52 Pickup: A Novel

By 1974 Elmore Leonard had been writing for years. But that year he really hit his stride with the novel 52 Pick-Up. Over the next several years, Leonard would publish a string of novels set in his hometown of Detroit. These novels (52 Pick-Up, Swag, The Switch, and City Primeval) would change the direction of crime fiction.52 Pick-Up centers on a Detroit businessman named Harry Mitchell. He's a recognizable type to Leonard fans - a flawed everyman in a tough world. In Harry's case, middle-aged boredom leads him to an affair with a young party girl. In turn, the affair leads to an attempt to blackmail Harry out of his hard-earned dollars. Harry decides to pay the blackmailers - on his own terms.Leonard keeps 52 Pick-Up moving and does not allow the story to bog down. There is plenty of action and the not-too-bright stars of the book provide some good laughs. In addition, Leonard makes great use of the Detroit settings; 52 Pick-Up takes the reader on a tour of the Motor City's back alleys, dive bars, and mean streets.My only real complaint about the book is the ending. The reader sees it coming. As in most suspense novels, getting to the ending is the real fun.52 Pick-Up might not be perfect, but it is "darn good." Fans of suspense novels should not pass it up.

One of the fun parts about reading earlier Elmore Leonard books is that so many of them were made into films. So you can picture the wonderful characters that he created, and then see how the movie was cast and imagine what you would have done--lots of fun!Even though I had seen the film version (almost 30 years ago) and remembered that it starred Roy Scheider and Ann-Margret, I didn't remember the rest of the cast, which included Kelly Preston (before she met John Travolta) and Vanity in two smaller but important and perfectly cast roles. The film had very mixed reviews, I imagine because of the production credits (the producers were a bit of a joke in the film business at that time), but that didn't influence Roger Ebert, who loved the film for its fantastic character development.52 PICKUP is just what you'd expect from Mr. Leonard--superbly developed characters, and an opportunity to meet people that you will probably never encounter in your life. In other words, a perfect escape from reality into a different world, but one that you can imagine is true. The plot is not very original, but satisfying none-the-less. A very good read....have fun!

So consistently good, classic Elmore. Good read, entertaining and scary at the same time. His books are always worth a read.

52 Pickup (1974) is one of the earliest novels of Elmore Leonard's I've read, but the style is unmistakably "classic" Leonard. It would seem that he developed his trademark style early in his career. This story takes place in Detroit where a straying husband, Harry Mitchell, gets caught up in a blackmail trap set by some small time crooks. Little do they know they have chosen the wrong guy-Mitchell is not going to bother with the police and try to solve this dilemma on his own. It was another short but sweet crime adventure, but the flaws I see here are that there is some suspension of belief in the number of murders and crimes committed that are seemingly not investigated by the cops, then again it was a different era there were no video surveillance cameras and Detroit was emerging from the 60s fraught with violence. Again, this novel has many of the hallmarks of Leonard's particular style-realistic villains, sharp dialogue, and a swiftly executed plot.

I loved the book AND the movie. Sleazy characters in Detroit can't get any lower. A Snail has more value than some of the characters in this story. Elmore Leonard is a master at telling a story around gritty, believable characters. Exposes the Dark Side of Humanity.The story centers around 3 low-lifes picking a flawed man, Harry Mitchell, to blackmail. They picked the wrong guy from start to finish.About the movie, never tire of seeing the beautiful Ann-Margret.Also recommended: Elmore Leonard's "Hombre" both the novel and the movie.I bought both books used from Amazon.

52 Pickup was a giant leap forward in Elmore Leonard's crime fiction writing. The story is plausible. It mixes the seedy side of 1970's Detroit with the upper middle class life of a manufacturing executive. This executive, Harry Mitchell, like many of Leonard's other character has more to him than is readily apparent. His past as a decorated fighter pilot who is discharged for defending himself against friendly fire comes in handy as he handles his predicament with blackmailing criminals without the aid of the authorities.The story also features a very strong woman in a relationship with Mitchell. Despite a one-time cheating incident, their marriage emerges stronger than ever and is ultimately the catalyst in Mitchell resolving his situation. Once again, after the final action, the outcome and consequences to the main characters are left up to the reader's imagination.This was an enjoyable read.

I can hardly put it down. Love the story line and the drama in the story.

So far I have read only two novels by Elmore Leonard: "Hombre" and this one. His style is spare and unpretentious but maybe a little too stale. His strengths include vivid dialogue, precise descriptions and an evident command of his material; whether set in the wild west or on the mean streets of Detroit. I would describe his work overall as Hemingwayesque, with a nice addition of humor. "52 Pickup" is well worth reading. It is a dark and compelling crime story that builds to a neat climax. I plan to read more of Leonard's fiction and it might be that he will grow on me - as Hemingway finally did!

Three Detroit lowlifes decide to blackmail a local factory owner, but they’ve picked the wrong man – Harry Mitchell is a brilliantly conceived Elmore Leonard hero, more than a match for them. I’m gradually reading the whole of Leonard’s prolific oeuvre in order of publication, and this (his eleventh) is the best yet. The most intricate, satisfying plot, the most developed, believable characters (including the women, who had only decorative roles in his previous books), and a consummate spare style free of its earlier self-consciousness. Pretty much technically perfect as well as highly entertaining.

I am normally a huge Elmore Leonard fan, but this book really disappointed me. Not for poor writing, or bad plotting, but instead for the way his female characters are treated.Without trying to give away the plot, the book centres on Harry Mitchell, caught cheating on his wife and blackmailed for it. Harry is a likeable character, who serves as the story's hero. But every consequence of his actions - the adultery, the blackmail and subsequent fallout - are experienced by the women in his life (his wife and mistress). They suffer badly, while Harry comes away relatively unscathed.Leonard writes books about men, (with a few notable exceptions) but his female characters are not mere bimbos sitting on the sidelines - they are plot centric and capable. Sadly this seems to be the rare exception - a different book from a different time. I will still be looking forward to my next Leonard novel, but this one left a bad taste in the mouth.

When a trio of low life criminals decide to blackmail a married business owner they get more than they bargained for when Harry Mitchell decides to fight back. Full of tough characters and sizzling dialogue this gritty crime novel is a hidden gem in the high profile list of the author’s work. Where 52 Pickup really excels is that it takes a seemingly ordinary genre plot and brings enough twists and turns to make it seem like a rollercoaster. With a satisfying explosive conclusion I recommend this book to any curious crime fan who may be wondering why Elmore Leonard was so revered.

This, I don’t think is anywhere near his best but even so if it’s Not his best it’s still quite good

book arrived on time - good condition - gripping story right from start couldn't put it down twists and turns to the end