The Man with the Getaway Face

By: Richard Stark

Narrated by: John Chancer

Length: 4 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Parker, the ruthless antihero of Richard Stark's eponymous mystery novels, is one of the most unforgettable characters in hardboiled noir. Lauded by critics for his taut realism, unapologetic amorality, and razor-sharp prose-style, Stark is a master of crime writing, his books as influential as any in the genre. Parker goes under the knife in The Man with the Getaway Face, changing his face to escape the mob and a contract on his life. Along the way he scores his biggest heist yet: an armored car in New Jersey, stuffed with cash.

©1963 Richard Stark (P)2010 AudioGo

Master of the ‘criminal procedural’

Crisp and economical prose, great characterization, a joy to read for crime buffs! (Padded for 15 word minimum)

Not as Great as Book 1, but not half bad

"Face" is a story in a similar vein as its predecessor. Parker is working a job and dealing with trouble from all angles. He gets through using his wits and toughness. If you liked "Hunter", you'll like this too, but "hunter" was more action-packed with a keener plot trajectory.

Not as Good as the First

Not bad, but feels padded despite its brevity. As someone else mentioned, there is an absurd amount of detail regarding the names and numbers of highways, and even specifications of exits and underpasses. There's also an interesting subplot (or co-plot) about a brain-damaged chauffeur seeking revenge, but the main plot is a dull armored car heist.

Richard Stark, Minimalist

Strip away all the striking imagery and insights you find in, say, a Ross Macdonald novel, and you have a Richard Stark novel. For me, the merit of these books lies in their lack of frills—a style consonant not only with our author's pen name, but with his antihero Parker, who prefers simplicity above all things in his life and work.

Of course, there’s also the fascination of seeing how a “job” was planned and executed in the days before the Internet, iPhones and the Dark Web. And I admit I enjoy taking a vacation from responsibility and slumming with the crooks—in this second installment, I’m already beginning to root for Parker (a little). And I very much enjoy the way John Chancer reads these stories.

Excellent

Another great choice from the Plus catalog. Solid old school definitely worth being listened too

3 ½ stars. There were some good parts.

I like watching what Parker does. I enjoy it because it’s part of an interesting series. It would not be as good as a stand alone story. When I finish one book, I’m eager to read the next. Parker is a tough very smart bad guy planning and committing crimes with other bad guys.

There are no sex scenes, but there are references to Parker being with whores and slapping them to get them interested.

NARRATOR - John Chancer:
I did not like the narrator’s voice for some characters. He used an annoying southern hillbilly voice which did not fit Nebraska people.

This is book 2 in the 24 book series. It’s about 2/3 or less than a typical novel length.

Genre: noir crime fiction

Not One of His Finest

Definitely a quick read. There was nothing about this book that really stood out. I've enjoyed several of the Donald Westlake books (the Dortmunder series in particular.) This book fell short of those standards, but I don't consider it a waste of a credit. I'm rating it as an "average" Stark novel.

Even better than the first one!

I'm so ready for part 3 now! I love these books and so much!

lively and fun

this was my first for this author and I found it to be lively and fun.

Liking the bad guy

Richard Stark has succeeded in making a really bad guy “likable”. Even With a trail of bodies behind him,you still hope the “badder” bad guys don’t succeed. Enjoying this series. Short enough to not get bogged down but still completes the tale to a satisfactory end. Great narration adds to the enjoyment.