Bandits

A former jewel thief and a former nun turned radical have devised a con aimed at a Nicaraguan colonel known for his cruelty. Their scheme is designed to take millions from him, and the story moves quickly through its plotting and its shifting turns.

The novel's dialogue is one of its strongest features. Its sharp, fast-paced exchanges and vivid cast will feel familiar to readers who know the author's crime fiction. Among the characters is U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, a figure the author created and who now anchors the TV series Justified.

The author is often grouped with classic crime and noir writers such as John D. MacDonald, Dashiell Hammett and James M. Cain. The book suits readers who enjoy suspenseful crime fiction driven by its schemes and its talk.