The Getaway

· Hachette+ORM
14 reviews
Ebook
214
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

The classic heist thriller from "the master of the American groin-kick novel"—the basis for the movie starring Steve McQueen ( Vanity Fair ).

Doc McCoy is the most skilled criminal alive. But when for the first time in Doc's long criminal career, his shot doesn't hit the mark, everything begins to fall apart. And Doc begins to realize that the perfect bank robbery isn't complete without the perfect getaway to back it up.
The Getaway is the classic story of a bank robbery gone horribly wrong, where the smallest mistakes have catastrophic consequences, and shifting loyalties lead to betrayals and chaos. The basis for the classic Steve McQueen film of the same name, as well as a 1994 remake with Alec Baldwin, Thompson's novel set the bar for every heist story that followed—but as Thompson's proved time and again, nobody's ever done it better than the master.

Praise for Jim Thompson

"The best suspense writer going, bar none." — The New York Times

"My favorite crime novelist—often imitated but never duplicated." —Stephen King

"My man in crime fiction." —Jo Nesbø

"If Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, and Cornell Woolrich would have joined together in some ungodly union and produced a literary offspring, Jim Thompson would be it . . . His work casts a dazzling light on the human condition." — The Washington Post

The classic heist thriller from "the master of the American groin-kick novel"—the basis for the movie starring Steve McQueen ( Vanity Fair ). Doc McCoy is the most skilled criminal alive. But when for the first time in Doc's long criminal career, his shot doesn't hit the mark, everything begins ...

Discover more

Ratings and reviews

14 reviews
A Google user
March 17, 2012
She waited for her beloved husband for four long years and then he was by her side again. Doc McCoy is a master criminal with nerves of steel. He will do whatever it takes to get what he wants, in this case taking down a bank's assets. He studies, plans and then jumps on the chance . . . but a few things go astray in his plans and before he knows it, many have died and he is highly sought after by the heat. Back him in a corner, he will leave ya there in a heap. So go those who are unfortunate enough to cross him; his escape is no different but will he get away from this one? Enter an old friend who helps him disappear until it is safe for him to escape for good. The lengths he and his wife are forced to go to are unfathomable to the average person. I found myself curling my lip with disgust at the scene. Will he escape to a better situation or is he jumping from the frying pan into the fire? You'll have to read it and find out for yourself! Jim Thompson has become a favorite author of mine over the last several months. It is a bit surprising to find that his books were written decades ago, the copyright being renewed now by a family member. The audio book is an excellent option. There are at least two places where the editing is not perfect and it is noticeable but that does not detract from the story. This is a great spin with an ending that falls in your lap!
Did you find this helpful?
George Alexander
January 19, 2026
Great read. Glad I ran across the book club that recommended it.
Did you find this helpful?
John West
May 20, 2020
The characters are realistically flawed and likeable. I wish I had read Thompson years ago.
Did you find this helpful?

About the author

James Meyers Thompson was born in Anadarko, Oklahoma. He began writing fiction at a very young age, selling his first story to True Detective when he was only fourteen. Thompson eventually wrote twenty-nine novels, all but three of which were published as paperback originals. Thompson also wrote two screenplays (for the Stanley Kubrick films "The Killing" and "Paths of Glory"). An outstanding crime writer, the world of his fiction is rife with violence and corruption. In examining the underbelly of human experience and American society in particular, Thompson's work at its best is both philosophical and experimental. Several of his novels have been filmed by American and French directors, resulting in classic noir including The Killer Inside Me (1952), After Dark My Sweet (1955), and The Grifters (1963).
James Meyers Thompson was born in Anadarko, Oklahoma. He began writing fiction at a very young age, selling his first story to True Detective when he was only fourteen. Thompson eventually wrote twenty-nine novels, all but three of which were published as paperback originals. Thompson also wrote ...

Rate this ebook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.