Helpful Score: 8
The story is quite incredible. I would love to see the movie. What a mind. I didn't like Smith's second book, but this one, his first, blew me away! Just when you think nothing worse can happen, it does and it keeps on happening! It's a good book!!!
Helpful Score: 6
this is one of my all time favorite books. it keeps you spellbound from page one. the suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat. i could not put it down!! hard to think that good people can get caught up in such bad things.
Helpful Score: 5
I loved this book and it is a keeper for me. I have not seen the movie and I also read Scott Smith's other book, The Ruins, first. I was not impressed at all with that book so I put reading this one off. Wow, I shouldn't have. This book is horrifying and gives new meaning to "money is the root of all evil". As each new horror is revealed you are just left with the most sickening feeling. Yes, it is pretty outrageous and a little unbelievable but considering some of the true stories of what people have done for money, it's not that far off the mark. I didn't feel that the ending was predictable as some reviewers do, there was a very subtle twist there that I didn't see coming and just blew me away. I give it 5 stars
Helpful Score: 4
If you enjoyed the movie, you'll probably like the book. The movie closely follows the book. I saw the movie long before I read the book, but I felt the movie did a good job of cluing you into the emotions of the characters and their anxieties. Not a lot is added through the written text (which is rare between a book and a movie, since in the written word the author can explore the inner thoughts of the character and voice commentary about the characters). The ending of the book and the movie are different enough that you'll be glad you read the book.
Helpful Score: 3
It took awhile to post this book because my entire family had to pass it around. There is NO way you can anticipate the ending. I'm keeping my eyes open for other novels by this exceptional author. I'd give it 6 stars if I could.
Helpful Score: 2
This book just pulls you along. I could hardly put it down. With every decision the characters make, you understand their point of view, but inside you are screaming, "NO! Don't do it!" And the tension grows immensely as the book moves along. Highly recommended!
Helpful Score: 1
On an afternoon jaunt, Hank, his brother, and a friend accidentally discover a wrecked plane. Inside they find the dead pilot and a sack containing four million dollars. The men know that they should notify the authorities, but instead they devise a foolproof scheme for keeping the money. They will hide it for one year, tell no one, live normally, and then divide the loot into three equal portions. Nothing can go wrong with such a simple plan-or can it? Smith draws his characters deftly, fully exploring the changes that occur in each of the men after their discovery. The plot is clever, gripping, and full of twists. As Hank narrates the story, the tension builds slowly, but is sustained until the surprise ending. YAs will quickly become caught up in this polished suspense novel.
Helpful Score: 1
Very good book, much better than the movie. Kept me on the edge of my seat, and I just had to stay up late and finish it!
Helpful Score: 1
Every New Year's Eve, Hank Mitchell and his older brother Jacob make a pilgrimage to their parents' grave. This year Jacob's friend Lou comes with them.
As they drive through thick snow towards the cemetery, a fox runs across the road, and they skid on the ice and crash. Jacob's dog chases the fox, followed by the three men. Beating their way through drifts, they come across a small plane, belly down in the snow. In the pilot's seat is a dead man, his eyes pecked out by crows. In the back they discover a duffel bag. In the bag is four million dollars in cash....
A seemingly foolproof plan to keep the money, without fear of discovery or anyone being hurt, begins Hank's nightmare. From this moment on his hitherto ordinary and ordered life unfolds into an inevitable and doomed spiral of events, through murder, betrayal and mass killing.
Form its deceptively simple beginning, to its hoffific and surprising conclusion, A Simple Plan will have you on the edge of your seat.
As they drive through thick snow towards the cemetery, a fox runs across the road, and they skid on the ice and crash. Jacob's dog chases the fox, followed by the three men. Beating their way through drifts, they come across a small plane, belly down in the snow. In the pilot's seat is a dead man, his eyes pecked out by crows. In the back they discover a duffel bag. In the bag is four million dollars in cash....
A seemingly foolproof plan to keep the money, without fear of discovery or anyone being hurt, begins Hank's nightmare. From this moment on his hitherto ordinary and ordered life unfolds into an inevitable and doomed spiral of events, through murder, betrayal and mass killing.
Form its deceptively simple beginning, to its hoffific and surprising conclusion, A Simple Plan will have you on the edge of your seat.
Helpful Score: 1
Two brothers and a friend find $4 million in the cockpit of a downed plane. The pilot is dead. No one is looking for the money. To keep it, all they have to do is wait. It all sounded so simple... But from the moment their plan is set in motion, Hank Mitchell's well-ordered life spins out of control, sending him on a downward spiral of deceit, treachery, and blackmail-- total chaos leading to the unthinkable ... cold-blooded murder. Doomed to keep the secret of the money safe, Hank will kill and kill again, helped by the most calculating accomplice of all - his pregnant wife, Sarah. A Simple Plan plunges you into the world of a seemingly rational man whose descent into madness and murder will chill you to the bone. A masterpiece of psychological suspense, it will leave you wondering just how far you would go to hold onto a dream. "Spectacular... 10 shades blacker and several corpses grimmer than the novels of John Grisham... Do yourself a favor. Read this book."- Entertainmantly Weekly, A+ rating. "Electrifying... Don't think about getting any sleep tonight."- KIRKUS "Simply the best suspense novel of the year!"- Stephen King
Helpful Score: 1
Stephen King, my favorite author/writer, called it "simply the best suspense novel of the year" so that was my main reason for reading it. I mean, if someone as talented as Stephen King says something is great, who am I to disagree? It was a fast, predictable read. I saw the end coming (and no, I have not seen the movie). I was disappointed and expected something phenomenal and this book was far from that.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book. Two brothers and a friend start with a simple plan and everything gets out of hand. Watching this story unfold is like watching someone absolutely crumble before you. I wasn't too wild for his other book, but this is a stunner
20 seconds is all the time it took to come up with the simple plan...a plan so simple, what could go wrong? I could not put this book down and once I finished it, it stayed with me. I found myself thinking about the book and its characters for days afterward. Well written, and though unlikely, certainly possible. A simple 20 second decision can change the course of a life and lives of others intertwined with that life. What would you do in the same shoes?
Awesome! The absolute best book I've read in years. (and I read quite a bit)
This was something! Could not put the book down. Had to see what was going to happen. A bit graphic (not for the faint of heart) but the story just keeps getting deeper & deeper& more & more things happen. I don't know how the movie will be. Definately will be R rated!
This was a very enjoyable book for me because I could put myself in the lead character's shoes and ask myself what I would do. A moral dilemma. Add some greed and accomplices' stupidity, having to lie and then choose loyalties, a simple plan becomes an inescapable nightmare.
What would YOU do? This book is a MUST READ! Excellent!
What would YOU do? This book is a MUST READ! Excellent!
From the back of the book...
Two brothers and a friend find $4 million in the cockpit of a downed plane. The pilot is dead. No one is looking for the money. To keep it, all they have to do is wait.
It all sounded so simple...
Liked it a lot. Had a bit of a slow beginning but enjoyed it nonetheless. Recommended!
Two brothers and a friend find $4 million in the cockpit of a downed plane. The pilot is dead. No one is looking for the money. To keep it, all they have to do is wait.
It all sounded so simple...
Liked it a lot. Had a bit of a slow beginning but enjoyed it nonetheless. Recommended!
One of the better thrillers I've read, this book kept me reading into the wee hours just to see what would happen next. Dark and twisted, for sure - an expertly woven story. I recommend it!!
Holy COW!!! This did not turn out at all how I had expected - it kept me up more than one night getting it finished!!
I couldn't hardly put this book down. Fast read.
Hard to review without giving away too much of the story.
The twisted logic and spiral of paranoia and violence which spins out from this simple plan is hilarious.
A rollercoaster ride in which you are firmly with the protagonist as he lurches from one nightmare to another. You won't be able to help but cringe as things take a turn for the worst.
The twisted logic and spiral of paranoia and violence which spins out from this simple plan is hilarious.
A rollercoaster ride in which you are firmly with the protagonist as he lurches from one nightmare to another. You won't be able to help but cringe as things take a turn for the worst.
Too much swearing. Foul language was rampant. I wish someone else had written this review so I could have read it and not ordered the book.
A Simple Plan Scott Smith A fair book about three men who are out hunting and discover a wrecked airplane with 4.5 million dollars in it. The men decide to keep the money and not tell anyone about it. Things soon snow ball out of control and terrible things start to happen. This book was hard for me to read because these guys all did the stupidest things possible. Unbelievably stupid. The book starts off great but rapidly declines. In the end it just irritated the crap out of me. Grade 2/5
I did not like this book. I read "The Ruins" also by Scott Smith and loved it so I ran out to buy "A Simple Plan" hoping it would be just as good. However, I found it to be boring. The idea of the book was good, but I felt like it could have been much shorter. I think I would like it better as a movie than a book.
It was difficult to put the book down once I began. I could guess what would happen at one point but then be wrong at the next. A good attention grabber.
The premise was a good idea. I have to admit that the older brother and his friend not being smart reminded me of Of Mice and Men. I may try some of his other books.
Two brothers and a friend find $4 million in the cockpit of a downed plane. The pilot is dead. No one is looking for the money. To keep it, all they have to do is wait. It all sounded so simple....
Expertly crafted...will make you feel like an unindicted co-conspirator.To say more about the plot would ruin the pleasure of reading the book for yourself.
Expertly crafted...will make you feel like an unindicted co-conspirator.To say more about the plot would ruin the pleasure of reading the book for yourself.
Stephen King reviewed and stated:"Simply the best suspence novel of the year!" I made myself read it as I was repulsed by the characters' lack of conscience and morality from page 20 or so.In my opinion there is very little suspence, just a downward spiral of values....made myself finish it hoping there would be some redress or guilt.......just another sick book about the declining morals of the society in which we now live.
There's a saying: Man plans, God laughs. This book brings the saying to life. It is a facinating plunge into how a seemingly simple decision can have devastating consequences. Well written and thoroughly engrossing.
This book takes the reader on an interesting ride. I found myself wondering what I would do given the same situation and it spawned a great discussion between my husband and myself. What would you do if you found $4 million dollars? How far would you go to keep the knowledge that you have it hidden from everyone? How far would you go to keep the money? All-in-all, this was a good book; however, I did find it lagged in some spots, could have ended sooner, and the ending itself was a letdown. Still, completely different from my normal genre, this was a nice break and I do recommend it.
I read this book as a Blind Date With a Book read and I'm glad I did. It is a captivating book that reveals how human instincts and greed can turn even the best of us into deadly predators. A page-turner of a suspense novel that is nearly impossible to put down. It captures your whole being and won't let you go until the last page. If you like a book with a great plot and lots of complex twists then you should read this book. Can't wait to read another book by this author.
Excellent!
This is one of my FAVORITE all time books. A simple plan gone horribly wrong. It shows what greed can do with even the most innocent of people. Highly recommended!
I can't say that I liked this book very much. It hardly seems like it was written by the same man as _The Ruins_. Although I suppose they were both books that basically consisted of one bad thing after another happening... I don't now. I thought that Smith did a good job of really getting into Hank's head, of justifying his motivations... but after what happened with Jacob, I just couldn't get reabsorbed into the story. It wasn't bad per se, but it certainly wasn't good! And the ending!!! Ach....
If you ever need a lesson on bad mistakes, and how not to make them, read this. From the get go this poor guy Hank, keeps making bad decisions. One thing leads to the next, etc. etc. I will say that it is extremely well written, and despite all of the awful choices he makes, you still like him. You just keep yelling at him, "Stop!!" But still a good book.
Don't waste your time. Totally sucked. I hate to think what the movie must be like.
I suppose you could classify this as a "crime" novel. But, I have a category of my own: "When bad things happen to good people." This is one of my favorite types of tales. and, Scott Smith has written as fine a story as you'd want to read if you like novels that fit into this category.
Loved this book. So simple a plan, just keep it secret. Only a few people involved. What could go wrong??? Could it get complicated, more people get involved, nobody get hurt???? Plot thickens, twists, keep the reader guessing........
this is a good book to read, it's a page turner. The author try to tell the story about how money can change a person from a good family man, a devoted husband, loving father to a new born child. All that can change to a murderer. It is easy to read chapter by chapter.
Great book!
Great premis. What if you found a million dollars in a small plane that crashed into the woods near your home? What would you do?
Awesome! SO much better than the movie!
A fascinating and excruciating thriller about a simple plan that spirals out of control. Gripping!
It is simply horrifying what some people will do for money. It seems OK in the beginning, but the web of lies and deception cause people to spiral out of control. One lie starts another, and then another..... This was a very good read.
Two brothers and a friend find 4 million doctors in the cockpit of a downed plane. The pilot is dead. No one is looking for the money. To keep it, all they have to do is wait. It all sounded so simple............... I don't think you will figure this one out, the ending is a surprise. Good fast anf full of surprises.
Excellent book, full of mystery, suspense and a surprise ending. A deep evaluation of the human condition and filled with turns that keep your head spinning.
Good story. I read this one after his other novel and they are very different; both good. The lead character is Hank and he tells the story. He seems to be a nice normal guy, but he sure doesn't try very hard to do the right thing. Constantly you ask yourself as you are reading "What would I do?". This is a good book. Thumbs up.
A Simple Plan by Scott Smith is probably the best suspense novel I've read. It is well planned out, a bit complicated and has a plot that keeps the reader on the edge of his/her seat the entire way through the book.
Two brothers are out in the snowy fields one day when they find the wreckage of a small plane with the dead pilot still inside. They take a look inside the plane and find a bag with $4 million in cash just laying there. The brothers can turn it in to the authorities, they can put it back in the plane and say nothing, or they can follow Hank's plan, which is simple and in his mind will work.
This book is about loyalty, honesty and what money can do to people that they think will never happen and what lengths people will go to in order to keep to "the plan" and rationalize whatever they do, no matter how bad. An excellent story. ~SW
Two brothers are out in the snowy fields one day when they find the wreckage of a small plane with the dead pilot still inside. They take a look inside the plane and find a bag with $4 million in cash just laying there. The brothers can turn it in to the authorities, they can put it back in the plane and say nothing, or they can follow Hank's plan, which is simple and in his mind will work.
This book is about loyalty, honesty and what money can do to people that they think will never happen and what lengths people will go to in order to keep to "the plan" and rationalize whatever they do, no matter how bad. An excellent story. ~SW
It was hard to put down. A different take on the "criminal mind".I cannot wait for the movie
I really enjoyed this page turner. It was a somewhat predictable plot, with some great twists thrown in. The most compelling pearl I took from the book, is how the human mind can rationalize almost any action as being good and/or justified. Just as some of the worst despots in history have felt righteous in their actions, the protagonist in this story does also.
AWSOME AWSOME BOOK AND MOVIE!!!......i cannot stress how glued i was to this book...three brother find a ton of cash in a duffel bsg on a crashed private plane.....its get so much more exciting.
The book that inspired the motion picture by Paramount with Bridget Fonda and Billy Bob Thornton... Two brothers and a friend find 4 million ollars in the cockpit of a plane... Now what?
a simple plan that goes haywire, if u haven't seen the movie the book is pretty interesting.
it involves 4.4 million dollars
it involves 4.4 million dollars
10 shades balcker and severalk corpses grimmer than the novels of John Grisham. Better suspense than silence of the lambs.
Even Stephen King says this is a good read!
This book is very disturbing in my opinion. It is clearly like watching a train wreck except worse. It's like watching a seemingly good person go evil right in front of your eyes. I kept reading only because I thought there was going to be some kind of twist at the end, like the main character was going to come out of a coma and find that everything was alright, and he was just dreaming it. I won't read another Scott Smith book. I read for intertainment and this book does not entertain. It does have a message but hopefully most of humanity already knows it and doesn't need something so savage to be reminded. This is the first book that I have finished that I have hated. Don't waste a credit.
Different type of story and a fun read.
Two brothers and a friend find 4 Million dollars in the cockpit of a downed plane.....
The pilot is dead.......
No one is looking for the money....
To keep it, all they have to do is wait.
IT ALL SOUNDED SO SIMPLE.........
The pilot is dead.......
No one is looking for the money....
To keep it, all they have to do is wait.
IT ALL SOUNDED SO SIMPLE.........
