More of the same. This implies a tightly-structured, trendy, violent crime thriller that contains the appropriate elements. Once again, Simmons openly shows his admiration for Elmore Leonard.

There is absolutely nothing intellectual in this. However, in this instance, that is a very positive aspect. It is a pity that he has never written any more books about Kurtz. I would love to know where he would have taken this character.

The story likely offers a fast-paced and exciting narrative, filled with intense action and suspense. The lack of intellectual depth allows for a pure and unadulterated entertainment experience. Simmons' ability to craft a thrilling crime thriller is evident, and one can only hope that he might consider revisiting the Kurtz character in the future.

Overall, this work provides an engaging and enjoyable read for fans of the crime thriller genre.

Book 3 of the Joe Kurtz series is truly outstanding. Joe Kurtz is such a great character, full of depth and complexity.

The Kurtz series as a whole is simply brilliant. Each book has taken readers on an exciting and thrilling journey, filled with action, mystery, and engaging storylines.

However, it is unfortunately that this appears to be the end of the series. It's always sad when a great series comes to an end, especially one that has captured the hearts and imaginations of so many readers.

Despite this, the legacy of the Joe Kurtz series will surely live on. Readers will continue to revisit these books, reliving the adventures and getting to know the characters all over again.

Perhaps one day, there will be more stories to tell about Joe Kurtz and his world. But for now, we can only cherish the books that we have and look forward to whatever the future holds for this talented author.

4.25 - This marks an excellent conclusion to the Joe Kurtz trilogy. Several familiar characters from previous installments make a comeback for this final chapter. Among them is the assassin "the dane," who bears a resemblance to Max Von Sydow's character in Three Days of The Condor. In the classic hard-boiled fiction style, the action is intense, and the body count rises steadily. Kurtz remains true to his laconic and acerbic nature, dispensing pearls of wisdom with his words while dealing death with a Browning automatic. In my view, although this book is not flawless, it represents a significant improvement over the second book in the series. The storyline is somewhat complex, with two mafia families vying for control of the Buffalo crime empire, and a mysterious third player declaring war on the mafia. The author, Simmons, introduces an extremely creepy hitman named "the artful dodger," which is a play on the character from Dickens' Oliver Twist. The story unfolds appropriately near Halloween, adding an extra layer of spookiness. If you're a fan of hard-hitting crime fiction, then this series is definitely worth checking out.

The only other book that I have read by Simmons is The Abominable.

I truly believe that it is a much better work compared to the one at hand. The theme of The Abominable is significantly more complex, which means Simmons has a plethora of elements to work with.

As for Kurtz, in this context, he is presented as a hero figure. He is indeed an interesting fellow. His character traits and actions make him stand out.

Given his intrigue, I may have to embark on a search to discover his other appearances in Simmons' works.

This exploration could potentially lead to a deeper understanding and appreciation of both Kurtz as a character and Simmons' overall body of work.

It will be fascinating to see how Kurtz is developed and utilized in different storylines and settings.

Overall, while the current book has its merits, The Abominable and the enigma of Kurtz offer a more captivating and complex literary experience.

I look forward to delving further into Simmons' world and uncovering the mysteries and wonders that await.

This is a solid and exciting hardboiled thriller that has entertained me well.

The story is filled with intense action, unexpected twists, and complex characters.

The author's writing style is engaging and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish.

The hardboiled elements add a gritty and realistic touch to the narrative, making it a truly immersive experience.

I particularly enjoyed the fast-paced plot and the numerous challenges that the protagonist had to face.

Overall, this is a great thriller that I would highly recommend to fans of the genre.

It offers a thrilling ride that will satisfy even the most discerning readers.

Whether you're looking for a quick and exciting read or a more in-depth exploration of the hardboiled thriller genre, this book has something to offer.

So, if you're in the mood for a good thriller, give this one a try and prepare to be entertained.

I really liked it.

The main character is truly a badass, and this aspect single-handedly carries the story.

From the very beginning, the main character's actions and attitude draw you in and keep you hooked.

His or her fearless nature and ability to handle any situation with confidence make for an exciting and engaging narrative.

Whether it's facing challenges head-on, outsmarting the bad guys, or simply being the center of attention, the main character's badassery is what makes the story so enjoyable.

It's not just about being tough or cool, but also about having a certain charm and charisma that makes you root for them throughout the entire story.

Overall, the main character's badass qualities are what make this story stand out and keep you coming back for more.

Dan Simmons has done an excellent job in creating the character of Joe Kurtz.

Joe Kurtz is a complex and multi-faceted character that adds depth and intrigue to the story. Simmons has carefully crafted his personality, background, and motivations, making him a truly believable and engaging character.

The details that Simmons has included about Joe Kurtz, such as his past experiences, relationships, and inner conflicts, make the reader feel as if they truly know him. This level of character development is rare and is a testament to Simmons' skill as a writer.

Overall, the creation of Joe Kurtz is a great achievement by Dan Simmons and is one of the many reasons why his work is so highly regarded.

Rewritten and Expanded Article:

Mittlerweile hat sich Joe Kurtz ziemlich gut in sein Leben "nach dem Knast" eingefügt. Allerdings nimmt er das Gesetz nicht immer so genau, aber bisher hat ihm das Glück gehalten und er wurde nicht erwischt. Er versucht, seine Bewährungsauflagen so gut wie möglich zu erfüllen, was auch bedeutet, dass er regelmäßig bei seiner Bewährungshelferin erscheint. Doch der letzte Termin bei ihr endet in einem Drama. Zufällig befinden sich beide zusammen in der Tiefgarage, als plötzlich auf sie geschossen wird. Joe wird von einem Streifschuss getroffen, während seine Bewährungshelferin Peg O`Toole lebensgefährlich verletzt wird.

Noch im Krankenhaus lernt Joe Pegs Verlobten kennen, der außer sich vor Sorge ist um seine Zukünftige. Schlimmer noch, es gibt keine Aufnahmen der Tat, da Joe und Peg in einem toten Winkel der Kameras waren. Besonders tragisch ist, dass genau Pegs Verlobter für das Sicherheitssystem des Parkhauses verantwortlich ist. Joe ist unsicher, wem der Anschlag galt, muss aber davon ausgehen, dass er hätte sterben sollen. Er hat genug Feinde, aber welcher ist ihm jetzt so nah gekommen?

Besonders irritierend ist, dass genau seine ärgsten Feinde Stein und Bein schwören, nichts mit dem Anschlag zu tun gehabt zu haben. Joe weiß nicht, ob er ihnen glauben soll, muss aber auch der Tatsache ins Auge sehen, dass er vielleicht nur ein Zufallsopfer war und O`Toole das eigentliche Ziel war. Sicherlich betreut sie einige schwere Jungs, aber hat sie es sich mit jemandem so verscherzt, dass dieser ihren Tod will? Kann das alles etwas mit dem alten Vergnügungspark zu tun haben, den Joe in ihrem Auftrag finden sollte und von dem sie Fotos hatte? Während O`Toole um ihr Leben kämpft, macht sich Joe auf die Suche nach dem geheimnisvollen Vergnügungspark, denn dieser hat etwas mit der Vergangenheit der Bewährungshelferin zu tun und tatsächlich eröffnet sich dort ein Motiv...

Der 3. Band der Joe-Kurtz-Trilogie bietet einen extrem spannenden Plot. Es war faszinierend zu sehen, wie viele Fährten Joe Kurtz verfolgen musste, um auf die richtige Spur zum Attentäter zu kommen. Ich war extrem überrascht, wie sich die Story am Ende auflöste. Die Figuren wurden realistisch entwickelt. Interessanterweise habe ich Joe Kurtz in diesem Band von einer ganz neuen Seite kennengelernt. Dieser harte Hund hat auch eine sanftere Seite, denn das Schicksal seiner Bewährungshelferin rührt ihn tief. Sobald er körperlich in der Lage ist, beginnt er zu forschen, wer es auf ihn oder sie abgesehen haben könnte. Sprecher Wilhelm hat es auch dieses Mal geschafft, mich mit seiner Interpretation des Buches vollständig in seinen Bann zu ziehen und mich bis zum Ende nicht loszulassen. Er hat die actionreichen Szenen hervorragend wiedergegeben, sodass ich komplett gefesselt war und alles andere stehen und liegen lassen musste, um ihm voll und ganz zu lauschen.

Joe Kurtz, the former private eye, has a complex and troubled past. In the third installment of this series, we find him in a difficult situation. He was sent to prison for taking matters into his own hands and killing the person responsible for the death of his partner and girlfriend. Now, having served his time, he has lost his PI license, which means he can no longer operate within the bounds of the law.

Despite this setback, Joe Kurtz refuses to give up his investigative work. He continues to delve into cases, using his street smarts and determination to get to the truth. However, his methods are often violent and outside the law, which puts him at odds with the authorities.

The story of Joe Kurtz is a well-written and engaging one. It explores themes of justice, revenge, and the consequences of one's actions. The author does a great job of creating a vivid and gritty world, populated by complex characters. Whether you're a fan of crime fiction or just looking for a good read, this series is definitely worth checking out.

Ok, perhaps reading the three books in sequence wasn't the most appropriate choice. I'm not certain if it was due to reading them all at once or the way the story unfolded, but I didn't have the same level of fondness for this one as I did for the other two. It was decent, yet it simply lacked that "don't stop now" element that the other two possessed. If I happen to encounter him in a year, I might give his new work a try. However, for the time being, I require a different author.

Maybe I was expecting too much from this particular book. It could be that the previous two had set a higher standard in my mind. The story in this one seemed to progress at a slower pace, and there were moments when I found myself losing interest. Nevertheless, it still had its merits. The characters were well-developed, and the author's writing style was engaging. But compared to the other two, it just didn't have that same captivating charm.

Perhaps I should take a break from this author and explore the works of others. There are so many talented writers out there, and I'm sure I'll be able to find something that will truly capture my attention. I'm looking forward to the new discoveries and adventures that await me in the world of literature.

It has been a long while since I last delved into the other Joe Kurtz novels.

Perhaps my tastes have undergone a significant transformation. Maybe this particular installment simply didn't measure up.

Whatever the case may be, I found myself really struggling to get into this book. I was constantly seeking excuses to pick up another one instead.

This whole experience has made me wonder. If I were to go back and revisit a lot of the things I read before I got married and had children, how would I react to them?

It's not that this story is specifically about that. It's just a thought about how I might have changed in terms of the content I'm now willing to tolerate compared to then.

If you're in the market for a hard-boiled detective story, well, you've got that here.

But for me, this time around, it just didn't quite hit the mark.

So while you may truly love it, I'm sorry to say that I can't give it a higher score. For whatever reason, it simply didn't appeal to me.