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Alan Grofield #4
Lemons Never Lie
When he's not pulling heists with his friend Parker, Alan Grofield runs a small theatre in Indiana. But putting on shows costs money and jobs have been thin, which is why Grofield agrees to listen to Andrew Myers' plan to knock over a brewery. Unfortunately, Myer's plan is insane - so Grofield walks out on him. And you don't walk out on Myers...
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1971
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
November 27, 2018
Perhaps the first clue that Donald Westlake was planning to close out the world of Richard Stark, the previous Grofield adventures involved him being dropped into someone else’s intrigue against his will; this one could have been a Parker story. It involves a job that is a definite "no" from the beginning, and how that job follows him back to his civilian life. This results in an extremely serious turn of the kind this series seldom touched upon. It triggers the final act of the novel, where the story--at last--comes back to its traditional style. But in hindsight you can see Westlake winding things down.
October 13, 2024
Lemons Never Lie was originally published under the pseudonym Richard Stark in 1971 as part of the Grofield series, an offshoot of the Parker series. Hard Case Crime is republishing it in October 2024 with a brilliant sexy new cover by Paul Mann. For more of Mann’s great art, click here: https://www.paulmannartist.com/portfolio. The title itself derives from Grofield’s uncomfortableness with gambling and slots coming up lemons. For him, it is a bad sign, one he cannot escape. And, perhaps that is the theme of Westlake’s unsusual caper novel. As you know, capers can never go right in these stories. After all, if they did, how could there be a story?
Alan Grofield is not your usual criminal. That’s part of what makes Westlake’s fiction so interesting. Grofield’s passion is summer stock theater. He and his wife, Mary, have got an old barn that’s been converted to a theater, but are so hard up for cash that they rent out their residential properties most of the year and sleep on the stage sets. In the summer, they kick their tenants out and house their actors. But, its how Grofield pays for his artistic fantasies that is interesting. Sometimes he drives into Kentucky and passes bad paper, but he doesn’t enjoy doing that because he feels its an inappropriate use of his acting talents and cheapens it for him.
Grofield does “jobs” to earn his bread. He flies to Las Vegas to meet with four or five others and hear Myers’ plans for a job. Myers is not your usual crook, though, as he basically comes equipped with photos and powerpoint displays. The job is odd and Grofield is not comfortable with it. Myers has found one place in the country where a payroll robbery will still work, one place where the workers are still paid in cash every week, not by paycheck. It’s an old brewery up in Maine near the Canadian border. Myers has cased this little town and figures he will set some fires and then enter the plant with a fire engine and make off with the payroll, escaping with the loot across the border. The plan never takes off when some of the group walks out, gambling at the tables and winning big on their way out of the casino. There is a falling out and Myers has made some permanent enemies as he skedaddles out of town. It does make you realize though how much the world has changed and how these simple capers are barely worth doing now with cash no longer the payment of choice.
Myers is like the lemons that just keep appearing and appearing and appearing and Grofield cannot shake him even though Grofield has moved on to another job. This other job is a market robbery and Westlake takes the reader step by step through the job and the aftermath. But, again, the real tension is Myers showing up and making trouble. For some guys, that is about all they can ever accomplish and that is true for Myers.
In Grofield, who first appeared as a side character joining one of Parker’s capers, Westlake offers us readers a new anti-hero far different than the more physically-overbearing bull-in-a-china-shop attitude of Parker. Grofield, who rarely carries a weapon, and who fancies himself an actor, not a crook, by his main occupation, is a more literary type. You can certainly see why Westlake choose to offer Grofield his own set of four novels, the Damsel, the Dame, the Blackbird, and Lemons Never Lie.
Alan Grofield is not your usual criminal. That’s part of what makes Westlake’s fiction so interesting. Grofield’s passion is summer stock theater. He and his wife, Mary, have got an old barn that’s been converted to a theater, but are so hard up for cash that they rent out their residential properties most of the year and sleep on the stage sets. In the summer, they kick their tenants out and house their actors. But, its how Grofield pays for his artistic fantasies that is interesting. Sometimes he drives into Kentucky and passes bad paper, but he doesn’t enjoy doing that because he feels its an inappropriate use of his acting talents and cheapens it for him.
Grofield does “jobs” to earn his bread. He flies to Las Vegas to meet with four or five others and hear Myers’ plans for a job. Myers is not your usual crook, though, as he basically comes equipped with photos and powerpoint displays. The job is odd and Grofield is not comfortable with it. Myers has found one place in the country where a payroll robbery will still work, one place where the workers are still paid in cash every week, not by paycheck. It’s an old brewery up in Maine near the Canadian border. Myers has cased this little town and figures he will set some fires and then enter the plant with a fire engine and make off with the payroll, escaping with the loot across the border. The plan never takes off when some of the group walks out, gambling at the tables and winning big on their way out of the casino. There is a falling out and Myers has made some permanent enemies as he skedaddles out of town. It does make you realize though how much the world has changed and how these simple capers are barely worth doing now with cash no longer the payment of choice.
Myers is like the lemons that just keep appearing and appearing and appearing and Grofield cannot shake him even though Grofield has moved on to another job. This other job is a market robbery and Westlake takes the reader step by step through the job and the aftermath. But, again, the real tension is Myers showing up and making trouble. For some guys, that is about all they can ever accomplish and that is true for Myers.
In Grofield, who first appeared as a side character joining one of Parker’s capers, Westlake offers us readers a new anti-hero far different than the more physically-overbearing bull-in-a-china-shop attitude of Parker. Grofield, who rarely carries a weapon, and who fancies himself an actor, not a crook, by his main occupation, is a more literary type. You can certainly see why Westlake choose to offer Grofield his own set of four novels, the Damsel, the Dame, the Blackbird, and Lemons Never Lie.
June 1, 2018
Based on the premise, I had hoped this would be better. 3 of 10 stars
May 7, 2023
The Last and the Best Grofield
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (August 22, 2008) narrated by Steve Aveson of the original World Publishing hardcover (1971).
Richard Stark was one of the many pseudonyms of the prolific crime author Donald E. Westlake (1933-2008), who wrote over 100 books. The Stark pseudonym was used primarily for the 24 Parker novels and their spinoff series, the 4 Grofield novels. The Parkers are a hardboiled noir series but the Grofields have more of a lighter touch, often with humorous banter. Their plots were more fantastical, with Grofield being drawn into some international conspiracy. I didn't find the first 3 books that compulsive, and actually skipped the 4th one at the time of my Stark binge.
When I saw Lemons Never Lie as a Kindle Deal of the Day offer I decided to give the final Grofield a try and read it in conjunction with the Audiobook. It turned out to be the best one yet as it mostly dropped the wisecrack humour and was much more Parker-like with its series of heists gone wrong, betrayals and paybacks.
The cover of the first hardcover edition of 'Lemons Never Lie' by World Publishing (1971). Image sourced from The Violent World of Parker (see link below).
We meet Grofield at the Las Vegas airport where he plays a nickel slot upon arrival. The machine comes up all lemons and pays out 70 cents in nickels only. Grofield sees this as a bad omen for the future. He is there for a meet about a future payroll heist planned by Andrew Myers. Grofield decides the job sounds unprofessional and walks out of the meeting, along with another associate. Myers later robs and assaults them both as payback. The rest of the book is a cat-and-mouse game with Grofield seeking revenge on Myers and also planning to abscond with Myers' final score of the payroll job. Things don't quite work out as planned.
This was definitely more in the hardboiled vein of the Parker novels with little comic relief. There are moments of respite where we hear stories of Grofield's theatrical production career which he finances through his criminal sideline. Although Grofield, like Parker, is an anti-hero character, the reader has sympathy for him as he at least adheres to a personal code and loyalty and has his love of theatre as his motive, bizarre as that might seem. In any case, I enjoyed this one as much as any of the Parker novels, whereas the earlier Grofields were all 2-stars for me.
Narrator Steve Aveson does a good job in all voices in the audiobook edition.
The 4 Grofield books are all available for free on Audible Plus.
Other Reviews
There is an extensive review with a detailed plot description (spoilers obviously) at The Westlake Review, May 8, 2015.
Trivia and Links
There is a brief plot summary of Lemons Never Lie and of all the Parker & Grofield books and adaptations at The Violent World of Parker website.
The Lemons Never Lie's 2008 Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition shares the same cover art as the Hard Case Crime 2006 edition. That edition of Lemons Never Lie is part of the Hard Case Crime (2004-) series of reprints, new commissions and posthumous publications of the pulp and noir crime genre founded by authors Charles Ardai and Max Phillips. GR's Listopia with 130 books is not complete (as of May 2023) and the most complete lists of publication can be found at Wikipedia (with 158 books) or the Publisher's Official Site (showing the same 158 books as Wikipedia, with an additional 3 books yet to be published).
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (August 22, 2008) narrated by Steve Aveson of the original World Publishing hardcover (1971).
“You know, there’s a school of thought that says the artist and the criminal are variants on the same basic personality type. Did you know that?”
Grofield was sorry now the conversation had gotten started at all.
“No, I didn’t,” he said.
“That art and crime are both antisocial acts,” Tebelman said. “There’s a whole theory about it. The artist and the criminal both divorce themselves from society by their life patterns, they both tend to be loners, they both tend to have brief periods of intense activity and then long periods of rest.”
Richard Stark was one of the many pseudonyms of the prolific crime author Donald E. Westlake (1933-2008), who wrote over 100 books. The Stark pseudonym was used primarily for the 24 Parker novels and their spinoff series, the 4 Grofield novels. The Parkers are a hardboiled noir series but the Grofields have more of a lighter touch, often with humorous banter. Their plots were more fantastical, with Grofield being drawn into some international conspiracy. I didn't find the first 3 books that compulsive, and actually skipped the 4th one at the time of my Stark binge.
When I saw Lemons Never Lie as a Kindle Deal of the Day offer I decided to give the final Grofield a try and read it in conjunction with the Audiobook. It turned out to be the best one yet as it mostly dropped the wisecrack humour and was much more Parker-like with its series of heists gone wrong, betrayals and paybacks.
The cover of the first hardcover edition of 'Lemons Never Lie' by World Publishing (1971). Image sourced from The Violent World of Parker (see link below).
We meet Grofield at the Las Vegas airport where he plays a nickel slot upon arrival. The machine comes up all lemons and pays out 70 cents in nickels only. Grofield sees this as a bad omen for the future. He is there for a meet about a future payroll heist planned by Andrew Myers. Grofield decides the job sounds unprofessional and walks out of the meeting, along with another associate. Myers later robs and assaults them both as payback. The rest of the book is a cat-and-mouse game with Grofield seeking revenge on Myers and also planning to abscond with Myers' final score of the payroll job. Things don't quite work out as planned.
This was definitely more in the hardboiled vein of the Parker novels with little comic relief. There are moments of respite where we hear stories of Grofield's theatrical production career which he finances through his criminal sideline. Although Grofield, like Parker, is an anti-hero character, the reader has sympathy for him as he at least adheres to a personal code and loyalty and has his love of theatre as his motive, bizarre as that might seem. In any case, I enjoyed this one as much as any of the Parker novels, whereas the earlier Grofields were all 2-stars for me.
Narrator Steve Aveson does a good job in all voices in the audiobook edition.
The 4 Grofield books are all available for free on Audible Plus.
Other Reviews
There is an extensive review with a detailed plot description (spoilers obviously) at The Westlake Review, May 8, 2015.
Trivia and Links
There is a brief plot summary of Lemons Never Lie and of all the Parker & Grofield books and adaptations at The Violent World of Parker website.
The Lemons Never Lie's 2008 Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition shares the same cover art as the Hard Case Crime 2006 edition. That edition of Lemons Never Lie is part of the Hard Case Crime (2004-) series of reprints, new commissions and posthumous publications of the pulp and noir crime genre founded by authors Charles Ardai and Max Phillips. GR's Listopia with 130 books is not complete (as of May 2023) and the most complete lists of publication can be found at Wikipedia (with 158 books) or the Publisher's Official Site (showing the same 158 books as Wikipedia, with an additional 3 books yet to be published).
June 15, 2020
The fourth and final novel in a series by Richard Stark featuring actor and theater-owner Alan Grofield, an occasional character in Stark's 24-book Parker series. Parker is a tough, no-nonsense criminal, so adding the clever joker Grofield proved to be a popular addition, popular enough for Stark (a pseudonym for Donald Westlake) to create a spin-off series featuring Grofield. The four books are generally not as well-plotted or as tightly constructed as his Parker books, but the more leisurely pace and iighter tone allows Westlake/Stark to try his Dashiell Hammett hat on).
In spite of the fact that they are not quite up to the level of the Parker books, I really like all of the Grofield novels pretty well, since I like Grofield. I really like the Thin Man level of patter in the first third of The Damsel, the first of the series, but the plot is thin. I think this fourth book is overall my favorite; it has just enough Grofield cleverness and wit and charm coupled with an infusion of Parker-level suspense (and violence).
Grofield is a (starving) actor and small theater-owner from Indiana who also does jobs with Parker to make his Real Money. He goes to Vegas--which is where the lemons first come in, as he isn't lucky at the slots--to check out his own side-job, but finds this guy, Myers, has a bad plan to knock off a brewery in upstate New York, so he walks away, makes money at the casinos, goes home and is followed by the resentful Myers, who decides (for no obvious reason to me) to exact revenge om Grofield and others for laughing off his heist plan. He steals the casino winnings, for instance.
Grofield also actually does do a job near home, taking home the profits from a grocery store, and then has them stolen by Myers. The big finale is well-done as Grofield goes up to take down Myers on the finally executed brewery job in NY, with more violence than happens in the previous three books combined, which is surprising since Grofield really hates violence. He's an actor! He prefers fake swords to real bullets!
One great feature of this one makes it look as if this one should have been first in the series, because it gives more background into Grofield's acting life. We see the relationship between the life of a thief and an actor. Grofield sometimes "gets into his role" in action sequences, and prefers highly scripted jobs. It's pretty fun. But note the title again in case you think it's a completely happy ending. But read Parker first. Or Westlake, whose books are typically lighter and funnier than the Stark books.
In spite of the fact that they are not quite up to the level of the Parker books, I really like all of the Grofield novels pretty well, since I like Grofield. I really like the Thin Man level of patter in the first third of The Damsel, the first of the series, but the plot is thin. I think this fourth book is overall my favorite; it has just enough Grofield cleverness and wit and charm coupled with an infusion of Parker-level suspense (and violence).
Grofield is a (starving) actor and small theater-owner from Indiana who also does jobs with Parker to make his Real Money. He goes to Vegas--which is where the lemons first come in, as he isn't lucky at the slots--to check out his own side-job, but finds this guy, Myers, has a bad plan to knock off a brewery in upstate New York, so he walks away, makes money at the casinos, goes home and is followed by the resentful Myers, who decides (for no obvious reason to me) to exact revenge om Grofield and others for laughing off his heist plan. He steals the casino winnings, for instance.
Grofield also actually does do a job near home, taking home the profits from a grocery store, and then has them stolen by Myers. The big finale is well-done as Grofield goes up to take down Myers on the finally executed brewery job in NY, with more violence than happens in the previous three books combined, which is surprising since Grofield really hates violence. He's an actor! He prefers fake swords to real bullets!
One great feature of this one makes it look as if this one should have been first in the series, because it gives more background into Grofield's acting life. We see the relationship between the life of a thief and an actor. Grofield sometimes "gets into his role" in action sequences, and prefers highly scripted jobs. It's pretty fun. But note the title again in case you think it's a completely happy ending. But read Parker first. Or Westlake, whose books are typically lighter and funnier than the Stark books.
August 15, 2017
This is the fourth novel to feature thief Alan Grofield in his own series (he makes a couple of appearances in Starks' more well known Parker books) and the first Richard Stark novel to be published by Hardcase Crime.
For a relatively short novel Stark packed a lot of punch into this one. The story evolves from a failed attempt to lure Grofield into a shady snatch and grab planned by inexperienced and unprofessional crooks. Little did Grofield know that walking out on the deal would later result in him dodging bullets while shooting a few back of own.
LEMONS NEVER LIE is very enjoyable and easily readable for both Parker/Gorfield newcomers and those who are well read in either series.
This was my second time reading LEMONS NEVER LIE.
For a relatively short novel Stark packed a lot of punch into this one. The story evolves from a failed attempt to lure Grofield into a shady snatch and grab planned by inexperienced and unprofessional crooks. Little did Grofield know that walking out on the deal would later result in him dodging bullets while shooting a few back of own.
LEMONS NEVER LIE is very enjoyable and easily readable for both Parker/Gorfield newcomers and those who are well read in either series.
This was my second time reading LEMONS NEVER LIE.
February 23, 2014
We open to stage actor and sometimes bank robber, Grofield, performing his ritual nickel sacrifice upon his arrival in Las Vegas. When the game plan meeting turns out to be some sort of amateur hour pitch featuring glossy photos and poor planning, Grofield bows out. And, well, if that was the end of that, then this would be a very short story.
I picked this one up hoping for a little Richard Stark sustenance while waiting for my next Parker novel to arrive. And, while Grofield and Parker are purportedly pals, they’re also pretty different. Exhibit A: Grofield’s not exactly a fan of violence (which I would think might make an awkward moment or two when hanging with Parker). I tried not to hold Grofield’s lack of Parkerishness against him and enjoyed Stark/Westlake’s no nonsense, straightforward style.
I think what really kept me from sinking my teeth into this one was the name “Grofield,” which (especially given my concurrent presidential readings) just made me think of James Garfield and Grover Cleveland being the ultimate POTUS power couple.
Bonus points:
- Use of the word “blowhard,” which made me think of everyone’s favorite analrapist, Tobias Fünke
I picked this one up hoping for a little Richard Stark sustenance while waiting for my next Parker novel to arrive. And, while Grofield and Parker are purportedly pals, they’re also pretty different. Exhibit A: Grofield’s not exactly a fan of violence (which I would think might make an awkward moment or two when hanging with Parker). I tried not to hold Grofield’s lack of Parkerishness against him and enjoyed Stark/Westlake’s no nonsense, straightforward style.
I think what really kept me from sinking my teeth into this one was the name “Grofield,” which (especially given my concurrent presidential readings) just made me think of James Garfield and Grover Cleveland being the ultimate POTUS power couple.
Bonus points:
- Use of the word “blowhard,” which made me think of everyone’s favorite analrapist, Tobias Fünke
February 9, 2014
An interesting little book, Richard Stark writing something other than Parker novels, this is the fourth in a series of adventures featuring occasional Parker sidekick Grofield. It's quite similar to the Parker novels only Grofield isn't such a son of a bitch. Heist goes wrong, double crosser must be punished, Grofield wants revenge. Happily there's more to this than just the heist or just the double cross or just the revenge, the adventure is staggered, each stage featuring it's own fascinating mini plot with its own interesting support characters. Grofield, far from being Parker light, is a tough cookie and a dedicated theatre actor, has his own quirks and his own foibles, with his own modus operandi, it must have been fun for Donald Westlake to explore the world of Parker from a different point of view, at least it comes across in that way. My only problem is with the name, Grofield is a tough name to read, verbalising it in my mind I grew to despise the word, it's awkward and feels unnatural to my Australian/English accent. Minor quibble really.
August 23, 2009
Theatre owner and part-time hood Alan Grofield goes to Las Vegas for job. Once he figures out the guy running things is crazy and the job is a long shot at best, he backs out, along with another crook, Dan Leach. Only Myer, the guy running things, is crazy. He ambushes Grofield and Leach, then makes off with Leach's winnings from the casino. From there, Grofield goes back home and Leach goes after Myer. When Leach turns up at Grofield's theatre with multiple knife wounds, things get messy...
Lemons Never Lie was my first Richard Stark novel and I enjoyed it. It was more serious than Westlake's work under his own name. The capers were believeable and Grofield turned out to be a pretty likeable character for part time criminal. The twists were unexpected and Stark never lets you catch your breath for long.
I guess I'll be tracking down more Stark/Westlake once the to-read pile gets a little smaller.
Lemons Never Lie was my first Richard Stark novel and I enjoyed it. It was more serious than Westlake's work under his own name. The capers were believeable and Grofield turned out to be a pretty likeable character for part time criminal. The twists were unexpected and Stark never lets you catch your breath for long.
I guess I'll be tracking down more Stark/Westlake once the to-read pile gets a little smaller.
February 5, 2015
This was fun, but I kept looking around for Parker. I like Grofield & he makes a great main character. He's actually a lot more interesting & likeable than Parker. The story was otherwise a lot like one of the Parker novels, a bit bloodier than some.
April 24, 2020
LEMONS NEVER LIE by Richard Stark (pen name of Donald E. Westlake) is the 4th book in the “Alan Grofield series”.
Grofield is an interesting and unusual character who’s love is the theater and play productions, and both the theater and productions are funded with the proceeds of his profession; crimes involving heists where he organizes the crew and capers that are sometimes successful, but as often is the case prove unsuccessful as a result of his criminal associations and the lack of honor among thieves.
Several capers take place in this one where Grofield one way or another gets screwed out of the take, until eventually a planned heist comes together as a result of information his associate Dan gets out of a shady character who he’s been holding hostage.
Can Grofield finally score and secure the take from the planned heist that he and his crew have carefully planned, or will he again be thwarted by someone crawling out of the woodwork to cheat him out of his ill-gotten gains?
Classic novel that fits very well into the hard case mold that Westlake has done to perfection in his Parker series (also under the Richard Stark pen name), and sits along side the Parker books, although different than the ones in that series as Grofield (or anyone else) can’t match the cold and brutal Parker.
Highly recommended to fans of hard case and pulp fiction novels, this is the first book I’ve read in this series, and I’ll be going back to read other Grofield books in the future.
4 stars.
Grofield is an interesting and unusual character who’s love is the theater and play productions, and both the theater and productions are funded with the proceeds of his profession; crimes involving heists where he organizes the crew and capers that are sometimes successful, but as often is the case prove unsuccessful as a result of his criminal associations and the lack of honor among thieves.
Several capers take place in this one where Grofield one way or another gets screwed out of the take, until eventually a planned heist comes together as a result of information his associate Dan gets out of a shady character who he’s been holding hostage.
Can Grofield finally score and secure the take from the planned heist that he and his crew have carefully planned, or will he again be thwarted by someone crawling out of the woodwork to cheat him out of his ill-gotten gains?
Classic novel that fits very well into the hard case mold that Westlake has done to perfection in his Parker series (also under the Richard Stark pen name), and sits along side the Parker books, although different than the ones in that series as Grofield (or anyone else) can’t match the cold and brutal Parker.
Highly recommended to fans of hard case and pulp fiction novels, this is the first book I’ve read in this series, and I’ll be going back to read other Grofield books in the future.
4 stars.
January 6, 2024
Four stars all the way - until the rushed ending, where an important turn of events remains unexplained: how did that guy who was so neatly tied up around a tree manage to get loose? - an unforgivable sin for this sort of novel: minus a full star.
August 24, 2025
Alan Grofield is in a planning meeting with a group of other con men but the guy proposing the heist, a Texan named Andrew Myers, clearly doesn't know what he's doing. Grofield and his buddy Leach bail on the scheme as a likely losing proposition but this Myers fella doesn't appreciate it and decides to make them pay.
The fourth in the four-book Parker companion Grofield series, "Lemons Never Lie" (1971) is a Midwest US and Upstate NY crime adventure, contrasting against the prior three episodes which were more like international travelogues with dashes of foreign adventure.
It is fun to check in on Alan's theater work in rural Indiana and then his other work, switching gears between his money-losing true passion (theater) and his money-making profession (crime), but the tale also takes a few dark turns that keep us from having too much fun.
Verdict: A really good crime caper with a relatable protagonist and focused storyline.
Jeff's Rating: 4 / 5 (Very Good)
movie rating if made into a movie: R
The fourth in the four-book Parker companion Grofield series, "Lemons Never Lie" (1971) is a Midwest US and Upstate NY crime adventure, contrasting against the prior three episodes which were more like international travelogues with dashes of foreign adventure.
It is fun to check in on Alan's theater work in rural Indiana and then his other work, switching gears between his money-losing true passion (theater) and his money-making profession (crime), but the tale also takes a few dark turns that keep us from having too much fun.
Verdict: A really good crime caper with a relatable protagonist and focused storyline.
Jeff's Rating: 4 / 5 (Very Good)
movie rating if made into a movie: R
June 28, 2013
Donald Westlake writing as Richard Stark. This is the fourth and, in my opinion, the best of the Alan Grofield series. Grofield is a gentleman thief who sometimes helped out in Westlake's other hard-boiled series, Parker. It's 1970 and Alan Grofield has married and semi-retired to central Indiana, where he bought a 19th century farmhouse and barn. He and his wife use the barn to stage community theatre productions. At the beginning of Spring season, he finds himself strapped for cash, so he flies out to Vegas to meet with an acquaintance planning a heist out east (never plan anywhere near your target). The thing is, he's not very meticulous in his planning, and he doesn't mind a little bloodshed. Grofield and another man politely offer their no thank you's, and walk away. They really, really shouldn't have done that.
First published in 1971, this is a Hard Case Crime reissue.
First published in 1971, this is a Hard Case Crime reissue.
March 8, 2024
A mildly entertaining revenge thriller with plenty of twists, but also a bit of a potboiler. A professional thief lands in Vegas, comes up with lemons the first time he plays the slots, should turn around but doesn’t, goes ahead and meets with two guys who have invited him to join them on a job. The job is bad, he bails, the two guys rob him, and there is a back and forth of revenge between the two groups.
July 11, 2016
Short on money and anxious to open his theater for the summer season, Alan Grofield (professional thief and actor who has partnered with the infamous Parker in the past) is recruited to rob a brewery. When all of the players meet to plan and plot, Grofield is unsatisfied with the risky dangers and walks out with an acquaintance from previous heists. The maniacal fool who had planned the brewery job keeps turning up like a bad penny and puts the screws to Grofield's personal and professional interests. Now Grofield must locate this man with the hopes of souring his next score. Look out readers...Grofield means business.
Unlike the previous Grofield novels, Lemons Never Lie features our lead character doing what he does best: taking scores. Finally! The previous three novels were bizarre. The Grofield character and his background do not work as a government spook or as a Matt Helm type character. Lemons also has the feel of a Parker novel too. The heists are planned, tools and vehicles are gathered, and the reader accompanies the robbers in some very interesting scenarios. Who would have thought that it would be a blast reading about two robbers purchasing a truck? Brutality and violence have more grit in this entry than in the previous books. Instead of James Bond bullet sprays, the characters are using knives, bombs, fists, and pitchforks in lethal ways. That's right, a pitchfork.
What makes this one work really well, same as in the Parker books, are the supporting characters. Stark (Westlake) has a wonderful ability to take a generic name, like Dan Leach, and create an interesting addition to the Stark universe. They have their own behaviors and quirks. Some only exist for a couple of pages or even a few paragraphs but they are so much fun. Good guys or bad guys ... it doesn't matter. These thieves, amateurs, financiers, mechanics, maniacs, thugs, professionals, and murderers bring the Stark books to life.
This is by far the best Grofield book in the series. I wish there were a few more Grofields like Lemons Never Lie.
Unlike the previous Grofield novels, Lemons Never Lie features our lead character doing what he does best: taking scores. Finally! The previous three novels were bizarre. The Grofield character and his background do not work as a government spook or as a Matt Helm type character. Lemons also has the feel of a Parker novel too. The heists are planned, tools and vehicles are gathered, and the reader accompanies the robbers in some very interesting scenarios. Who would have thought that it would be a blast reading about two robbers purchasing a truck? Brutality and violence have more grit in this entry than in the previous books. Instead of James Bond bullet sprays, the characters are using knives, bombs, fists, and pitchforks in lethal ways. That's right, a pitchfork.
What makes this one work really well, same as in the Parker books, are the supporting characters. Stark (Westlake) has a wonderful ability to take a generic name, like Dan Leach, and create an interesting addition to the Stark universe. They have their own behaviors and quirks. Some only exist for a couple of pages or even a few paragraphs but they are so much fun. Good guys or bad guys ... it doesn't matter. These thieves, amateurs, financiers, mechanics, maniacs, thugs, professionals, and murderers bring the Stark books to life.
This is by far the best Grofield book in the series. I wish there were a few more Grofields like Lemons Never Lie.
July 2, 2010
Some mystery authors write police procedurals. Most of Donald Westlake’s books seem like criminal procedurals. In the course of reading a Westlake novel (or in this case, one of his Richard Stark novels), I’ve discovered so many variables that I never considered about pulling a criminal caper. Of course, in the Dortmunder novels, there is usually a comic twist on all of the planning and preparation. Those are black comedies in the classic sense. Lemons Never Lie also has some twists, but they aren’t necessarily humorous. The novel is dark, but it’s not black comedy in the sense of other Westlake novels and say, Carl Hiassen’s work.
At the same time, Lemons Never Lie isn’t a difficult read. It moves quickly in spite of some of the dark events which occur and doesn’t drag you down into the depths like some of James Ellroy’s books and the occasional Max Collins’ noir effort. Unlike many Hard Case Crime novels, this one doesn’t have you feeling that the protagonist is already drowning when he hits the whirlpool that sucks him down deeper. You sense that the protagonist is strong-willed and determined to make it work.
I suppose, deep down, I was also attracted to the idea of a protagonist who has an artistic bent and must engage in criminal activities to support his art. I suppose he is Utilitarian at heart as he “promotes” the artistic endeavor (the ends) with a means (armed robbery) that most of us would find unacceptable. It’s a fascinating premise that creates interesting dialogue and juxtaposition.
While much of Lemons Never Lie offers elements of predictability, it was quite an enjoyable experience and perfect (both in form factor, style, and number of pages) for reading on the go. These Hard Case Crime books are usually excellent purchases. I’ve only been disappointed twice in 20+ efforts. Imagine if my Cubs had a team batting average that high!
At the same time, Lemons Never Lie isn’t a difficult read. It moves quickly in spite of some of the dark events which occur and doesn’t drag you down into the depths like some of James Ellroy’s books and the occasional Max Collins’ noir effort. Unlike many Hard Case Crime novels, this one doesn’t have you feeling that the protagonist is already drowning when he hits the whirlpool that sucks him down deeper. You sense that the protagonist is strong-willed and determined to make it work.
I suppose, deep down, I was also attracted to the idea of a protagonist who has an artistic bent and must engage in criminal activities to support his art. I suppose he is Utilitarian at heart as he “promotes” the artistic endeavor (the ends) with a means (armed robbery) that most of us would find unacceptable. It’s a fascinating premise that creates interesting dialogue and juxtaposition.
While much of Lemons Never Lie offers elements of predictability, it was quite an enjoyable experience and perfect (both in form factor, style, and number of pages) for reading on the go. These Hard Case Crime books are usually excellent purchases. I’ve only been disappointed twice in 20+ efforts. Imagine if my Cubs had a team batting average that high!
June 1, 2009
Richard Stark rules, even though he is really Donald Westlake. Heist novel gone right, but the heist in the novel goes wrong with an psycho-idiot doing the worst things. On a work trip right now and it is just an excellent read in a hotel in Brooklyn.
But like the other novels he wrote under the name Stark, it is almost effortless writing. But alas I suspect there is a generation of writers studying this work, because I think here one finds a clue what makes things click and the sound of pages being turned. Excellent series (Hard Crime Books) by the way.
But like the other novels he wrote under the name Stark, it is almost effortless writing. But alas I suspect there is a generation of writers studying this work, because I think here one finds a clue what makes things click and the sound of pages being turned. Excellent series (Hard Crime Books) by the way.
July 17, 2017
Ahhhh.... what a pleasure it is to read one of these little gems from Richard Stark (Westlake). This is like having a bowl of your favorite ice cream on a Sunday afternoon-- a little guilty pleasure that's over far too soon.
Grofield, the more genteel of Stark's serial characters (as opposed to Parker), really just wants to keep his theater up and running-- but live plays can't compete with TV or movies, and so he has to resort to his "other profession" from time to time-- entering into complex heists with what usually amounts to an entertaining band of criminals, some of whom are less than professional.
In short, this episode follows that paradigm, but with a few twists thrown in. The book is a quick read, largely due to pacing and the skill with which the author handles dialogue to move the story along, which is a joy to read when done right.
The ending is clever and leaves the reader slightly hanging, but not so much as to negate the sweet taste of this little treat. Enjoy.
Grofield, the more genteel of Stark's serial characters (as opposed to Parker), really just wants to keep his theater up and running-- but live plays can't compete with TV or movies, and so he has to resort to his "other profession" from time to time-- entering into complex heists with what usually amounts to an entertaining band of criminals, some of whom are less than professional.
In short, this episode follows that paradigm, but with a few twists thrown in. The book is a quick read, largely due to pacing and the skill with which the author handles dialogue to move the story along, which is a joy to read when done right.
The ending is clever and leaves the reader slightly hanging, but not so much as to negate the sweet taste of this little treat. Enjoy.
July 2, 2015
Richard Stark was Mr. Hyde to Donald Westlake's Dr. Jekyll; when Westlake was in one of those moods he would sit down and pound out one of these dark, amoral tales of criminals and their professional crises and put the Stark name on it. This one is about a small-time actor and theatrical producer who supports his thespian habit by pulling off heists. Along with an old friend, he gets recruited for a job in Vegas masterminded by an obvious nut case; he and the friend walk out and then get jumped by the nut case and his gorilla after a big win at the tables. The friend winds up dead; the rest of the book is all about the revenge.
Nothing complicated, just men at work. These are crooks, but there are rules. The style is simple, deadpan, straight to the point. Westlake must have had fun writing these; you'll have fun reading them.
Nothing complicated, just men at work. These are crooks, but there are rules. The style is simple, deadpan, straight to the point. Westlake must have had fun writing these; you'll have fun reading them.
October 26, 2013
Liked this book best of the four books in Stark's Grofield series. This more Parker-esque Grofield book might have been a better first book in the series. It sets the stage by providing the reader with a look at Grofield's nefarious career, his acting career, and his personal life with his wife Mary. Grofield is also less unidimensional than in the first three books and the plot is certainly more believable.
October 7, 2011
The best Grofield novel earns its status as the best Grofield novel by being the Grofield novel that is most like a Parker novel: The Sour Grofield Score with minimal opportunities for Actor Alan to play the wiseass.
First reading: circa 2007
Second reading: 2 October 2011
First reading: circa 2007
Second reading: 2 October 2011
October 5, 2015
Donald Westlake writing as Richard Stark delivered another beaut of a heist novel. This one has several plot permutations that are featured as mini set-pieces that all come together towards the end. A lot of win, lose, win, lose, win, lose tension as a pacing driver and that made this a fun read.
May 4, 2018
"Grofield put a nickel in the slot machine, pulled the lever, and watched a lemon, a lemon and a lemon come up."
August 2, 2018
Richard Stark is best know as the author of the Parker series, novels about a professional thief pulling large capers. In four related novels, Alan Grofield, one of Parker's confederates, has his own jobs to pull. The Parker series is known for its steely coldness and jarring violence. Grofield, on the other hand, uses violence only as a last resort and is cordial to all. In this, the last of his solo adventures, Grofield sets out to even the score with a psychopath (make that settle a bunch of scores). It involves a hare-brained scheme to rob a brewery on the New York State/Canada border, a scheme so crazy that most of the professionals won't go near it. To make ends meet, Grofield joins a gang in the robbery of a supermarket. It's the damnedest thing, I remember reading about the heist but I am certain I never read this novel before. Does anyone know if Stark/Westlake used a supermarket robbery in another book? I'm perplexed. As people always say, it was a real page-turner; I couldn't put it down.
September 21, 2018
Donald Westlake writing as Richard Stark. Hard-boiled crime fiction at its best. The characters are all living on the wrong side of the law, except when they're not. Plans for a heist go awry, and there is a falling out among thieves. Briskly and economically told. The reader buys into the characters from the very beginning. I keep finding these Hard Case Crime novels at the Dollar Tree, so I keep going back to the Dollar Tree. Hard Case Crime is a series published by Titan Books. Some of them are reprints of older works (such as this one, 1971) and others are brand new. But they are all good examples of the genre.
May 22, 2025
Great stuff- Westlake is such a great writer and knows how to keep you turning the pages. Kinda jumps all over the place, but that’s actually kind of cool- it was fun seeing how everything fit together from Vegas to Indiana, St. Louis to New York.
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October 25, 2017That's it! the last of Richard Stark. It's been a wild ride. I loved every Stark book! I'm diving into Mickey Rooney's bio next but there is still a lot of Westlake (Stark) to go. And I'll be going.
June 15, 2010
Nobody writes a good caper tale better than Donald Westlake. This one was a quality page turner with interesting characters and several clever capers along the way. I enjoy the Dortmunder novels more than I did this one, but this was solid pulpy crime fiction.
The clever title references the hero's luck in Las Vegas, where he hits a three lemon jackpot that nets him about a buck seventy-five. He figures that's how his luck is going to go and indeed-- things go sour pretty quickly.
He mets with a baddie (the heavy of the tale) named Myers, a character who is fairly clever at planning a heist, but leaves a terrible bloody trail behind. Our hero, Alan Grofield, (though Parker is referenced in the story he never makes an appearance) is against the unnecessary bloodshed and refuses to take part in Myer's plan. Myers doesn't accept rejection easily-- setting the stage for the rest of the story.
Grofield is an interesting character who pulls jobs to finance his summer stock theater. He hates television, movies, and modern music. He loathes unprofessionalism, and he avoids bloodshed. An interesting character-- for a crook.
Myers is erratic and insane. He enjoys killing and likes to do it up close and personal with a knife. He's a deadly opponent and like a bad penny keeps popping up.
If you like criminal caper tales-- this one will likely prove quite satisfying. Not a great book, but better than average.
The clever title references the hero's luck in Las Vegas, where he hits a three lemon jackpot that nets him about a buck seventy-five. He figures that's how his luck is going to go and indeed-- things go sour pretty quickly.
He mets with a baddie (the heavy of the tale) named Myers, a character who is fairly clever at planning a heist, but leaves a terrible bloody trail behind. Our hero, Alan Grofield, (though Parker is referenced in the story he never makes an appearance) is against the unnecessary bloodshed and refuses to take part in Myer's plan. Myers doesn't accept rejection easily-- setting the stage for the rest of the story.
Grofield is an interesting character who pulls jobs to finance his summer stock theater. He hates television, movies, and modern music. He loathes unprofessionalism, and he avoids bloodshed. An interesting character-- for a crook.
Myers is erratic and insane. He enjoys killing and likes to do it up close and personal with a knife. He's a deadly opponent and like a bad penny keeps popping up.
If you like criminal caper tales-- this one will likely prove quite satisfying. Not a great book, but better than average.
August 30, 2019
This is the last entry in the Alan Grofield series. Grofield's bad luck begins when he wins 14 nickels (on a three lemon pay out) at a slot machine in the Las Vegas airport. He walks out on a poorly planned heist with a friend and gets mistakenly identified and mugged for the winnings his friend parleyed at the craps table. The book ends with the possibility of a next installment that has yet to either be written or printed. This entry may have occurred after Butcher's Moon.
Chronology including the Parker series:
1.) The Hunter
2.) The Man with the Getaway Face
3.) The Outfit
4.) The Mourner
5.) The Score (1st Appearance of Alan Grofield as part of Parker's heist team)
6.) The Jugger
7.) The Seventh
8.) The Handle (2nd Appearance of Alan Grofield)
9.) The Damsel (Alan Grofield)
10.) The Dame (Alan Grofield)
11.) The Rare Coin Score
12.) The Green Eagle Score
13.) The Black Ice Score
14.) The Sour Lemon Score (Alan Grofield only mentioned)
15.) Deadly Edge
16.) Slayground (Alan Grofield makes a brief appearance)
17.) The Blackbird (Alan Grofield explains what happened when Alan & Parker split up in Slayground)
18.) Plunder Squad
19.) Lemons Never Lie
20.) Butcher's Moon (Alan Grofield's Last Appearance)
21.) Comeback
22.) Backflash
23.) Flashfire
24.) Firebreak
25.) Breakout
26.) Nobody Runs Forever
27.) Ask the Parrot
28.) Dirty Money
Chronology including the Parker series:
1.) The Hunter
2.) The Man with the Getaway Face
3.) The Outfit
4.) The Mourner
5.) The Score (1st Appearance of Alan Grofield as part of Parker's heist team)
6.) The Jugger
7.) The Seventh
8.) The Handle (2nd Appearance of Alan Grofield)
9.) The Damsel (Alan Grofield)
10.) The Dame (Alan Grofield)
11.) The Rare Coin Score
12.) The Green Eagle Score
13.) The Black Ice Score
14.) The Sour Lemon Score (Alan Grofield only mentioned)
15.) Deadly Edge
16.) Slayground (Alan Grofield makes a brief appearance)
17.) The Blackbird (Alan Grofield explains what happened when Alan & Parker split up in Slayground)
18.) Plunder Squad
19.) Lemons Never Lie
20.) Butcher's Moon (Alan Grofield's Last Appearance)
21.) Comeback
22.) Backflash
23.) Flashfire
24.) Firebreak
25.) Breakout
26.) Nobody Runs Forever
27.) Ask the Parrot
28.) Dirty Money
Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews