Some mystery authors write police procedurals. Most of Donald Westlake’s books seem like criminal procedurals. In the course of reading a Westlake novel (or in this case, one of his Richard Stark novels), I’ve discovered so many variables that I never considered about pulling a criminal caper. Of course, in the Dortmunder novels, there is usually a comic twist on all of the planning and preparation. Those are black comedies in the classic sense. Lemons Never Lie also has some twists, but they aren’t necessarily humorous. The novel is dark, but it’s not black comedy in the sense of other Westlake novels and say, Carl Hiassen’s work. At the same time, Lemons Never Lie isn’t a difficult read. It moves quickly in spite of some of the dark events which occur and doesn’t drag you down into the depths like some of James Ellroy’s books and the occasional Max Collins’ noir effort. Unlike many Hard Case Crime novels, this one doesn’t have you feeling that the protagonist is already drowning when he hits the whirlpool that sucks him down deeper. You sense that the protagonist is strong-willed and determined to make it work. I suppose, deep down, I was also attracted to the idea of a protagonist who has an artistic bent and must engage in criminal activities to support his art. I suppose he is Utilitarian at heart as he “promotes” the artistic endeavor (the ends) with a means (armed robbery) that most of us would find unacceptable. It’s a fascinating premise that creates interesting dialogue and juxtaposition.While much of Lemons Never Lie offers elements of predictability, it was quite an enjoyable experience and perfect (both in form factor, style, and number of pages) for reading on the go. These Hard Case Crime books are usually excellent purchases. I’ve only been disappointed twice in 20+ efforts. Imagine if my Cubs had a team batting average that high!
Things get off to a bad start. Through force of habit, whenever in Las Vegas, Grofield, summer stock theater owner and actor (live theater thank you, film acting is for mannequins--“an actor who stepped before a camera was in the process of rotting his own talent,”) and professional thief, drops a nickel in a slot machine when arriving and departing from the airport. This time he won fourteen nickels, hitting three lemons. Not a good sign. And the job this character Myers had designed was a “doozy,” involving a fire engine, multiple explosions and lots of machine gun fire. Grofield wants out. He leaves and the other pros in the group leave with him.Unfortunately, Myers is the worst kind of amateur, vindictive, and soon Grofield finds himself having to deal with Myers on a personal level. Things progress from one heist to another with Myers always getting in the way.Several reviewers complained that Grofield is a pale comparison to Parker. While I like the Parker series very much, the idea that there might be two of them running around, duplicates of each other, would have demeaned Wakefield’s talent. Grofield is a kinder, gentler, Parker, if you will. I found the connection to summer stock theater a refreshing twist making the noir a shade lighter. Different, but equally satisfying. Classic Stark, first published in 1971.
What do You think about Lemons Never Lie (2006)?
This book gave me so much pleasure. As a long-time fan of Richard Stark's Parker novels, I remember Alan Grofield as one of the thieves that Parker would call upon for a job. Grofield was my favorite of the bunch (still remember the scene where he'd hum his own theme music while doing a caper), and he must have been one of Stark/Westlake's too. Lemons Never Lie starts slow but is a masterfully understated crime novel. It's got the caper gone wrong, a psycho killer, and an ordinary man (sort of) pushed too far. Whenever I'm reading a Stark novel I always scenes so perfect you could teach them in a creative writing class. He's a writer who is good at so many things: setting, dialogue, plot and voice and he is always economical. I never realized Alan Grofield had his own series so I'll have to seek out the others.
—Jim
#4 in the Alan Grofield series. The final entry in thhis series from Richard Stark, the hard-boiled persona of the late mystery master Donald Westlake.Alan Grofield series - When he’s not carrying out heists with his friend Parker, Alan Grofield runs a small theater in Indiana. But putting on shows costs money and jobs have been thin lately – which is why Grofield agreed to fly to Las Vegas to hear Andrew Myers’ plan to knock over a brewery in upstate New York. Unfortunately, Myers’ plan is insane – so Grofield walks out on him. But Myers isn’t a man you walk out on, and his retribution culminates in an act of unforgivable brutality.
—Ed
An Alan Grofield novel. Grofield is a professional robber who runs a small theater in rural Indiana. Called to Vegas by Andrew Myer for a robbery of a brewery in upstate New York, however it's not to Alan's liking, and he and a fellow robber, Dan Leach, pass on the deal, and make a sizable stake in the casino before they leave in the morning. Andrews and one of the other thugs robs them. Leach and Alan track them down, recover the cash, and Grofield splits back to the theater. Days later, Leach shows up badly wounded, and while Dan recuperates, Grofield goes to Bellevile IL to rob a grocery store. Although the large safe is in full view through the window of the store, the gang uses a huge painting to prevent anyone from seeing them take down the safe. This is the best part of the novel which is set in the East St. Louis/Belleville/ area. I think I have been to some of these places. And later, the evil robber, Andrews is tracked down at the heist of the brewery in NY. Westlake writes about at least a half dozen characters, and Alan Grofield was not one of his best, but still worth a look.
—Ken
