Freaky Deaky is an example of the median Elmore Leonard novel. His best books have a few things in common – his characters are all extremely likable or hateable, but they all seem like people, not caricatures. There’s a fun, complicated setup that could go half a dozen directions. And the fun is simply being around these characters to see what they do.

This was published 8 years before Out of Sight, and it comes off a little like a rough draft of that book. While the main plot points are different, several characters in Freaky Deaky are very similar to the ones in the later book. Out of Sight is an all-time classic novel (and film), anything reminiscent is going to seem a little less than.

Speaking of less-than! They made a movie out of this that I’m sure you’ve never seen. Here’s the trailer, and even the actors look like they’re impersonating other actors from better Elmore Leonard film adaptations:

That’s not to say it’s not a great book – I’ve never read an Elmore Leonard novel I wouldn’t recommend as a low-stakes, undemanding vacation read, which is exactly what this was. It’s great. If you haven’t read or watched Out of Sight, read this first. Then read Out of Sight.

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