous and seductive relationship, and so much more.
This sexy hitman man Javier may be her path and key to redemption. That is if she does not screw it up.
Javier is sensitive and caring. He has pain in his life and his past. Leading him to his path as a hitman. They have a love/hate relationship. He lives on the outskirts of society due to an event from his childhood (we discover in the TV series).
A constant pull between them as well as their own individual lives. They have a connection and this makes them want to be better. They are perfect for one another. They rescue each other and find a home in one another.
Forgive me here, since I have watched the TV series (Season one Episodes 1-9, read the book, and listened to the audio (twice). You could say, I LOVE GOOD BEHAVIOR, so using this review as a combo review of all three.
I first listened to the audiobook narrated by Julia Whelan and the author, Blake Crouch. (Exceptional).
Afterward, immersed in Amazon Prime (TNT) TV Good Behavior. Purchased the entire season. Taking the fantastic information provided by Blake in the audiobook and applied to how the 3 novellas were transformed to on-screen.
This is a “Must” to read the book and learn all the backstory. The backstage, inside scoop of how the author created these characters, and his collaboration with Chad Hodge for the television show. Quite intriguing. (Dying for a Season 2)….please, please!
In between, while getting caught up with the TV episodes, anxiously awaiting the weekly next episode, was “granted my wish” for a digital copy of the book, Good Behavior via NetGalley. Was so excited, with “Christmas coming early”, began diving into the book, and once again, read it in one sitting. I bookmarked so many pages.
Letty Dobesh is troubled, flawed, beautiful, striking, smart, inventive, charismatic, self-destructive, a chameleon. She crosses between good and bad. A constant struggle. She is authentic. Real. Even though in (Episode 9) not happy with her attitude and kicking Javier to the curb with her betrayal. (Let’s hope she can turn her mistakes around once again). I was dying with this one. Javier is good for her.
Don't score. Don't kill.
We follow Letty on a journey as she attempts to discover who she really is, and wants more than anything to make peace with that woman, even if she does not fit “inside the box” society has drawn for her. She wants to be a good mother, a daughter, and a friend; to make up for her past mistakes and misdeeds. Every time she tries, she gets knocked down.
Crouch is pitch perfect with his character development of both Letty and Javier. I like the transition from the book to the screen.
The book:
• The Pain of Others
• Sunset Key
• Grab
After each of these novellas the author adds some insightful commentary about the work, the show, images, and other additional content from the journey, he has taken with Letty. No, I would not dare skip over these parts. I love it!
With the book, it is like a backstage pass, with a peak at the inside operations. The reader becomes invested in the characters, the story, and a fan for life. Letty is flawed, irresistible, broken, lovely and brave. She wants desperately to get her son back. She keeps running into obstacles and pulled in by her addictions to stealing and the high. She is so good at being bad!
I wanted to hold off writing my review until the last TV episode Season One; however, being it was on my Top Books for 2016 List my fellow GRs friends wanted to know my thoughts. Yes, I loved it!
Letty Raines is a thief and con artist (impulsive), whose life is always one wrong turn, one bad decision, from implosion. Michelle Dockery is amazing. Juan Diego Botto (Javier) is sexy and to die for; each episode, I love him even more. Currently I am in HIS corner.
Christian, Jacob, Estelle ( a piece of work), Rob and the other supporting characters only add to the intense drama. What a riot! In the meantime, I am now just finishing the 9th episode, and let me say, starting at episode 5, I fell totally in LOVE. A turning point, from five on.
Letty and Javier are intimately connected on so many levels, and ultimately become each other’s saviors. Both emotionally-- two souls which are perfect for one another.
At the opening of the 5th episode, when Letty opens with, “you came.” Javier replies, “you called.”
OMG, that look between the two of them, was the best since: Jerry McGuire’s "You had me at 'hello," and Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook, "I wrote you 365 letters. I wrote you every day for a year. It wasn't over… it still isn't over."
A modern SEXY twist of The Notebook and Bonnie and Clyde. Letty can rock a wig. I think she needs to have her own line. I would definitely buy one.
Season One: (TV)
• So You’re Not an English Teacher (Good opening-Statesville, NC caption) even though filmed in Wilmington; Letty is rocking the red bob wig—love the Grove Park Inn) book mention, even though not filmed here. She has the southern accent down as well as the blonde bangs.
• Only the Best for Mrs. Diaz
• From Terrible Me
• Your Mama Had a Hard Night (Letty-Sad but moving)
• Beautiful Things Deserve Beautiful Things (Hilarious!)** My favorite. Loved the short blonde wig and the St. John’s knit ensemble—Classy!
• We Pretend We’re Stuck (Loved the tie in with Jacob)- Emotional
• The Ballad of Little Santino (Javier-Sad but moving) Fantastic look at his character’s past.
• It Still Fits Bitch – A fun episode featuring Letty’s mom and Jacob. Tables are turned.
• For You, I’d Go with Strawberry – Did not like the turn this one took. Please get Letty back on track with Javier. Bad, bad girl. Sure, there is a plan here.
Waiting anxiously for the next episode . . .. in suspense.
Letty and Javier: Sexy, dangerous, thrilling, and flawed. With their tough exterior, we see their hearts, their desires, and love of family. The pull- of right and wrong. A fitting title for a struggle between right and wrong. Good and evil. From danger, intrigue, style, humor, emotion, heart, sex appeal, well-developed characters and an edge of your seat plot. All the ingredients for a HIT! Superb acting and pitch-perfect writing.
OK, Crouch fans and everyone else, BUY—the book, GOOD BEHAVIOR and watch the series! A show stopper. Hats off - A job well-done. Hopefully, we will see Season Two. I am hooked! Fingers crossed. 5 Stars +
Now that I have sold you on the book, and the author, I want to add a side personal note: I am a native of Statesville, NC, as is the author, Blake Crouch. Read More on my Blog @ JDCMustReadBooks
A very special thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for granting my wish with a review copy.
November 7, 2023
3 novelas staring a meth-head grifter who excels when the pressure is highest (get it?🤪). My stomach was in knots throughout these tales as Mr Crouch kept upping the stakes and cranking up the suspense, with each story crazier than the one before. Said stories don't wait long to get things rolling so just hold on and enjoy the ride!!
4 Freebased Stars
4 Freebased Stars
February 5, 2017
Good Behavior is a collection of three separate novellas that feature Blake Crouch's all-time favorite character creation: Letty Dobesh. You may be familiar with this character from TNT's television series: Good Behavior. Each short-story can be read in any order as they all are separate open and closed stories. Each novella is listed below along with an individual rating/review. I highly recommend this collection for fans of character-driven thrillers. Check it out!
The Pain of Others- 5 stars
The Pain of Others is the Letty Dobesh story that most closely follows the television show, specifically the season 1, episode 1. However, the endings are vastly different which makes the book worth the read. When I say vastly different? Yeah...it has been a long while since a twist like that made my jaw drop to the floor. This was a lovely introduction to Letty's character. A woman full of consistent bad choices finally finds the motivation to do the right thing. But... sometimes maybe we shouldn't intervene. OMG!
Sunset Key- 5 stars
Sunset Key is a story that you haven't seen on the television show. This one was psychotic and I absolutely loved it! The main twist is revealed about half way through and it was jaw-dropping for me. Everything is running smoothly as planned and then bam! Oh, what a fun ride though! I was on the edge of my seat watching this play out. I don't know how they would ever be able to integrate this novella into the television series considering the direction they are driving the characters but I would love to see it. I'm a huge fan of all things resembling La Femme Nikita and this is a story that would fit in perfectly to a series like that. 5 stars!
Grab- 4 stars
Pieces of Grab can be seen in Good Behavior: Season 1, Episodes 1 and 5, but this exact Letty Dobesh story has yet to make it to TV/film. It's a shame too because Grab is one hell of a ride! The thriller/suspense element is off the charts! This one would have been an easy 5-star rating for me but the twist at the end was way too far-fetched for my personal taste and my imagination is pretty broad. But the bulk of this story was perfection in terms of Letty's character development and the planning, execution, and spontaneous problem solving of an epic casino heist. Whether you are familiar with Letty's character or not, any of the Letty Dobesh novellas are well-worth the read.
Note: I read the Kindle in Motion edition of Good Behavior. It features photos, gifs, and written commentary specifically designed to enhance the novellas and Letty's character as they relate to their adaptation to television. This was my first Kindle in Motion experience and I enjoyed it overall.
Thank you Goodreads!! I won the Kindle in Motion version of Good Behavior in a Goodreads giveaway!
The Pain of Others- 5 stars
The Pain of Others is the Letty Dobesh story that most closely follows the television show, specifically the season 1, episode 1. However, the endings are vastly different which makes the book worth the read. When I say vastly different? Yeah...it has been a long while since a twist like that made my jaw drop to the floor. This was a lovely introduction to Letty's character. A woman full of consistent bad choices finally finds the motivation to do the right thing. But... sometimes maybe we shouldn't intervene. OMG!
Sunset Key- 5 stars
Sunset Key is a story that you haven't seen on the television show. This one was psychotic and I absolutely loved it! The main twist is revealed about half way through and it was jaw-dropping for me. Everything is running smoothly as planned and then bam! Oh, what a fun ride though! I was on the edge of my seat watching this play out. I don't know how they would ever be able to integrate this novella into the television series considering the direction they are driving the characters but I would love to see it. I'm a huge fan of all things resembling La Femme Nikita and this is a story that would fit in perfectly to a series like that. 5 stars!
Grab- 4 stars
Pieces of Grab can be seen in Good Behavior: Season 1, Episodes 1 and 5, but this exact Letty Dobesh story has yet to make it to TV/film. It's a shame too because Grab is one hell of a ride! The thriller/suspense element is off the charts! This one would have been an easy 5-star rating for me but the twist at the end was way too far-fetched for my personal taste and my imagination is pretty broad. But the bulk of this story was perfection in terms of Letty's character development and the planning, execution, and spontaneous problem solving of an epic casino heist. Whether you are familiar with Letty's character or not, any of the Letty Dobesh novellas are well-worth the read.
Note: I read the Kindle in Motion edition of Good Behavior. It features photos, gifs, and written commentary specifically designed to enhance the novellas and Letty's character as they relate to their adaptation to television. This was my first Kindle in Motion experience and I enjoyed it overall.
Thank you Goodreads!! I won the Kindle in Motion version of Good Behavior in a Goodreads giveaway!
November 14, 2016
Fresh off of the high I got with Blake Crouch's Dark Matter, I was super excited to begin reading Good Behavior. Good Behavior introduces readers to Letty Dubesh. She's not your typical heroine. Actually, she's not a heroine at all but she is interesting.
Crouch invites us into the life of one of the most troubled and flawed characters I've read in a while. There's no secret that she's fresh out of jail after serving time for felony theft. From page one it's obvious we would not be rooting for Suzie Homemaker but rather her complete opposite. In 3 novellas Crouch forces readers to care about her story. Regardless of her criminal past (and future), or struggle to stay sober for the child she's abandoned and left behind, Letty's story is impossible to look away from.
Because Good Behavior is comprised of 3 novellas, it almost feels like no matter where I begin my review, I could potentially be spoiling her tale for others. I will say that I was very intrigued with her constant struggle between good and bad, right and wrong, life or death.
My one gripe with this novel is that between the stories were brief interludes with Crouch and his reasoning behind everything. After the first interlude I felt like I was trapped in one long promo for the newest show in the TNT lineup. Although this didn't stop me from reading on, it was a little on the annoying side.
Suffice it to say, Blake Crouch has got my attention. He paints a dynamic portrait in so few words that it's impossible not to see him through. And, reading on is always worth it. Cheer's to another good read. I look forward to seeing what's next for Letty.
Copy provided by Thomas and Mercer via Netgalley
Crouch invites us into the life of one of the most troubled and flawed characters I've read in a while. There's no secret that she's fresh out of jail after serving time for felony theft. From page one it's obvious we would not be rooting for Suzie Homemaker but rather her complete opposite. In 3 novellas Crouch forces readers to care about her story. Regardless of her criminal past (and future), or struggle to stay sober for the child she's abandoned and left behind, Letty's story is impossible to look away from.
Because Good Behavior is comprised of 3 novellas, it almost feels like no matter where I begin my review, I could potentially be spoiling her tale for others. I will say that I was very intrigued with her constant struggle between good and bad, right and wrong, life or death.
My one gripe with this novel is that between the stories were brief interludes with Crouch and his reasoning behind everything. After the first interlude I felt like I was trapped in one long promo for the newest show in the TNT lineup. Although this didn't stop me from reading on, it was a little on the annoying side.
Suffice it to say, Blake Crouch has got my attention. He paints a dynamic portrait in so few words that it's impossible not to see him through. And, reading on is always worth it. Cheer's to another good read. I look forward to seeing what's next for Letty.
Copy provided by Thomas and Mercer via Netgalley
November 17, 2016
This was a rare opportunity--to read the three novellas upon which a new TNT series is based and to read the author's notes on how it all came about. Blake Crouch's new character is a gem! Letty Dobesh is a damaged personality: abused as a child, she is now a beautiful but aging con-artist, thief, substance abuser and adreneline-junkie who is struggling to find a way to change and win back the custody of her six-year-old son. "When I'm high and when I'm on a job--those are the only times in my life not plagued by the sadness of the past or the fear of the future."
Crouch is collaborating with Chad Hodge, a television writer and producer, to create a season of ten episodes of Good Behavior for TNT--directed by Charlotte Sieling and starring Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary of Downton Abbey fame) in the title role. The first two episodes were aired on November 15, 2016 and I set the dvr so I could watch them after finishing the book. Crouch's comments shed a fascinating light on the process of reimagining his character for the tv audience.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to meet Letty Dobesh--a character seven years in the making in Blake Crouch's imagination.
#2016-aty-reading-challenge-week-38: A book about an antihero.
Crouch is collaborating with Chad Hodge, a television writer and producer, to create a season of ten episodes of Good Behavior for TNT--directed by Charlotte Sieling and starring Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary of Downton Abbey fame) in the title role. The first two episodes were aired on November 15, 2016 and I set the dvr so I could watch them after finishing the book. Crouch's comments shed a fascinating light on the process of reimagining his character for the tv audience.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to meet Letty Dobesh--a character seven years in the making in Blake Crouch's imagination.
#2016-aty-reading-challenge-week-38: A book about an antihero.
November 1, 2016
I’ve been looking forward to the new TV show, “Good Behavior”, starring Michelle Dockery, which will premiere on TNT on November 15, 2016. So I was quite excited to be reading Blake Crouch’s three novellas that comprise his work centering on the character, Letty Dobesh. Also, this is the tie-in to the TV show and has photos of the cast at work and also the author’s notes about each of the stories and how they were incorporated into the TV show.
Letty Dobesh is out of prison and is back to being a thief and con-woman. She’s an alcoholic and a drug addict. The only way she seems to be able to keep from the alcohol and drugs is to have the excitement of a heist going on. There are three novellas about Letty. The first is “The Pain of Others” which is my favorite of the three and which is apparently going to be included in the first season of the TV show. That one is about Letty’s intervention with a hitman in doing his job. The second, “Sunset Key”, involves Letty’s attempt to rob a man who is being sent to prison the next day for fraud. The longest of the three novellas is “Grab”, which is about a casino heist.
From the advertisements I’ve seen of the upcoming TV show and from my reading of other books by this author, I expected to have sympathy for Lettie. That wasn’t the case at all. I had a hard time connecting with her or sympathizing with her life. She has a 6-year-old son who she has lost custody of and throughout the books, she longs to set things right with him and become the mother he needs. However, it just seems that her love of the excitement of thievery overcomes her maternal instincts so I had a hard time liking her. When things don’t go well for her, she feels she has two choices – do a heist or do drugs. I just hope that Michelle Dockery can instill some sympathy into this character on the TV screen because these stories didn’t for me, though other readers have said that they did have sympathy for her.
As always, the author has written very entertaining stories, which are exciting and suspenseful, with quite a few surprise twists. It was a fun read, especially in light of the upcoming TV show.
This book was given to me by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Letty Dobesh is out of prison and is back to being a thief and con-woman. She’s an alcoholic and a drug addict. The only way she seems to be able to keep from the alcohol and drugs is to have the excitement of a heist going on. There are three novellas about Letty. The first is “The Pain of Others” which is my favorite of the three and which is apparently going to be included in the first season of the TV show. That one is about Letty’s intervention with a hitman in doing his job. The second, “Sunset Key”, involves Letty’s attempt to rob a man who is being sent to prison the next day for fraud. The longest of the three novellas is “Grab”, which is about a casino heist.
From the advertisements I’ve seen of the upcoming TV show and from my reading of other books by this author, I expected to have sympathy for Lettie. That wasn’t the case at all. I had a hard time connecting with her or sympathizing with her life. She has a 6-year-old son who she has lost custody of and throughout the books, she longs to set things right with him and become the mother he needs. However, it just seems that her love of the excitement of thievery overcomes her maternal instincts so I had a hard time liking her. When things don’t go well for her, she feels she has two choices – do a heist or do drugs. I just hope that Michelle Dockery can instill some sympathy into this character on the TV screen because these stories didn’t for me, though other readers have said that they did have sympathy for her.
As always, the author has written very entertaining stories, which are exciting and suspenseful, with quite a few surprise twists. It was a fun read, especially in light of the upcoming TV show.
This book was given to me by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
November 2, 2016
Good Behavior: Letty Dobesh Chronicles by Blake Crouch is a collection of three novellas formerly published separately featuring the character Letty Dobesh. The collection includes the books The Pain of Others, Sunset Key, and Grab. These stories and Letty are going to be the focus of a new show coming to television on the network TNT.
Each novella features Letty on a different adventure and in the first Letty is freshly released from prison and fighting her addictions when she attempts to return to her former life of crime. Unfortunately when Letty learns of a murder she finds that there are lines that even she won't cross.
Good Behavior is an OK enough read but perhaps I went into this expecting perfection and it seemed to fall a bit short of that for me. I've heard so many good things about Blake Crouch's books that I couldn't help but want to try one out but Letty and her stories just really didn't grab me the way I hoped.
For a character that suffers from addiction I kind of found the fast paced adventures she ends up on a bit far-fetched. Really though I can see this one making an entertaining television show but reading all three novellas together it just seemed a bit jumpy going from one to the next with not enough to get me invested in Letty or believing her to be the heroine.
Overall, three fast paced adventures featuring Letty, not as great as I was hoping for but still an OK read in the end.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Each novella features Letty on a different adventure and in the first Letty is freshly released from prison and fighting her addictions when she attempts to return to her former life of crime. Unfortunately when Letty learns of a murder she finds that there are lines that even she won't cross.
Good Behavior is an OK enough read but perhaps I went into this expecting perfection and it seemed to fall a bit short of that for me. I've heard so many good things about Blake Crouch's books that I couldn't help but want to try one out but Letty and her stories just really didn't grab me the way I hoped.
For a character that suffers from addiction I kind of found the fast paced adventures she ends up on a bit far-fetched. Really though I can see this one making an entertaining television show but reading all three novellas together it just seemed a bit jumpy going from one to the next with not enough to get me invested in Letty or believing her to be the heroine.
Overall, three fast paced adventures featuring Letty, not as great as I was hoping for but still an OK read in the end.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
December 11, 2016
Entertaining.
Stories that became the scripts to this TNT show, one of it isn't in this show yet. Letty character has many problems, addicted to alcohol and street drugs. She was declared unfit mother and lost her son. Now gets her high by stealing.
Had to walk away and think before writing a review, gave three stars, but it should be more like a two and a half. Would I watch this series? If I was so sick and couldn't hold my Kindle, maybe.
Stories that became the scripts to this TNT show, one of it isn't in this show yet. Letty character has many problems, addicted to alcohol and street drugs. She was declared unfit mother and lost her son. Now gets her high by stealing.
Had to walk away and think before writing a review, gave three stars, but it should be more like a two and a half. Would I watch this series? If I was so sick and couldn't hold my Kindle, maybe.
November 11, 2016
Good Behavior contains three independent novellas (The Pain of Others, Sunset Key, and Grab) all featuring Letty Dobesh. Letty is a convicted but highly dexterous thief, a recovering addict (kind of), and a down on her luck Mum who has lost her parental rights. She is the leading role in Blake Crouch's new TV show (coming to TNT on Nov 15). I think these stories could work well on screen, in particular, 'Grab', which is about a casino heist, but it won't actually be used until season 2 apparently. Due to the action scenes, I think it lends itself to watching rather than reading. I enjoyed these stories and can see how they could be made into a series as they all follow a certain pattern. The book contains supplemental information on the process of making the short stories into a screenplay and the reasoning behind changes being made etc. I actually found that quite interesting and I am looking forward to watching Good Behavior now just to see how the characters and the plot will be transferred to the screen.
Obviously, this isn't anything like reading Crouch's novels Dark Matter or Pines but treated simply as an introduction to a character and to the forthcoming TV show it worked. Each story had a nice little twist and Letty was quite an intriguing character. Good, light entertainment.
I chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
Obviously, this isn't anything like reading Crouch's novels Dark Matter or Pines but treated simply as an introduction to a character and to the forthcoming TV show it worked. Each story had a nice little twist and Letty was quite an intriguing character. Good, light entertainment.
I chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
September 27, 2016
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
3 stars.
Very formulaic. Each story followed the exact same pattern: Down-on-her-luck recovering alcoholic/meth addict Letty meets a guy (a handler?) who has heard about her "abilities" as a thief, hires her for a heist, heist goes south, Letty escapes, and the story ends with a "surprise" betrayal. While this would get very tedious very quickly in book form, I can see how it would work as a TV show. Kind of reminds me of the old Quantum Leap series in which Sam Beckett leaps from time to time, always into some confusing/dangerous situation that he has to solve before the next leap.
This is not a bad read by any means, and would make a good vacation read. The biggest problem I had was the lack of continuity between the stories, which simply didn't exist. At the end of each of the stories, Letty comes away with a huge payout after a heist, and with the start of the next story, she's destitute, barely surviving, unable to even buy herself a meal. Very confusing, and it made me wonder what happened with the money she had, and how long did it take her to squander it.
I am looking forward to the TV show, though. The explanations and dialogue that the author provides after each story makes the TV show sound more interesting than the book was.
3 stars.
Very formulaic. Each story followed the exact same pattern: Down-on-her-luck recovering alcoholic/meth addict Letty meets a guy (a handler?) who has heard about her "abilities" as a thief, hires her for a heist, heist goes south, Letty escapes, and the story ends with a "surprise" betrayal. While this would get very tedious very quickly in book form, I can see how it would work as a TV show. Kind of reminds me of the old Quantum Leap series in which Sam Beckett leaps from time to time, always into some confusing/dangerous situation that he has to solve before the next leap.
This is not a bad read by any means, and would make a good vacation read. The biggest problem I had was the lack of continuity between the stories, which simply didn't exist. At the end of each of the stories, Letty comes away with a huge payout after a heist, and with the start of the next story, she's destitute, barely surviving, unable to even buy herself a meal. Very confusing, and it made me wonder what happened with the money she had, and how long did it take her to squander it.
I am looking forward to the TV show, though. The explanations and dialogue that the author provides after each story makes the TV show sound more interesting than the book was.
November 18, 2016
This book is a collection of 3 short stories, based on and driven by a character named Letty who I instantly fell in love with. Letty reminds me of a female, flawed version of the character "Neil McAffrey" in the tv series White Collar and stories that might have been the beginnings of McAffrey long PRIOR to his conviction, therefore prior to the show having it's beginnings. As much as I'm making a comparison to a show that already exists, I still feel these stories are refreshing. All 3 stories were engaging and at the end, I was left wanting more of Letty. She was realistic and relatable, especially in her struggles. I enjoyed the stories, and my time reading them. 5 stars !
Thank you so much NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Blake Crouch for allowing me a window into this new character, and her stories in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you so much NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Blake Crouch for allowing me a window into this new character, and her stories in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2020
I was in the mood for some sci-fi and saw this audio book on kindle unlimited by Blake Crouch so I went ahead and downloaded it. Turns out this is NOT a sci-fi, but crime thriller novellas. It also was a TV show on TNT.
Good Behavior is a fantastic collection of novellas. There are altogether three stories with the same main, Letty Dobesh- a unique lead female character and Blake Crouch gives you a background of how he came up with this character for the story. I listened to this book on audio, but if you choose to read, it also has that "in motion" feature with clips and photos from the TV show. I went through them after I finish listening.
Good Behavior is a fantastic collection of novellas. There are altogether three stories with the same main, Letty Dobesh- a unique lead female character and Blake Crouch gives you a background of how he came up with this character for the story. I listened to this book on audio, but if you choose to read, it also has that "in motion" feature with clips and photos from the TV show. I went through them after I finish listening.
February 9, 2017
This is a highly entertaining must-read. I know I'm late to the Good Behavior party, but up next, I'm going to binge watch all of Blake Crouch's shows followed by reading all of his other books. Highly recommended!
November 4, 2016
Received from the Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Blake Crouch does not disappoint. Good behavior is actually three Novellas: The Pain of Others, Sunset Key, and The Grab. But this book is not just a combination of these three Novellas. This book is about the writing process and the new show coming out called "Good Behavior" Blake Crouch writes about his character Letty, collaborating with Chad Hodge, co-writing the script for the television show and was their collaborative process.
The Pain of others begins with Letty starting anew after her incarceration. She no longer has custody of her young child and has a on again off again drug problem. She is also a thief. She is currently working a hotel, entering hotel rooms in order to steal from the occupants when an occupant comes back early and she hears about an upcoming crime. At what point does a criminal herself draw the line? Letty has found hers and decides to intervene. But she learns maybe sticking your nose in other people's business may not be the best solution.
In Sunset Key, we see Letty has fallen apart, she is using and has not eaten in days. She is given an opportunity to make some money. In order to do so, she needs to get herself together and literally and figuratively clean up her act. She is hired to spend time with a wealthy man who is scheduled to report to jail the next day. She is supposed to rob him and meet her handler at a rendezvous point. But what happens when she is double crossed and the tables have turned on her. This, by the way, was my favorite of the Novellas. I also really liked how Crouch shared how he came up with the story.
In the Grab, Letty has decided to go visit her son on the west coast. While traveling across county, she is approached about joining a team that has plans to pull off a casino heist. She decides to join them and make some money before traveling on to see her son. While in Las Vegas, she sees her drug counselor who appears to have hit rock bottom himself. She finds herself trying to help him as he has helped her while participating in the heist. Once again this is a story where Letty learns that not everyone is as they seem, double crosses happen and allegiances are made.
This is a very fast based book to read as it contains novellas. All are full of action and dialogue which makes the stories fast paced. I enjoyed them. This is a perfect introduction to the character of Letty and a lead in to the television show. It is also nice to read Crouch's thoughts on his character, how he writes, where he gets ideas and what goes into writing a script.
This book also serves as a nice introduction to Blake Crouch's writing for those who have not read a Blake Crouch book (btw shame on your for not reading Crouch before!). This is not a typical Blake Crouch book but once again allows his storytelling to shine.
To see more of my reviews visit www.openbookpost.com
Blake Crouch does not disappoint. Good behavior is actually three Novellas: The Pain of Others, Sunset Key, and The Grab. But this book is not just a combination of these three Novellas. This book is about the writing process and the new show coming out called "Good Behavior" Blake Crouch writes about his character Letty, collaborating with Chad Hodge, co-writing the script for the television show and was their collaborative process.
The Pain of others begins with Letty starting anew after her incarceration. She no longer has custody of her young child and has a on again off again drug problem. She is also a thief. She is currently working a hotel, entering hotel rooms in order to steal from the occupants when an occupant comes back early and she hears about an upcoming crime. At what point does a criminal herself draw the line? Letty has found hers and decides to intervene. But she learns maybe sticking your nose in other people's business may not be the best solution.
In Sunset Key, we see Letty has fallen apart, she is using and has not eaten in days. She is given an opportunity to make some money. In order to do so, she needs to get herself together and literally and figuratively clean up her act. She is hired to spend time with a wealthy man who is scheduled to report to jail the next day. She is supposed to rob him and meet her handler at a rendezvous point. But what happens when she is double crossed and the tables have turned on her. This, by the way, was my favorite of the Novellas. I also really liked how Crouch shared how he came up with the story.
In the Grab, Letty has decided to go visit her son on the west coast. While traveling across county, she is approached about joining a team that has plans to pull off a casino heist. She decides to join them and make some money before traveling on to see her son. While in Las Vegas, she sees her drug counselor who appears to have hit rock bottom himself. She finds herself trying to help him as he has helped her while participating in the heist. Once again this is a story where Letty learns that not everyone is as they seem, double crosses happen and allegiances are made.
This is a very fast based book to read as it contains novellas. All are full of action and dialogue which makes the stories fast paced. I enjoyed them. This is a perfect introduction to the character of Letty and a lead in to the television show. It is also nice to read Crouch's thoughts on his character, how he writes, where he gets ideas and what goes into writing a script.
This book also serves as a nice introduction to Blake Crouch's writing for those who have not read a Blake Crouch book (btw shame on your for not reading Crouch before!). This is not a typical Blake Crouch book but once again allows his storytelling to shine.
To see more of my reviews visit www.openbookpost.com
February 6, 2017
Good Behavior is a collection of three novellas about Letty Dobesh. Letty is a fascinating character. She's a recovering drug addict but can't quite kick her addiction to thievery. These novellas were amazing! Each of them had an ending that was surprising. The first novella will be very familiar if you've seen the first episode of the show, but it ended differently. The second novella was twisted. Letty's involvement in the heist was not at all what I expected. The third novella was also depicted in the show but only parts of it. The best part of the novella wasn't included in the show. The level of deception a certain character went to blew me away. I hope that is included in the show at some point.
I had watched several episodes of the show before reading this. It's different but not. Blake Crouch writes for the show as well, so despite them being different Letty is the same. She is the reason I love it. Then again I have a thing for characters with shades of grey. Reading this book gave more insight to her character. I hope more novellas or better yet a book will be written about her. If not, I'll gladly settle for the show.
I had watched several episodes of the show before reading this. It's different but not. Blake Crouch writes for the show as well, so despite them being different Letty is the same. She is the reason I love it. Then again I have a thing for characters with shades of grey. Reading this book gave more insight to her character. I hope more novellas or better yet a book will be written about her. If not, I'll gladly settle for the show.
November 18, 2016
Finished the book tonight- now that is the way to write a thriller!
1 The Pain of Others
Raw, gritty, with a shocking twist, really didn't see that one coming!
2 Sunset Key
A little over the top action on the little island near Key West, but still very entertaining.
3 Grab
Spellbinding fast paced suspense! A huge heist and double cross in Las Vegas.
My favorite thing about this little trilogy is that the main character at the center of all the action is a woman.
The tv premier on TNT was well done and Michelle Dockery was good as an ex con drug addict grifter, but the show seemed tame, compared to the book.
1 The Pain of Others
Raw, gritty, with a shocking twist, really didn't see that one coming!
2 Sunset Key
A little over the top action on the little island near Key West, but still very entertaining.
3 Grab
Spellbinding fast paced suspense! A huge heist and double cross in Las Vegas.
My favorite thing about this little trilogy is that the main character at the center of all the action is a woman.
The tv premier on TNT was well done and Michelle Dockery was good as an ex con drug addict grifter, but the show seemed tame, compared to the book.
April 7, 2018
4.0 Stars
This book is the collection of three gripping thriller novellas about a talented thief named Letty Debesh. Morally grey, yet incredibly likable, she is such a compelling anti hero. Each novella sets up an interesting situation for Letty with a some good twists and turns. Despite the contemporary setting, these stories have a classic noir feel. I highly recommend this collection to anyone who wants to read well written crime fiction featuring a memorable, female lead.
This book is the collection of three gripping thriller novellas about a talented thief named Letty Debesh. Morally grey, yet incredibly likable, she is such a compelling anti hero. Each novella sets up an interesting situation for Letty with a some good twists and turns. Despite the contemporary setting, these stories have a classic noir feel. I highly recommend this collection to anyone who wants to read well written crime fiction featuring a memorable, female lead.
June 10, 2017
The more I read of Blake Crouch, the more I'm starting to realize that I may not be a fan. I should probably stop reading his stuff. 1.5 stars.
January 11, 2022
بسیااااار رودهدراز و دور از واقعیت. همون سریالش خیلی بهتر بود.
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