The Hot Kid is another excellent book from an excellent writer (whom I say humbly, shares my date of birth) and the main character is very interesting. As a young man he has an encounter with a thief that changes the course of his life. I especially liked his father, a wealthy man who didn't act it. The book had some well drawn characters and in the movie in my head I was reminded of great pictures such as PAPER MOON and BONNIE AND CLYDE , it evoked that time/era... the 30's bank robbers who were glamorized as hero's... Anyway the book is fine and my only minor quibble is that it ends the way most Leonard books end,[edited by BookBrowse to remove plot spoiler] ...But Elmore Leonards been doing this for more years then I have been alive and I've read every single page he ever wrote so as I say, these are minor quibbles. GO READ THE BOOK ALREADY