[.ca] Finders Keepers: The Story of a Man Who Found $1 Million (ISBN 0802140211)

not really that great:
This book is the worst of the 4 Bowden books I've read. It's mildly entertaining and much too short. It seems like there really wasn't enough of a story to turn it into a book. If you want something short to read it's alright I guess.

Review by darren:
The novel finders keepers by Mark Bowden the author of Black hawk down, is a story about a meth addict named Joey Coyle who finds 1.2 million in un marked $100s that fell off the back of a truck that was driving from a casino to a bank, and what happens while Joey and his friends are trying to keep the money secret and the trial after wards Joey is cought. What I did like about this novel is that it is a very fast paced easy to fallow book with everything from cops to mob leaders. I also like how there was a little suspense for example when Joey heard on the radio that some had gotten a description of the car I thought they were done for. I also like the distinct characters for example Joey a meth driven longshoremen. In addition I also liked the setting of the book a town where everybody knew everybody. The theme that the author is trying to convey is if a person lets greed and envy influence them, then they will lose all of the friendships they have. I agree with this theme because if some one is greedy and thinks that they should only receive and not give then they are not a very high-quality person. This theme relates to my life now because I am in high school now and if you are greedy and envious in high school it it probably very hard to make and keep friendships.

Not a lot of substance to this book:
I bought this book after reading a complimentary review online. Unfortunately, this book proved to be a very bland, unentertaining read about an unintelligent, vanilla main character who doesn't even give himself a chance to keep the money that he found. Nothing spectacular really happens in the book; in fact, this probably would have been a better feature article for a second-tier major newspaper. I found the characters very difficult to follow, much less get interested in. I do not recommend this book at all.

Losers, are Always Weepers:
Written like a fiction novel, Bowden tells the true story of an instant financial windfall of $1.2 million for Joey Coyle an unemployed, drug dependant, loser with nothing going for him and the IQ of a rock. Joey, depressed after his drug dealer wasn't home spots a yellow container on the side of the road which he thinks would make a good tool box. Looking inside he discovers two bags with reserve bank written on them. Not really caring that this money obviously belongs to someone he quickly puts the bags in his friend's car and they drive away. This book tells what Joey does with the money in the seven days it takes the authorities to work out he took it and capture him. It is a crime in Philadelphia not to try and return something found with a value over $250. His big plans and how absolutely terrified he gets when he realises the mob is not around just to help you change hundred dollar notes into smaller currency are examined in detail. You'll be amazed at just how stupid this guy is. Also the stupidity of Purolator Armored Car Company and their drivers who lost the money of the back of the truck in the first place. What would you do if you found 1.2 million? To be honest I would keep it but I sure wouldn't be as stupid as Joey. This is an extremely interesting book. I never heard of the actual story before so I have no idea how accurate this book portrays events but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It does drag on a bit with the trial and epilogue at the end which could have been summed up with a lot less paragraphs. Apart from that though, I was addicted and wanted to know the outcome. Highly recommended!

I Know What I Would Do!!:
What would you do if you found over a million dollars lying by the side of the road in a yellow metal tub? I know what I would do, but I_m not saying. This is the dilemma 28 year-old Joey Coyle found himself in with two of his friends while driving down a side road in Philadelphia. Joey_s answer was very simple: _Finders Keepers_. This is an exciting true-life story from the author who also wrote the book _Black Hawk Down_. In February 1981, over a million dollars in unmarked bills fell off the back of an armored truck in South Philadelphia. Joey Coyle, a popular, working-class, young man who_s addicted to drugs, goes from rags to riches, and eventually becomes somewhat of an urban hero. Joey finds himself in a drug-enhanced frenzy for the next week trying to decide what to do with all the money. The story is actually quite funny at times. Joey has a hard time keeping the money a secret, and tells just about everyone he meets about it. Will this be Joey_s downfall or saving grace? Joey does get involved with the wrong people, as the entire city becomes swept up in the search for the money. What happens to Joey takes several different turns and this story has many unexpected surprises in store for us. What an riveting story! This is a remarkable story of an ordinary young man who comes face to face with an extraordinary opportunity, and has the make the decision of right from wrong? Or does he? I recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a good true-to-life thriller. Joe Hanssen