Mr. Paradise: A Novel

Written by Elmore Leonard

Narrated by Robert Forster

“Sharp as an ice pick….You will love this excellent book.”
—New York Times Book Review

Elmore Leonard is the undisputed master, the “King Daddy of crime writers” (Seattle Times), in the august company of the all-time greats of mystery/noir/crime fiction genre: John D. MacDonald, Dashiell Hammett, James M. Cain, et al. The creator of such unforgettable classics as Stick, Out of Sight, and Get Shorty—not to mention the character of U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, lately of TV’s hit series Justified—Leonard is in fine form with Mr. Paradise. A riveting Detroit-based thriller enlivened by Leonard’s trademark razor-sharp dialogue, Mr. Paradise follows a smart Victoria’s Secret model’s attempt to score big after surviving a double murder in a millionaire’s mansion…with a lonely cop acting as spoiler.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Jan 13, 2004
• ISBN: 9780060746032

Elmore Leonard

Elmore Leonard wrote more than forty books during his long career, including the bestsellers Raylan, Tishomingo Blues, Be Cool, Get Shorty, and Rum Punch, as well as the acclaimed collection When the Women Come Out to Dance, which was a New York Times Notable Book. Many of his books have been made into movies, including Get Shorty and Out of Sight. The short story "Fire in the Hole," and three books, including Raylan, were the basis for the FX hit show Justified. Leonard received the Lifetime Achievement Award from PEN USA and the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America. He died in 2013.

Reviews for Mr. Paradise

[therestlessmouse · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting story but not exactly a page-turner

[bjkelley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Started slow for me, but about 30 pages in everything ramped up and it was a fast read to the end. Great characters and dialogue as usual.

[capewood · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I've got a lot of Elmore Leonard to catch up on. Mr. Paradise (Anthony Paradisio) is a aging gangster in Detroit. He loves having young girls perform for him in University of Michigan cheerleader outfits. Things go bad one night when he and one of the girls with him get shot and killed. A lot of people would have liked to see Mr. Paradise killed.

[uryjm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

On the long haul flight back, I chose Elmore for company and he didn't let me down. This was his classic crime style, full of cliches and set-ups he's made his own. Even although they can irritate me, and I did feel he was trying a bit too hard to be "hip" on music in this novel, he's allowed to do it. Great dialogue, even better plotting and some laugh-out-loud observations on people and life, I finished this in one (business class) sitting.

[dplyle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another great story from the master of crime fiction. The characters and the dialog sparkle as usual.DP Lyle, award-winning author, lecturer, and story consultant

[daftboy1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mr. Paradise along with a high class escort lady are murdered.Frank Delsa from Detroit Police investigates the case.Two hitman carried out the shooting.There was another girl at the scene called Kelly she and Frank get together. Frank also solves the case.Mr Paradise assistant arranged the murder. Ok book

[mlake_22 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I haven't read much Elmore Leonard, but this was so good I want to read more.

[regularguy5mb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was my first time reading an Elmore Leonard, although I've experienced some of his stories through other means (movie adaptations). I like his style, so I've picked up a few of his books over the years.Mr. Paradise is similar to some of the other Leonard stories I know of, a lot of colorful characters and an awful lot of happenstance. But the way he writes it, he makes it work.It's really fun watching the criminals try their best to outsmart the cops and each other, although you know it's all going to go horribly wrong somehow. The question in an Elmore Leonard yarn is, who will come out on top?

[mmtz_82 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kelly Barr agrees to help her roommate play Michigan cheerleader for her 84 year-old boyfriend, Tony Paradiso, but a couple of killers spoil the party. Detective Frank Delsa isn’t sure what Kelly is up tp, but he likes her style. Another smooth tale from the master, Elmore Leonard. You can’t go wrong with any of his books.Published in mass-market paperback by HarperCollins.

[nikon_11 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's a fairly quick read, with loads of dialogue that in themselves help describe the characters and oh yeah there's a fine array of characters all of whom are introduced are a good rate and each and everyone of them somehow or other manage to fit in and out of this odd and reasonably well woven story.

[kayceel_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I picked this one out 'cause my gradfather loved Elmore Leonard. I can *sort* of see why, though this was rather violent and full of strong language - I wouldn't think my grandfather would stand for it!Lieutenant Frank Delsa is smart and tough, and I really enjoyed his character. The writing is a fast patter, much like the way many of the characters speak, and this plays like a comedy of errors involving dumb and violent criminals.Feels a bit old-school-tough-guy - Recommended!

[gary10_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Fast moving with great dialogue and memorable characters--vintage Elmore L.

[grheault_2 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Set in Detroit. Police investigate murder of old man and mistaken murder of his girlfriendIts a police whodunit with witnesses telling vastly different stories, but without much action at least to midpoint. I was not interested enough in the characters to care whodunit and DNF. Elmore Leonard wikis up as an incredibly interesting guy, hails from Detroit, and is known for Westerns, very natural dialog, and books that convert well into movies

[greatrakes · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A classic piece of Leonard crime writing. Spare dialogue, shot through with wit and with a cast of America's Dumbest Criminals.Mr Paradise is the murdered man with the cash, one 'cheerleader' is dead, and one alive but pretending to be the dead one, and everyone has an angle. Frank Delsa is the cop who goes around being cool whilst everyone else falls apart. Leonard sets all the people in motion, with an imperceptible nudge, and they run around an intricate course like clockwork actors, the man is a genius.

[pointedpundit · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An Entertaining NovelWhat do these reviewers expect? This is the story.A high-end former Detroit call girl, asks her lingerie model roommate to help her entertain a wealthy octogenarian trial lawyer. By entertain, read she dons a cheerleader's skimpy skirt, but goes topless, while performing pom-pom routines beside a TV set while the lawyer watches videotaped University of Michigan football games. The plot, to say the least, is imaginative. The characters are unique and unforgettable. The dialogue is snappy and realistic. The story moves and is entertaining.What did these reviewers expect – a Detroit-based Hamlet? Elmore Leonard is a gifted novelist and Mr. Paradise will add to his reputation as a skilled character crafter.

[amberwitch · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fastpaced story with more emphasis on character than suspense.Chloe, the professional mistress of Mr. Paradise, convinces her roommate Kelly to come along to do cheerleading routines for Mr. Paradises entertainment. While Kelly is elsewhere Mr. Paradise and Chloe is shot, and Kelly is pressured into impersonating Chloe in order to procure something valuable Mr. Paradise left to her.

[ttaisi5editor · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Funny, but not one of Leonard's best.