Riding the Rap Book

Many imitate him but none can touch him. He's set the standard against which all other crime novels are measured. His signature is vise-tightening suspense, crackling dialogue, and deadeye wit. And now, in Riding The Rap, Elmore Leonard proves once again that he is "the greatest living writer of crime fiction." (The New York Times) Raylan Givens, U.S. Marshal, is working on Warrants, bringing in fugitive felons, when Harry Arno disappears again and Raylan feels obliged to find him. This time with misgivings. Raylan believes Harry has dropped out of site to get attention and win back his former lover, Joyce, who had fallen into Raylan's arms, but now seems concerned only with Harry's welfare. The last person to see Harry is a nifty young psychic--certified medium and spiritualist--named Dawn Navarro. As soon as Raylan talks to her he senses that Harry has very likely beenkidnapped and Dawn is involved. Cut to the bad guys. Chip Ganz describes his idea, a way to make millions, as "taking hostages." Not unlike the way it was done in Lebanon, but this time for profit. Does he mean kidnapping? "In a way," Chip tells his ex-con accomplice, Louis Lewis and Bobby Deo, "only different. A lot different." It's the victim who has to come up with a way to pay the ransom. "It had better be the best idea you've ever had," Chip tells Harry, blindfolded and in chains. "Because if we don't like it, you're dead." In time Raylan's pretty sure he knows where Harry is being held, but doesn't have "probable cause" to get a warrant and gain entry. As he closes in, though, Chip's hostage plan begins to come apart and the scene is set for a showdown--one of the best you'll ever see.