Sunday, August 5, 2012

Book Review: Can't Buy Me Love

Title - Can't Buy Me Love
Author - Dan McNeil
Genre - Suspense
Series - Standalone
Publication - Summer 2012
Format - Kindle Review

Synopsis
May 1939 - A motley group of would-be bank robbers led by the incredibly unsuccessful Marion “Sonny” Carter attempt to knock off the Hudson National Bank and Trust Company in New York City. Thanks to their inside man (and as it turns out, police informant), the plan is foiled and Sonny and his gang are sent up the river for twenty five years.

February 1964 - Civil rights, the space race and the murder of the President weigh heavy on the minds of Americans. However Sonny's mind is focused on just one thing after being released from his prison stretch—knocking off one of New York City’s prestigious banking institutions, specifically the Hudson National Bank and Trust Company. It won’t be easy though. Banks are a whole lot tougher than they were in ’39 and the members of his old gang are ready for the retirement home.  Adding insult to injury is the fact that the weasel responsible for Sonny’s lengthy incarceration is now the president of the very bank he wants to hit. This time however, Sonny has a plan that just might prove to be fool proof, thanks to two unlikely sources—a sexy bank employee with secrets and a shady past, and a band from Liverpool about to make their historic American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. With a little luck and a little help from his friends, can Sonny and his aging crew come out ahead for the first time in their lives?

Review
I received this book in return for a honest review from Pulse Publishing. Twenty five years ago Sonny and his friends robbed the Hudson bank, but it was foiled and they ended up in prison. The story starts twenty five years later when Sonny at is finally getting out. After years of planning he wants to take a crack at the Hudson National Bank. His friends over the last twenty five years have aged and are not as young as they used to be. However learning that the bank teller Eddie who sold them out to the cops is now in charge of the bank just makes him want to pull it off this time. 

Sonny plans on using Eddies assistant Sarah to rob the bank, but she surprises him and brings up the idea of robbing the bank. Together with his band of long time friends they make a plan, to rob Eddies office where he's hiding money that he's been laundering for the mob. Only Sonny and the gang aren't the only after the money. They plan to steal the money on the night the Beatles preform on the Ed Sullivan show. 

This book grabbed me right from the start and keep me engrossed in the book till I finished it. A fast paced suspense with a little humor to lighten the mood. The characters are easy to relate too, they are well written I felt like I could see them. I loved Sonny he's just a good guy deep down even if he is a bank robber, but he didn't use a gun that has to count from something. The character make the story so great, they all have a unique part that they play that makes the story enjoyable. I admit I'm not a big Beatles fan but the little one lines from the songs make me have to look them up. I really liked the way the story played out in the end it was very well done. 

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