The Name of the Game is Death

The Name of the Game is Death follows bank robber Earl Drake as he seeks revenge after a heist goes wrong in Florida. Drake must track down those responsible while avoiding both law enforcement and criminal elements who want him dead. Operating under various aliases, Drake navigates the criminal underworld of the American South in the 1960s. His background as a professional thief and his experience with violence serve him well as he pieces together what happened to his missing partner and the stolen money. The story moves through multiple locations and confrontations as Drake closes in on his targets. His determination to find answers drives him forward despite mounting injuries and obstacles. This hardboiled crime novel examines themes of loyalty, betrayal and the moral complexities of operating outside the law. The stark narrative style reflects the protagonist's direct approach to both survival and retribution.

Readers call this a raw, brutal crime novel that stands out for its unflinching portrayal of a bank robber antihero. The book maintains a 4.1/5 rating on Goodreads from 400+ readers. Readers highlighted: - Terse, lean writing style - Unpredictable plot developments - Complex protagonist despite his violent nature - Intense pacing without filler - Authentic criminal perspective Common criticisms: - Dated attitudes toward women and minorities - Excessive violence for some tastes - Abrupt ending - Limited character development beyond the protagonist Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (416 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (89 ratings) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (52 ratings) One reader noted: "Like Jim Thompson if he wrote even meaner." Another called it "hardboiled noir stripped down to pure muscle and bone." Several reviewers mentioned struggling with the protagonist's lack of moral compass while still finding themselves invested in his story.

The Hunter by Richard Stark A professional thief seeks revenge against those who betrayed him during a heist, tracking them through a criminal underworld with methodical precision.

Drive by James Sallis A getaway driver in Los Angeles navigates a web of criminals and corrupt figures after a robbery goes wrong.

The Professional by W.C. Heinz A seasoned bank robber executes one final heist while dealing with betrayal from his crew.

The Kill Clock by Allan Prior A criminal races against time to recover stolen money and eliminate his former partners before they find him.

The Burglar by David Goodis A thief tries to escape his past life but gets pulled back into crime when former associates threaten his new existence.

🔪 Though Dan J. Marlowe wrote this hardboiled crime novel in 1962, he later suffered amnesia and couldn't remember writing it or any of his other works. 📚 The book's protagonist, Earl Drake, was so popular that Marlowe wrote seven more novels featuring the character between 1969 and 1976. 💰 The story revolves around a bank robbery gone wrong and was inspired by actual heists that occurred in Florida during the early 1960s. 🌟 Stephen King praised this novel as one of the hardest-hitting crime books of its era and cited it as an influence on his own writing. 🔄 The book was rereleased in 1973 under the title "Operation Fireball," though most critics consider the original title superior and more fitting to the story's noir elements.