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Quarry #16
Quarry's Blood
The hitman hero of the acclaimed series Quarry on Cinemax returns for his final act. By Quarry’s creator, the award-winning author of Road to Perdition!
QUARRY'S VIOLENT PAST COMES LOOKING FOR HIM
The professional hitman known as Quarry -- star of the Cinemax TV miniseries of the same name -- has put killing behind him. But after a beautiful writer of true-crime bestsellers drops by to announce he's the subject of her next book, killers descend to give him some of his own deadly medicine, forcing Quarry to journey into his bloody past to find the answers -- and settle old scores.
QUARRY’S BLOOD brings the hitman’s decades-long saga right up to the present day as MWA Grand Master Max Allan Collins explores the startling final act of Quarry’s professional career.
QUARRY'S VIOLENT PAST COMES LOOKING FOR HIM
The professional hitman known as Quarry -- star of the Cinemax TV miniseries of the same name -- has put killing behind him. But after a beautiful writer of true-crime bestsellers drops by to announce he's the subject of her next book, killers descend to give him some of his own deadly medicine, forcing Quarry to journey into his bloody past to find the answers -- and settle old scores.
QUARRY’S BLOOD brings the hitman’s decades-long saga right up to the present day as MWA Grand Master Max Allan Collins explores the startling final act of Quarry’s professional career.
224 pages, Paperback
Published February 22, 2022
About the author
Max Allan Collins
751 books1,257 followersReceived the Shamus Award, "The Eye" (Lifetime achievment award) in 2006.
He has also published under the name Patrick Culhane. He and his wife, Barbara Collins, have written several books together. Some of them are published under the name Barbara Allan.
Book Awards
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1984) : True Detective
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1992) : Stolen Away
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1995) : Carnal Hours
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) : Damned in Paradise
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1999) : Flying Blind: A Novel about Amelia Earhart
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (2002) : Angel in Black
Japanese: マックス・アラン・コリンズ
or マックス・アラン コリンズ
He has also published under the name Patrick Culhane. He and his wife, Barbara Collins, have written several books together. Some of them are published under the name Barbara Allan.
Book Awards
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1984) : True Detective
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1992) : Stolen Away
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1995) : Carnal Hours
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) : Damned in Paradise
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1999) : Flying Blind: A Novel about Amelia Earhart
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (2002) : Angel in Black
Japanese: マックス・アラン・コリンズ
or マックス・アラン コリンズ
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
May 22, 2024
Quarry’s Blood, released November 16, 2021, with cover art by Ron Lesser, is not the final Quarry novel because Quarry’s Return is coming out late 2024. In any case, this one ought to be subtitled Reminiscing or Quarry’s Greatest Hits (but that was already done). It revisits Quarry’s past endeavors, from LuAnn in Biloxi to the Quad Cities. Like another character of Collins’ (Nolan), Quarry, through no fault of his own can’t stay retired.
Set in post-Covid 2021, Quarry nearly becomes a target of a pair of hunters, leaving him wondering who from decades in his past, carries a grudge after all these years. This Quarry, though, has some wrinkles and gray hairs and moves a step slower than he used to. He doesn’t know who wants to ring his number, but you better believe he’s going to figure it out even if it’s the nosy reporter/ true crime writer who has figured out his secrets.
Quarry was an ex Vietnam Vet who came became a contract killer for the broker and later solicited business from intended victims preventing their demise and hopefully ferreting out who ordered the hit. But that was decades ago and all in his past.
Fast-paced, action-packed, and a veritable trip down memory lane for Quarry fans.
Set in post-Covid 2021, Quarry nearly becomes a target of a pair of hunters, leaving him wondering who from decades in his past, carries a grudge after all these years. This Quarry, though, has some wrinkles and gray hairs and moves a step slower than he used to. He doesn’t know who wants to ring his number, but you better believe he’s going to figure it out even if it’s the nosy reporter/ true crime writer who has figured out his secrets.
Quarry was an ex Vietnam Vet who came became a contract killer for the broker and later solicited business from intended victims preventing their demise and hopefully ferreting out who ordered the hit. But that was decades ago and all in his past.
Fast-paced, action-packed, and a veritable trip down memory lane for Quarry fans.
September 1, 2022
There isn't an audio edition listed, but that's what I'm reading. Well narrated as usual by Stephen Rudniki & I liked it better than the last few books. The sex scenes were done better & there weren't too many since he's pushing 70, but he's still a badass. It was fun revisiting some of his old jobs, too.
February 8, 2022
Quarry is now almost 70, out of the hitman game for many years, when he gets a knock on the door. It's a true crime writer, wanting to interview him for a book.
Not long after, a hit team arrives, and Quarry is back in the game, trying to find out who put a contract out on him, and wasting wimps and engaging in senior sex along the way.
Great old man action.
Not long after, a hit team arrives, and Quarry is back in the game, trying to find out who put a contract out on him, and wasting wimps and engaging in senior sex along the way.
Great old man action.
April 3, 2023
Sad that I've now finished this series (so far at least), but what a wonderful ride it's been. These books are so much fun, and have opened my eyes to a genre that I've never really considered before.
March 24, 2022
(3 1/2). This book just rolls out smooth as silk. Yes, it is a little short, but I love the style, the old school feel and the way things come together. I have not read any of the prior Quarry books and it certainly was no problem. Jack Quarry is one of those protagonists that you immediately identify with and the narration from his point of view is a joy to follow. A couple of little twists and turns, a little sex and a fair amount of violence. It all adds up to a great couple of hours of reading enjoyment. Real good stuff.
August 17, 2023
Another great book in this series. Old man Quarry is thrust back into the business when two hitmen try to take him out. He kills them instead and goes on a trail to find out who hired them. A tru crime writer with a secret put a wrench in his machine.
A lot of authors pad out their books with boring dialog and dull action. There's nothing like that in any book I've read by Max. He can sling the verbiage with the best. Even when he is padding the pages, it's still easy going and very readable.
A lot of authors pad out their books with boring dialog and dull action. There's nothing like that in any book I've read by Max. He can sling the verbiage with the best. Even when he is padding the pages, it's still easy going and very readable.
April 8, 2022
I've read almost all of the Quarry books and I'd say this was one of the weakest. Time to retire Quarry or let another writer breathe new blood into him.
September 11, 2022
This is a dynamite book, but why wouldn't it be since it's written by the brilliant Max Allan Collins.
Set in the present day, Vietnam veteran sniper, former hitman, and now retired Johnny Quarry is approached by a writer who's learned his identity after studying all the "fictional" books he's written using a pseudonym. She wants to interview him for her book on him. He tells her to hit the road. And that's when two hitmen show up to kill him.
Quarry has to find who's out to get him and why, and protect Susan Breedlove, the writer who wants the interview and has some surprising information for him.
I love Quarry's voice, always told in first person. What's remarkable about this novel, which has all the bluster, swagger, and bloodshed fans could want, is that the protagonist is nearing seventy! Things aren't so easy for the old man, and that changes how he approaches everyone and everything.
I sure hope this isn't the last outing for Quarry--there are several stories to be told in the past, because Collins is still crushing it with this character.
Absolutely recommended.
Set in the present day, Vietnam veteran sniper, former hitman, and now retired Johnny Quarry is approached by a writer who's learned his identity after studying all the "fictional" books he's written using a pseudonym. She wants to interview him for her book on him. He tells her to hit the road. And that's when two hitmen show up to kill him.
Quarry has to find who's out to get him and why, and protect Susan Breedlove, the writer who wants the interview and has some surprising information for him.
I love Quarry's voice, always told in first person. What's remarkable about this novel, which has all the bluster, swagger, and bloodshed fans could want, is that the protagonist is nearing seventy! Things aren't so easy for the old man, and that changes how he approaches everyone and everything.
I sure hope this isn't the last outing for Quarry--there are several stories to be told in the past, because Collins is still crushing it with this character.
Absolutely recommended.
December 18, 2022
This was my first "Quarry" book. If I realized that it was #16 in a series, I wouldn't have picked it up. If anything, I would have started with book #1.
That said, this was a solid thriller mystery that was easy to follow, even for someone who had not read the previous books. I had no problem following the main character. If there were callbacks to previous novels, it was done in a way that played into the characterization of Quarry.
It's a black comedy about a hitman with a hit on his head. The material is dark, but told in an upbeat and breezy way. If you don't mind your humor dark, it's a fast, fun read.
Collins weaves in current events, including reference to Covid 19. It's an interesting touch that I've never seen before.
That said, this was a solid thriller mystery that was easy to follow, even for someone who had not read the previous books. I had no problem following the main character. If there were callbacks to previous novels, it was done in a way that played into the characterization of Quarry.
It's a black comedy about a hitman with a hit on his head. The material is dark, but told in an upbeat and breezy way. If you don't mind your humor dark, it's a fast, fun read.
Collins weaves in current events, including reference to Covid 19. It's an interesting touch that I've never seen before.
February 22, 2022
The last Quarry? Maybe but I’d guess not. The coincidence of a freelance writer (with a secret!) showing up at the same time as a hit team sends the now 70 year old Quarry down memory lane - Dixie Mafia, porn king, Chicago Mob - looking to see who wants to kill him. Not bad although it’s not quite clear why they’ve waited so long. Collins is careless about pistols as a Glock turns into a Browning and then back into a Glock and a Browning turns into a Luger. Also: it’s unbelievable that after realizing someone might be after him Quarry would go swimming and take a sauna - without his pistol.
June 17, 2022
An enjoyable yarn and impressed with the Quarry character. A former hit man finds he is subject to a contract himself and scrambles to find who from the past is behind it.
Very readable and will definitely try more of these.
Very readable and will definitely try more of these.
March 29, 2022
Quarry's still Quarry
Read it in a day. don't like that Quarry aged but it happens to the best of us
Great read, lot of fun.
Read it in a day. don't like that Quarry aged but it happens to the best of us
Great read, lot of fun.
January 22, 2022
Back in the day I used to wait every year for two mystery writers to publish their next books: Michael Connelly and Robert Crais. Both started their respective long running book series at the beginning of the nineties and end of the eighties respectively. Connelly had Harry Bosch, and Crais Elvis Cole, two detectives whose feathers rarely got ruffled and always had a quip on standby. I loved these characters and these books knowing I could never be this cool.
So now I have to say, both thank you and I hate you to @hardcasecrime for #gifting me with their latest upcoming release, #QuarrysBlood
Why hate you ask? Because now I have no choice but go back to the origin of John Quarry and read all the former books!
The world Max Allan Collins has written is my kind of mystery story. Tough, and unapologetic with the casual violence balanced by the even more casual sex. The whole tone of the book feels retro while the timeline is current, referencing COVID and the former orange President among other things. Quarry is smart, cocky and really funny, the women he comes across equally charming and equally-shall I say-direct?
Quarry is a Vietnam vet who has spent his life as a contract killer. In this latest book Quarry is the one whose has a target on his back, and he has to figure out who wants him dead, and why.
Clocking in at just over two hundred pages it’s a wickedly fun weekend read that’s the culinary equivalent of a whisky neat and a blood red steak. Thank you to publisher again for the copy. #QuarrysBlood is out February 22.
So now I have to say, both thank you and I hate you to @hardcasecrime for #gifting me with their latest upcoming release, #QuarrysBlood
Why hate you ask? Because now I have no choice but go back to the origin of John Quarry and read all the former books!
The world Max Allan Collins has written is my kind of mystery story. Tough, and unapologetic with the casual violence balanced by the even more casual sex. The whole tone of the book feels retro while the timeline is current, referencing COVID and the former orange President among other things. Quarry is smart, cocky and really funny, the women he comes across equally charming and equally-shall I say-direct?
Quarry is a Vietnam vet who has spent his life as a contract killer. In this latest book Quarry is the one whose has a target on his back, and he has to figure out who wants him dead, and why.
Clocking in at just over two hundred pages it’s a wickedly fun weekend read that’s the culinary equivalent of a whisky neat and a blood red steak. Thank you to publisher again for the copy. #QuarrysBlood is out February 22.
January 9, 2022
Quarry’s Blood by Max Allan Collins continues the adventures of his hit man Quarry. This latest adventure takes place in the current time. Quarry has all but left the life he led behind him as he nears 70 years of age.
A reporter who wrote a book speculating on the the various killings, suspects that Quarry is the subject but just cannot fully prove it. But, as the reader and protagonist assumes,if a writer can track him down so might others.
They do, and this sends Quarry to track down who put the hit on him. He gets assistance from the aforementioned writer and the remainder of the book offers a dangerous tour down memory lane as he discovers three likely past actions of his that led to the latest attempt.
Though I have not read all of the Quarry novels, I did not need to in order to join in the reminiscing that is offered during these dives into the past. Author Collins is adept at providing the reader with enough information to follow the plot but not diminish the reader’s ability to enjoy reading the novels in which they originally appear.
Max Allan Collins is one of my favorite writers and Quarry a favorite series. He does not disappoint. This book offers a fitting conclusion to Quarry’s adventures if he and the publisher (Hard Case Crime) agree. If you have not read a Quarry Nobel this might not be the best one to begin with in order to appreciate the typical element of the series. However, if one does begin with a this, I imagine they will want more. So, enjoy Quarry’s Blood. It is a winner.
Having received an advanced reader’s copy of the book from the publisher, I agreed to leave an honest review which I have done here.
A reporter who wrote a book speculating on the the various killings, suspects that Quarry is the subject but just cannot fully prove it. But, as the reader and protagonist assumes,if a writer can track him down so might others.
They do, and this sends Quarry to track down who put the hit on him. He gets assistance from the aforementioned writer and the remainder of the book offers a dangerous tour down memory lane as he discovers three likely past actions of his that led to the latest attempt.
Though I have not read all of the Quarry novels, I did not need to in order to join in the reminiscing that is offered during these dives into the past. Author Collins is adept at providing the reader with enough information to follow the plot but not diminish the reader’s ability to enjoy reading the novels in which they originally appear.
Max Allan Collins is one of my favorite writers and Quarry a favorite series. He does not disappoint. This book offers a fitting conclusion to Quarry’s adventures if he and the publisher (Hard Case Crime) agree. If you have not read a Quarry Nobel this might not be the best one to begin with in order to appreciate the typical element of the series. However, if one does begin with a this, I imagine they will want more. So, enjoy Quarry’s Blood. It is a winner.
Having received an advanced reader’s copy of the book from the publisher, I agreed to leave an honest review which I have done here.
December 6, 2021
Quarry never disappoints!
May 15, 2022
I'm a huge fan of Collins, and Quarry is my favorite series of his. This book is very meta. If you are a Quarry fan, start reading! If you are just being introduced, best to start at the beginning.
A former sniper during the Vietnam war, Quarry returns home to a cheating wife. He is recruited to be a hitman. The series covers his career since then, and ends (we assume) in 2021 with this book.
A former sniper during the Vietnam war, Quarry returns home to a cheating wife. He is recruited to be a hitman. The series covers his career since then, and ends (we assume) in 2021 with this book.
May 12, 2022
Probably the worst Quarry of all. Dumb premise, ridiculous plot, lazy writing. Hope it's the last, as I am not coming back to it.
And I like other books by the same author, and enjoyed most of the other Quarry books.
And I like other books by the same author, and enjoyed most of the other Quarry books.
May 5, 2022
Quarry’s Blood is a quick and satisfying pulp read, with Collins infusing his latest novel with fresh blood (yes, bad pun groan) to invigorate the aging Quarry series. I first saw this title in the Hard Case Crime catalog and thought, oh dear, another Quarry novel? And then I was even more confused to see that it was set in 2021, well after the events of The Last Quarry, which had been meant as the chronologically final story of the former contract killer’s life. I read how HCC editor Charles Ardai talked Collins into writing this entry, read the novel, and then was very glad that Ardai succeeded.
If, perchance, you haven’t read a Quarry novel, or if you haven’t seen any of the brief Cinemax series based on the series, here’s the gist of the character. A Vietnam veteran trained as a sniper, the man later dubbed Quarry returned home after the war to find his wife had been cheating on him with another man. Quarry killed that man, but circumstances led to him legally getting off from the crime, and to be recruited as a hitman for a powerful ‘Broker’ with mob connections, a man in charge of delegating regional contract killings. The Broker names his talented new recruit “Quarry” for the man’s rock solid appearance and hollow emotional core, and Quarry quickly becomes one of his best hitmen. Until the Broker begins to worry about Quarry and betrays him. Quarry goes rogue and takes care of the problem, procuring a list of jobs in the process. Quarry begins to go to people on the hit list and offer his services to get rid of the contract killers after them, and then also to try and find out who ordered that hit and take them out too. As he ages, he eventually settles for one last job with a big payout; he ends up with retirement with a woman he loves.
In Quarry’s Blood, the former hitman is still living the quiet, retired life, mourning the recent loss of his wife to COVID, but continuing his daily routine as he approaches seventy years old. This calm routine changes when a true crime writer, Susan Breedlove, arrives knocking at his door with questions. Susan has written a best-selling book that investigated and exposed many events from Quarry’s past, including what occurred with the Broker, and she is looking to write more, with more details and the hope of cooperation from Quarry, the man she knows far more about than anyone should. Even more disturbingly, soon after her visit, a contract killer and his backup make an attempt on Quarry’s life. It’s reasonable to Quarry to assume these two events are connected.
There are two things to the aptly titled Quarry’s Blood that make it succeed in terms of its plot. First, it is now a case where Quarry is the contract. He has to both protect himself from being killed, while also investigating to try and figure out who would want him dead and how it relates to Susan’s book/research. And, though he is in remarkable shape for his age, he is certainly not in top form for the kind of exertion that investigation might entail. Second, is the character of Susan: who she is and how that relates to Quarry and his past. The person who put out the hit on Quarry, and their secret reasons for doing so also pull from the core of Quarry’s past and nicely parallel his relation to Susan.
It probably wouldn’t be too much of a spoiler to be more detailed, but I’m going to opt for keeping it all a surprise. The novel begins with three chapters set in the 1980’s, so that by the time we get to the present and Susan arrives, things should already be clear to readers. Thankfully Collins doesn’t take too long to dance around things either, leaving the real mystery of the novel to who is targeting Quarry – and even moreover why.
Collins’ writing is exactly what one would expect from this master of neo-pulp. The text and dialogue flow crisply, with bits of playful trashiness one would expect from the genre. The novel is also preceded by some quotations, one of which is a definition for ‘meta’. Indeed, there are many self-referential nods in Quarry’s Blood, including mention of the TV series and the idea that Quarry himself writes the pulp Quarry series that everyone thinks is fiction.
Collins clearly has fun writing this unexpected chapter in Quarry’s story, and he succeeds in making it unique enough from previous entries to warrant its telling. Susan is an impressive addition to the series, and I could see things continuing in spin-off series featuring her. In fact, I hope Ardai pushes strongly for that.
If, perchance, you haven’t read a Quarry novel, or if you haven’t seen any of the brief Cinemax series based on the series, here’s the gist of the character. A Vietnam veteran trained as a sniper, the man later dubbed Quarry returned home after the war to find his wife had been cheating on him with another man. Quarry killed that man, but circumstances led to him legally getting off from the crime, and to be recruited as a hitman for a powerful ‘Broker’ with mob connections, a man in charge of delegating regional contract killings. The Broker names his talented new recruit “Quarry” for the man’s rock solid appearance and hollow emotional core, and Quarry quickly becomes one of his best hitmen. Until the Broker begins to worry about Quarry and betrays him. Quarry goes rogue and takes care of the problem, procuring a list of jobs in the process. Quarry begins to go to people on the hit list and offer his services to get rid of the contract killers after them, and then also to try and find out who ordered that hit and take them out too. As he ages, he eventually settles for one last job with a big payout; he ends up with retirement with a woman he loves.
In Quarry’s Blood, the former hitman is still living the quiet, retired life, mourning the recent loss of his wife to COVID, but continuing his daily routine as he approaches seventy years old. This calm routine changes when a true crime writer, Susan Breedlove, arrives knocking at his door with questions. Susan has written a best-selling book that investigated and exposed many events from Quarry’s past, including what occurred with the Broker, and she is looking to write more, with more details and the hope of cooperation from Quarry, the man she knows far more about than anyone should. Even more disturbingly, soon after her visit, a contract killer and his backup make an attempt on Quarry’s life. It’s reasonable to Quarry to assume these two events are connected.
There are two things to the aptly titled Quarry’s Blood that make it succeed in terms of its plot. First, it is now a case where Quarry is the contract. He has to both protect himself from being killed, while also investigating to try and figure out who would want him dead and how it relates to Susan’s book/research. And, though he is in remarkable shape for his age, he is certainly not in top form for the kind of exertion that investigation might entail. Second, is the character of Susan: who she is and how that relates to Quarry and his past. The person who put out the hit on Quarry, and their secret reasons for doing so also pull from the core of Quarry’s past and nicely parallel his relation to Susan.
It probably wouldn’t be too much of a spoiler to be more detailed, but I’m going to opt for keeping it all a surprise. The novel begins with three chapters set in the 1980’s, so that by the time we get to the present and Susan arrives, things should already be clear to readers. Thankfully Collins doesn’t take too long to dance around things either, leaving the real mystery of the novel to who is targeting Quarry – and even moreover why.
Collins’ writing is exactly what one would expect from this master of neo-pulp. The text and dialogue flow crisply, with bits of playful trashiness one would expect from the genre. The novel is also preceded by some quotations, one of which is a definition for ‘meta’. Indeed, there are many self-referential nods in Quarry’s Blood, including mention of the TV series and the idea that Quarry himself writes the pulp Quarry series that everyone thinks is fiction.
Collins clearly has fun writing this unexpected chapter in Quarry’s story, and he succeeds in making it unique enough from previous entries to warrant its telling. Susan is an impressive addition to the series, and I could see things continuing in spin-off series featuring her. In fact, I hope Ardai pushes strongly for that.
November 12, 2022
In the prologue, Quarry returns to the Biloxi coast in 1983 to save his one-time girlfriend Luann (from Quarry's Choice). In doing so, he finds a list of Dixie Mafia members and their payroll of corrupt government officials. He gives the list to Luann to do with as she sees fit, with a flippant half-assed warning about the dangers of blackmailing powerful people…
Jump to 2021: Quarry's wife Janet (from The Last Quarry) has passed from Covid. Pushing seventy, he now lives alone and spends his free time writing pseudonymous novels based on his life as a hit man. It seems harmless until one day true crime novelist Susan Breedlove shows up at his door and offers him a chance to collaborate on a nonfiction expose…
Oh yeah, and then later that night assassins show up at his house to kill him…
Was it something in those novels that prompted the attempted hit? Was it that Dixie Mafia blackmail list from so long ago? Quarry and Susan begin investigating which villainous crime figure from Quarry's past is out to kill him--and why.
This is the 16th book in the series. It features more dead bodies than usual but less bed hopping ("I thanked her but said no. What was this, the geriatric sex tour?"). There are a few surprising twists and revelations along the way.
I love the fact Luann is back. She is one of my favorite minor characters of the series and her sendoff is fun. There are also callbacks to other characters as well. We learn what happened to Peg Baker (Quarry), Lu (Quarry's Deal), and Max Climer's family, including that pretty little coed in the theater balcony (Quarry's Climax).
I'm less thrilled about the series going full meta, even though this was hinted at in Killing Quarry when Quarry repeatedly broke the fourth wall as narrator. Now we learn the entire series of Quarry novels, as well as the film The Last Lullaby and the Cinemax tv show, exist within the world of the books. (Thank goodness Max Allan Collins did not insert himself as a character the way Stephen King tromped through his Dark Tower landscape. )
This is an 'ok' entry but it suffers from an anticlimactic ending and too much fan service. Quarry besting men half his age stretches credulity rather fast. That so many miscreants from the earlier books are still alive--and still care about getting revenge after all these decades--seems a bit far-fetched, too.
Jump to 2021: Quarry's wife Janet (from The Last Quarry) has passed from Covid. Pushing seventy, he now lives alone and spends his free time writing pseudonymous novels based on his life as a hit man. It seems harmless until one day true crime novelist Susan Breedlove shows up at his door and offers him a chance to collaborate on a nonfiction expose…
Oh yeah, and then later that night assassins show up at his house to kill him…
Was it something in those novels that prompted the attempted hit? Was it that Dixie Mafia blackmail list from so long ago? Quarry and Susan begin investigating which villainous crime figure from Quarry's past is out to kill him--and why.
This is the 16th book in the series. It features more dead bodies than usual but less bed hopping ("I thanked her but said no. What was this, the geriatric sex tour?"). There are a few surprising twists and revelations along the way.
I love the fact Luann is back. She is one of my favorite minor characters of the series and her sendoff is fun. There are also callbacks to other characters as well. We learn what happened to Peg Baker (Quarry), Lu (Quarry's Deal), and Max Climer's family, including that pretty little coed in the theater balcony (Quarry's Climax).
I'm less thrilled about the series going full meta, even though this was hinted at in Killing Quarry when Quarry repeatedly broke the fourth wall as narrator. Now we learn the entire series of Quarry novels, as well as the film The Last Lullaby and the Cinemax tv show, exist within the world of the books. (Thank goodness Max Allan Collins did not insert himself as a character the way Stephen King tromped through his Dark Tower landscape. )
This is an 'ok' entry but it suffers from an anticlimactic ending and too much fan service. Quarry besting men half his age stretches credulity rather fast. That so many miscreants from the earlier books are still alive--and still care about getting revenge after all these decades--seems a bit far-fetched, too.
May 11, 2022
A fitting coda to the story of Quarry.
This story takes place after The Last Quarry, one of my favorites in the series (and the second one I ever read, after I won The Wrong Quarry in a Goodreads giveaway). While this could easily fall into the "I'm getting too old for this" trap, Max Allan Collins pulls together a lot of threads from the entire history of Quarry to give our beloved anti-hero a new ending.
This Quarry is pushing seventy but doesn't miss a beat as he tracks down who put out a hit on him. After he meets a true crime writer whose next book is about Quarry, the pair team up to follow up on some old leads from Quarry's past. There's a few moments that tip into meta territory, but Quarry has always been a little meta anyway with his misadventures in decades past not always jiving with today's political correctness.
Interestingly, this book takes place in modern day. As in, Quarry's wife has died from Covid modern. There is no political discussions or debates about public health mandates, thankfully, keeping the story timeless while being set in a specific time. Quarry novels are always great escapism, and it would have been a shame to drag it down with real world issues. (I think that's part of why I couldn't get fully into Stephen King's Billy Summers, which really seemed to be going for the Quarry vibe).
Quarry novels are always great fun and easy reads. Hopefully Collins goes back to fill in more of the intermediate pages in Quarry's story. He still has a long list to work his way through, after all.
This story takes place after The Last Quarry, one of my favorites in the series (and the second one I ever read, after I won The Wrong Quarry in a Goodreads giveaway). While this could easily fall into the "I'm getting too old for this" trap, Max Allan Collins pulls together a lot of threads from the entire history of Quarry to give our beloved anti-hero a new ending.
This Quarry is pushing seventy but doesn't miss a beat as he tracks down who put out a hit on him. After he meets a true crime writer whose next book is about Quarry, the pair team up to follow up on some old leads from Quarry's past. There's a few moments that tip into meta territory, but Quarry has always been a little meta anyway with his misadventures in decades past not always jiving with today's political correctness.
Interestingly, this book takes place in modern day. As in, Quarry's wife has died from Covid modern. There is no political discussions or debates about public health mandates, thankfully, keeping the story timeless while being set in a specific time. Quarry novels are always great escapism, and it would have been a shame to drag it down with real world issues. (I think that's part of why I couldn't get fully into Stephen King's Billy Summers, which really seemed to be going for the Quarry vibe).
Quarry novels are always great fun and easy reads. Hopefully Collins goes back to fill in more of the intermediate pages in Quarry's story. He still has a long list to work his way through, after all.
December 1, 2022
This book assumes you've closely read all the Quarry books. And you desperately want to see all those loose ends tied up. Whatever happened to old so-and-so? And whozits? And whatsis?
I have great news. This book resolves all of that. In great and painful detail. Often in lengthy exposition.
This is book 16 in the series. If you haven't read books 1 through 15, maybe sit this one out. Hell, if you've read a few Quarry books, don't really remember much of them, skip this one.
I was pretty much bored throughout the book and multiple times considered just stopping. I picked up the book in the first place because I've been reading a lot of "literature". Maybe something trashy would be a nice break? Saw this and scooped it up.
Ugh. It was a quick read but not that enjoyable. Not really much of a plot. More a series of scenarios quickly resolved. Quarry has sex. Quarry kills people. And there are weak jokes that aren't jokes. When Quarry enters a room you get a quick description of the furniture and windows.
For the Quarry completist only. Assuming such people exist. And I guess they do?
I have great news. This book resolves all of that. In great and painful detail. Often in lengthy exposition.
This is book 16 in the series. If you haven't read books 1 through 15, maybe sit this one out. Hell, if you've read a few Quarry books, don't really remember much of them, skip this one.
I was pretty much bored throughout the book and multiple times considered just stopping. I picked up the book in the first place because I've been reading a lot of "literature". Maybe something trashy would be a nice break? Saw this and scooped it up.
Ugh. It was a quick read but not that enjoyable. Not really much of a plot. More a series of scenarios quickly resolved. Quarry has sex. Quarry kills people. And there are weak jokes that aren't jokes. When Quarry enters a room you get a quick description of the furniture and windows.
For the Quarry completist only. Assuming such people exist. And I guess they do?
February 6, 2022
It’s hard to review this novel without adding spoilers, soI apologize in advance. First, we learn that Quarry has been publishing thinly disguised paperback novels of his exploits all these years. At first I rolled my eyes, then realized - of course he did! What have I been reading all these years but Quarry’s own first person accounts? Well done, Mr. Collins!
Much of the book and the plot is concerned with revisit the past with Quarry traveling to various scenes of the crime across the country to determine who has put a hit on him. The novel has a feeling of an elegy throughout as Quarry revisits both past lovers and enemies.
The action is aplenty and the body count is high as Quarry fights for his life. I especially enjoyed the chunk of the book that took place in my hometown of Minneapolis. I enjoyed this installment of the Quarry series as much, if not more, than all the other books in the series. If Quarry’s Blood turns out to be the final book, then the series has ended on a high note. “It was hard to know everything a quarry was capable of.”
Much of the book and the plot is concerned with revisit the past with Quarry traveling to various scenes of the crime across the country to determine who has put a hit on him. The novel has a feeling of an elegy throughout as Quarry revisits both past lovers and enemies.
The action is aplenty and the body count is high as Quarry fights for his life. I especially enjoyed the chunk of the book that took place in my hometown of Minneapolis. I enjoyed this installment of the Quarry series as much, if not more, than all the other books in the series. If Quarry’s Blood turns out to be the final book, then the series has ended on a high note. “It was hard to know everything a quarry was capable of.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2022
OK, I have become a big fan of Max Allan Collins and his hardboiled writing style. The Nolan books are a hoot, the Heller books are a fun trip through mid 20th century history, and "The Road to Perdition" is a straight up classic.
So now I finally started the Quarry series, the hitman who targets other hitmen (and assorted bad guys). I read the first one, and now I read the (supposed) last one. Here we see a post COVID retired Quarry, happily enjoying the remaining years of his life away from crime. But we all know that retired main characters in novels never stay retired... an intrepid true crime author has tracked Quarry down and is looking for his cooperation in writing a second book about his exploits. Of course Quarry refuses, but two hitmen sent to rub him out makes him think that teaming up with this writer might be the best way to find out who's out for revenge.
Go and enjoy the mayhem.
So now I finally started the Quarry series, the hitman who targets other hitmen (and assorted bad guys). I read the first one, and now I read the (supposed) last one. Here we see a post COVID retired Quarry, happily enjoying the remaining years of his life away from crime. But we all know that retired main characters in novels never stay retired... an intrepid true crime author has tracked Quarry down and is looking for his cooperation in writing a second book about his exploits. Of course Quarry refuses, but two hitmen sent to rub him out makes him think that teaming up with this writer might be the best way to find out who's out for revenge.
Go and enjoy the mayhem.
February 21, 2023
For no discernible reason, Quarry has returned from 15 years in retirement. I'm glad he did. We find Quarry running a motel in Minnesota that he and his recently dead wife had purchased. He gets visit from a true crime writer, who knows all about him and much of the violence that he's been part of over the years. Shortly afterwards, his life is threatened by some armed men. Teaming up with the writer, he starts looking for the people who most likely want him dead. Avoiding death at times, killing bad guys, rekindling old flames, eventually he finds the guy who wants him dead. In typical Quarry fashion, the issue is dealt with. His relationship with the writer is special and the book provides some unexpected detail. Overall, an old Quarry is not too different than the young Quarry, a man who kills without emotion or regret. Max Collins writes terrific dialogue and the story proceeds at a torrid pace, with lots and lots of gun violence and some adult sex scenes.
July 14, 2024
Quarry just wants to retire. After years of work as a killer, he has retired and put that life behind him. Then a young true crime writer wants to write a book about him, his past returns with a vengeance in the form of hit men out to eliminate him. To solve the mystery of who has it in for him, Quarry must make a trip into his past. Despite his efforts, Quarry slips back into a world of violence with ease.
Max Allan Collins output makes him one of the most prolific Hard Case Crime writers. He understands and appreciates the fast-paced, action-packed demands of a solid work of pulp and he delivers them vividly. He can make a hit man hero sympathetic while putting him in the middle of a thrilling mystery. Quarry's desire for a peaceful retirement and his return to a world of killing are ridiculous but believable and even sympathetic in Collins' hands. A fun book for anyone who likes pulp with strong characters.
Max Allan Collins output makes him one of the most prolific Hard Case Crime writers. He understands and appreciates the fast-paced, action-packed demands of a solid work of pulp and he delivers them vividly. He can make a hit man hero sympathetic while putting him in the middle of a thrilling mystery. Quarry's desire for a peaceful retirement and his return to a world of killing are ridiculous but believable and even sympathetic in Collins' hands. A fun book for anyone who likes pulp with strong characters.
March 3, 2023
I love the Quarry series but, I must admit, I was a bit uncertain when I saw this book was bringing Quarry up to date. There was no need for me to be concerned. Max Allan Collins gets it right in terms of Quarry being alive and well in the present day, and he avoids the potential for a "fish out of water" almost-septuagenarian Quarry bumbling around in the modern world unfamiliar with mobile phones, the internet, etc. etc. Of course, Quarry has some struggles but, it's good that Max Allan Collins has allowed the character to live through the passing years, not just be deposited in the present day.
It's a good story with plenty of nods to earlier books in the series.
Now, if only they'd bring back the tv show...
It's a good story with plenty of nods to earlier books in the series.
Now, if only they'd bring back the tv show...
January 13, 2023
Great fake out with this title. . A long retired Quarry partners with a true crime writer who has tracked him down based on some novels he wrote about his career. This book is very much in the genre of one-last-case.
It does stretch my belief a little that Quarry is still able to take on some of the young men in this story, but maybe his daily workout regimen is just that good.
I will say that I wasn't massively invested in the central mystery of the book (ie: who was behind the hired assassins) because I didn't feel there was a strong connection between the would-be killer and his victim.
It does stretch my belief a little that Quarry is still able to take on some of the young men in this story, but maybe his daily workout regimen is just that good.
I will say that I wasn't massively invested in the central mystery of the book (ie: who was behind the hired assassins) because I didn't feel there was a strong connection between the would-be killer and his victim.
February 25, 2022
Another Winner in a Great Series!
Quarry is back for another round of action, and that only means trouble for the bad guys. Though he's older now, Quarry is more likable and dangerous than ever. He's a hitman but you can't help but root for him. It's a great tribute to Max Allan Collins, who keeps injecting a freshness into this character and this series 15 books in. You don't have to read the others first to start with this one but once you finish it, you'll want to start at the beginning to see all the action you've missed before!
Highly recommended!
Quarry is back for another round of action, and that only means trouble for the bad guys. Though he's older now, Quarry is more likable and dangerous than ever. He's a hitman but you can't help but root for him. It's a great tribute to Max Allan Collins, who keeps injecting a freshness into this character and this series 15 books in. You don't have to read the others first to start with this one but once you finish it, you'll want to start at the beginning to see all the action you've missed before!
Highly recommended!
March 20, 2022
Quarry's been living a good life without violence for the last 15 years, when his wife dies of COVID, and all of a sudden his old life comes back to haunt him when two guys try to kill them. He takes care of them in his usual way, and then is visited by a journalist who has been digging into his exploits and discovered his real identity. This leads him into consquences from his old life and things that need handling. Good read, it's good to read a book about a guy like this who is pushing 70 and can't do what he used to be able to do, and it's a pretty satisfying read.
April 15, 2022
A fitting ending (at least it feels like a true ending this time) to one of crime fiction's most beloved characters, the hitman Quarry. I have enjoyed these books from beginning to end. I loved the addition of the new character (no spoiler) and also found the eventual death of the bad guy (no spoiler) to be fantastic. This is a great book and truly shows how good a writer Max Allan Collins is. Thank you, Hard Case Crime, for convincing Max to bring Quarry back a few more times. Bravo, Max, Bravo!
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