One of my literary blind spots is I've never read Elmore Leonard. "Get Shorty" seemed like a good way in and I wasn't disappointed. I've always heard how good Leonard is with dialogue and it's true. Really funny character conversations in this book all woven into an exciting story of a mobster dealing with the equally brutal world of Hollywood.

Yes, I'm decades late to the game, but Elmore Leonard is terrific!

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a free e-galley of the novel in return for this honest review.

Get Shorty is a delightful crime story, full of Elmore Leonard's trademark humanity and wit. Chili is sent to LA to recover a debt for his boss from a Hollywood producer, only to fall in love with the producer's girlfriend. Hilarious and action packed, this is classic Elmore Leonard.

Well, once I decided to read this, I had to go ahead and watch the movie again, and then watch the next movie, and then go to the bookstore and try to have a conversation with the young clerk about how much I have always loved this genre. Even all these years after its original release, Get Shorty is still so fresh and unique. The language feels alive, the characters jump off the page, and the plot is so clever. I wish I could give ten stars out of five.

Huh...turns out I don't love this. I don't hate it either, so score?

Honestly, I started out a little bored, but Chili Palmer did grow on me. Am I invested? No, but did I keep reading with interest once I was in? Yes.

I do think that Chili is charming and if you have a love of Hollywood and movie making (and gangsters, which I do enjoy), you will likely love this.

From the cover, it looks like there's going to be a series from this now, so kind of a reawakening. And, I confess, I never saw the movie either so I don't have the nostalgia thing going here.

All in all, an okay read for me, but I know loads of people love the movie and will likely love this.