Wonderful character development and dialogue.

Engrossing. Engaging. But this is a tragedy. I cried a lot and hard afterwards. I don’t know if I can recommend it unless you’re up for that - grieving for someone who is good, who wants to do better, who is trying, but he doesn’t know how. I fault his parents. They didn’t give him love, support, and guidance. He made bad choices. He grieves for his mother. He grew up with no one loving him. The only time he felt peace, love, and acceptance was while on a job with his bank robber friends. This book reminds me a little of Romeo and Juliet, but modern, better, different. The lovers are from different worlds and can never be together. Even if Doug gave up his life of crime, there is a chance he would go to jail for past crimes. He can never tell Claire about his criminal activities, because she could be charged as an accomplice. He wants a life with Claire, someone good, not the types of people he grew up with and is surrounded by. I don’t want to mislead by overstating the Romeo and Juliet comparison. Only a small amount of time is spent showing Doug and Claire together. Most of the time the story is about Doug, his thoughts, actions, and feelings. In his mind Claire is the focal point for change. Most of the story is enjoyable and engaging, with anticipation. It’s the last half hour that is unsettling and becomes tragic. Doug believes the coming job will go bad, yet he continues with it. He makes choices which he knows will not be a happy ending.

This story had wonderful character development. Wonderful dialogue. I was engrossed in the characters and the lives they lived. I felt part of it. I enjoyed this all the way through until the end. Excellent plotting and events. This author is a good storyteller. I was rooting for Doug. I wanted to see him change his life. The day after reading this, I’m still crying. I don’t like books that make me grieve and cry, so I’m hoping I can get this out of my mind. I want to forget about it. It hurts.

I suppose it makes one appreciate their own life more, not having problems from a criminal life.

This was made into a movie called The Town with Ben Affleck which I did not see. I hear the movie had a happier ending, a different ending.

The narrator Richard Ferrone was excellent. At times he had a touch of Christian Slater to his voice.

Ending: Grief and sadness.
Genre: relationships, crime, suspense, tragedy.

6 people found this helpful

Book that the film "The Town" is based on.

If you liked the film you'll love the book. Being from "The Town" myself I attest to its authentic feel & all too familiar story. Worth checking it out for sure.

4 people found this helpful

1 part gritty thriller 1 part Romeo & Juliet

While overall I did enjoy this book, I think it was a bit uneven. Parts of it read like a love story about Charlestown (called The Town which is also the name of the movie adaptation) which adds a lot of richness in terms of setting and atmosphere, but which also takes the pressure off and eases the tension. Not something you want to do with a heist thriller. Just when either the investigation of or the crimes themselves get going, we get an ode to The Town thrown in and so I couldn’t get worked up about the situation. Doug was written as such an extreme of a romantic lead that his ending wasn’t surprising. What was is how far into the heist Frawley let the caper go. I don’t think cops would do that no matter what, but it’s fiction so you have to let it go. Claire I found to be the most strange of the bunch. I didn’t quite buy her reaction to the knowledge that her new boyfriend was the same guy who bound and gagged her during the bank robbery. Then again, she was Doug’s opposite number so had to be equally romanticized and dramatic. That was another issue with the whole thing; the high-flown style was a bit much. One part gritty thriller one part Romeo & Juliet. Eh, it had commitment issues, but if you can allow for that it’s enjoyable. Oh and as much as I love Richard Ferrone, someone who could do a decent Boston accent should have been picked for this narration. He tried in spots, but it was pathetic. Sorry Richard.

5 people found this helpful

Perfect.

Perfect mix of technical heist scenes, interpersonal drama, gunplay, and literary themes. No wonder they made a movie out of it.

My fav Chuck Hogan novel

An outstanding story. All the best elements of a heist novel with realistic human personal relationship drama as well.

Narrator is excellent with a listenable voice and great inflection. Only issue was the part time Boston accent. Best choice for this book would’ve been one of the Wahlbergs, I think.

amazing

Great book narrator does an amazing job!! Watched the movie before the book so the ending was a surprise but realistic!

Another great read by Chuck Hogan

Wonderful story. I saw the movie "The Town" first and realized that it was based on a novel. I loved the book even more. It got you attached to the characters in a perfect way. I can't express fully how much I loved this book and other books by Chuck Hogan.

Chuck Hogan's best i

maybe because it takes place in Massachusetts is the reason I love this book so much or the speech given by the old Townie at the very beginning once it starts it takes you for a ride any fan of a great story will surely enjoy

Bad Language

I didn't make it more than 1.5 hrs into this before I threw it out because the language is so offensive!

3 people found this helpful