Caper

By Lesley Andress

Planning out a multimillion-dollar jewel heist as material for a new novel, which she hopes will restore her flagging career, mystery writer Jannie Shean is horrified when her perfect crime is enacted... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399124039
• ISBN13: 9780399124037
• Release Date: January 1980
• Publisher: Putnam
• Length: 302 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Best Lawrence Sanders book by far

This is one of my favorite books in the world. I first read it as a teenager in the late 80's and then again in the late 90's. And, much to my amazement, for a novel that was written in 1980, I was pleasantly surprised to find, when I re-read it this past weekend (in 2009) that it holds up remarkably well, given its age. This book is not like any of the other Lawrence Sanders novels, nor is it really like anything else in its supposed "genre". My only complaint is that a happy ending would have made this book perfect. Also, when I saw the movie "From Dusk Till Dawn" several years ago (which has nothing whatsoever to do with CAPER) I couldn't help but wonder if Quentin Tarantino got the idea for the sudden plot twist in the middle of that movie, from the equally (totally) unexpected plot twist that occurs about a third of the way through CAPER. This book is a great read that will stay with you long after you've finished the last page.

Just different

I have read this book 4 ou 5 times now, and I guess I will read it again. This is not what you could objectively call a good book, well written, with a solid plot and really believable and thick characters. However this book has something, something different from standard crime novels. Maybe it's the plot construction, beginning with the game-like crime exploration made by a upper-class female novelist, followed by a twist plot at mid-book, and ending with a sad and bloody road movie. Maybe this comes from the characters too, which have some refreshing lightness even if you can't believe them as true. But this is an enjoyable book and you end up involved in the story and with Jannie Shean, Dick Flemming and Jack Donohue.

Back Cover Description

Lawrence Sanders, presents a spellbinding masterpiece, featuring 'the perfect crime.' A mystery writer turns thief and plans a multi-million dollar heist. A fortune in jewels. A lifetime of leisure. A make beleive caper that turns horribly and murderously real...

In the same grand style as the "Deadly Sins" series....

It has been quite a while since I became captivated by a particular author, but Lawrence Sanders has a style and way with words that help me to visualize the words on the page into a film that plays in my mind. Caper is the 7th Lawrence Sanders work I have read, and I am happy to report that this work is on par with the excellent work of his "Deadly Sins" series. The writing is crisp, the ideas well thought out, and the characters interesting and creative. The McNally Series of books by Sanders are awfully simplistic and tiresome to read, but Caper and the Deadly Sins works are a pure joy. The story revolves around a writer who finds she needs to insert "realism" into her work as a detective novelist. How does she do this? By attempting to live the life of a criminal.... planning a big heist.... but backing out at the last moment.... or will she? Fun and enjoyable, this work has allowed me to find what I really enjoy about Sanders work again after the dull and insipid McNally works.

It will steal your attention

I had just got done with The First Commandment, and as I'm wont to do, I picked up the next book I saw by the same author. I don't think I've enjoyed a book like this in a long time. Whereas the characters are predictable, the middle of the book sweeps you up in its stunning twist. From there foreward, its a roller coaster ride of quick, descriptive action with a penchant for bloodletting becoming of a detective/mystery writer. I fell head over heels for Jack, Jannie, and Dick, even holding a soft spot for Himey Gore. I've re-read the book at least 8 times since owning it. You just can't go wrong with "healthy junk food" writing like this.