Friday's Forgotten Books: The Rare Coin Score by Richard Stark

This top-notch Parker caper comes from the mighty pen of Richard Stark (a.k.a. Donald Westlake). What a shame there will be no other titles. This time Parker, the most hardboiled of American thieves, decides to throw in with a motley crew heisting a rare coins convention. Of course, things never go as planned no matter how carefully he sets up the job. This is the job where Parker meets his loyal and smart lady friend Claire who has a key role. It's a thrill to see how Parker thinks on the fly and manages to keep on going, or else there would be no further Parker adventures. Kudos and thanks to the University of Chicago Press for reprinting the Parker novels in handsome paperback.