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A Traição de Sullivan
David Rathbone é um homem encantador, um consultor financeiro, um homem que vive luxuosamente à custa de viúvas ingénuas, velhos reformados e outros tansos que mordem a isca. A sua actividade tem de ser interrompida sem demora. Entra em cena Rita Sullivan, uma mulher polícia dura que vai usar todos os seus ardis ao serviço da lei: a sua missão é tornar-se íntima de David Rathbone e arranjar provas que o possam meter atrás das grades.
Só que Rita vai ver-se dividida entre um bom polícia e um bandido, a paixão e a justiça, num jogo de alto risco.
Só que Rita vai ver-se dividida entre um bom polícia e um bandido, a paixão e a justiça, num jogo de alto risco.
232 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
140 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Sanders
160 books374 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Lawrence Sanders was the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty mystery and suspense novels. The Anderson Tapes, completed when he was fifty years old, received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for best first novel. His prodigious oeuvre encompasses the Edward X. Delaney, Archy McNally, and Timothy Cone series, along with his acclaimed Commandment books. Stand-alone novels include Sullivan's Sting and Caper. Sanders remains one of America’s most popular novelists, with more than fifty million copies of his books in print. Also published as Mark Upton.
Lawrence Sanders was the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty mystery and suspense novels. The Anderson Tapes, completed when he was fifty years old, received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for best first novel. His prodigious oeuvre encompasses the Edward X. Delaney, Archy McNally, and Timothy Cone series, along with his acclaimed Commandment books. Stand-alone novels include Sullivan's Sting and Caper. Sanders remains one of America’s most popular novelists, with more than fifty million copies of his books in print. Also published as Mark Upton.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 27, 2020
I had forgot how enjoyable it was to read Sanders. This was the first time in about 10 years that I had read Sanders. It was a trip down memory lane with pay phones and other things that don't exists today. My only complaint was that this was a stand alone novel, I was hoping to see more of Rita Sullivan.
June 16, 2014
This book isn’t a mystery, isn’t a police procedural, isn’t a caper novel, isn’t a thriller, isn’t a humorous story. It isn’t much of anything except maybe a character study of scam artists and a group of local cops and federal agents trying to bring them down.
The dust jacket blurb sounded like an interesting premise for a novel – a tough lady cop goes undercover to bring down a group of con artists. Sanders wove this into a complex tale, but he never brought us close to any of the characters, including Rita Sullivan, the ‘Sullivan’ of the title. She has no larger a role than the others. Another example of the need for a ‘truth in blurbs’ law.
Events in the book rolled along, generating no tension. None of the characters were ever in any imminent danger. And there was no 'sting' either. The story had a beginning but no end. It just stopped, merely hinting at a resolution. This all gave the book a scattered, unfocused feel, as if Sanders had a sort of idea for a book but not a solid, fully developed one.
This book really only rated 1½ stars because, while I didn’t hate it, it was far from okay. Far enough that I won’t be reading any more of Sanders’s work.
The dust jacket blurb sounded like an interesting premise for a novel – a tough lady cop goes undercover to bring down a group of con artists. Sanders wove this into a complex tale, but he never brought us close to any of the characters, including Rita Sullivan, the ‘Sullivan’ of the title. She has no larger a role than the others. Another example of the need for a ‘truth in blurbs’ law.
Events in the book rolled along, generating no tension. None of the characters were ever in any imminent danger. And there was no 'sting' either. The story had a beginning but no end. It just stopped, merely hinting at a resolution. This all gave the book a scattered, unfocused feel, as if Sanders had a sort of idea for a book but not a solid, fully developed one.
This book really only rated 1½ stars because, while I didn’t hate it, it was far from okay. Far enough that I won’t be reading any more of Sanders’s work.
March 16, 2021
Why didn't Rita Angela Sullivan invest her money with David Rathbone? Then she could have been more objective when it came time to make the 'break'.
March 3, 2021
This is really 4 1/2 stars rather than the full five, ONLY because of the way he ended the book. I hated it.
That being said, I can never really figure out Sanders, sometimes he writes a real clunker (when his writing takes up 3 pages in what he can say in one paragraph) then we writes a book like Sullivan's Sting. A fast paced book with a number of story lines that maybe not quite a page turner, but one that you want to keep reading. The two central characters one a the Premier Conman, the other an Undercover police officer who plays both sides of the coin but mesh together into one really capture you.
If you want a good read, "Sullivan's Sting" is the book. Still don't like the ending.
That being said, I can never really figure out Sanders, sometimes he writes a real clunker (when his writing takes up 3 pages in what he can say in one paragraph) then we writes a book like Sullivan's Sting. A fast paced book with a number of story lines that maybe not quite a page turner, but one that you want to keep reading. The two central characters one a the Premier Conman, the other an Undercover police officer who plays both sides of the coin but mesh together into one really capture you.
If you want a good read, "Sullivan's Sting" is the book. Still don't like the ending.
December 30, 2018
"[...] we have an exclusive source of supply that's liable to dry up any minute [...] Now's the time to get in on the greatest money-making opportunity we've ever offered. Here is the chance of a lifetime, but you've got to get in on it NOW! Tomorrow may be too late [...] you're going to be rich, rich, RICH!"
The above fragment of a yak's spiel to mutts (or mooches) is one of the very few things that stand out in Lawrence Sanders' Sullivan's Sting (1990). The you-must-do-it-now tactic used by financial advisors who earn their living conning their clients over the phone is the most common high-pressure sales tool used by all businesses. It works because it appeals to one of the most fundamental human instincts - greed. Mr. Sanders describes how the salespeople con their clients, how smarter salespeople con the less smart ones, how the law enforcement people try to con the con men and how they get conned back. The con is on! It drives business. And business is America's business!
We meet Rita Angela Sullivan, an officer of an independent and virtually secret law enforcement agency that fights financial crime in Florida. We also meet David Rathbone, ostensibly an investment advisor and financial planner, who devises an elaborate scheme to get a rich widow to entrust him with her money. Rathbone is Ms. Sullivan's target. Her job is to con the con man using whatever means she needs; in this case the means mean her physical allure and sex. Ms. Sullivan helps uncover a large network of con men and women and the plot is relatively interesting if not for the extremely crude nature of most of the business cons and the glaring naiveté of the victims. One could only hope that most people are not really that stupid, even if they want to MAKE MONEY FAST.
The reader gets a few sex scenes, as usual rather tactfully shown by Mr. Sanders. One involves a bed adorned with a layer of currency so that the happy couple have even more reasons to get excited. Not the best effort by Mr. Sanders but a readable story that casts further doubt on the idea of the human species being the crown of creation.
Two stars.
The above fragment of a yak's spiel to mutts (or mooches) is one of the very few things that stand out in Lawrence Sanders' Sullivan's Sting (1990). The you-must-do-it-now tactic used by financial advisors who earn their living conning their clients over the phone is the most common high-pressure sales tool used by all businesses. It works because it appeals to one of the most fundamental human instincts - greed. Mr. Sanders describes how the salespeople con their clients, how smarter salespeople con the less smart ones, how the law enforcement people try to con the con men and how they get conned back. The con is on! It drives business. And business is America's business!
We meet Rita Angela Sullivan, an officer of an independent and virtually secret law enforcement agency that fights financial crime in Florida. We also meet David Rathbone, ostensibly an investment advisor and financial planner, who devises an elaborate scheme to get a rich widow to entrust him with her money. Rathbone is Ms. Sullivan's target. Her job is to con the con man using whatever means she needs; in this case the means mean her physical allure and sex. Ms. Sullivan helps uncover a large network of con men and women and the plot is relatively interesting if not for the extremely crude nature of most of the business cons and the glaring naiveté of the victims. One could only hope that most people are not really that stupid, even if they want to MAKE MONEY FAST.
The reader gets a few sex scenes, as usual rather tactfully shown by Mr. Sanders. One involves a bed adorned with a layer of currency so that the happy couple have even more reasons to get excited. Not the best effort by Mr. Sanders but a readable story that casts further doubt on the idea of the human species being the crown of creation.
Two stars.
December 8, 2016
No happy ending*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2021
Unforgettable characters. Strong storyline that kept me interested. Sanders knowledge of con men schemes is facinating.
September 3, 2022
I did not feel that connected with this book. Somehow it struck me as being too derivative of Elmore Leonard.
Sanders captures the sleaziness of it all and comment on the fuzzy lines between the good guys and the bad guys. That's fun to explore, but it's a well-worn path. There's a worm that turns at the end, and I root for the guy, but if he's such a pushover and willing to share a woman on those terms, how exactly did he grow a backbone? Sleaziness expresses well, but too many characters are jumping into bed too many times. Florida as a center for semi-organized crime? There are rumors.
Still, I'm intrigued. I wanted more of the lawyer who was more inspired by bad than good and flipped to the dark side. I wanted more of the FBI agent who broke into the next-door restaurant and his amusing expressions. I would like to see where the characters ended up.
Maybe there's a sequel.
Sanders captures the sleaziness of it all and comment on the fuzzy lines between the good guys and the bad guys. That's fun to explore, but it's a well-worn path. There's a worm that turns at the end, and I root for the guy, but if he's such a pushover and willing to share a woman on those terms, how exactly did he grow a backbone? Sleaziness expresses well, but too many characters are jumping into bed too many times. Florida as a center for semi-organized crime? There are rumors.
Still, I'm intrigued. I wanted more of the lawyer who was more inspired by bad than good and flipped to the dark side. I wanted more of the FBI agent who broke into the next-door restaurant and his amusing expressions. I would like to see where the characters ended up.
Maybe there's a sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2023
Thriller - not really a thriller but more a who is doing what to who. Rita Sullivan is recruited to investigate a group of con men fleecing their way across Florida. Everyone, crooks and cops, seems to be on the take. Banking procedures and police techniques are ignored willy nilly. Sullivan's undercover work violates so many rules it boggles the mind.
Canadian references - character drinks Molson's beer as if it is a special treat; mention of drug trace in Montreal.
Pharmacy references - pharmacy at a mini-mall; Rathbone rips off a discount drugstore.
Canadian references - character drinks Molson's beer as if it is a special treat; mention of drug trace in Montreal.
Pharmacy references - pharmacy at a mini-mall; Rathbone rips off a discount drugstore.
May 31, 2024
Oldie but a good read
I’ve read this before, and got the Kindle version on sale. Lawrence Sanders at his best, in my opinion. Giving it four stars instead of five because the ending is abrupt and doesn’t include what happened to everyone later.
The characters aren’t necessarily likable but they are interesting. Many plot twists. Rita’s relationship with both Tony and David is fascinating.
The book was written in 1990, so there is some dated language, and no cell phones. If you like suspense and a romantic triangle, I recommend it.
I’ve read this before, and got the Kindle version on sale. Lawrence Sanders at his best, in my opinion. Giving it four stars instead of five because the ending is abrupt and doesn’t include what happened to everyone later.
The characters aren’t necessarily likable but they are interesting. Many plot twists. Rita’s relationship with both Tony and David is fascinating.
The book was written in 1990, so there is some dated language, and no cell phones. If you like suspense and a romantic triangle, I recommend it.
November 7, 2023
A will written mystery
A will written mystery with interesting well developed characters. Once again the usual characters enter into an entertaining fast moving mystery. I would recommend this novel and the series too anyone who enjoys an old fashion mystery. Enjoy reading 2011
I read this as an e-book from the local library
A will written mystery with interesting well developed characters. Once again the usual characters enter into an entertaining fast moving mystery. I would recommend this novel and the series too anyone who enjoys an old fashion mystery. Enjoy reading 2011
I read this as an e-book from the local library
March 4, 2019
17/2016/296
Not used to the good guys going rogue but I guess it happens. Would have been nice to know what happened to everyone at the end.
3.5* (Wish Goodreads would allow you to use percentage points with the star rating.)
Not used to the good guys going rogue but I guess it happens. Would have been nice to know what happened to everyone at the end.
3.5* (Wish Goodreads would allow you to use percentage points with the star rating.)
July 6, 2022
A sinful Noir (due to being unveiled in Riviera-like sunlight). A very very unnecessary book (plot, setting, characters) which then goes on to unfold as being rarer than the Snuffalufagus. The whole is definitely greater than the sum of the parts. A true psychological thriller.
March 19, 2025
This was a very entertaining book. I like Lawrence Sanders' writing. I will say his writing is "light" maybe even "chick flick"-type stuff. It is enjoyable but he is not high on my list of great authors.
November 9, 2018
I promised myself I'd read everything Sanders wrote because I like his writing style so much. This wasn't a favorite.
April 9, 2019
Good Interesting Story
Very good characters both good guys and bad guys keep you reading. Very fast paced ponzi scheme angle. Very good characters.
Very good characters both good guys and bad guys keep you reading. Very fast paced ponzi scheme angle. Very good characters.
September 4, 2019
Unlike his other wonderful novels, very little character development. I would rate this last of the 15 or so Sanders books that I have read.
January 9, 2020
Not great writing...
December 20, 2020
Read in 1990. Police officer joins with the FBI to bring down a Ponzi scheme.
April 13, 2021
Not sure why but I didn't like this one as much as others in this series. Unfortunate.
December 16, 2021
Rita the Cheater
Sanders at his best. His style, humor and creation of characters permeated the book. Also loved the McNally works. He is a tour guide for South Florida.
Sanders at his best. His style, humor and creation of characters permeated the book. Also loved the McNally works. He is a tour guide for South Florida.
January 7, 2022
I didn't think the ending was that bad.
April 16, 2022
I reread this paperback while travelling. More than merely competently written, and the characters are well drawn, but the plot strays even further into the improbable than most Sander's efforts.
September 20, 2022
Con men conning mooches and conning each other.law enforcement tracking them and some of them conning each other. An easy real w a complicated plot.
October 8, 2023
Fun to revisit this author after a long time.
September 9, 2015
The title is Sullivan's Sting. One of the characters in the book is under cover cop Rita Sullivan. I liked the book but it has so many well rounded characters it made me wonder why it was named after her. In my opinion, she was not the central character. I do like the book. It's a fast read.
The plot is about a ring of con men in Florida and how a task force takes them down. Rita has moved in with the ring leader. Rita is not the only member of the team to swap sides. Every time I had to put the book down I could not wait until I had an opportunity to pick it up again.
The plot is about a ring of con men in Florida and how a task force takes them down. Rita has moved in with the ring leader. Rita is not the only member of the team to swap sides. Every time I had to put the book down I could not wait until I had an opportunity to pick it up again.
April 6, 2013
Good easy read story I have had this book on my shelf for awhile and since I dont seem to win any more books from Goodreads and the loca library is waiting for the queue to zero out i am taking on some older books from my bookshelf. This book was not as good as the old Lawrence Sanders stuff I read in years past and i dont remember he ever not ending a book but he did very little to end this one (other than there was no more words to read) I liked the story line so I gave it a average rating
September 15, 2014
Easy read, undercover cop, falls for bad guy, and does not complete assignment as per directions. Good cop completes assignment and catches bad guy. South Florida and the flim flame crowd are out to rip off the folks of Florida with their sleazy deals, and get quick rich scams. However, the only ones getting rich are the so called "financial consultants" who are bilking the retires as fast as they can.
October 1, 2014
Anymore you have to read half the book to get into the story. I almost gave up on this one but ended up really liking it. The plot was how several agents took down this group of crooks involved in all kinds of illegal stuff. The undercover girl, Sullivan, became the girlfriend of the leader of this tribe but really ended up falling for him. Not a lot of foul language and the sex wasn't that graphic which helped a lot.
July 11, 2009
I enjoyed this book. The feds are after a con artist and his associates. All have their individual scams along with working together on some. The feds put in a mole for each of them. Not only do you follow how they put it all together, but also you wonder who of the bad will turn good, who of the good will turn bad, and who will turn on whom.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews