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The Friends of Eddie Coyle

by George V. Higgins

A Boston crime novel built around a dangerous choice

Critically Recognized
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Awards & Recognition

  • Author recognition

    Time magazine called George V. Higgins “America's best crime novelist”

    Time magazine lauded the credited author as “America's best crime novelist.”

  • Critical praise

    Elmore Leonard called it “the best crime novel ever written”

    Elmore Leonard called the book “the best crime novel ever written.”

AlbakiReads Editorial

A Boston crime novel built around a dangerous choice

Boston’s criminal underworld supplies the pressure in this story of Eddie Coyle, a small-time gunrunner facing prison unless he gives the district attorney information about a major client. The dilemma reaches into his network of thieves, gunmen, mobsters, and law enforcement, making loyalty and self-preservation central concerns. The publisher describes the novel as told almost entirely through dialogue, with criminals and detectives forming its cast. This anniversary edition includes a new introduction by Dennis Lehane.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Readers interested in hard-boiled crime fiction set in Boston.
  • Readers drawn to stories about criminal networks, informants, and divided loyalties.
  • Readers who enjoy dialogue-led novels with criminals and detectives at the center.

Themes

Loyalty and betrayalSelf-preservationCrime and law enforcementInformants

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

National Book Award Finalist
With a new introduction by Dennis Lehane

Elmore Leonard called The Friends of Eddie Coyle "the best crime novel ever written--makes The Maltese Falcon read like Nancy Drew." Time magazine lauded its author as "America's best crime novelist."

Picador celebrates the 40th anniversary of this seminal crime novel with a brand new reissue -- it has been called the very best of its genre by everyone from Elmore Leonard to George Will to Norman Mailer to Anthony Bourdain. A classic.

George V. Higgins's seminal crime novel is a down-and-dirty tale of thieves, mobsters, and cops on the mean streets of Boston. When small-time gunrunner Eddie Coyle is convicted on a felony, he's looking at three years in the pen--that is, unless he sells out one of his big-fish clients to the DA. But which of the many hoods, gunmen, and executioners whom he calls his friends should he send up the river? Told almost entirely in crackling dialogue by a vivid cast of lowlifes and detectives, The Friends of Eddie Coyle is one of the greatest crime novels ever written.

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Customer reviews

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Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

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Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

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Olivia

Smooth.