I am now 90% through the book and I can already make a comment.

I read "Vengeance" and "Revanche" in one go and I absolutely LOVED them, and this one does not break the rule: it is a masterpiece that perfectly completes the two previous volumes.

We find Joe Kurtz, still indestructible, who is still involved in affairs that are just breathtaking.

I loved following the characters in the 3 volumes and their developments are just brilliant! I love Joe Kurtz, he remains my favorite in this book: he is brilliant, clever, a bit masochistic on the edges but that's his charm and he is stubborn! He has a crazy intelligence really even if sometimes he can act like a fool.

The end is just a gem (as always with the works of Dan Simmons) and everything in this book is harmonious from the plot, to the oppressive and stressful atmosphere because there is never a dull moment, to the characters.

It is absolutely a must-read, and in the right order, and to be savored!

I put off reading this one forever. The reason? I simply did not want to be done with this series or its awesome protagonist, Joe Kurtz. For years, it glared at me from the shelf, but finally, I caved in and gobbled it up in a single sitting.

While it might have been a little less satisfying than Hard Freeze, it was still an excellently-written thriller. It was filled with big doses of mystery, action, and the great black humor that characterized the previous entries. In this one, Kurtz is trying to figure out who was dumb enough to try to kill him as he leaves a meeting with his parole officer.

As I mentioned, there's plenty of good stuff in here for thriller lovers. Do you like mysteries? Well, this one has several running simultaneously, and one in particular reaches an extremely creepy and chilling conclusion. Are you into action? There's a shootout that could have come straight out of a Michael Mann movie. And if you love wisecracks and black humor, Simmons' narrative voice and Kurtz himself rarely go more than a page without dropping a golden line on the reader. I won't give it away (even though I've seen a bunch of people do it on this site already), but there's even a kind of sneaky homage/tie-in to another great novel series about a similarly tough character.

For the two or three people who've read my other reviews on this site, you know I love a good villain. Simmons always delivers, no matter what genre he's writing in. Whether it's Cornelius Hickey from The Terror, the unnamed character from The Fifth Heart (due to spoilers), Rhadamanth Nemes from the Hyperion books, or the title character from Drood, and the list goes on. This book's Artful Dodger can easily hold his own with those titans of bad behavior. He's a guy constantly wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers cap and sporting a burned-to-shit face. He likes to murder for hire and then drag the bodies of his victims off for some nefarious purpose. This dude really gave me the creeps and is exactly the kind of villain Kurtz deserves.

I'm really bummed that this series seems to be over. I've seen online that Simmons has said he'd like to do more, but he's the kind of author who always wants to try something new, so I highly doubt that'll ever happen. If you like this kind of book, you really owe it to yourself to check out this series. I know some people might see it as a bit of a send-up or cheesy homage to hardboiled crime novels (maybe because Simmons doesn't only work in this genre), but this is truly a full-fledged mystery-thriller series that can compete with the best of them.

A plot that twists and turns like an award-winning domino train? Check.

It's a narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat, with each event leading seamlessly to the next, much like a perfectly choreographed domino display.

A character that's easy to root for even if he is kind of a douchebag? Check.

Joe Kurtz, the central figure, has his flaws, but there's something about him that makes you want to see him succeed. Maybe it's his determination, or perhaps it's the vulnerability that lies beneath his tough exterior.

Exhilirating action sequences backdropped by beautifully described incongruous set pieces? Check.

The action scenes are intense and full of energy, while the settings add an element of surprise and wonder. It's like watching a movie where the backdrop is as important as the action itself.

Three books into the Joe Kurtz saga, it finally starts to feel like a Dan Simmons novel. The best of the three and well worth the trudge through the mediocre first book.

By this point, the story has really hit its stride, and you can see the masterful hand of the author at work. It's a journey that's well worth taking, and one that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment.

If you are a die-hard fan of Lee Child's Jack Reacher series, then you should make a beeline (not just a casual stroll) to the nearest bookstore or library and snatch up a copy of HARD AS NAILS by Dan Simmons. This outstanding crime thriller is set in the gritty and seedy city of Buffalo, New York. It features a PI named Joe Kurtz, who is just on the legal side of things.

The story has a captivating and complex plot. One crucial part involves the murders of dozens of heroin dealers and suppliers in the Buffalo area. The local crime families are completely clueless as to who is behind these killings, so they hire Kurtz to uncover the culprit. The action-packed and heart-pounding excitement reaches its climax in a murderous assault at an abandoned amusement park in upstate New York. It is truly an unforgettable scene.

Dan Simmons is an incredibly talented writer. He has the ability to write in various genres. However, his Joe Kurtz series is on par with or even better than some of the more famous serial detective novels. I was a huge fan of Simmons's novel, BLACK HILLS, which dealt with the history of the American plains. But I never imagined that he could write such explosive 'hard boiled' detective fiction. I cannot emphasize enough how highly I recommend this book!

Simmons doesn't waste much time in getting Joe Kurtz into a world of trouble.

It all begins innocently enough with a visit to his PO, Peg O'Toole. However, things quickly spiral out of control when they are both attacked in the parking garage at her offices by a pair of gunmen. The result is that Kurtz ends up in the hospital with a bleeding head wound, and Peg is left in a coma.

As soon as Joe wakes up in the hospital, his enemies start to close in. He is smacked upside the head by O'Toole's wheelchair-bound uncle, a war hero who blames Kurtz for her being attacked. Then, he is interrogated by a pair of detectives, one of whom used to be his close friend and sometime lover, Rigby King.

To make matters worse, there is a whole slew of the usual suspects who may be ready to take Kurtz out of the picture. This includes Angelina Farino and Toma Gonzaga, the heads of the local crime families, who may or may not have hired the legendary assassin, the Dane, to permanently fix Joe's wagon. There is also Big Bore Redhawk, whom Kurtz embarrassed in Hard Freeze, a mysterious killer known as The Dodger, and maybe even a Yemeni terrorist or two, all gunning for him. Plus, there are a couple of folks we don't even suspect at first.

The entire mess centers around a battle for control of the heroin trade, and Kurtz ends up playing the role of middleman in the final "negotiations". Some of the plot was quite predictable. I think I've just read too many stories, so I can recognize when a tried and true plot device is being pulled out of the cupboard and dusted off one more time. Nevertheless, there is plenty of violence and twisty plottings, along with some backstory on Kurtz' life in an orphanage, and just a hint of Joe beginning to trust at least a few folks in the world.

The third and final (as of now) Joe Kurtz novel is an absolute thriller.

It is filled with non-stop action, as the mob comes to Joe's aid.

Adding to the excitement is a demented hired killer, who brings an extra layer of danger and mystery to the story.

These elements combine to create a hard boiled mystery that Simmons crafts with great skill.

The pacing is excellent, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish.

I truly wish that Simmons would consider continuing the Joe Kurtz series.

There is so much potential for more adventures with this fascinating character and the complex world he inhabits.

Fans of the genre would surely welcome more installments, eager to see what new challenges and mysteries Joe will face.

Overall, this novel is a must-read for anyone who loves a good action-packed mystery.

This story is truly everything a guy seeking a great action thriller could ever ask for.

It features a diverse cast of characters, including mafioso, an evil and strange individual, other bad guys who aren't always completely bad, a tough guy with a soft heart, an ex-girlfriend, and now a good looking detective armed with a large caliber gun and other assets.

There's also a hot mafia babe who wields a big gun as well. Additionally, there are old Vietnam-era guys with their own issues.

The story includes an assault on... well, I can't tell you or I'd give it all away.

After reading this, I'm now compelled to get the first two Joe Kurtz novels. I highly recommend you read this one too.

It's filled with excitement, mystery, and engaging characters that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Don't miss out on this thrilling adventure.

The hard side of Buffalo...


This captivating tale truly embodies all the classic hallmarks of a private detective story. It takes the concept of plausibility and stretches it to the absolute limit, yet somehow manages to remain thoroughly entertaining. The narrative weaves a web of mystery and intrigue that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.


One aspect that I found particularly lacking, however, was the level of focus on the Artful Dodger. This character has so much potential to add depth and complexity to the story, yet seems to be somewhat overlooked. Additionally, the creepiest scene of the entire novel, the abandoned amusement park, also deserved more attention. The desolate and eerie atmosphere of the park could have been explored in greater detail, adding an extra layer of horror and mystery to the tale.


Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall story is engaging and well-written. It has the ability to transport the reader into a world of private detectives, shady characters, and hidden secrets. I look forward to seeing more from this author in the future.

Great writing combined with characters that you have come to know and love up to this point. However, I would rate it slightly lower than the second installment in the series (yet still much better than the first). The main reason for this is that I was actually able to anticipate the ending this time around. Additionally, I sense that there is a bit of a plot-hole towards the end, although I won't disclose it here to avoid spoiling the story for others.

The author's writing style is engaging and captivating, drawing the reader in and keeping them hooked from start to finish. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy for the reader to become invested in their fates. Despite being able to predict the ending, the journey to get there was still enjoyable and filled with twists and turns.

Overall, while this installment may not be as strong as the second in the series, it is still a worthwhile read for fans of the genre. The plot-hole at the end is a bit of a disappointment, but it doesn't overshadow the many other strengths of the book.

Novela negra offers an enjoyable experience. One can spend a great deal of time engrossed in it. Although towards the end, the author seems to forcefully insert us into an American "Beirut", which is a bit contrived but still acceptable. The characters are extremely cold, and there is a female police officer with an interesting backstory that could potentially be further developed.

The protagonist finds himself embroiled in a rather strange gang war, and all parties want him on their side. Additionally, he has his own affairs to sort out and must ask for favors that come with a price.

This is almost the end of the series. I will have to look into whether there are more novels. It leaves one with a sense of anticipation, wondering what might come next for the protagonist and the other characters in this noir world.

Clever, funny and hugely entertaining - this is what you can expect from this amazing piece of writing. It grabs your attention from the very beginning and keeps you engaged throughout. The author's wit and humor shine through every page, making it impossible to put down. Whether you're looking for a lighthearted escape or a good laugh, this is the perfect read. It's filled with clever twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well-developed and the story is engaging, making it a truly enjoyable experience. So, if you're in the mood for something clever, funny and hugely entertaining, look no further. This is a great read that you won't want to miss.

**Title: An Entertaining Adventure**

Entertainment comes in many forms, and it has the power to bring joy and excitement to our lives.

One of the most popular ways to be entertained is through various forms of media. We can watch movies that transport us to different worlds, filled with action, romance, or comedy.

Television shows also offer a wide range of entertainment, from dramas that keep us on the edge of our seats to reality shows that give us a peek into the lives of others.

Another great source of entertainment is music. We can listen to different genres and let the rhythm and melody carry us away. Concerts are also a wonderful way to experience the energy and excitement of live music.

In addition to media and music, there are many other forms of entertainment. We can play games, go to amusement parks, or engage in sports. These activities not only provide entertainment but also allow us to have fun and interact with others.

Overall, entertainment is an important part of our lives. It allows us to relax, unwind, and forget about our daily stresses. So, the next time you're looking for something to do, consider exploring the many different forms of entertainment available and have an enjoyable adventure.