Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Elmore Leonard’s Get Shorty is a masterclass in genre fusion—equal parts crime caper, Hollywood satire, and character study—and in audiobook form, it becomes something even sharper: a performance. Joe Mantegna doesn’t just narrate this story; he inhabits it, slipping into the skin of Chili Palmer with the kind of effortless cool that makes you forget you’re listening to fiction.

Chili, a Miami loan shark with a taste for movies and a knack for staying calm under pressure, finds himself in Hollywood chasing down a deadbeat producer. What starts as a debt collection turns into a pitch meeting, and soon Chili’s navigating the film industry with the same streetwise instincts he used in the mob. Leonard’s prose is lean, sly, and packed with dialogue that crackles like a vintage noir script—perfectly suited to Mantegna’s delivery.

Mantegna’s voice is smooth but edged with grit, capturing Chili’s dry wit and unflappable demeanor without ever overplaying it. He gives each character a distinct rhythm—Harry Zimm’s frantic bluster, Bo Catlett’s slick menace, Karen Flores’ weary charm—without veering into caricature. It’s a subtle, confident performance that mirrors Leonard’s own restraint as a writer.

What makes this audiobook sing is the synergy between author and narrator. Leonard’s writing thrives on subtext and rhythm, and Mantegna knows exactly when to lean in, when to pause, and when to let the words do the work. The result is a listening experience that feels cinematic in its pacing and immersive in its atmosphere.

For fans of crime fiction, Hollywood send-ups, or just damn good storytelling, Get Shorty in audio form is a slick, stylish ride. It’s not just a book you listen to—it’s a world you step into, one wisecrack at a time.

A classic and still hilarious. Good characters, great pacing, a fun read for anyone who likes correctly with their serious.

This classic neo-noir crime thriller has been on my TBR for a long time, considering the film based on it being one of my favorites, it’s shocking that I haven’t read it sooner. Then I was sent the audio arc in celebration of its 35th book birthday, and I was excited to jump in.

For those that haven’t seen the movie or read this book, Get Shorty is about Chili Palmar a low level loan shark for the mob in Miami. After his operation is turned over to a new guy (one with a history with Palmer) he’s forced to track down the money of an assumed dead guy who owes him money. This leads to Palmer ending up in Los Angeles, and becoming embroiled in the shadier parts of the movie business.

I won’t spoil much here, but what I will say this book is exactly what I wanted from this kind of crime thriller. Doesn’t take itself or its characters too seriously, but has an interesting set of conundrums to be solved by the books end. I think my only issue is I wish it had focused more totally on Chili Palmer than sometimes jumping to some of the side characters, but this is a minor complaint and one I’d happily ignore on a reread.

Four and a half stars.

Joe Mantegna was the perfect choice for this new audiobook edition of Elmore Leonard’s Get Shorty. His performance completely elevated the story—nailing the humor, the tension, and all the quirky edges of Chili Palmer. The pacing was spot-on, and his voice brought out every sly smirk buried in the dialogue. This is one of those rare audiobooks where the narrator doesn’t just read the story—he becomes it.
As for the story itself, it’s clever, layered, and just plain fun. I loved Chili. He’s slick, complex, and oddly likable for a guy who's basically just shifting his mobster talents from Miami to moviemaking. Leonard knows exactly what he’s doing here—pulling back the curtain on Hollywood while showing how similar it is to organized crime. Everyone’s playing angles, protecting turf, and faking sincerity. The whole town runs on charm, fear, and illusion.
What really struck me, though, is how meta the whole thing is. The plot doesn’t just move forward—it morphs. The movie Chili wants to make becomes the story we’re listening to, evolving with every encounter, every critique, every pitch. It’s a story being written in real time, by the characters themselves, as if they’re all trapped in their own script. That’s the brilliance of Leonard—he makes it feel effortless, but there’s a whole lot of smart under the surface.
Karen, the love interest, is sharp, grounded, and a solid counterbalance to the chaos. She wasn’t just eye candy; she had presence and purpose.
If you enjoy crime fiction with swagger, sharp dialogue, and a satirical lens on Hollywood, this audiobook’s a must. It’s equal parts crime caper, character study, and inside joke—and Mantegna delivers it all with style.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult | HarperAudio for the advance listening copy.

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.

Joe Mantegna does an exceptional job with the narration of this story. I was so, so glad to get the chance to listen to the audio version of the story and the production of the audiobook was amazing. I would highly recommend this version to other readers.

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 got to listen to this on audio thanks to NetGalley, and they could not have found someone who could have done a better performance. I wish I could give ten stars out of five.

Chilli Palmer loses his jacket and the novel snowballs from there. The plot is so absurdly hilarious. The characters are amazing, the story is fantastic. While this is not my usual genre, I do love Elmore Leonard's writing style.

Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review

ARC copy, audiobook
Book: 4 stars
Narrator: 4 stars

This is a review of the audiobook.

If I tried to explain the plot of Get Shorty it wouldn't make sense. I still don't quite understand where the title came from. The blurbs you read are accurate, and the movie trailer appears to make sense (I haven't actually seen the movie adaptations of either Get Shorty or Be Cool). It's a true testament to the skill of the late, great Elmore Leonard that he could pull it off. Satire is difficult anyway, but satire with a plot as off the wall as Get Shorty's? Bravo, Elmore Leonard.

Bravo, too, to whomever asked Joe Mantegna to narrate the audiobook. His delivery was perfect, just the right amount of dry and perfectly able to capture the essence of the various characters, particularly the less-than-savory ones.

Of course, reading it now you also experience a sense of nostalgia. Have 35 years really gone by? If you wanted proof, wait for the section when Chili reveals the exorbitant cost of dinner for three with drinks at an upscale LA restaurant: $100. Total. A custom omelet cost about $20. *ROTFL* (FYI, $100 in 1990 is about $245 in 2025 money. For a good LA restaurant, I'd consider that a bargain. I'd expect more like $245 a head. At least.)

In short, Elmore Leonard is a legend and Get Shorty is one of his finest. If any aspect of the plot appeals to you, make sure to check it out.

I would like to thank HarperAudio Adult for allowing me to experience this NetGalley audiobook.

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.