Poor Harry Arno.  The Miami-based bookie is having a very bad week!  First, he’s accused (unjustly of course) of skimming profits from the mob, which is never a good move.  Sure, he took a little off the top, but who doesn’t?  He certainly doesn’t deserve to have Jimmy Cap and his murderous goons chasing him.  And what’s up with the FBI?  After all, he’s just doing a job. Okay, so it’s illegal.  So Harry decides to retire—quickly.  He flies to Italy, thinking to lie low with his girlfriend Joyce for a while until everyone forgets all about him.   But Harry has made one more mistake.  He forgot that he skipped out on US Marshall Raylan Givens.

Soon Raylan is in Italy as well, intent on finding Harry and protecting him long enough to get him home.  Harry’s Italian hideaway is suddenly crowded!  There’s Raylan and Joyce, and soon Jimmy Cap’s impatient enforcers enter the mix.   From Milan to Rapallo and back to Miami, Harry, with Raylan’s well-armed protection, manages to stay one step ahead of the mob.  And Raylan, in spite of Harry, manages to figure it all out, and maybe impress Joyce at the same time.

Elmore Leonard is known for his clever, action packed plots that zoom from one twist to the next.  Pronto is no exception.  There’s enough action for even die-hard excitement lovers.  Leonard’s plots are always pushed along by his characters. He creates vivid, memorable characters who stay with you long after the last page is turned.  Harry, Joyce, and the mobsters as well, are unique and interesting. But Raylan Givens is the driving force in Pronto.  He is the man!  Whenever he appears, the story has more snap, more excitement.  So, hold on to your hat, hang on to Raylan and just enjoy Pronto’s ride.