You’d think that any book which commences with the main character being shot in the head right on the first page would be the shortest novel in the annals of history. However, Joe Kurtz is an incredibly tough character. It would require far more than a measly bullet to the skull to keep him down for an extended period.

Ex-convict and former private investigator Kurtz has a meeting with his parole officer, Peg O’Toole. But as they happen to be exiting the building simultaneously, someone opens fire on both of them. O’Toole sustains severe wounds, and Kurtz survives his head shot纯粹 by luck. If most of us were to take a bullet to the head, we’d likely need a few days to recuperate. But Kurtz is soon out on the street, attempting to determine whether he or O’Toole was the intended target.

Kurtz will have to contend with a great deal more than just his headache as he endeavors to track down the shooter. He is soon drawn into more Mafia-related affairs, with two rival families vying to hire him to discover who has been eliminating their best drug-using customers. An old flame who is now a police officer may or may not be on his side, and her partner, Detective Kemper (Kemper!), is most definitely being a nuisance.

This is yet another outstanding hard-boiled crime novel featuring Kurtz, penned by Dan Simmons. And this one boasts the most action-packed ending thus far. The only piece of bad news is that this is the final installment of this series that Simmons has written, and it was published seven years ago. I am a Simmons enthusiast and have a great affection for many of the other books he has authored since then. But I sincerely hope that he will return to Kurtz’s story someday.

Moreover, Simmons includes yet another significant hint regarding how Kurtz was inspired by Richard Stark’s Parker novels through a hilarious conversation that implies that Parker was indeed Kurtz’s father.

Given that "Hard As Nails" is longer than the first two books in the series combined, one might assume that it could potentially lose some of the breakneck pace that was characteristic of the earlier Kurtz novels. However, this assumption would be incorrect.

This book is filled with non-stop, balls-to-the-wall action that manages to hold your attention from start to finish. In fact, it is even more action-packed than the first two installments.

Nevertheless, I didn't find myself devouring it as quickly as I did the previous books. But that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. On the contrary, I believe this is the best book in the series. The density of action is so high that my brain needed to take a break from time to time.

Perhaps, on a subconscious level, I was aware that this was the final book in the series, and I wanted to savor every moment. Whatever the reason, I felt a sense of sadness when I reached the end. It wasn't because the ending was unsatisfactory; quite the opposite, it was extremely satisfying.

I was simply sad because there were no more Joe Kurtz adventures for me to read. I truly hope that Dan Simmons decides to revisit this character in the future. I had an absolute blast reading these books.

Joe Kurtz and his parole officer are strolling through a parking garage when suddenly, two men open fire on them. Both are hit in the head by bullets. However, Kurtz's is just a ricochet. He checks out of the hospital prematurely and sets off in search of the prime suspects, Angelina Ferrara and Toma Gonzaga, the new heir to the Gonzaga crime family. But what connection does Kurtz's shooting have with Gonzaga's and Ferrara's missing drug dealers?

Once again, Dan Simmons delivers a thrilling story. It's not often that a book has the main character shot in the head on the very first page. Kurtz hits the streets and slowly untangles the mystery of who shot him and his parole officer, and which one was the actual intended target, in his tough and unyielding style. The Artful Dodger and the Major are both very cunning villains. For a while, I truly doubted that Kurtz would make it out alive.

The writing of Dan Simmons is what makes this book, as well as the other two Kurtz books, stand out from similar stories. The concussion that Kurtz suffered in the opening ambush was described so vividly by Simmons that it almost gave me a headache by the end. Just like in the previous two books, Simmons piles up the questions and builds the suspense until it reaches an explosive conclusion. Kurtz gets a little closer to having a relationship with his daughter and even shows some compassion for Rigby, proving that beneath his tough exterior, Joe Kurtz still has a heart.

Are there any complaints? Well, the ending seemed to come out of nowhere. I thought the mastermind should have had more screen time earlier in the story. While I liked the part with the Dane, it was too similar to his first appearance in Hard Case. My main gripe is that Dan Simmons isn't writing any more Kurtz books! How dare he! I guess I'll have to console myself by reading his other books in different genres.

Although it's not perfect, Hard as Nails is an easy 4-star read and a must-read for fans of the other two Kurtz books.

There's just one thing I don't understand: How does Peg come to be a shortened form of Margaret?

Later: I forgot to mention this Easter egg, a quote about Joe Kurtz's parentage.

My mother was a whore. I didn’t see much of her even before the orphanage. Once when she was drunk, she told me that she thought my old man was a thief, some guy with just one name and that not even his own…

Kurtz goes on to say that his old man never had sex until after the job was done. Does that sound like anyone you know and love?

The Joe Kurtz trilogy concludes with a resounding bang!

There are even more unyielding hardboiled thrills as Kurtz finds himself caught between rival mafia bosses, a drug cartel, and a deranged killer who has been silently eliminating figures from the Buffalo underground. All the while, he is trying to determine who shot him and his parole officer.

Kurtz seems to limp through each book with injuries, but in this one, he takes it to a whole new level. Shot in the head from the start and suffering from severe concussion headaches and exhaustion throughout, his anguish is palpable on every page.

This installment features an all-out military-style assault, a batshit crazy villain straight out of a Stephen King novel, and dueling love interests, including an old flame from his orphanage days who has become a cop.

As always, Simmons masterfully weaves the multiple storylines together for maximum impact and manages to include a clever easter egg for fans of Richard Stark's Parker series, to which the entire trilogy is essentially an homage, but far from a pastiche.

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I was in search of something that had action and a captivating story. To my delight, I discovered it right here. It not only offered an exciting plot but also had some truly great sentences as an added bonus. Dan Simmons is indeed a remarkable writer. His ability to craft engaging stories and use language effectively is truly impressive. The way he weaves together the elements of action and a good narrative keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. Each sentence seems to be carefully constructed to enhance the overall experience. It's no wonder that his work is highly regarded. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a thrilling read with a great story and excellent writing.

It was truly the right book that arrived at the most opportune time, and I simply devoured it with great enthusiasm.

Dan Simmons' prose is undeniably of the highest caliber. In my opinion, when it comes to the story aspect, the third installment stands out as the best. This is not only due to the engaging plot but also because of the numerous hilarious dialogues or "conversations", along with the witty comments and mental notes of Kurtz.

Moreover, I have a great deal of sympathy for him as he endures a migraine throughout the entire book. It must have been a challenging experience for the character.

I would absolutely love to read that little extra "adventure" that is merely hinted at. It piques my curiosity and makes me eager to explore more of the story and the world that Simmons has created.

Overall, this book has been a captivating read, and I look forward to seeing what else Dan Simmons has in store for his readers.

This book is an outstanding crime mystery that has the power to completely captivate you, making it nearly impossible to put the book down.

Throughout the story, there is a constant stream of new and exciting events unfolding, keeping you on the edge of your seat. The author masterfully uses cliffhangers at the end of each chapter, leaving you eager to turn the page and find out what happens next.

The pacing of the book is extremely fast, which adds to the overall excitement and tension. The conflict within the story is well-developed and engaging, making it a thrilling read from start to finish. In fact, it's so good that you could easily finish reading it in a single day.

Another aspect that makes this book truly great is the author's excellent work in character development. Each character is unique and well-rounded, with their own motives, desires, and flaws. This makes it easy to become invested in their stories and root for them as they navigate the complex web of the crime mystery.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good crime mystery. It has all the elements of a great story, including a fast pace, exciting conflict, and well-developed characters. You won't be disappointed!

The rating for this particular instalment was on the borderline between 3 and 4 stars. However, the benefit of the doubt was given.

This Joe Kurtz instalment presents a slightly different flavour compared to the previous book. It contains a little more detection work, which adds an interesting layer to the story. At the same time, there is just a bit less action.

Despite this, it remains incredibly hard to put down. The plot is engaging and keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. It does verge on being a little over the top at times, but this only adds to its charm.

One of the nice touches in this book is the nod to Richard Stark. At one point, it is strongly implied that Parker is Joe Kurtz's unknown father. This connection adds an extra element of mystery and intrigue to the story, making it even more enjoyable for fans of both authors.

Overall, this instalment is a solid addition to the Joe Kurtz series and is well worth a read.

Joe Kurtz is truly ‘hard as nails’!

The final instalment in the Joe Kurtz trilogy lives up to the expectations set by the first two books. It keeps the reader engaged from start to finish, constantly leaving them on the edge of their seats, waiting for the next twist.

However, this can also be seen as both a positive and negative. On one hand, it makes the reader eager to see what happens next. On the other hand, it can make parts of the story slightly predictable, as the reader is always expecting a twist or for a returning character to appear.

Despite this, there are some亮点 in the book. For example, we get to see some hands-on detective work from Arlene, which is a refreshing change.

If I could, I’d give this book a 3.5 rating. It’s a solid crime read, even though it’s not my usual genre. I’m always happy to expand my reading horizons, and with crime books, I was more than willing to take a chance on Dan. He remains one of my favourite authors, and I’m glad I’ve now completed the trilogy. The next time I’m in the mood for a Simmons book, I’ll be sure to pick up another one of his works.

Takes a licking and keeps on ticking... that's Joe Kurtz.

You truly have to suspend your belief systems when reading about Joe Kurtz. It seems almost impossible that anyone in real life could live the way he does and still be alive.

This is an entertaining thriller that centers around an ex-P.I. in Buffalo, NY. Joe Kurtz is like a cat with more lives than one can count.

He has endured countless challenges and dangerous situations that would have surely ended the lives of most ordinary people. But somehow, he always manages to come out on top.

The story follows his adventures as he navigates through a web of mystery and danger. With each turn of the page, you'll be on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen to Joe Kurtz next.

If you're a fan of thrilling stories with a touch of the unbelievable, then this is the perfect read for you.

HARD AS NAILS –VG

Simmons, Dan – 3rd in series

The book kicks off with Joe Kurtz getting shot in the head. This incident not only gives him an excruciating headache that seems to last a lifetime but also leaves a female probation officer on life support. As if that weren't bad enough, Kurtz now has to face Toma Gonzaga, the gay don who owes him a debt in blood. To make matters even more complicated, someone is murdering heroin addicts in Buffalo and hauling away their bodies.

One character compares Kurtz to the old Timex commercial, saying he "takes a licking but keeps on ticking." If you can overlook the fact that someone could be shot, concussed, and beaten up so many times and still manage to carry on, these books are exciting, page-turning reads. I highly recommend reading them in order to fully appreciate the development of the great characters, including Kurtz' assistant, Arlene. My only complaint about this series is that Simmons really needs to write the next installments faster. I can't wait to see what happens next in Kurtz' adventures.