General Information
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 Title:                  Grifter's Game
 Author:                 Lawrence Block
 Copyright:              1961
 Audiobook Copyright:    1961
 Genre:                  audiobook

File Information
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 Number of MP3s:         5
 Total Duration:         5:18:19
 Total MP3 Size:         145.77
 Parity Archive:         No
 Ripped By:              Me
 Ripped With:            Cooledit
 Encoded At:             CBR 64 kbit/s 22050 Hz Joint Stereo
 ID3 Tags:               Set, v1.1, v2.3

Posting
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Book Description
================
Hard Case Crime™ Books are a new series of books consisting of the 
re-issue of “lost pulp classics” as well as the publication of 
new “hard-boiled” crime fiction. The paperback series, with truly 
pocket size books, is also distinguished by its emphasis on vintage 
book cover art, reminiscent of the classic crime fiction covers of 
the past. This series will delight those enamored with that distinctive 
style of writing, those who have yet to discover it, and those who just 
plain enjoy a good read. And if the first four books of the series are 
representative, this is a series not to be ignored. (See reviews of 
Fade to Blonde by Max Phillips, The Confession by Domenic Stansberry 
and Little Lost Girl by Richard Aleas)

Leading off the collection is the reissue of Lawrence Block’s first 
published novel, Grifter’s Game, which is Block's title for the book 
which was originally published in 1961 as Mona.

Joe Marlin is the grifter whose game is to go from town to town, 
seeking women with money and a willingness to part with it to a 
handsome gigolo. Marlin would then take off to repeat the pattern 
elsewhere. Having ripped off some woman in Philadelphia, Joe skips town, 
after stiffing the hotel (necessarily leaving all of his belongings 
but the clothes on his back), and heads to Atlantic City, where he 
promptly reaccessorizes himself with a couple of pieces of luggage 
he lifts from a seeming unsuspecting man.

A young woman, named Mona (hence, Block's original publisher's title 
for the book), approaches him at the beach, and Joe becomes so 
enthralled with her beauty that he soon is plotting with her to 
kill her husband so she and he could share his riches. 
It turns out the husband’s wealth is a result of ill-gotten gains 
from the dealing of drugs, about which Mona claims ignorance. 
Nevertheless, Marlin proceeds to kill the husband, but his well-laid 
plans encounter unexpected complications, when the widow does not 
rendezvous with Marlin as scheduled.

The story is well constructed in what we recognize today as vintage 
Block style. It has obvious historic value as being Block’s first 
published work. It also is a precursor of the great and prodigious 
work that has flowed from Block since.

Hard Case Crimes’ website is www.HardCaseCrime.com. At this site, 
readers can see what other offerings are currently available and 
can subscribe to Hard Case Crime’s monthly email newsletter to keep 
up to date on its offerings. If the four books reviewed here are 
any indication of the quality of the series’ publications, 
the reading public has much to look forward to. 