What do You think about The Seventh (1966)?
I must give a little preamble regarding my feelings about Parker. My ultimate favorite fictional characters have always operated on the outskirts of the law. For instance, in the medium of film; The Man With No Name, Batman, Jef Costello (Le Samourai), and Ethan Edwards round off my list of existential badasses. I have recently become fascinated with crime fiction and now incorporate Parker into my list and as the series unfolds he may even top the charts. I still have a long way to go until I reach Butcher's Moon which I know just enough about to realize that it may be the acme and the end of the "original" Parker series. The problem I face now is whether or not to ignore my graduate studies and other authors in order to plow through these books in order to reach what others refer to as Stark's masterpiece ... or savor each offering until the (sad) day finally arrives when the last entree of this fun-filled banquet is served. Damn I love these books.The Seventh is Stark (Westlake) firing on all cylinders. Here we encounter all the hallmarks which make the books great; revenge, an elaborate and unique heist, unforeseen trouble, distracting ladies, and an ending so satisfying that it left me in wonderment of what else this series could possibly have in store. Another aspect about this entry is the assorted crew which Parker finds himself with. As I read these I of course want to experience what Parker does but at the same time his counterparts always provide interesting backgrounds and elements to the story. I equate it with Parker being some kickass rockstar that everyone paid to see and being joyfully surprised with his backup musicians at his performance. The Seventh has this quality as did The Score and parts of The Outfit.Man this one was fun.
—Piker7977
It’s an elaborate heist that requires a crew of seven to pull it off. But it works, and Parker and his men make off with over $100,000 dollars in proceeds money from an Ivy League football game. Until the heat dies down and the team can reassemble for the seven-way split, Parker keeps the money and the guns at his woman’s apartment. For Parker it hardly matters who this woman is. Approaching a job, Parker slips into an asexual mode with no interest but the upcoming heist. After a job, he’s insatiable, and he needs some one ready to fulfill his needs. A member of his team has set him up with Ellie. After three apartment-bound days, Parker goes out for beer and cigarettes. He returns to find Ellie impaled on a sword, and some of the guns along with all the money gone. The money, of course, is the real problem, and this is going to be on Parker. He sets out to make things right.Seven principles and the cops on their trail create a large cast that can sustain a considerable body count. The characters are better defined here than in The Score>, an earlier Parker big heist novel with a similar size cast. Anger leads to resentments, becomes suspicions that open the way for double crosses. And then there’s the poor schmuck who killed Emma and stumbled onto the money. You could almost feel sorry for him, except that he is a petulant fool with a tendency to kill people.
—Charles Dee Mitchell
Richard Stark is responsible for my tiredness this morning as I was unable to put the book down last night. This is a terrific thriller. The opening of the book is magnificent - tense, thrilling and violent. The narrative never flags and Stark switches between pre-heist, heist and the aftermath. Also he gives us perspectives of different characters in the last third of the book which shakes the reader out of any possible torpor. We should not root for Parker - he is violent, sexist, misanthropic - but you find yourself hoping he survives. That is probably selfish as you look forward to the next Parker. There is a real cinematic feel to the book with a couple of thrilling set pieces. The encounter between Parker and the cop Dougherty, the opening sequence and the final chase are all begging for cinematic treatment. Bring on 'The Handle'!
—Seán Rafferty
