Dead Cat Bounce: A Novel

by Norman Green

Stoney gave up drinking, but it couldn't save his marriage. Leaving the big house in New Jersey to his wife and kids, he's living in the City—still working the profitable, if not 100 percent legal, angles with his partner, "Fat Tommy Bagadonuts." Then, out of the blue, Stoney's teenage daughter shows up with a problem: an unwanted admirer who needs to be cooled down . . . or eliminated.

But the secrets Marisa's been keeping from her father—like her night job as an exotic dancer—can't compare with those being guarded by the mysterious and violent man who's stalking her: a dangerous enigma with no past and a made-up name. He does, however, have lots of money—which makes him a very tempting mark for Stoney, Tommy, and their young streetwise "apprentice," Tuco. But people who look too closely into this guy's history have a habit of turning up dead.

Genres: Mystery

328 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2006

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Norman Green reports this about himself: "I have always been careful, as Mark Twain advised, not to let schooling interfere with my education. Too careful, maybe. I have been, at various times, a truck driver, a construction worker, a project engineer, a factory rep, and a plant engineer, but never, until now, a writer." He lives in Emerson, New Jersey, with his wife.

Series:
* Alessandra Al Martillo Mystery

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Norman Green book I've read, it was recommended by a friend at the Library. I enjoyed it, a quick read about a New Jersey wise guy organizing a sting to punish someone who has interfered with his family.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grabbed this on impulse.

Green is a pretty good stylist and keeps the story moving. I'm reading another of his that's not as focused.

If you like Westlake's Richard Stark novels you'll like this.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the literary equivalent of a mediocre action movie you find yourself watching at three in the morning when you can't sleep. It's just interesting enough to hold your attention, but not good enough to remember the next day.

[Mac C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story! Thought it would focus more on forensic reconstruction (the main character's profession), but was disappointed there. However, the intrigue, interactions, and emotions made up for that lack. Will be reading more from this author!

[Teen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stoney's slightly illegal lifestyle turns shadier when he finds an easy mark in a wealthy but dangerous man who is stalking his daughter.

[Eric Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of this genre, but I enjoyed the read nonetheless. Might make a good movie.

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

PROTAGONIST: Stoney, con man
SETTING: New Jersey
RATING: 3.5
WHY: Even though he's given up drinking, Stoney's marriage falls apart. He's long been a kind of con artist with an uncontrollable temper. He's beginning to mellow. His teenaged daughter asks for his help under false pretenses. He soon finds that she has secrets and a real problem with a dangerous man that is obsessed with her. Together with his cohorts, he puts together a scam that doesn't quite work out. Lots of interesting characters. A few too many digressions from the narrative.

[Janel Tortorice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was okay. Took awhile to get into.

[Jeffrey Rennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a well-written crime thriller. I'm just not a big fan of the genre.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This plotline felt very familiar and the antagonist was very underdeveloped imo…

[Maire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read!

[MaryAlice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun. Elmore Leonard like. Tommy Bagadonuts. Yes.