PAYBACK aka THE HUNTER (Richard Stark) - February 21/11

I don't know why, but I have a memory of starting this book many years ago and not finishing it. I think I had a problem with Stark's stark style, but reading it now, I found that the style really complemented the surprisingly brutal story. Some of the overly descriptive passages don't fare too well - especially the climactic train yard thing - but otherwise, this is a lean, mean, fast-paced book featuring a vivid badass at its center. *** out of ****