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Charlie Hood #1
L.A. Outlaws
For fans of Michael Connelly and CJ Box, here is the first thrilling adventure in the Charlie Hood series from New York Times bestseller and Edgar-award winner T. Jefferson Parker, author of The Room of White Fire .
In this town, it pays to be bad . . .
Allison is an L.A. celebrity, a folk hero, and a modern-day Jesse James who loves a good armed robbery. She has a compulsion to steal, a knack for publicity, and the conscience to give it all to charity. In fact, one of her biggest fans is a cop. And no one’s ever been hurt—until last night. Now she and the rookie deputy are on the run for their lives.
In this town, it pays to be bad . . .
Allison is an L.A. celebrity, a folk hero, and a modern-day Jesse James who loves a good armed robbery. She has a compulsion to steal, a knack for publicity, and the conscience to give it all to charity. In fact, one of her biggest fans is a cop. And no one’s ever been hurt—until last night. Now she and the rookie deputy are on the run for their lives.
430 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
244 people are currently reading
1155 people want to read
About the author
T. Jefferson Parker
101 books860 followersT. Jefferson Parker is the bestselling author of 26 crime novels, including Edgar Award-winners SILENT JOE and CALIFORNIA GIRL. Parker's next work is coming-of-age thriller, A THOUSAND STEPS, set for January of 2022. He lives with his family in a small town in north San Diego County, and enjoys fishing, hiking and beachcombing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
November 7, 2023
LA MATERIA DI CUI SONO FATTE LE LEGGENDE
Poliziesco schizofrenico.
Da una parte, la protagonista, una donna che insegna storia in terza media, ma trasforma Wonder Woman in una dilettante, un incrocio tra Catwoman e Robin Hood, come viene definita a un certo punto (e non dimenticherei Calamity Jane, certo non quella di Deadwood), che si racconta in prima persona, risultando molto poco credibile, del tutto inverosimile, e molto poca simpatica.
E, l’altra metà del romanzo, raccontato in terza persona dal classico narratore, dove fa i suoi primi passi Charles Hood (nessuna parentela con Robin, eroe di altri cinque titoli a seguire, incluso Sicarios), che è davvero notevole, con alcune scene che restano ben impresse, che mettono strizza a leggerle, che spingono a voltare pagina perché se nella pagina seguente il capitolo cambia, allora le atrocità sono finite.
Diverse situazioni che coinvolgono il killer di turno, un piccolo salvadoreno di nome Lupercio, sono memorabili: non solo la sua destrezza, la velocità e precisione con cui maneggia il machete, ma anche i dettagli, come lo spostamento d’aria nella notte causato dalle macchine che lo sfiorano mentre cammina alla volta della prossima strage.
Come spesso succede con i romanzi polizieschi o noir, e spessissimo coi film, il titolo italiano, banale oltre ogni misura, ignora bellamente l’originale, L.A. Outlaws.
Poliziesco schizofrenico.
Da una parte, la protagonista, una donna che insegna storia in terza media, ma trasforma Wonder Woman in una dilettante, un incrocio tra Catwoman e Robin Hood, come viene definita a un certo punto (e non dimenticherei Calamity Jane, certo non quella di Deadwood), che si racconta in prima persona, risultando molto poco credibile, del tutto inverosimile, e molto poca simpatica.
E, l’altra metà del romanzo, raccontato in terza persona dal classico narratore, dove fa i suoi primi passi Charles Hood (nessuna parentela con Robin, eroe di altri cinque titoli a seguire, incluso Sicarios), che è davvero notevole, con alcune scene che restano ben impresse, che mettono strizza a leggerle, che spingono a voltare pagina perché se nella pagina seguente il capitolo cambia, allora le atrocità sono finite.
Diverse situazioni che coinvolgono il killer di turno, un piccolo salvadoreno di nome Lupercio, sono memorabili: non solo la sua destrezza, la velocità e precisione con cui maneggia il machete, ma anche i dettagli, come lo spostamento d’aria nella notte causato dalle macchine che lo sfiorano mentre cammina alla volta della prossima strage.
Come spesso succede con i romanzi polizieschi o noir, e spessissimo coi film, il titolo italiano, banale oltre ogni misura, ignora bellamente l’originale, L.A. Outlaws.
November 25, 2014
In this excellent introduction to his Charlie Hood series, T. Jefferson Parker creates two very memorable and intriguing characters. The first is the protagonist, Charlie Hood, a veteran of the war in Iraq who is now an L.A. County Sheriff's deputy. The second is Allison Murrieta, who claims to directly descended from the famous California outlaw, Joaquin Murrieta, who was shot and beheaded in 1853. The original Murrieta was famous, or infamous, enough that his head was preserved in a jar of alcohol and sent on tour.
No one knows exactly what might have become of this gruesome token; some say it was lost in the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906, but Allison claims to have it hidden in her barn, along with some other keepsakes of Joaquin's. More important, Allison has now picked up Joaquin's mantle, and in a wig and mask has set out on a crime spree that involves boosting cars (Allison is a real gearhead) and robbing fast food joints.
Allison donates a fair share of her proceeds to various local charities, including one run by the L.A.P.D. The cops are not amused, but in this media-besotted age, Allison becomes a folk hero and a local celebrity. Then she tumbles to a score in which a local diamond dealer is planning to pay off a loan to some gangsters with $450,000 worth of diamonds. The street value would be around forty-five grand and so Allison sets up to take off the dealer. But she arrives late to the scene and finds ten men dead in the building where the exchange was to be made.
She also finds the diamonds, gathers them up and is screaming away from the scene in a yellow Corvette Z06-505, when Deputy Charlie Hood pulls her over. By now, Allison has ditched her disguise and the diamonds are out of sight. Hood demands to see her license which reveals Allison to be Suzanne Jones, a mild-mannered eighth-grade history teacher. Suzanne comes up clean on the computer and claims to have been in the area visiting a relative and so Hood lets her go. But as he does, a very bad man named Luperico, who is also looking for the diamonds, drives by and gets a very good look at Allison/Suzanne.
And with that, the story is off and running. Suzanne is drop-dead gorgeous, very smart and a woman who's not about to let anyone stand in the way of what she wants. Hood is smitten immediately, and the attraction is mutual. But when Hood discovers the ten bodies almost immediately after he lets Suzanne go on her way, he can't help but wonder if she might have been involved in the shoot-out.
Because he discovered the bodies, Hood is temporarily promoted to the Homicide team that is investigating the killings and he and Suzanne begin a delicate dance as Hood becomes increasingly suspicious and begins to put two and two together. In the meantime, Luperico is hot on Suzanne's trail and seems to be almost clairvoyant in knowing where she's going to be at any given time. He's determined not to stop until he recovers the diamonds, no matter how much blood might be shed along the way.
All in all, it's a great ride. T. Jefferson Parker has written any number of outstanding books and this perhaps his best since Silent Joe, which was nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel. It's fast-paced, deftly plotted, both funny and bittersweet, and populated with a great cast of characters. It's a winner all the way around.
No one knows exactly what might have become of this gruesome token; some say it was lost in the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906, but Allison claims to have it hidden in her barn, along with some other keepsakes of Joaquin's. More important, Allison has now picked up Joaquin's mantle, and in a wig and mask has set out on a crime spree that involves boosting cars (Allison is a real gearhead) and robbing fast food joints.
Allison donates a fair share of her proceeds to various local charities, including one run by the L.A.P.D. The cops are not amused, but in this media-besotted age, Allison becomes a folk hero and a local celebrity. Then she tumbles to a score in which a local diamond dealer is planning to pay off a loan to some gangsters with $450,000 worth of diamonds. The street value would be around forty-five grand and so Allison sets up to take off the dealer. But she arrives late to the scene and finds ten men dead in the building where the exchange was to be made.
She also finds the diamonds, gathers them up and is screaming away from the scene in a yellow Corvette Z06-505, when Deputy Charlie Hood pulls her over. By now, Allison has ditched her disguise and the diamonds are out of sight. Hood demands to see her license which reveals Allison to be Suzanne Jones, a mild-mannered eighth-grade history teacher. Suzanne comes up clean on the computer and claims to have been in the area visiting a relative and so Hood lets her go. But as he does, a very bad man named Luperico, who is also looking for the diamonds, drives by and gets a very good look at Allison/Suzanne.
And with that, the story is off and running. Suzanne is drop-dead gorgeous, very smart and a woman who's not about to let anyone stand in the way of what she wants. Hood is smitten immediately, and the attraction is mutual. But when Hood discovers the ten bodies almost immediately after he lets Suzanne go on her way, he can't help but wonder if she might have been involved in the shoot-out.
Because he discovered the bodies, Hood is temporarily promoted to the Homicide team that is investigating the killings and he and Suzanne begin a delicate dance as Hood becomes increasingly suspicious and begins to put two and two together. In the meantime, Luperico is hot on Suzanne's trail and seems to be almost clairvoyant in knowing where she's going to be at any given time. He's determined not to stop until he recovers the diamonds, no matter how much blood might be shed along the way.
All in all, it's a great ride. T. Jefferson Parker has written any number of outstanding books and this perhaps his best since Silent Joe, which was nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel. It's fast-paced, deftly plotted, both funny and bittersweet, and populated with a great cast of characters. It's a winner all the way around.
December 5, 2022
I pulled L.A. Outlaws off the library shelf on a whim because I enjoyed T. Jefferson Parker's latest novel, A Thousand Steps, I can't get enough of crime novels set in Southern California, particularly as I write one, and the synopsis for this one, published in 2008, seemed compelling. A bandit calling herself Allison Murietta is on a crime spree, holding up fast food restaurants and donating the proceeds to charity. Allison, who is actually a history teacher and mother of three named Suzanne Jones, snatches a bag of diamonds and her life gets even more complicated as rookie sheriff's deputy Charlie Hood starts romancing her.
Parker writes about law enforcement with aplomb. The paragraphs he devotes to grand theft auto, or smuggling at the Port of Long Beach were interesting. His characters weren't. Their backgrounds are fleshed out sufficiently but narrative voice alternates oddly between Allison/Suzanne's first-person accounting and Hood's third-person investigating. The latter is pointless because the reader already has the information Hood is seeking. The opportunity to make Allison/ Suzanne the focus or generate suspense while she's sleeping with the "enemy" is fumbled away. What's here is a dime-a-dozen tale of stolen gems and the maniac killer pursuing them.
Parker writes about law enforcement with aplomb. The paragraphs he devotes to grand theft auto, or smuggling at the Port of Long Beach were interesting. His characters weren't. Their backgrounds are fleshed out sufficiently but narrative voice alternates oddly between Allison/Suzanne's first-person accounting and Hood's third-person investigating. The latter is pointless because the reader already has the information Hood is seeking. The opportunity to make Allison/ Suzanne the focus or generate suspense while she's sleeping with the "enemy" is fumbled away. What's here is a dime-a-dozen tale of stolen gems and the maniac killer pursuing them.
Want to read
June 15, 2018This first edition hardcover is signed by T. Jefferson Parker.
January 5, 2020
LA Outlaws is a modern-day crime thriller featuring a street-savy sexy schoolteacher with a secret identity as Allison Murrieta, great granddaughter of a legendary western outlaw, car thief, and who is a jewel thief. The
story is alternatively told through the point of view of LA Sheriff's Charlie Hood, troubled veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and lone wolf deputy.
The book feels like an action-packed movie and is sometimes compared to the Jennifer Lopez movie Out Of Sight and Gone In Sixty Seconds. It definitely works as a story and the battles with the wily MS 18 enforcer are the climax. It's an easy book to dive into.
It does somewhat however miss being a great book. It feels sometimes like its nothing more than a rehash of movies you've seen before and the level of suspense doesn't hold up all the way through it. While not perfect, it's a fine action packed thriller and worth reading.
story is alternatively told through the point of view of LA Sheriff's Charlie Hood, troubled veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and lone wolf deputy.
The book feels like an action-packed movie and is sometimes compared to the Jennifer Lopez movie Out Of Sight and Gone In Sixty Seconds. It definitely works as a story and the battles with the wily MS 18 enforcer are the climax. It's an easy book to dive into.
It does somewhat however miss being a great book. It feels sometimes like its nothing more than a rehash of movies you've seen before and the level of suspense doesn't hold up all the way through it. While not perfect, it's a fine action packed thriller and worth reading.
September 17, 2020
As a big fan of this author I have no idea what to make of this book – a mis-step, a change of pace, maybe even farce. L.A. Outlaws is the first adventure of Charlie Hood, in what is now a five book series. Charlie is an ambitious 20-something rookie sheriff’s deputy in Los Angeles County and an Iraqi war veteran. Here he quickly finds himself on the trail of “Allison Murrieta” – a masked Jesse James/Robin Hood female bandit/master car-thief who holds up Taco Bells and KFCs, performs for security cameras and leaves a “calling card”. She claims to be the descendant of Joaquin Murrieta – he a mid-19th Century outlaw folk-tale figure.
We learn of Allison’s “true identity” early on – she narrates much of the book – she’s a young, drop-dead gorgeous school teacher who is an adrenaline junkie, committing her crimes for “kicks”, with a not so cryptic sexual undertone. She’s also a loving mother of three boys, a “tough-guy’s gal”, leaving in her wake a trail of broken hearts and men who can’t tame her. And if that isn’t silly enough, Allison finds herself the hunted prey of a Terminator-like Salvadoran hit-man – a machete his weapon of choice - after she lifts some “blood-jewels” from the scene of a brutal gang-land swap that goes bad with ten gang-bangers dying in hail of bullets.
Adding to this “frenetic mix”, Charlie and Allison “hook-up” – Charlie seemingly the only person, besides Allison’s mother, who knows her true identity; some police corruption – a twist that Charlie seems to be the only one who is not able to identify - And there is a back-story of Charlie’s time in Iraq as an NCIS agent that makes no sense.
What is blatantly missing here is the author’s usual careful character and plot development or any semblance of nuance or suspense, with the inevitable conclusion apparent twenty pages into this tale. Parker’s books are usually thrillers that require some thought, unfortunately L.A. Outlaws is disappointing head-scratcher, with the less thought the better. I’ll read the next book in the series, but this one is nowhere near the caliber of Parker’s previous books.
We learn of Allison’s “true identity” early on – she narrates much of the book – she’s a young, drop-dead gorgeous school teacher who is an adrenaline junkie, committing her crimes for “kicks”, with a not so cryptic sexual undertone. She’s also a loving mother of three boys, a “tough-guy’s gal”, leaving in her wake a trail of broken hearts and men who can’t tame her. And if that isn’t silly enough, Allison finds herself the hunted prey of a Terminator-like Salvadoran hit-man – a machete his weapon of choice - after she lifts some “blood-jewels” from the scene of a brutal gang-land swap that goes bad with ten gang-bangers dying in hail of bullets.
Adding to this “frenetic mix”, Charlie and Allison “hook-up” – Charlie seemingly the only person, besides Allison’s mother, who knows her true identity; some police corruption – a twist that Charlie seems to be the only one who is not able to identify - And there is a back-story of Charlie’s time in Iraq as an NCIS agent that makes no sense.
What is blatantly missing here is the author’s usual careful character and plot development or any semblance of nuance or suspense, with the inevitable conclusion apparent twenty pages into this tale. Parker’s books are usually thrillers that require some thought, unfortunately L.A. Outlaws is disappointing head-scratcher, with the less thought the better. I’ll read the next book in the series, but this one is nowhere near the caliber of Parker’s previous books.
March 13, 2013
L.A. OUTLAWS was a pleasant surprise. I had never previously read anything by T. Jefferson Parker. So when I came across this book in the free bin at my town's library, I saw no reason not to take a chance. I love me some good noir fiction.
In fact, just reading some of the blurbs on the Praise pages got me all excited. The Seattle Times compared T. Jefferson Parker to Elmore Leonard...who doesn't love Elmore Leonard? Win. The Providence Journal-Bulletin said that L.A. OUTLAWS was the best book of its kind since NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, a book I adore. Not to mention they also said that the villain in L.A. OUTLAWS rivals Anton Chigurh as "psychopath of the century." Win, win!!
I was sold. Hook. Line. And sinker.
So the story goes as such: Allison Murrieta, a sexy femme fatale,enjoys robbing fast-food franchises. She's pretty good at it, too. Think of her as a modern day Robin Hood. She steals. She gives. But one night, after successfully knocking over a KFC, she drives past an auto shop and notices that something is not right. For most of us, we would contently drive by, never thinking twice of stopping. Allison Murrieta is not most of us. In fact, she is not really a person. She is only an alias. I won't spoil why she is an alias. The reason is part of the book's charm. So Allison stops to investigate. What she finds inside is horrible. A slaughter has occurred. Dead bodies litter the floor. Blood paints the walls. Members of two rival gangs have riddled each other with bullets. Not to mention the one guy in the whole place who seems so out of place that he might have fit in better on the dark side of the moon, is motionless in a pool of his own blood. Allison soon finds out why everyone is dead .
The problem is, this prize doesn't belong to her. And a man by the name of Lupercio wants them back. And he will do anything to get them back. Anything.
Enter Charlie Hood. He's the poor cop that stumbles upon the scene. Hood is a great character. Haunted by what he experienced in the Iraq war, Hood only wants to live a noble life, do good for a change. The battered cop/detective/P.I. has been done a million times before but T. Jefferson Parker adds to the mythos of a damaged hero extraordinarily well.
Through action and romance and more action, T. Jefferson Parker creates a believable world of violence, corruption, gangs, hitmen, and law enforcement officers all battling for the warehouse prize. Vivid writing, strong characters, and deft plotting add to the overall enjoyment of the novel.
There is only one problem that I had with the novel: .
Overall, a great beginning to the Charlie Hood series.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
In fact, just reading some of the blurbs on the Praise pages got me all excited. The Seattle Times compared T. Jefferson Parker to Elmore Leonard...who doesn't love Elmore Leonard? Win. The Providence Journal-Bulletin said that L.A. OUTLAWS was the best book of its kind since NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, a book I adore. Not to mention they also said that the villain in L.A. OUTLAWS rivals Anton Chigurh as "psychopath of the century." Win, win!!
I was sold. Hook. Line. And sinker.
So the story goes as such: Allison Murrieta, a sexy femme fatale,enjoys robbing fast-food franchises. She's pretty good at it, too. Think of her as a modern day Robin Hood. She steals. She gives. But one night, after successfully knocking over a KFC, she drives past an auto shop and notices that something is not right. For most of us, we would contently drive by, never thinking twice of stopping. Allison Murrieta is not most of us. In fact, she is not really a person. She is only an alias. I won't spoil why she is an alias. The reason is part of the book's charm. So Allison stops to investigate. What she finds inside is horrible. A slaughter has occurred. Dead bodies litter the floor. Blood paints the walls. Members of two rival gangs have riddled each other with bullets. Not to mention the one guy in the whole place who seems so out of place that he might have fit in better on the dark side of the moon, is motionless in a pool of his own blood. Allison soon finds out why everyone is dead .
The problem is, this prize doesn't belong to her. And a man by the name of Lupercio wants them back. And he will do anything to get them back. Anything.
Enter Charlie Hood. He's the poor cop that stumbles upon the scene. Hood is a great character. Haunted by what he experienced in the Iraq war, Hood only wants to live a noble life, do good for a change. The battered cop/detective/P.I. has been done a million times before but T. Jefferson Parker adds to the mythos of a damaged hero extraordinarily well.
Through action and romance and more action, T. Jefferson Parker creates a believable world of violence, corruption, gangs, hitmen, and law enforcement officers all battling for the warehouse prize. Vivid writing, strong characters, and deft plotting add to the overall enjoyment of the novel.
There is only one problem that I had with the novel: .
Overall, a great beginning to the Charlie Hood series.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
May 26, 2013
Happily four and one-half stars…**** 1/2
In the acknowledgements at the end of the book, the last sentence reads “My humble thanks to all of you.” T. Jefferson Parker is thanking his readers. What a guy!
Parker is one of only three authors who have received the Edgar Award more than once with the other two being Dick Francis (who I’ve read and really enjoyed) and James Lee Burke (who I simply adore.)
In this book, Parker introduces Charlie Hood a LAPD patrol officer who gets promoted early on in the book, to the detective division just in time to meet the heroine, using the term lightly, of the novel, Suzanne Jones.
It’s a unique storyline with true, historical figure of a real life bandit in California in the mid-1800's during the gold rush, Joaquin Murrieta. The history of Murrieta is interwoven with an unlikely premise but in my opinion, Parker has the creativity and talent to pull it off seamlessly, making it sound so very believable.
Joaquin Murrieta
I hate using clichés but I just couldn’t put this book down. Every chapter, no every page there was a new revelation, something to look forward to on the very next page. Sorry, another cliché though; it was a real page turner!
Drawing of Murrieta after Decapitation
I’ve read some Elmore Leonard and while his writing style and Parker’s are not alike, the pace of the book, the unique characters and their situation which gets deeper and more complicated, reminded me of Leonard’s writing. That is not, of course, considered a bad thing. Leonard's writing is highly regarded.
Kudos once again to T. Jefferson Parker and if you are fond of mysteries, detective thrillers, not sure what genre this would fall into, but if you haven’t read him, do yourself a favor and pick one up soon. Be sure though, to allocate time to read because based my experience, it will be a ‘can’t put this book down’ read.
In the acknowledgements at the end of the book, the last sentence reads “My humble thanks to all of you.” T. Jefferson Parker is thanking his readers. What a guy!
Parker is one of only three authors who have received the Edgar Award more than once with the other two being Dick Francis (who I’ve read and really enjoyed) and James Lee Burke (who I simply adore.)
In this book, Parker introduces Charlie Hood a LAPD patrol officer who gets promoted early on in the book, to the detective division just in time to meet the heroine, using the term lightly, of the novel, Suzanne Jones.
It’s a unique storyline with true, historical figure of a real life bandit in California in the mid-1800's during the gold rush, Joaquin Murrieta. The history of Murrieta is interwoven with an unlikely premise but in my opinion, Parker has the creativity and talent to pull it off seamlessly, making it sound so very believable.
Joaquin Murrieta
I hate using clichés but I just couldn’t put this book down. Every chapter, no every page there was a new revelation, something to look forward to on the very next page. Sorry, another cliché though; it was a real page turner!
Drawing of Murrieta after Decapitation
I’ve read some Elmore Leonard and while his writing style and Parker’s are not alike, the pace of the book, the unique characters and their situation which gets deeper and more complicated, reminded me of Leonard’s writing. That is not, of course, considered a bad thing. Leonard's writing is highly regarded.
Kudos once again to T. Jefferson Parker and if you are fond of mysteries, detective thrillers, not sure what genre this would fall into, but if you haven’t read him, do yourself a favor and pick one up soon. Be sure though, to allocate time to read because based my experience, it will be a ‘can’t put this book down’ read.
September 23, 2017
This book takes the legend of Joaquin Murrieta, the bandit of old California, and updates it for the 24-hour news cycle. Allison Murrieta becomes a folk hero in Los Angeles' celebrity culture. She does it by pulling off armed robberies with flair, performing for whatever cameras may be around. She comes into possession of a fortune in diamonds. Now she has two men chasing her. One is rookie deputy Charlie Hood, who finds himself falling for Allison. The other is a killer who wants to take Allison and Charlie out.
This is the first time I feel the need to qualify my rating. I actually give it 3 1/2 stars because its hero is not as strong as the other characters. Charlie is smart and you feel he will be really good at his job (I know Parker has written other novels about him as a blooded veteran). Still, he's dull compared to Allison. I enjoy the chapters with her more than those with him. Otherwise, this is a fun thriller with some interesting views on modern celebrity and Los Angeles.
This is the first time I feel the need to qualify my rating. I actually give it 3 1/2 stars because its hero is not as strong as the other characters. Charlie is smart and you feel he will be really good at his job (I know Parker has written other novels about him as a blooded veteran). Still, he's dull compared to Allison. I enjoy the chapters with her more than those with him. Otherwise, this is a fun thriller with some interesting views on modern celebrity and Los Angeles.
January 30, 2015
First time reading T.Jefferson Parker and I was very impressed. Charlie Hood is an outstanding character and kept me riveted from the start to the finish! I have the next book on hold at the library.Thanks to several of my Goodreads friends for bring T. Jefferson Parker to my attention.
July 22, 2019
There's a crazy magic that pulls Charlie Hood south of the border. Nothing-to-lose attitude, love, and the confidence to pull off the impossible. Parker taps into those themes in this thriller that seems long at times but is held together by characters you can't help but hope win in the end.
August 27, 2018
Action-filled story, with a modern day outlaw robbing fast food franchises and stealing cars. Started out slow, then sped up, but could have been shortened some. Liked the sheriff's deputy, Hood, who falls for our bad girl's alter ego.
October 25, 2012
LA Outlaws is on my "top ten of all time" reading list. I've never loved a villain like Allison before and her voice is unforgettable. This is a movie and I can't believe it hasn't been made yet. T. Jefferson Parker reached his zenith with Allison. He may equal the writing of this character in future, but I just don't see how it can be surpassed.
August 27, 2015
I thought the beginning was the best part of this novel. However, instead of building to an exciting crescendo, the story clambers helter skelter between stickups, accusations, relationships, double cross and tragedy. 3 of 10 stars
February 11, 2018
You've probably heard this story before: a relatively good-hearted thief gets involved in something complicated and gets in over their head. There's nothing wrong with an idea that's been around for a while if you manage to do something new with it, and Parker does that here.
Allison Murrieta claims to be the many times great granddaughter of Joaquin Murrieta, the famous bandit of 1850's California. She robs big businesses and steals cars, wears a stylish mask, and not only lets people get selfies, but sends video to the local news. She clearly enjoys what she does.
Charlie Hood is a sheriff's deputy back from the wars in the Middle East, carrying his own secrets and burdens. The two are bound to cross paths, and it's going to be really interesting when they do.
Allison gets involved in the aftermath of a slaughter, happening by just after the no survivors conflict and scoring a fortune in diamonds. Now, everyone wants the diamonds, her regular identity is in danger, and the worst killer in LA is after her. Can Charlie help her? Will he?
There are lots of twists and turns along the way to the end of this great story. The POV switches mostly between Charlie and Allison. I found I enjoyed Allison's sections a tiny bit more, but both were quite good. The end you can sort of see coming, as more secrets are revealed, but it's a hell of a ride.
A great crime thriller, with lots of suspense, outlawry, sex, and tension. I really enjoyed this a lot.
Allison Murrieta claims to be the many times great granddaughter of Joaquin Murrieta, the famous bandit of 1850's California. She robs big businesses and steals cars, wears a stylish mask, and not only lets people get selfies, but sends video to the local news. She clearly enjoys what she does.
Charlie Hood is a sheriff's deputy back from the wars in the Middle East, carrying his own secrets and burdens. The two are bound to cross paths, and it's going to be really interesting when they do.
Allison gets involved in the aftermath of a slaughter, happening by just after the no survivors conflict and scoring a fortune in diamonds. Now, everyone wants the diamonds, her regular identity is in danger, and the worst killer in LA is after her. Can Charlie help her? Will he?
There are lots of twists and turns along the way to the end of this great story. The POV switches mostly between Charlie and Allison. I found I enjoyed Allison's sections a tiny bit more, but both were quite good. The end you can sort of see coming, as more secrets are revealed, but it's a hell of a ride.
A great crime thriller, with lots of suspense, outlawry, sex, and tension. I really enjoyed this a lot.
February 26, 2008
I whipped through this one so fast it never even made it to my "currently-reading" shelf. After I got about 150 pages in, I could not stop reading it, and I finished it all in one blitz.
This is a great suspenseful, edgy story, but kind of fun, too. I love that the main character is a kickbutt chick who outsmarts all the men who are trying to control and manipulate her.
The main character is Allison Murrieta, the descendant of a long-ago outlaw. She is a modern-day outlaw who robs fast-food joints and other businesses, and gives away a lot of the money she steals to good causes. She wears a mask and a wig, and mugs for the surveillance cameras while she's committing her crimes. In her everyday life she's a junior-high history teacher. In the course of her outlaw life, she ends up a witness to the scene of a horrible shoot-out, and ends up dealing with some very frightening characters on both sides of the law. You can't help liking her, even though she's a criminal.
This is a great suspenseful, edgy story, but kind of fun, too. I love that the main character is a kickbutt chick who outsmarts all the men who are trying to control and manipulate her.
The main character is Allison Murrieta, the descendant of a long-ago outlaw. She is a modern-day outlaw who robs fast-food joints and other businesses, and gives away a lot of the money she steals to good causes. She wears a mask and a wig, and mugs for the surveillance cameras while she's committing her crimes. In her everyday life she's a junior-high history teacher. In the course of her outlaw life, she ends up a witness to the scene of a horrible shoot-out, and ends up dealing with some very frightening characters on both sides of the law. You can't help liking her, even though she's a criminal.
February 16, 2017
PROTAGONIST: Deputy Charlie Hood
SETTING: California
SERIES: #1 of 6
RATING: 4.0
WHY: Suzanne Jones is a history teacher who has "witnessed" a robbery where many bad guys ended up dead and she ended up with a pile of diamonds. Actually, her alter ego, Allison Miretta, was the one who managed to take the diamonds. Allison specializes in robbing fast food restaurants and gives most of the proceeds to various charities. Deputy Charlie Hood works with Suzanne during the investigation, and they become involved in a steamy relationship. Much of the book is quite implausible, but Suzanne/Allison is a fascinating character. I could have done with less of the historical stories in the narrative, but overall, I enjoyed the book.
SETTING: California
SERIES: #1 of 6
RATING: 4.0
WHY: Suzanne Jones is a history teacher who has "witnessed" a robbery where many bad guys ended up dead and she ended up with a pile of diamonds. Actually, her alter ego, Allison Miretta, was the one who managed to take the diamonds. Allison specializes in robbing fast food restaurants and gives most of the proceeds to various charities. Deputy Charlie Hood works with Suzanne during the investigation, and they become involved in a steamy relationship. Much of the book is quite implausible, but Suzanne/Allison is a fascinating character. I could have done with less of the historical stories in the narrative, but overall, I enjoyed the book.
October 20, 2017
An interesting read for the first in the series- thing is I cannot decided if I liked the book or not! I wish I could be more help- but what I will say- I will pick up the second book in this series !!
August 3, 2016
I love books, t.v. shows, and movies about women who kick ass, won't be victimized, and have minds -- and strong ones -- of their own. I didn't like this book. It was godawful. A man's idea of a powerful woman/mother/lover ... in which she's a desperately selfish, self-destructive, egotistical wreck who loves diamonds and fame more than she loves her kids and who uses and tricks and cheats and even humiliates the people who love and trust her. It would already be an appalling book, for the depiction of Suzanne/Allison alone, but the crap is compounded by the need to completely suspend disbelief (this woman was not only irresistable to all, but also, despite being a teacher, had amazing connections in the underworld!) and then the haphazard errors -- first they're talking in a room, but suddenly, without transition, they're outside? What the hell?! This is a lazy, unappealing, irritating book and all the more disappointing given the great reviews it got in the papers. Ugh.
January 18, 2020
"Allison Murietta" seems to me to be pretty much an idiot, a beautiful elementary school teacher with three kids--with three different dads--who commits crimes for kicks, or maybe really so that T. Jefferson Parker can write a book about her. Problem is, she comes across more like a character in a comic book than in a novel, consistently makes decisions that expose her and those she loves to huge danger for no sensible reason.
Enter Charlie Hood, deputy just promoted to homicide detective, who is on the track of "Allison" and much intrigued by her. Charlie is a veteran, a nice guy, but not the sharpest tool in the box and thus a fairly flawed character himself.
It's really Parker's skill as a writer that is carrying this book. The premise is a little too far out and unrealistic fully to engage. Thus we have outbursts of violent action to keep us interested, but I'd rather see more interesting characters to engage my attention.
Enter Charlie Hood, deputy just promoted to homicide detective, who is on the track of "Allison" and much intrigued by her. Charlie is a veteran, a nice guy, but not the sharpest tool in the box and thus a fairly flawed character himself.
It's really Parker's skill as a writer that is carrying this book. The premise is a little too far out and unrealistic fully to engage. Thus we have outbursts of violent action to keep us interested, but I'd rather see more interesting characters to engage my attention.
November 12, 2018
This is my first T. Jefferson Parker novel and I am impressed. This is a story of a cop, a modern day Robinette Hood, a mass murderer and even a corrupt police chief.
While a botched double cross over gambling debts owed to a local gang, ten people are murdered and a woman with her own secrets and alter ego is the first upon the scene and knowing about the payment, which is in diamonds ($450,000 worth) and seeing everyone is dead, she walks in and helps herself to the diamonds, however she is pulled over for speeding by rookie patrolman Charlie Hood, she is able to talk and flirt her way out of the ticket, but there was someone else that is in the know about the diamonds and he sees Suzanne as she is dealing with the cop.
Suzanne has an alter ego, Allison Murietta, that steals cars and robs fast food places, and from this involved beginning this novel takes off and is soon roaring full speed ahead. T. Jefferson Parker succeeds in getting you emotionally involved with his characters and he manages to tweak a few heart strings along the way. This is a highly recommended read to those that like crime novels.
While a botched double cross over gambling debts owed to a local gang, ten people are murdered and a woman with her own secrets and alter ego is the first upon the scene and knowing about the payment, which is in diamonds ($450,000 worth) and seeing everyone is dead, she walks in and helps herself to the diamonds, however she is pulled over for speeding by rookie patrolman Charlie Hood, she is able to talk and flirt her way out of the ticket, but there was someone else that is in the know about the diamonds and he sees Suzanne as she is dealing with the cop.
Suzanne has an alter ego, Allison Murietta, that steals cars and robs fast food places, and from this involved beginning this novel takes off and is soon roaring full speed ahead. T. Jefferson Parker succeeds in getting you emotionally involved with his characters and he manages to tweak a few heart strings along the way. This is a highly recommended read to those that like crime novels.
November 20, 2017
Very much a four star book! I enjoyed this novel immensely. The author has written a book about a modern legend in the making. A sort of edgy L.A. Robin Hood - a señorita with appetites. Our character is a woman of great courage and personal fortitude with much love in her, but she is flawed and dodgy enough to create an intriguing tension as she is drawn toward her own demise. One gets the idea that she knows she’s doomed but is either unwilling or unable to change course. She is, the author tells us, the character we all wish to be as children, at least until the matter of consequences becomes ingrained in our thinking. Add in a very likeable lawman who is as ethically stiff as our heroine is fluid and you have a great combo for an above average read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2021
Read 2008
December 19, 2014
L. A. Outlaws (A Charlie Hood Novel) is a fast-paced and snappy novel that opens with Suzanne Jones, a never-married mother of three and an L. A. school teacher at her night job as a female burglar and con artist, outwitting lowlifes to increase her I.R.A. nest egg; for the nighttime she takes the name Allison Murrietta, a nod to Joaquin Murrietta, her great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather who was a notorious gold-rush era bandit known as the Mexican Robin Hood. Allison is adept at hotwiring cars, setting up greedy people for the takedown, and knocking off such establishments of fame and wealth as McDonald’s and Taco Bell.
Allison skyrockets from campy irritant to the big time when she hotwires a new Corvette and follows a diamond dealer to Miracle Auto Body, a location where she finds a diamond exchange gone bad—ten dead bodies (including her mark) and a backpack of diamonds waiting just for her. Backpack in hand, she senses the arrival of a car, escapes through a window, and blasts her stolen Corvette away from the scene—directly into the path of Charlie Hood, a cruising LA county sheriff who stops her for speeding. He checks her stats as Suzanne Jones, finds them clean, and sends her on her way. Still, her face is imprinted in Hood’s mind.
Hood retraces Allison’s path and discovers the massacre. He calls in the coroners and cops, and is placed on temporary detective duty on the L. A. Sheriff’s Department team assigned to investigate the debacle. Suzanne is in Hood’s crosshairs, just as she is in the crosshairs of the mastermind who arranged the ill-fated exchange and is not happy about “his” missing diamonds. Who gets her first determines whether she goes to jail or dies.
A decent thriller with a weak ending. Three stars.
Allison skyrockets from campy irritant to the big time when she hotwires a new Corvette and follows a diamond dealer to Miracle Auto Body, a location where she finds a diamond exchange gone bad—ten dead bodies (including her mark) and a backpack of diamonds waiting just for her. Backpack in hand, she senses the arrival of a car, escapes through a window, and blasts her stolen Corvette away from the scene—directly into the path of Charlie Hood, a cruising LA county sheriff who stops her for speeding. He checks her stats as Suzanne Jones, finds them clean, and sends her on her way. Still, her face is imprinted in Hood’s mind.
Hood retraces Allison’s path and discovers the massacre. He calls in the coroners and cops, and is placed on temporary detective duty on the L. A. Sheriff’s Department team assigned to investigate the debacle. Suzanne is in Hood’s crosshairs, just as she is in the crosshairs of the mastermind who arranged the ill-fated exchange and is not happy about “his” missing diamonds. Who gets her first determines whether she goes to jail or dies.
A decent thriller with a weak ending. Three stars.
July 29, 2016
Recently recommended to me, this is my first read by author T. Jefferson Parker (book 1 in the Charlie Hood series).
L.A. Outlaws was certainly refreshing and entertaining, but it's main quality is that it had a very unique atmosphere to it. It was original in many ways. That being said; it also felt repetitive: in that sense that there were way too many robbery scenes & stealing cars scenes. The plot itself was so-and-so, but I think this book is more about the atmosphere and the characters anyway.
The Suzanne/Allison character was nuanced and interesting when she was thinking thoughts about life – I liked those self-reflective moments. I had trouble reconciling that same woman to the compulsive car-thief she was. What I liked about Suzanne/Allison was that affectionate side to her - she loved life, and she loved her children in a very pure way. Let’s admit it; she was pretty out of the ordinary – but she was also "too much" – how can she be an award-winning schoolteacher, a good Mom to her children and then a very busy thief and robber all in one life-time?! It’s too much for any woman; that part was so unrealistic. And no wonder she failed. She was fearless.
I enjoyed the Charlie Hood character. A steady quiet guy and a good person, who plays his cards close to the vest. Maybe a little aloof at times? I’m certainly intrigued by him. I like his moral compass. I liked his background in Iraq. There's more to learn there.
Generally I am a fan of more realistic crime fiction (think Connelly's Harry Bosch); but this author seems worth more reads for sure.
L.A. Outlaws was certainly refreshing and entertaining, but it's main quality is that it had a very unique atmosphere to it. It was original in many ways. That being said; it also felt repetitive: in that sense that there were way too many robbery scenes & stealing cars scenes. The plot itself was so-and-so, but I think this book is more about the atmosphere and the characters anyway.
The Suzanne/Allison character was nuanced and interesting when she was thinking thoughts about life – I liked those self-reflective moments. I had trouble reconciling that same woman to the compulsive car-thief she was. What I liked about Suzanne/Allison was that affectionate side to her - she loved life, and she loved her children in a very pure way. Let’s admit it; she was pretty out of the ordinary – but she was also "too much" – how can she be an award-winning schoolteacher, a good Mom to her children and then a very busy thief and robber all in one life-time?! It’s too much for any woman; that part was so unrealistic. And no wonder she failed. She was fearless.
I enjoyed the Charlie Hood character. A steady quiet guy and a good person, who plays his cards close to the vest. Maybe a little aloof at times? I’m certainly intrigued by him. I like his moral compass. I liked his background in Iraq. There's more to learn there.
Generally I am a fan of more realistic crime fiction (think Connelly's Harry Bosch); but this author seems worth more reads for sure.
April 25, 2012
The first installment of a series usually starts out simple, introducing the "star" and giving him/her something interesting-enough to do that we'll come back for more. Not L.A. Outlaws. Parker gives us not one, but two compelling POV characters: the somewhat naive rookie cop Charlie Hood, joining the L.A. Sheriff's Department after a shattering tour in Iraq; and the beautiful, self-destructive, thrill-seeking outlaw/schoolteacher Suzanne Jones, who as Allison Murietta is a Robin Hood-esque media darling.
Their collision over a fortune of stolen diamonds and ensuing passionate affair lend heat and light to what could have easily become a routine cops-and-bangers story. Both Hood and Suzanne rapidly become fully-rounded, flawed, wounded, compelling characters, and their connection enhances both while illuminating each one’s persona. It’s not often the guest star gets to outshine the series lead in the series opener, but it works.
The action is vivid and immersive, and the Southern California settings are rendered sparingly but convincingly even to a native reader. Parker’s prose has become more economical over the years but comes across as clean rather than scanty. With all this, Charlie and Suzanne are the real reasons to read this book, and L.A. Outlaws kicks off Charlie Hood’s adventures with the bang of fireworks.
Their collision over a fortune of stolen diamonds and ensuing passionate affair lend heat and light to what could have easily become a routine cops-and-bangers story. Both Hood and Suzanne rapidly become fully-rounded, flawed, wounded, compelling characters, and their connection enhances both while illuminating each one’s persona. It’s not often the guest star gets to outshine the series lead in the series opener, but it works.
The action is vivid and immersive, and the Southern California settings are rendered sparingly but convincingly even to a native reader. Parker’s prose has become more economical over the years but comes across as clean rather than scanty. With all this, Charlie and Suzanne are the real reasons to read this book, and L.A. Outlaws kicks off Charlie Hood’s adventures with the bang of fireworks.
June 18, 2014
I read this as part of our department's suspense genre study and it kept my interest well enough. As with other titles in this genre, this book felt very visual and the characters seemed more like action figures than thoughtful or emotional human beings. Other than her 5G grandfather's history, there is very little to help the reader understand why Suzanne, a well-enough paid and well-respected teacher, felt the need to get dressed up in a costume and rob fast food shops and steal fast cars. Oh, yeah, and when she did all that, she left her 3 children behind with the father of her third child. Although we know he's Hawaiian and a good dad, we learn nothing about this former lover now babysitter. The plot of the book involves some bad guys who steal some diamonds, and then get all shot up and our heroine just happens to be there in order to snatch up the diamonds and get away. Yet, the bad guy's boss wants his diamonds, so Suzanne and her family go on the run to avoid getting killed. She gets involved with the copy, Charlie Hood, who is investigating the diamond heist and the dead bad guys and then things get complicated for both of them.
I'm glad I read this book, however, I have no interest in reading any more by this author. Good book for the beach or someone who has to sit in a waiting room. Probably more of a guy book.
I'm glad I read this book, however, I have no interest in reading any more by this author. Good book for the beach or someone who has to sit in a waiting room. Probably more of a guy book.
July 10, 2011
This was an exciting and interesting novel and I must confess to enjoying it. Parker writes with a compelling emotional angst of people trying to balance morality and legality. In this case, deputy Charlie Hood makes a simple traffic stop that eventually turns his life upside down. He is,at first, unaware that the beautiful woman is anything mote than a traffic violator. He quickly becomes aware that she is at the very least a witness to a stolen jewel exchange turned into a massacre. At the worst she was involved in the massacre
Parker weaves into the novel bits and pieces of the tale of nineteenth century California outlaw joaqun Murrietta. He does so with skill, placing a dash here and a drop there which offers continued motivation for a character. This provided an extra lift to the story by giving the reader more in depth comprehension of one character's motivation.
A machete wielding villain of small stature is especially daring and frightening. His weapon also has a special trick that was really clever, but I won't spoil it here.
Overall, a decent book. If you know southern California you will recognize the references to streets and places in Torrance and Redondo Beach and these locations also helped provide value and interest for me.
Parker weaves into the novel bits and pieces of the tale of nineteenth century California outlaw joaqun Murrietta. He does so with skill, placing a dash here and a drop there which offers continued motivation for a character. This provided an extra lift to the story by giving the reader more in depth comprehension of one character's motivation.
A machete wielding villain of small stature is especially daring and frightening. His weapon also has a special trick that was really clever, but I won't spoil it here.
Overall, a decent book. If you know southern California you will recognize the references to streets and places in Torrance and Redondo Beach and these locations also helped provide value and interest for me.
February 24, 2015
L.A. is being gripped by a modern day Jessie James calling herself
Allison Muriett, her real identity unknown. She steals beautiful
things and donates a good bit to charity. No one is hurt until a job
ends with ten dead gangsters and a half million in diamonds missing.
Rookie Deputy Charlie Hood discovers the bodies and he prevents an
eye witness a school teacher named Suzanne Jones from leaving the
scene in her corvette. Drawn to a mysterious charisma that has him
off balance from the beginning Hood begins an intense affair with
Suzanne. As Allison's exploits swell to fever pitch the Southlands
most notorious killer sets out after Allison. A glimmer of recog-
nition blooms in Hood forcing him to choose between a deeply held
honor and a passion that threatens to consume him. With a stone
cold killer locked in pursuit Suzanne and Hood continue their dance
that brought them together. This is book one in the Charlie Hood
series from 2008. It's a pretty good story and should keep you
interested.
Allison Muriett, her real identity unknown. She steals beautiful
things and donates a good bit to charity. No one is hurt until a job
ends with ten dead gangsters and a half million in diamonds missing.
Rookie Deputy Charlie Hood discovers the bodies and he prevents an
eye witness a school teacher named Suzanne Jones from leaving the
scene in her corvette. Drawn to a mysterious charisma that has him
off balance from the beginning Hood begins an intense affair with
Suzanne. As Allison's exploits swell to fever pitch the Southlands
most notorious killer sets out after Allison. A glimmer of recog-
nition blooms in Hood forcing him to choose between a deeply held
honor and a passion that threatens to consume him. With a stone
cold killer locked in pursuit Suzanne and Hood continue their dance
that brought them together. This is book one in the Charlie Hood
series from 2008. It's a pretty good story and should keep you
interested.
March 10, 2009
Very cool and slickly written, a school teacher by day and robber by night donates much of her proceeds to struggling programs for the poor and lives life by her rules. An Iraqi veteran who is a rookie sheriff stops her the night she discovers a massacre where she had hoped to rob gang members of the diamonds a gambler had given them as a payoff. Now he's hot for her and suspects her of being the famed robber, while she's trying to unload the diamonds and outrun the crime lord who wants his diamonds. I really like this writer, and while this isn't one of his deeper books, and his female hero is a little too perfect, it's a fun read for an airplane ride!
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