Aside from the end, this is another enjoyable Lawrence Block team-up with HCC. Block said that writing erotic pulp early in his career helped because Aside from the end, this is another enjoyable Lawrence Block team-up with HCC. Block said that writing erotic pulp early in his career helped because no matter how trashy, he always imbued his books with characterization. You can see it here and it’s what elevates his work above most of the genre. ...more
When I learned I had to read a book that was over 40 years old for a reading challenge, I knew it would be a Hard Case Crime one.
Hard Case Crime is grWhen I learned I had to read a book that was over 40 years old for a reading challenge, I knew it would be a Hard Case Crime one.
Hard Case Crime is great at bringing to life authors that are little known or have fallen out of vogue. There was so much in the way of pulp publication in the 50s and 60s and HCC climbs through the archives to find good stuff. This one is no exception.
I love crime stories and gangster stories and this one gives me both: a federal agent going undercover to try and break up a counterfeit money scheme run by Philadelphia gangsters. It reads as if James Bond was a US detective: there are plenty of scenes of food and drink, the obligatory sex with a potential femme fatale, over-the-top villains who do villainous things and a western government trying to triumph over all of it.
I know what I’m getting most of the time I read a Hard Case Crime novel and this one delivers the goods. It’s a fun, pulpy, noirish tale that would have made a great 88 minute film in 1954. It doesn’t try to be anything it’s not and doesn’t overstay its welcome.
Everyone has “guilty pleasures.” I suppose these kinds of reads would fall under mine but I never feel guilty for reading them. As I often say: democratize literature. Read what you want. This was fun for me. Find something that is fun for you....more
I was disappointed in the quality of the last couple of Quarry novels so I wasn't expecting much...but this was good. One of his best plots and I realI was disappointed in the quality of the last couple of Quarry novels so I wasn't expecting much...but this was good. One of his best plots and I really enjoyed it. Could've done without the racism. Big believer that you can show the casual racism of the past (1970s) without wallowing in it and the book does that. Otherwise, it's good. ...more
250 pages of pure early Westlake goodness. You can see the seams a bit from its original serialization but it’s still edited well and comes together. 250 pages of pure early Westlake goodness. You can see the seams a bit from its original serialization but it’s still edited well and comes together. Touches on a lot of my favorite things (amateur sleuth, NYC, mob, comedy of errors) and has enough satisfying twists and turns. ...more
A fun, enjoyable HCC read from a screenwriter who knew what he was doing. This tale is familiar but when it comes to the hard boiled tradition, familiA fun, enjoyable HCC read from a screenwriter who knew what he was doing. This tale is familiar but when it comes to the hard boiled tradition, familiar is often fun. ...more
Once again, I wish Hard Case Crime published more books like these by obscure authors. This is a hidden gem; more of a parable of urban decay than a mOnce again, I wish Hard Case Crime published more books like these by obscure authors. This is a hidden gem; more of a parable of urban decay than a mystery, though there's that too. A hard look at Chicago before widespread gentrification. Could've done without the White Messiaship but otherwise loved it. ...more
I received an advance reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I love Hard Case Crime novels. I do not always love short story collI received an advance reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I love Hard Case Crime novels. I do not always love short story collections.
Short stories are fine for what they are: brief and occasionally visceral peaks into the window of whatever context they are examining. I prefer a long, drawn out tale to sink my teeth into, but I do appreciate those who can move an entertain with a limited scope.
Given that the best noirs rely on sparseness, it’s a genre that lends itself to the short story. And considering that most of the stories in Charles Ardai’s Death Comes Too Late (if not all) lean heavy into noir, this collection works quite well.
I’ve been reading Ardai’s work since his early years editing Hard Case Crime and it’s great to see how he continues to improve as a writer. He has a deep love of the genre he works in and it shines here in a collection of tales, each with an unpredictable end that’s steeped in the noir tradition. Tonally, they range from the silly and hilarious (Don’t Be Cruel, which was my personal favorite) to the brief and incredibly tragic (The Day After Tomorrow). Other favorites included The Case, Goin’ West, Nobody Wins, Jonas and the Frail (oh what an ending!), and Last Night at Charley’s (never went the way I expected). But you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Ardai has worked hard to keep the lights on at Hard Case Crime so it’s great to see him get a chance to shine with his own work. This is a must read for anyone who likes the label, appreciates the noir tradition, or just wants some great short stories.
An ambitious debut novel…and it mostly hits its reach. Scott Von Doviak does a great job juggling a loaded storyline and three times. My only real beeAn ambitious debut novel…and it mostly hits its reach. Scott Von Doviak does a great job juggling a loaded storyline and three times. My only real beef is the resolutions, which fell flat, including a weird and unnecessary coincidence. Still, most of the execution works and it’s a portent, hopefully, of good things to come from this writer. ...more
Some interesting moments but tries way too hard with the psycho-babble Am I the killer...or not? Jung!. A more polished version of this would've made Some interesting moments but tries way too hard with the psycho-babble Am I the killer...or not? Jung!. A more polished version of this would've made for some rich reading. ...more
Been angling to read more LB lately so I figured I’d knock out this short story collection for my monthly HCC read. Sadly, the results were predictablBeen angling to read more LB lately so I figured I’d knock out this short story collection for my monthly HCC read. Sadly, the results were predictable: a repetition of serial killers, hit men and un-sexy sex. I just can’t sink my teeth into books featuring short stories and this one was no exception. I enjoyed visiting Matt and Mick at Grogan’s again and the last story was fun but beyond that? Who lotta eh and I’m glad to have it off the HCC list. ...more
Months like this one make it tricky to continue my required monthly Hard Case Crime read. I usually skip February as HCC has done a poor job of publisMonths like this one make it tricky to continue my required monthly Hard Case Crime read. I usually skip February as HCC has done a poor job of publishing Black authors. And I’ve read all the female authors they’ve so far published (precious few). And now, reading only horror for these 31 days, I’ve read all their horror reads: the Stephen Kings and Sugar Rush.
But unlike February and March, I didn’t think this month required a departure from it. So I grabbed this one because the premise sounded horrific: a man is in a cab when he’s bashed in the head. He wakes up in a hospital to find his face swaddled in bandages. The nurse tending to him is referring to him by a different name. He has no ID, he’s supposed to be back at his naval base by a certain time, he’s in pain and petrified.
Also, the cover was evocative of a horror tale: the bandaged man screaming as a woman screams next to him while a gun goes off.
It starts as horror but quickly switches to thriller and is a lot of fun, even by HCC standards. I was invested in the story about halfway through, curious to see how Hamilton was going to bring it home.
Unfortunately, the back half is loaded with a lot of exposition that dulled the thrill of those first hundred pages. There are some interesting twists but I was happy when it was done. Still clears the 4-star bar because I really enjoyed those first hundred pages. And I’ll have to look into more of Donald Hamilton’s work....more
I remember why I never went back to this series after True Detective: interesting concept, uninspired execution with a protagonist I just can't connecI remember why I never went back to this series after True Detective: interesting concept, uninspired execution with a protagonist I just can't connect with. For all the faults of Max Allan Collins' Quarry novels, at least those have verve and energy. That's missing here. There were too many names to keep track of for a condensed book and while the mystery was interesting, I just couldn't get invested in the narrative itself. It's not bad but I'm in the minority on not being thrilled with this one. ...more
Hixploitation (the author’s words, not mine) — like blaxploitation and other specified identity genres — hit a frenzied peak in the 70s. It was the erHixploitation (the author’s words, not mine) — like blaxploitation and other specified identity genres — hit a frenzied peak in the 70s. It was the era of the Film Brats and just as they influenced studio Hollywood, the Bs were changing as well. Whereas small budget, sad screen scifi and rip off gangster/detective movies had dominated the market, it was now saturated with crime and action films that fit a particular ethno and/or regional identity. Hence, hixploitation.
Burt Reynolds was the king of this genre with films like Gator. But whereas blaxploitation still lives on in works such as Black Dynamite and Proud Mary, no one is doing much on the southern front, save the abysmal Dukes of Hazzard remake.
Fortunately for those that are fans of the genre (I myself am not but I appreciate its impact), Scott Von Doviak does a great job bringing it to life in the span of 283 pages. This is a rip roaring crime tale in which the good ol’ boys try to outrun Johnny Law, with a few other interesting characters thrown in the mix.
Von Doviak could have easily let this veer into parody but he wisely choses not to. Instead, he imbues the characters with gravity so that the stakes feel real. There is plenty of caper wisecracks and silliness but you finish the book feeling like you spent time getting to know these people. A little sluggish at times for what the story is trying to be, it nevertheless is a fun callback to films of a different age. And you don’t have to appreciate that age to appreciate this one....more
There’s an interesting book in here somewhere but it’s buried under overwritten descriptions of a guy editing films and bohemian jet setting through EThere’s an interesting book in here somewhere but it’s buried under overwritten descriptions of a guy editing films and bohemian jet setting through Europe. Still not a bad effort for someone under 30. ...more
This is absolutely not the book I expected. It's a Lew Archer tale in gangster makeup. Not as good as Macdonald, of course, but...John Farris wrote thThis is absolutely not the book I expected. It's a Lew Archer tale in gangster makeup. Not as good as Macdonald, of course, but...John Farris wrote this when he was 19. 19! I can't get over that. Slow and sleepy at times, predictable in others, it's still a quality novel and an impressive feat for someone to publish it at such a young age. ...more
This series was trapped in 70s amber where it belonged until Hard Case Crime rescued it. While I’m sure Max Allan Collins is quite happy about that, tThis series was trapped in 70s amber where it belonged until Hard Case Crime rescued it. While I’m sure Max Allan Collins is quite happy about that, this rebooted version loses the flavor and grimness of its 70s aesthetic and worldview in favor of Too Old For This Sht barbs and One Final Job staleness (which is certainly not a final final job as HCC would go on to publish nine more). An uninspired plot, heaping doses of sexism, and just a lot of meh. If Collins had written sixteen of these before the 80s concluded, I’d be thrilled to read em. As it stands, I’ll likely have to turn my nose to finish the rest. ...more
This early period Donald Westlake quickie is one of the best things Hard Case Crime has ever republished. A fun story of a gangster-turned-detective wThis early period Donald Westlake quickie is one of the best things Hard Case Crime has ever republished. A fun story of a gangster-turned-detective who is dealing with his past to help his lady friend in the present despite signs that he should be. An excellent ending, very noir. I loved it. ...more
A lot of people are always gonna be more impressed with Joyce Carol Oates than I ever will be. The first story made me want to tear the pages out. To A lot of people are always gonna be more impressed with Joyce Carol Oates than I ever will be. The first story made me want to tear the pages out. To say nothing of the obnoxious storytelling device of shifting consciousness, I’ve had more than my fill of the Evil Adoptee/Foster Child plot. At least she was up front with it from the beginning. The second one had an interesting concept and some well-conceived moments so I bumped this to a 2. But ugh. Her thing is not my thing. ...more
I had sworn off books featuring Tough Guys who Drink Hard and Screw Every Woman but they pop up occasionally when I read my monthly Hard Case Crime noI had sworn off books featuring Tough Guys who Drink Hard and Screw Every Woman but they pop up occasionally when I read my monthly Hard Case Crime novels. This one is better than most, with Pete Hamill’s excellent New York touches, some quality twists and a thoughtful meditation on violence. A bit too Die Hard-y near the end for my taste but I guess that was to be expected. Still a fun read....more
I hadn’t expected much from this month’s Hard Case Crime, as early period Lawrence Block can be hit-or-miss. But there’s something interesting going oI hadn’t expected much from this month’s Hard Case Crime, as early period Lawrence Block can be hit-or-miss. But there’s something interesting going on in this nifty little noir work that examines the drug scene in early-60s bohemian Lower Manhattan. I was fascinated with the three characters, though Block got a little too invested in Alberta’s body descriptions. But it’s a well-told story with a noir-as-hell ending. ...more
Loading...
