Jaime can see the dead. Yeah, we've all read the books / seen the movies about this before, but here's the kicker; he can talk to them, ask them questJaime can see the dead. Yeah, we've all read the books / seen the movies about this before, but here's the kicker; he can talk to them, ask them questions - and they HAVE to tell him the truth. Comes in handy when crime comes calling and unfinished manuscripts need completing. Naturally, this "skill" lands Jaime in hot water, not initially - but later. Luckily Jaime has a good support network around him; his mother believes he can see the dead, and her cop girlfriend, Liz, whilst skeptical, goes along with it.
Liz, the good cop / bad cop of Jaime's life added depth and color to an already colorful story. Her character allowed Stephen King to imbed some serious criminal / noir-esque elements to complement the horror-centric story.
While few ideas are original, LATER does a great job at fusing themes from film The Sixth Sense and Dean Koontz's ODD THOMAS into a unique story which puts character at the forefront; sure the scares are there but this is Jaime's story first and foremost. LATER gets an easy 5 star rating from this Constant Reader. ...more
I'm a longtime fan of Max Allan Collins' Quarry series. Ever since I read THE LAST QUARRY years ago I've been hooked and have chased down every book tI'm a longtime fan of Max Allan Collins' Quarry series. Ever since I read THE LAST QUARRY years ago I've been hooked and have chased down every book to feature the hitman with a heart, devouring them with the same enthusiasm as Quarry devotes to his love life - which is a lot.
In KILLING QUARRY, we see the return of QUARRY'S DEAL character Lu; a sexy murderess who has Quarry in her sights. Why? The list. We know Quarry's living the life of selective murder, picking and choosing his targets based on the Brokers list of hitmen. Don't be fooled, Quarry isn't performing a service for the public good; there's good money in taking out a hit-team and profiting off the intended victim's paranoia - and that's exactly how this latest installment kicks off.
As per the author intro, KILLING QUARRY, takes place approximately a year before QUARRY'S VOTE and sees Quarry tracking and staking out another hitman only to discover the intended victim is him! When Lu appears in Kill Bill fashion, showering Quarry in a deluge of blood and brain matter, after having killed her partner who was subsequently trying to kill Quarry, the murky waters of professional murder become even more complex.
Readers familiar with the series will know what to expect while first time readers (yes, this does read perfectly well as a standalone) will be in for a fun, pulpy ride of bullets, broads, and brawls. ...more
From the start you know this isn't going to be any ordinary book; seeped in slang, the story set among squalor, Blood Sugar is at once creative and coFrom the start you know this isn't going to be any ordinary book; seeped in slang, the story set among squalor, Blood Sugar is at once creative and consuming. It absorbs the reader in a heartfelt story hiding behind the curtains of malicious intent and a twisted form of vengeance.
The narrative is insightful innocence spoken through a veil of ignorance that's all too real and scary as hell - more as a result of the plot's initial intent as apposed to the outcome.
While misleading, the cover is true to the book; make no mistake Halloween is the centerpiece but you won't find witches, monsters, or ghosts here. Just four down-on-their-luck characters who bond to form an unconventional family unit.
I loved every page.The unique style and over indulgent use of ebonics provided the characters with a voice that's honest and full complimentary to the story's place-setting; a perfect fit for the tone of the book. I give this a solid 5 stars. Blood Sugar will no doubt be on my 'Best of 2019' list come years end....more
The opening stanza is perfect; a betrayal, mafia connotations, and a cool kick-a$$ female heroine with loads of story I'm not sure what I just read...
The opening stanza is perfect; a betrayal, mafia connotations, and a cool kick-a$$ female heroine with loads of story potential; the action was intense and the level of urgency off the scale, I couldn't turn the pages quick enough, eating up panel after panel until we hit chapter 3...and then things started to go wayward with the author choosing to introduce a new character with a deep and involved backstory, essentially changing the face of the story in such a way that Ryuko became a second-rate character, almost forgotten in favor of a fresh direction which wasn't warranted.
Whilst the plot threads eventually reconcile, I'm not convinced the direction was the right one. All the early momentum of the story stalled and it felt like I was reading something different to the opening chapters (despite actually enjoying what I was reading).
Additionally, the art, cinematic as it was at times, was more confusing than complementary to the story. On numerous occasions I found myself backtracking and reading/looking at panels over and over to make sure I understood what was actually happening.
My rating: 3/5 stars. I don't think I'll be going back for volume 2 (even though vol 1 is left largely unresolved). ...more
Now this one is a difficult book to review. Not only is there a distinct disconnect between story and reader by virtue of the mode of storytelling whiNow this one is a difficult book to review. Not only is there a distinct disconnect between story and reader by virtue of the mode of storytelling which delivers a persistent dreamlike quality, the narrative confuses with its complexity and flippant disregard for any semblance of cohesion.
At it's core, The Triumph of the Spider Monkey is a sophisticated piece of literature with some truly poetic prose, deftly applied a times, to create an intense ride on the uncertain waves of madness.
Sounds contradictory and confusing doesn't it? The book is a real headscratcher which would struggle to make a lot of sense if not read in a single sitting (which I did, though I still have that 'what did I just read?' feeling). The unreliable narrator and macabre murders are white-noise against the slippery sequencing of events.
The book also contains a loosely connect novella titled Love, Endless Love, which echoes the tone of the novels previously published by Hard Case Crime featuring a casual private eye who falls for his quarry only to end up in a hospital for reasons largely unknown. Reader beware, the stylistic tones of the novella mirror that of the novel. Confusion abounds!
My rating: 3.5/5 - I think this is a book which requires a couple of reads to truly appreciate the complexities of the story. ...more
A complex game of love and hate fueled by jealousy, deceit and death.
So Many Doors beings on death row with Jack Ward and his unwanted lawyer engaginA complex game of love and hate fueled by jealousy, deceit and death.
So Many Doors beings on death row with Jack Ward and his unwanted lawyer engaging in a one sided discussion about a possible defense to combat the Ward's murder charge. From there the novel unravels the murder mystery through the eyes of the characters, each telling their story about the events prior, during, and after the murder. It's a clever approach to storytelling which adds depth to a relatively straight forward plot.
V, the naïve, wholesome American farm girl is the centerpiece of this story; her 'tools' traps for the inexperienced and easily swayed by the swing of hip - her journey to self awareness is an exciting, heady evolution which ultimately lands Jack at death's end.
So Many Doors is a character driven story which lends itself more towards period-drama (set around WW2) than crime fiction....more
The third book to feature Private Investigator Ben Gates is a fun pulp which puts the PI in a perilous predicament after being drugged on the job - thThe third book to feature Private Investigator Ben Gates is a fun pulp which puts the PI in a perilous predicament after being drugged on the job - thanks to drinking from a coffee pot containing more than just caffeine.
Hired to guard wedding presents for a wealthy couple, Gates wakes from his drug-induced slumber to find a couple of dead bodies and a cop pointing the finger firmly in Gates' direction as a key suspect. Additionally there's a large sum of cash missing; Gates knows he's got to work to a) clear his name, b) catch the killer(s), and c) find the missing bundle of cash.
Accessible to new readers, Kill Now, Pay Later has all the hallmarks of a 1960's era pulp; dangerous and devious dames, a web of suspects, and a protagonist who finds himself irresistible to members of the opposite sex.
The plot splinters off into many directions as the investigation lands Gates in hotter and hotter water but author Robert Terrall manages to keep all the threads tied together, wrapping up the mystery in a tight bundle at the end.
My rating: 4/5 stars. This was a re-read which still hit all the right notes the second time around....more
The creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle arrives at PI firm, Woodcock & Sons with one thing on his mind, to expose Harold Houdini for whThe creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle arrives at PI firm, Woodcock & Sons with one thing on his mind, to expose Harold Houdini for what he really is - a competitive and vindictive spiritual medium. Sir Doyle firmly believes Houdini has occult powers, after having witnessed him walk through a brick wall during one of his performances.
Sir Doyle is greeted by the firms secretary, Minky, her father, the PI being out of town, and the son, not really into the whole PI gig is elsewhere too. Not wanting to hide in the shadows of her fathers footsteps, Minky Woodcock uses her sexuality and intellect as equally deadly weapons to win Sir Doyle over.
However, the case soon turns sour when Minky learns that Houdini is anything but a 'spiritual medium', rather he's dedicated to debunking spiritualists, mediums and other fakes; A passion project for the popular escape artist after having outed Sir Doyle's favorite medium during an ill fated seance in which the medium claimed to have made a connection with Houdini's deceased mother.
Minky manages to place herself inside Houdini's inner circle as an assistant and sometimes-friend to his wife Bess. It allows her to be close to Houdini but she misses a crucial moment which ultimately leads to the death of Houdini in sinister circumstances.
Who wields the murderous touch? A crew of spiritualists in England? A nurse who weaseled her way into Houdini's entourage? Or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself?
The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini is a visual treat for fans of pulp art and a good old fashioned murder mystery. Author and artist, Cynthia Von Buhler's slice of noir is evocative and moody; art and writing creating a cohesive narrative across the 4 issues which span this story arc.
My rating: 5/5 stars. PI Minky Woodcock is just what comics and the Hard Case Crime line need; a sexy yet dangerous private investigator complimented by strong dialogue and great art.
Note - I read Minky Woodcock, The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini is single issue format as they were published and then again when the final installment was published. For me, the flow and overall narrative work better in a single sitting.
Normandy Gold is a small town sheriff who is thrust into the violent underbelly of crime in 1970's Washington DC following an ill-fated telephone callNormandy Gold is a small town sheriff who is thrust into the violent underbelly of crime in 1970's Washington DC following an ill-fated telephone call from her younger sister.
The call, strange in itself, given Normandy and Lila hadn't spoken in while, gets a whole lot stranger when Normandy overhears her sister become involved in a violent confrontation with a man. The only clue echoing on the ghostly end of the line; the name Sel.
The dead silence births loud fears as Normandy envelopes herself in a shroud of criminal grime, grit and gore on a violent path to destruction at once reckless and righteous.
The graphic novel by authors Megan Abbott and Alison Gaylin is pure, unadulterated noir; there's no greater good or subplot device aimed at exposing political corruption or making the world a better place; Normandy walks among the sullen and grey, and that's where this story rightfully resides.
My rating: 5/5 stars. Ask Normandy for sunshine and rainbows, and get a serrated knife to the solar plexus....more
The synopsis for Understudy for Death reads like it should be a hard hitting dark piece of crime fiction where a journalist becomes entrenched in a hoThe synopsis for Understudy for Death reads like it should be a hard hitting dark piece of crime fiction where a journalist becomes entrenched in a horrific crime involving the murder suicide of a housewife and her two young children.
However, the long lost 1960's pulp novel by Charles Willeford is anything but, with the murder suicide little more than a byline into newspaper reporter Richard Hudson's freewheeling, male chauvinistic, sex-obsessed life.
Don't get me wrong, the book is a fun read; pitch perfect pulp for fans of the likes of sleaze-pulp authors Orrie Hitt and some of the earlier, more risque' novels by Lawrence Block (writing as Sheldon Lord).
The plot largely centers around Hudson as he drinks and sleeps his way through a series of newspaper articles whilst digging around for a window into the deceased life leading up to the unfortunate event.
Published in 2017 by Hard Case Crime as a two-for-one, Snatched (originally published as Who Took Tony Rinaldi) and Safekeeping are kidnap capers withPublished in 2017 by Hard Case Crime as a two-for-one, Snatched (originally published as Who Took Tony Rinaldi) and Safekeeping are kidnap capers with interesting and well developed characters who find themselves in compromising and unpleasant situation.
Form the synopsis, Snatched reads like a thriller laden with politics, lies, and deceit and whist there are lies and deceit aplenty the political angle was played down to the extend it was more background noise than prominent plot piece which allowed for the kidnap and events proceeding it to take center stage.
8yr old Tony Rinaldi, son of a prominent political figure is kidnapped by criminals who can only be described as blundering and semi-professional insofar as their plans are complicated by the comedic nature of their enterprise and penchant for self destructive behavior. It's like the blind leading the blind with no braille; this makes for some light heartened moments in what could've been a dark slice of crime fiction.
The short punchy chapters didn't skimp on detail and progressed the story at just the right pace, all the way through to the entertaining (though a tad drawn out) cat and mouse finale.
Safekeeping unfortunately didn't live up to expectations and was very nearly a DNF. I'm not sure the premise worked; a heady mix of satire and comedy blended with heartache, death, and a homeless orphan. It's a confusing concoction that doesn't mix.
8yr old Robby is pulled from his sleeping quarters at the boarding school he attends in England to hear his family has been killed following the bombing of their house; innocent victims of WWII. He's promptly shipped off to America to live with his 'uncle'; a man who turns out to be of no relation (nor has he a single parental bone in his body), a journalist, and well known in criminal circles. This 'uncle' irresponsibly sends Robby off on his own to find a school in New York because all young children 'know where to find a school'. Robby is kidnapped shortly after getting lost and the story just goes downhill from there.
If you're reading this two-for-one, I strongly suggest putting the book down after Snatched, Safekeeping just isn't worth it.
My ratings: Snatched - 4 stars Safekeeping - 1 star Overall - 2.5 stars ...more
The Last Stand (2018, Hard Case Crime) features two standalone novellas by Mickey Spillane unrelated to his Mike Hammer series of which he's better knThe Last Stand (2018, Hard Case Crime) features two standalone novellas by Mickey Spillane unrelated to his Mike Hammer series of which he's better known for; A BULLET FOR SATISFACTION and THE LAST STAND.
The fact that these two novellas remained unpublished whilst Spillane was alive, only to be brought to print posthumously thanks to Max Allan Collins, says something about the quality of these stories... (unlike some of the recent Hammer books, these two just don't stack-up)
Firstly, A BULLET FOR SATISFACTION is a hardboiled mess of pulp, private eye, and police procedural. The story features a disgruntled, lone-wolf cop who makes the ladies swoon every time he takes a breath, and kills without compassion; Rod Dexter could easily be a Mike Hammer in poor mans clothing.
The plot centers around a murdered politician with suspicious links to the syndicate. When Dexter looses his badge thanks to this case, he knows the fix is in. The only way he can right the wrong done to him and the murdered politician is by putting bullets in as many bad guys as he can, and bed as many wanton women as he can...
Despite a couple of hardboiled classic Spillane scenes, A BULLET FOR SATISFACTION was bland and underwhelming; I couldn't connect with the story and the plot never felt plausible.
THE LAST STAND is a comedy western of sorts with an equally head scratcher of a plot... why this even got published is a mystery to me.
The plot is pure high school; grown men fighting for the attentions of a women who is happy to go with whichever beats the other to a pulp.
Lurking in the background are FBI agents on the hunt for a source of power which could turn the weapons race on its head, an Indian who lives off the trinkets discarded by others, and a shaman of sorts who can predict the future (at least by way of guessing the victor of brawls).
I couldn't find a single redeeming thing to save this novella.
In summary, the cover art by Laurel Blechman is the best thing about this book. One for the die hard Spillane / Hard Case Crime collectors only. ...more
Soho Sins is not what I was expecting - in a good way. The art world is full of danger darting behind dark corners ready to pounce on the young and vuSoho Sins is not what I was expecting - in a good way. The art world is full of danger darting behind dark corners ready to pounce on the young and vulnerable; there’s a deceptively deadly undercurrent of menace for the means to accumulate wealth through exploitation and extermination. Narrated through art dealer and property mogul Jackson Wyeth’s viewpoint, Soho Sins showcases something a little different from other books in the Hard Case Crime series which continues to diversity its range of books. There’s a sense that the narrator isn't entirely truthful nor as clear cut as he’s portrayed with some cut scenes of him dabbling in debauchery and thinking impure thoughts of which he should not conjure; it’s a far more involved mystery than the synopsis lets on. ...more
Despite being published in 2017 by Hard Case Crime, the latest installment in the long running hit-man series by Max Allan Collins reads as a perfectlDespite being published in 2017 by Hard Case Crime, the latest installment in the long running hit-man series by Max Allan Collins reads as a perfectly placed period pulp. That is to say, it reads like it should've been published in the 70's which is fitting, given Quarry's Climax takes readers back to one of Quarry's earlier jobs circa 1975.
Unlike the usual hit man for hire, Quarry is instead hired to take out another hit man team; one targeting the head of a popular men's magazine and gentleman's club, Max Climer. The link Broker has with this figure head is a bit of a mystery but the money is on the table and Quarry takes it - accompanied by Boyd, the passive member of the team, the duo set out for Memphis and quickly establish themselves as part of Max Climer's security team.
The mystery surrounds not only identifying who the contract killers are but also who hired them. It doesn't take too long before a shortlist of suspects forms and from there it's a gradual process of elimination. I gotta say, I didn't pick the person gunning for Max despite it being obvious as the story played out.
As with any Quarry novel, there's loads of hot dames and hotter sex along with bodies, bullets, and Quarry's cool demeanor and easy acquiesce of violence as a solution front and center.
Quarry's Climax is another great addition to the expanding catalog of Quarry novels that will sit well with both new readers (those only familiar with the character from the TV series) and longtime readers alike.
My rating: 5/5, this Quarry is reminiscent of the character we see in the TV series but a tad more battle hardened (i.e. a more experienced hit man). Boyd also seems to have more page time which added a little something extra to the novel; I really enjoyed the chemistry he and Quarry had in this one. ...more
Turn on the Heat, much like the Cool and Lam novels I've read before it, felt like a poor mans mixture oI think the Cool and Lam books are not for me.
Turn on the Heat, much like the Cool and Lam novels I've read before it, felt like a poor mans mixture of Perry Mason (this book was written by the same author) and a generic P.I pulp.
The plot is interesting enough yet the dialogue heavy narrative dampers the overall enjoyment. The Cool and Lam detective agency are hired by a mysterious client to locate his estranged wife who hasn't been seen in twenty one years. During that time, the client has remarried, moved town and established a new life for himself - so why does he want to know where his former flame is?
Politics, murder, deceit and a mystery thick with more questions than answers abounds.
My rating: 2.5/5. On the surface, Turn on the Heat looked to be a winner. I enjoyed the banter (as always) between the colorful Bertha Cool and the debonair Donald Lam but unfortunately the book just didn't connect with me....more
If you're looking for a gritty prison crime fiction novel turn away now, Help I Am Being Held Prisoner is pretty much the opposite; professional prankIf you're looking for a gritty prison crime fiction novel turn away now, Help I Am Being Held Prisoner is pretty much the opposite; professional prankster, Harold Kunt (with an umlaut) finds himself in prison after a prank turned foul, causing multiple injuries to motorists including a couple of high powered politicians. Now he's serving time, rubbing shoulders with con men, mobsters, and violent street thugs - he's completely out of his depth and comfort zone - so how does he manage to rob a couple of banks?
Help I Am Being Held Prisoner is loaded with laughs using the trademark Westlake humor. Even the crimes committed comprise elements of jocularity which few other writers could pull off while managing to both; convey a sense of dangerous urgency and subtle satire.
While the pranks, the stop-start nature of the bank job, and the comings and goings of the prison populace grew a tad tiresome, it was a fun ride all the way through to the ending.
My rating: 3.5/5 - Westalke didn't take all his characters seriously and this book is all the better for it. Recommended for fans of Carl Hiaasen and Marc Lecard....more
Forever and a Death is an ok action book set in Australia, Singapore and Honk Kong that thematically resembles a plot lifted straight from James Bond,Forever and a Death is an ok action book set in Australia, Singapore and Honk Kong that thematically resembles a plot lifted straight from James Bond, complete with Westalke’s own Bond Girl in the form of Kim, a fearless diver with ties to an environmental activist group.
Engineer George Manville is the hero and he largely plays the part but reads too clever and tough at times; easily dispatching bay guys without breaking much of a sweat.
The main element of the story is revolves around a business tycoon wanting to destroy a major city, but before that, steal as much gold as possible from banks using an underground tunnel network; it’s a pretty elaborate set-up but it sure entertains.
After starting off well, the book meandered a little before ramping up again towards the end. The cast of characters each added their own side story and I enjoyed some of the scheming, wheeling and dealing. The ending is pure Hollywood and befitting of a Bond script, which was originally.
My rating: 3/5 stars. Forever and a Death is a ‘safe’ read – it didn't blow me away nor did I walk away disappointed. The story was good and a couple of characters were particularly well written. On a personal note, I loved the Australian setting, being my home country.
Peepland is a delectable dish of the darker side of debauchery in the Deuce where peepshow worker Roxy unwillingly becomes embroiled in a murder schemPeepland is a delectable dish of the darker side of debauchery in the Deuce where peepshow worker Roxy unwillingly becomes embroiled in a murder scheme courtesy of a snuff film made by a privileged prep boy. Set in the 1980’s, the graphic novel oozes novel atmosphere from the inks to the dialogue, to the characters themselves – providing a truly enveloping reading experience. 5/5 stars....more