Although it is not necessarily a novel about the courts and law enforcement, Maximum Bob deals in detail with both, and Leonard did his usual research before writing the book. To test the author's accuracy or veracity in characterization and background, discussants may want to consider recent news stories and magazine articles about the criminal justice system and probation practices.

1. Judge Gibbs objects to being "accused of throwing the book at defendants," wonders "What is the book for if you don't go by it and, yes, occasionally throw it at a criminal offender," and rejects pleas of leniency ("I send people to prison when they kill somebody. I see that as my job"). Does all of this make him a bad judge?

2. A reviewer in the Times Literary Supplement (London) criticized Leonard for turning the Crowe clan "into a freak-show for the amusement of those who...