Best Elmore Leonard Books of 2023

• Best Overall: Hombre: A Novel
• Best Budget: Fire in the Hole: Stories (Raylan Givens Book 4)
• Best Value: Swag: A Novel
• Editor's Choise: Pronto: A Novel

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#1: The Complete Western Stories of Elmore Leonard

Specs:

• Title: The Complete Western Stories of Elmore Leonard
• Author: Elmore Leonard
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; 1st edition (May 8, 2007)
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 528
• ISBN-10: 006125727X
• ISBN-13: 978-0061257277

What we like:

• Elmore Leonard's "The Complete Western Stories" is a comprehensive collection of his Western short stories. The book contains thirty stories, some of which have never before been published. In this collection, Leonard's writing style is on full display, with witty dialogue, vivid characters, and a great sense of humor. The stories are entertaining and fast-paced, filled with action and suspense. Fans of Westerns and the works of Elmore Leonard will not be disappointed.

What we don't like:

• The only disadvantage of "The Complete Western Stories of Elmore Leonard" is that it is not an exhaustive collection of Leonard's entire Western body of work. This collection does not contain all of his Western novels, so readers who wish to read all of his Western works will need to purchase additional volumes.

Our Verdict:

Overall, "The Complete Western Stories of Elmore Leonard" is an outstanding collection of Western short stories that highlights the author's talent and style. Fans of Westerns and Elmore Leonard's work should read this book because it is well-written, captivating, and entertaining. It is not a comprehensive collection of all of Elmore Leonard's Western works, but that should not deter readers from picking up this book. We enthusiastically recommend "The Complete Western Stories of Elmore Leonard" to anyone seeking an enjoyable and entertaining read.

 #2: Fire in the Hole: Stories (Raylan Givens Book 4)

Specs:

• Title: Fire in the Hole: Stories (Raylan Givens Book 4)
• Author: Elmore Leonard
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (December 26, 2012)
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 256
• ISBN-10: 0062120344
• ISBN-13: 978-0062120342

What we like:

• Elmore Leonard's "Fire in the Hole: Stories" is a collection of short stories featuring his most famous character, Raylan Givens. The book contains nine stories, some of which were adapted for the popular television series "Justified." In these stories, Leonard's writing style is on full display, with witty dialogue, vivid characters, and fast-paced action. Fans of Elmore Leonard's work will enjoy reentering the world of Raylan Givens, as the tales are engaging and entertaining.

What we don't like:

• The only disadvantage of "Fire in the Hole: Stories" is that it contains only nine short stories. This collection's brevity may disappoint those looking for a longer, more substantial read.

Our Verdict:

"Fire in the Hole: Stories" is an excellent collection of short stories featuring one of Elmore Leonard's most beloved characters. The writing is of the highest quality, and the stories are captivating and entertaining. Fans of Leonard's work and the television series "Justified" will certainly enjoy this book. The only disadvantage is that it is a short book, but that should not discourage readers from picking it up. We enthusiastically recommend "Fire in the Hole: Stories" to anyone seeking a fun and engaging read.

 #3: Hombre: A Novel

Specs:

• Title: Hombre: A Novel
• Author: Elmore Leonard
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (August 21, 2012)
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 208
• ISBN-10: 0062120344
• ISBN-13: 978-0062120342

What we like:

• Elmore Leonard's "Hombre" is a classic Western novel first published in 1961. When he is hired to escort a group of white people through Apache territory, John Russell, a white man raised by Apaches, is forced to confront his own identity and allegiances. The writing of Leonard is of the highest caliber, with sharp dialogue, vivid characters, and an excellent sense of atmosphere. The narrative is captivating and suspenseful, with plenty of action and plot twists.

What we don't like:

• There are very few issues with "Hombre." However, some readers may find the story's pacing slow, particularly in the first few chapters. In addition, the book may not appeal to readers who are not Western fans or Elmore Leonard's fans.

Our Verdict:

Overall, "Hombre" is an excellent Western novel that demonstrates the talent and style of Elmore Leonard. The writing is of the highest caliber, the plot is captivating and suspenseful, and the characters are vivid and memorable. Fans of Westerns and Elmore Leonard will enjoy this book immensely. Some readers may find the story's pacing to be slow, but that should not deter them from reading this classic. We strongly recommend "Hombre" to anyone seeking an entertaining and engaging read.

 #4: Rum Punch: A Novel

Specs:

• Title: Rum Punch: A Novel
• Author: Elmore Leonard
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (October 18, 2011)
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 384
• ISBN-10: 0062120344
• ISBN-13: 978-0062120342

What we like:

• Elmore Leonard's crime thriller novel "Rum Punch" was first published in 1992. The book tells the story of flight attendant Jackie Burke, who smuggles money for a gunrunner. She is forced to make a deal that puts her in danger from both the gunrunner and the law when she is apprehended by the ATF. The writing of Leonard is as sharp as ever, with witty dialogue, vivid characters, and a plot that keeps the reader interested from beginning to end. The novel also contains Leonard's signature blend of humor and violence.

What we don't like:

• There are very few issues with "Rum Punch." However, some readers may find the conclusion somewhat unsatisfying because it leaves unresolved questions. Furthermore, the book contains offensive racial stereotypes and slurs that may offend some readers.

Our Verdict:

Overall, "Rum Punch" is an excellent crime thriller that demonstrates Elmore Leonard's skill and style. The writing is witty and captivating, the characters are well-developed and memorable, and the plot is quick-paced and suspenseful. Fans of Leonard's work and of crime thrillers in general will enjoy this book immensely. The only flaws are the unsatisfying conclusion and the use of racial stereotypes and slurs. However, these should not diminish the quality of the book as a whole. We recommend "Rum Punch" to anyone seeking a fun and exciting book.

 #5: Raylan: A Novel (Raylan Givens Book 3)

Specs:

• Title: Raylan: A Novel
• Author: Elmore Leonard
• Publisher: William Morrow; Reprint edition (January 17, 2012)
• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 1181 KB
• Print Length: 273 pages
• ASIN: B005ERIRGU

What we like:

• Elmore Leonard's "Raylan" is a crime novel featuring Raylan Givens, a U.S. Marshal who previously appeared in Leonard's novels "Pronto" and "Riding the Rap." Raylan pursues a variety of criminals in Kentucky, including a female coal executive, a bank robber, and a mafia hitman, as depicted in the book. With witty dialogue, vivid characters, and a strong sense of atmosphere, Leonard's writing is as sharp as ever. The plot is brisk and suspenseful, with numerous plot twists that keep the reader guessing.

What we don't like:

• There are very few issues with "Raylan." However, some readers may find the plot somewhat predictable because it follows the formula of a typical crime thriller. In addition, some of the secondary characters may be underdeveloped, as Raylan is the protagonist.

Our Verdict:

Overall, "Raylan" is an excellent crime novel that demonstrates Elmore Leonard's skill and style. The writing is witty and captivating, the characters are well-developed and memorable, and the plot is quick-paced and suspenseful. Fans of Leonard's work and of crime thrillers in general will enjoy this book immensely. The only flaws consist of a predictable plot and underdeveloped secondary characters. However, these should not diminish the quality of the book as a whole. We recommend "Raylan" to anyone seeking a fun and exciting book.

• Consider the Genre: Elmore Leonard wrote books in multiple genres, including crime, western, and suspense. Decide on the genre you enjoy the most and look for books in that category.
• Series vs. Standalone: Leonard wrote several series of books, such as the Raylan Givens and Chili Palmer series. If you enjoy following a character throughout multiple books, consider purchasing a series. Otherwise, look for standalone novels.
• Publication Order vs. Chronological Order: Leonard's books were not published in chronological order, so consider if you want to read them in the order they were written or in chronological order.
• Format: Leonard's books are available in various formats, including hardcover, paperback, and e-book. Decide which format you prefer before making a purchase.
• Reviews: Read reviews from other readers before purchasing a book to get an idea of its quality.

What are a few of Elmore Leonard's most well-known works?

"Get Shorty," "Rum Punch," "Out of Sight," "Mr. Majestyk," and "Riding the Rap" are among his most popular works.

Are the books of Elmore Leonard appropriate for young readers?

No, Leonard's books are not appropriate for children due to their mature content and language.

What distinguishes Elmore Leonard's writing from that of other authors?

Sharp dialogue, vivid characters, and lean prose define Leonard's writing style. His frequent use of humor and satire in his writing distinguishes him from other crime and Western authors.

Has any of Elmore Leonard's literature been adapted into films or television series?

Yes, a number of his novels have been adapted into successful films and television series, including "Get Shorty," "Out of Sight," and "Justified"

How should one begin reading Elmore Leonard's works?

One of his standalone novels, such as "Swag" or "Killshot," or the first book in one of his series, such as "Pronto," the first book in the Raylan Givens series, is an excellent place to begin.

Elmore Leonard was a prolific and influential author who was known for his witty dialogue, vivid characters, and concise prose. Consider the genre, series versus standalone, publication order versus chronological order, format, and reviews when purchasing his books. His writing style is characterized by humor and satire, as evidenced by the fact that "Get Shorty" and "Out of Sight" are two of his most famous works. The best place to begin reading Leonard is with one of his standalone novels or the first book in one of his series, as his works have been adapted into successful movies and television shows.