"This wonderful novel is amusing & at times gritty"
Just released from prison, Archibald Green notices the
parallels between freedom and jail, but the former sting
artist vows to be a new man although he observes appalling
lies or at least illusions of truth. Then again working as
a bored telemarketer for a nasty employer at Earthly Goods
Incorporated in Darwin, Maryland will make a cynic out of a
saint. A lifetime of either fence (jail or picket) seems too
torturous to Archie so he decides that there will be no
more TWO BITS scams, but to go for one big dollar con. His
target is superego millionaire mob boss Pat Shannon not
just because of the money but also because of a family
revenge matter. Since Pat wants to star in pictures,
Archie pretends to be a movie producer, setting the game
afoot. As this reviewer read TWO BITS, the movie The Sting came to
mind, but not just the mob and the con connection. Like
that superb movie, this wonderful novel is amusing, at
times gritty and definitely darker than the film, and stars
a delightful assortment of Runyonesque characters. Still
in the end Clint Gaige's strong tale peels down to Archie
and Pat, opponents who make for a fine gambol for readers. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted June 24, 2003
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