The Publishers Weeky Review

[John McFetridge]

Here is the Publishers Weekly review for my novel, Let It Ride (which is published as Swap in Canada):

Let It Ride, John McFetridge. Minotaur, $24.99 (304p) ISBN 978-0-312-59948-5

Too many characters and points of view throw off the rhythm of this sprawling homage to caper-master Elmore Leonard from Canadian author McFetridge (Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere). Venard “Get” McGetty, a vet who served in Afghanistan, crosses the border from Detroit to Toronto looking to exchange guns for coke. As Get takes in the scope of the action of the Saints of Hell gang, he meets Sunitha Suraiya, a whore with big plans. Big Pete Zichello, a rival holdout targeted for elimination, tries to fight back, while Richard Tremblay, the head of the Saints of Hell who brought all the other gangs into line, tries to buy time for his last move. Meanwhile, Get and Sunitha hatch a daring plan to steal a jackpot of gold. Amid the busy plot, McFetridge does a good job depicting a crime-ridden Toronto (aka the Big Smoke) that resembles the wide-open Chicago of Prohibition days with corrupt cops, gang warfare, and flourishing prostitution. (Feb.)


I like it.

[Donna Carrick]

I have an attention span, and I know how to use it. Bring on the characters and plot, John! Well done!

[I. J. Parker]

Yup.. I liked AMADEUS, too. :)

[B.R.Stateham]

'Too many characters' means frankly, people are going to become curious and look the novel over.

And Dana, 'Amaedus' is my No. 1 all-time favorite movie.

[Dana King]

"Too many characters and points of view" reminds me of the scene in AMADEUS where the Emperor tells Mozart a composition has too many notes, and Mozart asks which ones he'd like him to get rid of.

I've read both of your previous books, John, and enjoyed them. I don;t see how those stories could have been told any other way.

[I. J. Parker]

Nice! Enjoy the coming reviews also. Best time in the publishing process.

[Jon Loomis]

Congratulations, John--worse things than a busy plot, IMO.