Finders Keepers: The Story of a Man Who Found $1 Million

Think of the dumbest person you ever met in your life who is able to function on a passably-adult level. Then imagine him addicted to meth. Then imagine him finding $1.2 million in cash on the side of the road. On top of that, imagine him telling at least a dozen people about it, including random strangers, and thinking he might be able to keep it secret and keep the money.This pretty much sums up the book, although since it’s a true story, the author could hardly help that the main character is an idiot. An amiable idiot, but still an idiot. If someone made the plot up as a comedy (and this book is not written as a comedy) it would be considered too far-fetched. But it was still somehow entertaining.Finders Keepers is different from many of Mark Bowden’s other books, but it’s short and, despite the fact that the main subject is not exactly a rocket scientist, an enjoyable read.I edited this post to add that I wrote the above paragraphs having accidentally skipped the epilogue, and the tone would have been different had I not initially skipped it. I didn't change the tone to preserve the overall impression of the book as one reads it, and it doesn't change the number of stars I would give it. But (without including a spoiler), do not skip the epilogue.

This is an extremely fast read. I probably read this book in around two hours (spread over a few days). It is an engaging non-fiction story that reads like a novel. It is a well-organized and straightforward account of a true story.A lot of other reviewers have complained about the main character, Joey Coyle, who finds 1.2 million dollars lying on the street, because he behaves like a real idiot. I will grant that he is probably the worst possible person to have encountered a giant pile of cash in the street. A drug addict with extremely poor decision-making skills, he bumbled around South Philly and made a series of decisions so stupid as to be almost comical. So in that regard, it is frustrating, and I found myself thinking, "Well, if *I* had found that money..." etc. All that being said, I still think the book is very enjoyable, and the author does an excellent job setting us up for Joey Coyle's ridiculous decisions. Additionally, I found myself feeling sorry for him because of his crippling addiction. The author is honest, albeit slightly sympathetic, in his portrayal of Coyle.I definitely recommend this book. Just be forewarned that you will spend the whole book wishing you had been the person to find that $1.2 million.

Book was about my second cousin who was a year older than I. My Coyle grandmother and his Coyle grandfather were sibblings. I lived in NE Phila and he lived in South Philly. Coyle Family was big so we had enough trouble knowing all our first cousins let alone our second cousins. The 70s and 80s was a bad period for teenagers and those of us coming back from Nam in the mid 70s.The only thing I disbuted in the book is Joey did not kill himself, he was shut up by someone else who had most of the treasure he found and gave away? It was not difficult to find a mob connection in Philly (Italian or Irish mobs). Philly neighborhoods are closely integrated and everybody knew who were cops and who were gang or mob figures, and those that are full of it.I liked the book enough to purchase the movie, but it has not arrived yet.This is a very good and quick reading book that I highly recommend. City people from most big city neighborhoods could relate to people they know who were similar to Joey.Enjoy

This is rather a sad story. It is about a young man who was a meth addict with no job who still lived with his parents. While driving one day , he happened to find 1.2 million dollars that had fallen off an armored van. It then tells the story of a man who behaves quite Stupidly, is aight then acquitted of a crime. Shortly after a movie is made, he commits suicide. Not a pleasant book.

This is a journalistic account of the true story of Joey Coyle, an out-of-work and drug-addicted 28 year old man, who finds $1.2 million which had fallen from an armored truck. It's a riveting drama which at turns takes twists into humor and suspense but ends, unfortunately, as a tragedy. Coyle is portrayed as an amiable man who essentially blows through much of the money in two weeks, simply by giving it away to homeless, using it on drugs, "forgetting" where he put it, and sharing it with shady businessmen and friends who find out about his fortune and begin to confront him for a piece of the loot. Add to all this, Joey increasingly uses methamphetamine (speed) which causes him paranoid delusions and crippling anxiety. Finders Keepers is sharp and well-written; a fascinating tale of an ordinary man faced with a moral dilemma, and the ensuing reactions of family, friends, neighbors, and police who become a part of his misadventures.Five out of Five stars

It’s fine!

Such an interesting localized story. Well written, decent background on main characters. Very enjoyable easy read.

What an idiot!! All through this book I was confounded by this guy's stupidity! It has been a life dream to have this sort of money faqll into my hands, and I've spent countless hours imagining how I'd manage the process of hanging onto it! He couldn't contain himself and let the cat out of the bag, almost immediately! I was cringing with desperation over the way he blew it! What an idiot!

An easy to read story about the bizarre events following on from a drug addict finding $1.2m unmarked cash in a bag in the street. I read the sample first and had to double check it was a true story as the initial part of the book with the scene setting read a bit like a novel, but given the out of the ordinary subject matter this is probably to be expected. A well constructed detailing of the events (as well as you can expect given the circumstances) which I read in 2 sittings. I expected it take me longer to get through given the price, but I'm new to Kindle so maybe not the best person to comment on that. An enjoyable book which flows well.

Good read and interesting aspect to life decisions. Spoiler alert...sad ending. Author is one of the best but a lot of typos. Please Mark get a better proofreader ! 👎

Great book

Good book!

Not a bad read!