As Catch Can

by Vincent Zandri

Book Overview

Jack Marconi is known as "the Keeper." But in this powerful debut novel, a literary thriller that lays bare the notions of trust and hope, Jack is going to find that everything he's been holding on to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385333102
• ISBN13: 9780385333108
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 318 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.2" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Albert Victory Set Free!

Anyone up on the recent release of cop-killer Albert Victory will recognize many similarities between his daring 1968 escape from Green Haven Prison and the escape which takes place at the onset of Zandri's, As Catch Can. While Zandri loosely bases fictional cop-killer, Eduard Vazquez's present day escape on Victory's (the prisoner and his prison guards being assaulted by ski-mask wearing assailants), his purpose is to write a great fictional story, loaded with realism. But releasing a real-life cop killer like Victory is insane. All in all, this is one killer debut novel. A victory for Zandri. As for the real life Victory? He's just a killer.

Novel of the year!

Take it from someone who's been reading Robert Parker for years, Keeper Marconi is bound to take his rightful place beside Spenser. What I can't understand it how this sleeper hasn't sky rocketed yet. How long do we have to wait until the next book, Mr. Zandri.

Very intense from start to finish!

This review is in response to slamming reviews I've recently read,please expand yor brutal attack on Zandri's work.This is a first novel for what seems to be a budding young author I was extremely pleased with his knowledge of the prison system,and graphic account of the Attica riots.Zandri proves that there are still stories left to be told w/ Micky Spillane attitude.

Eerie, enthralling, exciting--exactly what the genre needs!

This debut novel from a very talented young writer skillfully dovetails between its current-day tale of prison corruption and murder, and the horrific, unforgettable memories of the Attica prison siege a quarter-century ago--memories seared into the psyche of the protagonist, a former corrections officer at Attica and a current warden at another maximum security prison. You often wince, and want to look away, but you can't because you are as captivated as an Attica prison guard back in the summer of '71, being held prone with your face in the mud by a stanky, vile inmate, a razor-sharp kitchen utensil perilously pricking your skin. This scintillating, sordid, and sometimes salacious story gives you a realistic glimpse into a world you never have and never want to experience first-hand, but you're awful glad to see it through Warden "Keeper" Marconi's eyes. Buy this book today and you'll find it to be a welcome alternative to the formulaic garbage put out by the likes of Grisham.

A non-stop fast-paced thriller about prison corruption.

I Just finished reading Vincent Zandri's powerful first novel, "As Catch Can". It's a non-stop thriller with all too vivid characters who come to life in the reader's mind. The narration is fast paced and certainly held this reader's interest. The plot revolves around a prison warden who is caught in a situation where he is accused of dereliction of duty in permitting a cop killer inmate to escape from his maximum security prison. Life inside the prison is depicted in graphic detail, reflecting the problems of life behind prison walls. One of the most striking parts of the story deals with flashbacks of a fictional (although based on fact) account of the Attica prison riots of 1971 in which many of the CO's were tortured, raped, and murdered by the mutinous inmates. I found these descriptions hair raising, arousing feelings of horror at the extent of human degradation possible. The story depicts modern day vice and corruption, as well as Keeper Marconi's spiritual capacity to "play fair" in a game that's rigged against him. The book makes thrilling reading that doesn't allow the reader to put the volume down. It's the kind of novel that should become an edge-of-the-seat movie thriller. If you like crime thrillers, this is the book for you.