The Big Get-Even
“Hot damn! Paul Di Filippo has long been one of our best science fiction writers, so when he turns his attention—and his humor—to the classic caper novel, prepare to bliss out. Dare I say that Raymond Chandler would envy some of Di Filippo’s similes and wisecracks? At the very least, fans of the late, great Donald E. Westlake should start telling their friends right now about The Big Get-Even. In its pages storytelling artistry meets scam artistry and the lucky reader scores big.”
Michael Dirda, Pulitzer Prize–winning critic and Edgar Award–winning author
A disbarred lawyer and an ex-arsonist cross paths and find themselves organizing an elaborate real estate scam to bilk a shady rich speculator out of twenty million dollars. The sting is personal for ex-arsonist Stan and for a woman named Vee, who plays an essential role in the caper. Glen, the narrator and former lawyer, finds himself at first just along for the money. Eventually, as bonds deepen among the conspirators, Glen too discovers he has a lot more at stake than simply the loot.
This cast of lively eccentrics discovers along the way that getting to the big payoff might just be more scary fun than the monetary prize itself.
Praise