Free (nook/Kindle) The Long Fall by Lynn Kostoff [Humorous Crime Thriller]

ATDrake · 03-26-2012, 04:48 AM

The Long Fall by Lynn Kostoff is an apparently somewhat humorous standalone crime thriller which is described as "oddball" and having "heists involving Beanie Babies and defective athletic shoes" by two of the official outlet reviews, free courtesy of publisher Adams Media, who gave us another Kostoff book late last year, which seems to be in much the same style if it turns out you like this one.

Currently free @ B&N and Amazon (available to Canadians but not in the UK, which is unusual, and many of this week's freebies are UK-excluded, but may drop later since they usually show up there first).

Description
In sun-baked Phoenix, Arizona, this never-predictable tale tosses into its antic mix a dead father, his two sons--one a small-time ex-con with a consistent genius for sabotaging his own best interests, the other a straight, uptight solid citizen with a moneymaking chain of dry-cleaning stores and a restive ex-stewardess of a wife named Evelyn.

Recently released from prison for possession of a truckload of black-market saguaro cacti-and in deep debt to an unforgiving crank dealer, Jimmy Coates returns home only to discover that his brother has cut him out of his inheritance. A not-unjustifiable desire to settle old scores and new sends Jimmy on a robbery spree that wipes out four of his brother's dry-cleaning establishments. But when he finds himself tumbling for a mutinously sexy Evelyn, the impulse to vengeance reverses itself.

Unwittingly, however, Jimmy has already set in motion a series of dangerous consequences-adultery, blackmail, love, betrayal-that culminate in a blueprint for murder. And it could be Jimmy himself who is taking the long fall.

Dr. Drib · 03-26-2012, 10:51 AM

Got it.

Thank you.

Don

Indio777 · 03-26-2012, 04:57 PM

I picked it up too. I'm always up for humorous crime and since I have connections to Arizona (Tucson, not Phoenix, but close enough), I have to check it out. Alas, a "truckload of black-market saguaro cacti" is all too common in those parts. Thanks!

ATDrake · 03-26-2012, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indio777

Alas, a "truckload of black-market saguaro cacti" is all too common in those parts.

Okay, now I'm morbidly curious. Are they hallucinogenic and/or endangered and/or outlawed because kudzu/toad cane-like or something?

Indio777 · 03-26-2012, 05:32 PM

No, nothing like that, alas. Although their fruit is edible.

Just big long-lived cacti, up to 40+ feet tall, with "arms." There are two Saguaro National Parks in Tucson. Kind of like cacti "forests." When I visit Tucson, I usually go to the eastern Park and walk around.

They are often used as symbols of the Southwest on TV, even though their range is rather limited. Mostly in southern Arizona and parts of Mexico.

Actually, ones in Phoenix area are usually rather scraggly looking, since the elevation is lower. Not prime saguaro habitat.

But there is illegal trade, since people like to have medium-sized individuals in their "yards." Without waiting years for them to get larger. So others dig them up and sell them.

ATDrake · 03-26-2012, 05:48 PM

Okay, so basically it's locally probably-environmentally-destructive cactus poaching for ornamental purposes at the behest of people with more money than sense. Thanks for the explanation.

Indio777 · 03-26-2012, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATDrake

Okay, so basically it's locally probably-environmentally-destructive cactus poaching for ornamental purposes at the behest of people with more money than sense. Thanks for the explanation.

Basically, yes. In a nutshell. People who don't think about the environment, or think that "this one time, it won't matter. And after all, others do it. And I want cool landscaping." Sorry, off topic of ebooks. Just irritates me.

cromag · 03-26-2012, 06:51 PM

Sounds like a variation on a theme we have here in the northeast. Evergreens were planted in the median strips of the interstate highways to cut down on noise, reduce erosion (and pollution, to a degree), etc. Then, in the 70s, people started going out at night in December with a chainsaw to cut their own Christmas tree. (Chainsaws at night in traffic -- no problem there!)

For the past several years most states up here have been spraying the evergreens with a nasty smelling chemical. We still lose a few every year because the smell isn't too bad until it's in a confined space ... and every year a few people still haven't gotten the word.

Anyway, I picked up the book! Thanks!

03-26-2012, 04:48 AM	#1
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	Free (nook/Kindle) The Long Fall by Lynn Kostoff [Humorous Crime Thriller] The Long Fall by Lynn Kostoff is an apparently somewhat humorous standalone crime thriller which is described as "oddball" and having "heists involving Beanie Babies and defective athletic shoes" by two of the official outlet reviews, free courtesy of publisher Adams Media, who gave us another Kostoff book late last year, which seems to be in much the same style if it turns out you like this one. Currently free @ B&N and Amazon (available to Canadians but not in the UK, which is unusual, and many of this week's freebies are UK-excluded, but may drop later since they usually show up there first). Description In sun-baked Phoenix, Arizona, this never-predictable tale tosses into its antic mix a dead father, his two sons--one a small-time ex-con with a consistent genius for sabotaging his own best interests, the other a straight, uptight solid citizen with a moneymaking chain of dry-cleaning stores and a restive ex-stewardess of a wife named Evelyn. Recently released from prison for possession of a truckload of black-market saguaro cacti-and in deep debt to an unforgiving crank dealer, Jimmy Coates returns home only to discover that his brother has cut him out of his inheritance. A not-unjustifiable desire to settle old scores and new sends Jimmy on a robbery spree that wipes out four of his brother's dry-cleaning establishments. But when he finds himself tumbling for a mutinously sexy Evelyn, the impulse to vengeance reverses itself. Unwittingly, however, Jimmy has already set in motion a series of dangerous consequences-adultery, blackmail, love, betrayal-that culminate in a blueprint for murder. And it could be Jimmy himself who is taking the long fall.

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03-26-2012, 10:51 AM	#2
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,748 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	Got it. Thank you. Don

03-26-2012, 04:57 PM	#3
Indio777 Addict Posts: 208 Karma: 1503568 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Washington, DC Device: Mobile Phone, Kindle (rarely), but mostly still read paper	I picked it up too. I'm always up for humorous crime and since I have connections to Arizona (Tucson, not Phoenix, but close enough), I have to check it out. Alas, a "truckload of black-market saguaro cacti" is all too common in those parts. Thanks!

03-26-2012, 05:32 PM	#5
Indio777 Addict Posts: 208 Karma: 1503568 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Washington, DC Device: Mobile Phone, Kindle (rarely), but mostly still read paper	No, nothing like that, alas. Although their fruit is edible. Just big long-lived cacti, up to 40+ feet tall, with "arms." There are two Saguaro National Parks in Tucson. Kind of like cacti "forests." When I visit Tucson, I usually go to the eastern Park and walk around. They are often used as symbols of the Southwest on TV, even though their range is rather limited. Mostly in southern Arizona and parts of Mexico. Actually, ones in Phoenix area are usually rather scraggly looking, since the elevation is lower. Not prime saguaro habitat. But there is illegal trade, since people like to have medium-sized individuals in their "yards." Without waiting years for them to get larger. So others dig them up and sell them.

03-26-2012, 05:48 PM	#6
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	Okay, so basically it's locally probably-environmentally-destructive cactus poaching for ornamental purposes at the behest of people with more money than sense. Thanks for the explanation.

03-26-2012, 06:51 PM	#8
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 24,301 Karma: 459220161 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	Sounds like a variation on a theme we have here in the northeast. Evergreens were planted in the median strips of the interstate highways to cut down on noise, reduce erosion (and pollution, to a degree), etc. Then, in the 70s, people started going out at night in December with a chainsaw to cut their own Christmas tree. (Chainsaws at night in traffic -- no problem there!) For the past several years most states up here have been spraying the evergreens with a nasty smelling chemical. We still lose a few every year because the smell isn't too bad until it's in a confined space ... and every year a few people still haven't gotten the word. Anyway, I picked up the book! Thanks!

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