WAY PAST LEGAL

Twists on top of twists when a really good cat burglar tries to become a really good dad.

Had it not been for the law of unintended consequences, Manny Williams would almost certainly have remained a thief. He liked the work and was adept at it. Who could ever have guessed that those unimposing Russian mobsters he helped knock over had a poke so imposingly fat? Uncomfortably rich now, Manny finds himself the focus of rancorous attention he’s desperate to escape. But what about little Nicky, his adored five-year-old, and the hard time he’s having in a most unloving foster home? Suddenly Manny sees his way clear. He’ll grab little Nicky and won’t look back. Nothing if not resourceful, he makes an efficient getaway until car trouble strands him near the tiny town of Eastport, Maine, where Fate begins to play games with him. He meets with the kindness of strangers, which becomes invaluable when his enemies catch up with him to the tune of gunfire, bloodshed, a sneaky betrayal, and some unexpected alliances. What catches Manny off guard, transforming him forever, is how willing he is in the end to exchange kindness for kindness.

Green (The Angel of Montague Street, 2003, etc.) brings us a fresh, thoroughly entertaining slant on single parenting.