Loophole

by Robert Pollock

“Ever heard of the City Savings Deposits Bank? … I know what they got. I know every foot of that place. I’m telling you I can get in and out and I won’t be caught.” Stephen Booker has reached breaking point. Made redundant from his architecture firm three weeks before Christmas, Booker soon finds the perpetual pressures of bank manager, credit associations, private schools, medical care funds and the needs of his wife too much to handle. Until he meets Michael Daniels, that is. Mike Daniels has always been looking for the one big job that’ll enable him to get out of the game. And recently he’s got his eye on the City Savings Deposits Bank. With its alarmed vault, infra-red beams, radio frequency waves and unscheduled patrol visits, all the thieves in London declare this is the one jug you cannot blow. But Daniels thinks he’s found a loophole in the bank’s security. Needing a ‘straight’ on his team, Daniels recruits Booker in his attempt to pull off the biggest heist of all time. But as one loophole twists and turns into another, was Daniels right in thinking they’d never be caught? With a fast moving and gripping plot, Loophole provides a shrewd and fascinating insight into the preparation and execution of a major crime. Praise for Loophole ‘Audacious and ingenious. So plausible and true-to-life that its author was actually reported to the CID by a public-minded citizen at the time of a notorious bank robbery.’ -Evening News ‘A gripping mastery of the techniques and dangers involved’- Times Literary Supplement Praise for Robert Pollock ‘Everything adds up to a resounding caper indeed - great fun.’ — New York Times Book Review ‘Pollock spares nothing in the telling. His style is stark and modernist. Here he makes art from life.’ - Contra Costa Times Robert Pollock was a London native, he had an extensive writing, teaching, film, and public relations career. As a journalist, he wrote for The London Sunday Times, The London Sunday Observer, Vanity Fair, The San Francisco Examiner and The Los Angeles Times Syndicate. He worked for both Paramount Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox, and was involved in the production of many films, including "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie," "The Only Game in Town" and"Hard Contract."

Genres: Crime, Fiction

177 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Howard Gibbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been rather fascinated by stories dealing with crime. But not any old crime, I prefer ones that are well thought out, well plotted, and in which it is reasonably possible that the job could actually happen. Because of this things like murderers, etc. are of no interest to me, however heist fiction (which is actually a literary genre I found out) is very much in this category.

The story meets all my criteria, and is very entertaining as well. It involves the burglary of the City Savings Deposit Bank in London, which has a burglar proof vault, and a few million dollars inside it.

The team that is planning this caper is led by Mike, who has been in the business for many years and because of this his planning is meticulous. He knows that to rob this bank he needs professional assistance, so he hires himself an architect /engineer.

Robert Polak has crafted a wonderful story, that can be read numerous times and enjoyed. He got the idea for the novel, and I'm sure some of his material following some encounters he had with a paroled criminal who, he found out later was a rather famous British bank robber. It is interesting to note that this story influenced a group of real life criminals in Paris, France to attempt a robbery planned in the style. They came to be known as The Sewer Rats.

As it if you have read any of my other reviews you will know that I have it very dim view of movies from Hollywood, as they rarely get it right. This movie however is an exception. The movie "Loophole" released in 1981, starring Albert Finney, and Martin Sheen was exceptional. It's true that the director John Quested changed a few things, but they were minor.

I would strongly recommend you read this book, and then watch the movie. It is not recommended however that you go and rob a bank, as the authorities do tend to frown on this. Then again, if you happen to do it, and get caught you have the opportunity of getting 3 square meals a day, free clothing, and a host of other amenities (some of which might not be so favourable).

[Richard Burke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say I found this book hard work. The plot is fairly interesting but there were several aspects of this novel that annoyed me. The plot was entirely predictable. Every time the author hinted at some form of danger - guess what? - it happened. The characters were also somewhat stereotyped.

I was interested enough to finish it, but sorry, not for me.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book to fill an evening. Don't expect any deep morals or political commentary, but it's a fun heist story. I bought it from a mobile bookstore because it looked cool and you know what? It was cool

[Ogden Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very realistic caper novel. A fast and fun read.

[Ellen1958thorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watched the film with film Albert Finney and Martin Sheen which really enjoyed it, hadn't realised it was based on a book so I decided to give it a try and enjoyed it too.

[Kent]

Written in 1972 it is now a little dated, but still a pretty entertaining read.