Pronto

Miami bookie Harry Arno has skimmed a fortune from his mob boss over the years and dreams of retiring to Italy with his girlfriend Joyce. When the Justice Department deliberately exposes his scheme to pressure him into becoming an informant, Harry's peaceful life begins to crumble. U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens enters the picture as Harry flees to Italy, with both law enforcement and criminals on his trail. The story moves from the sun-soaked streets of Miami to the Italian Riviera town of Rapallo, where Harry once met the poet Ezra Pound during World War II. The novel brings together three distinct characters: Harry, the aging bookie with dreams of escape; Raylan, the steady lawman in a cowboy hat; and various threatening figures from Harry's criminal past. Their paths intersect in a chase that spans two continents. In typical Leonard fashion, the novel explores loyalty, redemption, and the impossibility of outrunning one's past through a lens of crime fiction. The story balances tension with dark humor while examining how past choices shape present circumstances.

Readers view Pronto as a solid but not standout entry in Leonard's catalog. Many note it lacks the sharp dialogue and pacing of his best works. Readers appreciated: - Introduction of US Marshal Raylan Givens character - Miami and Italy settings provide visual contrast - Realistic portrayal of mob figures and bookies - Dark humor throughout Common criticisms: - Plot meanders in middle sections - Too many side characters dilute main story - Italy sections feel disconnected - Less snappy dialogue than other Leonard books Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (8,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (450+ ratings) "The story takes too long to get going," notes one Amazon reviewer. "Not until the final third does it hit Leonard's usual stride." A Goodreads review states: "Worth reading to see Raylan's origins, but far from Leonard's best. The character deserved a stronger debut."

Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard A Miami loan shark travels to Hollywood to collect a debt and discovers the movie business operates remarkably like organized crime.

The Friends of Eddie Coyle by George V. Higgins A Boston gunrunner navigates between police informants and criminal associates while trying to avoid prison.

The Force by Don Winslow A corrupt NYPD detective unit leader maintains a delicate balance between law enforcement and criminal enterprises until his world unravels.

Miami Blues by Charles Willeford A violent criminal arrives in Miami and steals a police badge, leading to a cat-and-mouse game with a determined homicide detective.

The Power of the Dog by Don Winslow A DEA agent pursues a Mexican drug kingpin across decades and borders while questioning the cost of his obsession.

🎬 The book was adapted into a hit TV series "Justified," with the character of U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens becoming one of television's most beloved lawmen. 🌍 The Italian setting of Rapallo holds historical significance as the place where Ernest Hemingway and Ezra Pound once lived, adding authenticity to Leonard's location choice. ✍️ Leonard wrote this novel at age 67, drawing from his extensive research into both Miami's criminal ecosystem and Italian culture. 🏆 The book showcases Leonard's "10 Rules of Writing," particularly his famous rule: "Try to leave out the parts that readers tend to skip." 🎯 Many of the Miami crime elements in the novel were inspired by actual events from the city's notorious criminal history of the 1980s and early 1990s.