Get Shorty is not only my favorite Elmore Leonard books, it’s one of my favorite books period. There is just something so compelling about Chili Palmer, the movie loving loan shark who is the unusual hero of the story. I first read it back in the early 90s and have read it well over a dozen times over the years. That doesn’t even count the number of times I’ve watched the movie adaptation, which is also great. The casting in the movie is near spot on and even though they changed the ending up a bit, it’s still great. Though, the actual ending in the book is better, but I understand how that might not have worked as well in the movie format.

Get Shorty sees Chili Palmer heading out of Miami in pursuit of a dry cleaner who owes some money, only to end up following him all the way to Hollywood, where while doing a favor for a casino Chili ends up getting involved with a movie producer and begins to learn about the movie business…which doesn’t seem all that different than the mob business. The subplot of Chili’s long running beef with Ray Barbone (aka Ray Bones) is fantastic. Great characters, some of the best dialogue around, and a fun storyline just make this a story I never get tired of. This new audio version is narrated by the incredibly talented Joe Mantegna and he delivers a great performance, and I ended up listening to the entire book in only two sittings. Whether you are already familiar with the story or if this is your first time, I can’t imagine anyone being disappointed. I’d like to thank HarperAudio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review an advanced listener copy of the new audio adaptation of Get Shorty.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1WGTGW3EKLX5W/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/get-shorty-elmore-leonard/1100615904?ean=2940193560562&bvnotificationId=ceb23ea9-1baf-11f0-b95d-0e08b84242bd&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/343845344

Tired of the Miami mob, loan shark Chili Palmer heads to Hollywood to collect a debt and finds a new hustle: the movie business. The novel combines crime fiction with satire of the film industry. The characters are hilarious and the plot engaging. I enjoyed the audiobook narration by Joe Mantegna.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.