Rum Punch [Paperback]

The story revolves around Jackie Burke (changed to Jackie Brown in the film), an airline stewardess who smuggles money between locations for Ordell Robbie, an arms-dealing hot-talking crook who uses everyone he comes in contact with for his own gain. The plot takes off when Jackie is caught by the police with the money for a delivery (along with some drugs she didn't know were in there) and Ordell is forced to bail her out through a bail bondsman, Max Cherry. Jackie sets up a sting operation which has the appearance of involving everyone -- the police, Ordell, even Ordell's discontented callgirl. In the end... well, you'll have to read it for that.

What makes "Rum Punch" a pleasure to read, like all of Leonard's novels, are the fringe characters which seemingly only he could dream up. The relationship between Louis, Ordell's dim-witted and short-tempered right hand man, and Melanie, Ordell's primary callgirl, is amusing, as are scenes like Ray Nicholette's bravado-style shootout with one of Ordell's arms-shipping lackeys. Leonard also intersperses interesting bits of character introspection, things like Max Cherry's contemplation about his relationship with his wife (with whom he's separated) and Jackie's three ex-husbands (although she only usually says there's two, because two of them were so similar, even in name, that they're hard to tell apart).

The plot itself goes off without a hitch. There's nothing profound, and probably nothing new, but the execution is suspenseful and works because of the strong characters involved.

Heartily recommended.

Matthew D. Johnston

Jackie Burke is an aging--yet still attractive--flight attendant who gets busted for running cash through customs for Ordell Robbie, who makes his living as an arms dealer. When the authorities put pressure on her to cooperate in their attempt to bring in Ordell, Burke enlists the help of a burnt-out bail bondsman to make the effort pay off. A game of cat-and-mouse ensues that is classic Leonard: entertaining and easy to read.

Elmore Leonard is a great storyteller. He's not someone who philosophises on life's great mysteries, he simply spins a good yarn. Rum Punch, just like his other books, is entertaining and easy to read. For fans of Leonard, this is another solid read.