Review of Troy Cook's debut novel, 47 Rules of Highly Effective Bank Robbers

Author: Troy Cook

Publishers: Capital Crime Press

ISBN: 0977627667

The following review of the advanced review copy was contributed by: NORM GOLDMAN:Editor of Bookpleasures. CLICK TO VIEW Norm Goldman's Reviews

Expanding his literary talents, screenwriter and director Troy Cook has developed his own quirky style as he enters the mystery-comedy arena with his debut novel 47 Rules of Highly Effective Bank Robbers. The use of wacky humor with mystery is a difficult balancing act that is feat for even the most seasoned writer, nonetheless, Cook manages to cleverly pull it off.

The plot is set in the Florida Panhandle as it zeros in on a psychopath, Wyatt Evans, and his daughter Tara. After her mother is killed, Tara, at the tender age of nine is introduced by her wicked father into the world of crime. The father and daughter team think nothing of robbing banks and killing anyone who gets in their way, as they adhere to their own set of forty seven rules. In their world crime does in fact pay, and as long as you follow the rules you will certainly get away with it, even though it may seem evil.

Wyatt is also obsessed with completely controlling Tara and when at the age of twenty-two she falls in love and runs away with Max, the son of a small town sheriff, you can well imagine her father’s ballistic response. Nothing short of murdering Max will satisfy him, as he pursues the lovers from one town to another. Tara realizes that she can take care of herself and perhaps, as she muses, this is the reason why her father held on so tight. Nonetheless, fleeing from her father does not completely change her lifestyle as she continues to rob banks, while at the same time teaching her new found love, Max, a trick or two.

The pace of the story moves along steadily, picking up in intensity as Max's father, Williams, as well as law agents Dawkins and Stratton are in hot pursuit of Wyatt as well as the loving couple. Thrown into the cast of characters and roller coaster plot is a former crime partner of Wyatt, Pete, who has come up with a great idea with his side-kick and muscle guy Bull. Why not take out and rob Wyatt? They will have all the money of a bank job without any of the work involved.

All of this makes for a zany hybrid novel with skillfully rendered oddball characters that will certainly please avid readers of this genre as well as newcomers, as it pushes all the right buttons. We even can't help feeling a kind of bonding with some of the characters, particularly with Tara and Max, whom we hope will change their ways.