The "Joe Kurtz" series by Dan Simmons is a captivating one, especially for fans of Donald Westlake as Richard Stark. It's like Dan Marlowe's "Earl Drake" series, a "Parker" send-up, but Simmons' "Kurtz" series is more of a work of fannish love. The first entry in the series is truly engaging. I really enjoyed this initial installment and eagerly look forward to reading the other two "Kurtz" novels that I own.

Joe Kurtz has just completed an 11-year stay at Attica for a revenge-murder that is referenced in the first chapter. The first chapter features an interrogation scene that is worthy of early "Mike Hammer". However, it is rather unpleasant and only tangentially related to the novel itself.

This novel is filled with a heavy plot, non-stop action, and all the expected neck-breaker plot twists of the genre. I found myself completely engrossed while reading this. It's a great read that I would highly recommend to others who enjoy this type of literature.

After THE CROOK FACTORY and DARWIN'S BLADE turned out to be significant disappointments, Dan Simmons has shown a slight improvement in form (albeit not completely) through his attempts to imitate the classic Parker novels by Richard Stark/Donald Westlake.

The outcomes are rather inconsistent. Joe Kurtz doesn't possess Parker's moral compass. He is solely focused on seeking revenge and getting the job done. Moreover, Simmons fails to endow him with any truly captivating character traits.

There is a great deal of wild imagination, like the disabled daughter of a mafioso and an absurd number of killers. While DARWIN'S BLADE aimed to be a parody of the genre but ended up being a flop, here Simmons fares a bit better. However, it seems that his talents had noticeably deteriorated during this time. The Endymion books seemingly consumed a large portion of his mental energy.

I am aware that his skills return later. But it is somewhat disheartening to read Simmons during this unproductive period.

This is a very quick read, and it presents a very different style for Dan Simmons.

I understand that this belongs to a very defined genre. However, I found it quite interesting that the so-called “good” guy ultimately ended up callously killing a significant number of people.

There seemed to be an abundance of assumptions and decisions that emerged out of nowhere, which made the story feel a bit disjointed at times.

It was indeed a quick read, but I'm not entirely certain if I will follow the series.

The ending left me with some mixed feelings, and I'm not sure if the subsequent installments will be able to address the issues that I had with this first book.

Overall, while it had its moments of interest, it also had some flaws that made it a less-than-perfect read for me.

3.5 ⭐️ Joe Kurtz is released from prison after being incarcerated for 11 years. In order to make money quickly, he decides to investigate who killed the accountant of the Farino family.

During his search, Joe finds himself in danger as there is a price on his head and many are willing to claim it.

The truth is, I didn't expect this kind of book. I thought it was just another mystery book, but what I found were many deaths, assassinations, and a lot of action. While reading, I felt like I was reading the script of a movie.

What I liked most about the book was that it doesn't beat around the bush when it comes to the narration. It gets straight to the point. So much so that very little is known about the protagonist's life. The author focuses on narrating the events and presenting the protagonist as a James Bond-like figure.

On the other hand, what I didn't like was that it doesn't show anything about the protagonist's past. We don't know how, from being a simple detective in the past, he has so much knowledge of weapons, personal defense, and survival.

Anyway, it was a book that I enjoyed and would recommend to those people who really enjoy the action genre.

Not bad!

I have a great love for Dan Simmons. However, this particular work, for me, is similar to his Winter Haunting. It is a rather mediocre story that is salvaged by his outstanding writing.

Here, the hard-boiled noir is extremely violent and bleak. In fact, some parts read almost like a parody of the genre.

If you are in search of ice-cold detective fiction, it can be a solid read. But in general, it is advisable to skip this one and instead focus on his masterpieces such as The Terror or Hyperion. These works truly showcase his literary genius and are far more engaging and captivating than this particular offering.

Overall, while Simmons' writing is always a pleasure to read, this story fails to reach the same heights as his other great works.

Dan Simmons, as a writer, is truly a chameleon. He has written a diverse range of works, from the heavily researched horror historical fiction in "The Terror" and "Drood" to the intense sci-fi of the "Hyperion" series, along with a fair share of normal horror, sci-fi, drama novels, and short stories. Each of these works is not only very good but also incredibly different and unrecognizable from one another in terms of general writing. The shift in structures and the style of prose Simmons employs is so significant that if it weren't for his name on the cover, one could easily be forgiven for not knowing they were written by the same author.

Now, Simmons takes us on another journey, this time into the bleak and ferocious Hardboiled territory with \\n  Hardcase\\n. With this novel, Simmons is deliberate in his homage to the hardboiled crime genre, particularly the \\n  Parker\\n series, as evidenced by the dedication that reads, \\"This book is for Richard Stark, who sometimes writes under the wussy pseudonym of Donald Westlake.\\"

Just like in all his other books, Simmons changes up his writing style, and his prose is once again unrecognizable as he attempts to fit in with the hardboiled fiction genre. And what a wild ride it is to read. The writing is barebones and punchy, yet there is an air of ambiguity, as if Richard Stark met Kurt Vonnegut in a violent encounter. It feels like a seasoned hardboiled writer in his element, with the Simmons of his previous oeuvre completely shaved off.

The story itself may not be anything groundbreaking. It's a classic "missing" person's case, with a missing "family" accountant, where "family" means the mob. However, Simmons' prose and the way he crafts each sentence elevate the story. The atmosphere is bleak, and the hyperviolent showings add to the intensity. The plot is tight, with very little fat, and each chapter is designed to maximize the impact in every way. We start with Joe Kurtz, the private eye archetype and main character, who gets into a scrap with a rapist and spends 11 years in prison. This segues into the main plot after Kurtz becomes affiliated with the mob in prison.

In between Joe Kurtz, the mobsters, and the cast of underworld criminals, Simmons gets to showcase his talent for creating diverse and colorful characters. No two characters sound the same, and they are all aesthetically distinct. Kurtz himself is far from boring and delivers some of the best dialogues in the novel.

Is "Hardcase" the best thing Simmons has done? No, not by a long shot. But for a writer known for hopping genres and completely transforming himself in the process, it's quite the entertaining romp. Ominous and hyperviolent, this is an exercise in creating a hardboiled crime novel that embraces the genre and its tropes with apt pacing and prose.

Pros
- The story is filled with fast-paced action and interesting twists that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

- The good humor sprinkled throughout adds a nice touch and spices up the narrative.

- A unique feature is the detailed look at the budget and financial transactions of the protagonist. This makes the story more realistic and is quite interesting, at least to me.

Cons
- The sudden appearance of the beautiful young woman, the daughter of the former Don of an Italian mafia, offering herself to the main protagonist without any past or apparent reason other than perhaps for her own hidden plans seems a bit far-fetched.

*****
Disclaimer:
* This review contains spoilers as it covers the story-line. It is my way of tracking the progress for future references and research.

* You'll find some of my own opinions, but I am not an expert and do not claim to be one. So, you've been warned.

*****

The story is set mostly in upstate NY, in the Buffalo, NY metro area, in what appears to be our present time. The main protagonist, Kurtz (formerly Curtis), is a former investigator who served 11 1/2 years for murder in upper NY state. Secondary characters include his secretary and some mob guys and a gal from the former family. The antagonist characters are a black dude, a former Crib, and his partner, an albino sick twisted knifes and blades killer, as well as some hilly billy white trash brothers from Alabama hired by the black dude to kill Kurtz.

The plot begins with a flashback of Kurtz's killing attempt. After being released from prison, he sets up his investigatory agency, despite not being able to obtain a PI license or legally carry a gun. He offers his services to a former local Italian mafia family and is hired by the former Don. Kurtz starts tracking the missing accountant, but along the way, he faces various challenges and obstacles.

The Italian mob family is in a declining state, with the former Don being gunned down and paralyzed. They suspect a rival family is behind the hit, but there is no clear proof. Their operations are small, mainly hauling DVD players, bootleg DVDs, and untamed cigarettes. Kurtz suspects that someone within the family may be trying to undermine the former Don's influence and take over.

As the story progresses, Kurtz terminates Karl, the bodyguard, after Karl tries to seek revenge on him. The accountant's wife is also murdered, and Kurtz is arrested and accused of the crime. However, he is later released when the Don's daughter makes bail for him. She hooks up with Kurtz and gives him new clothing. Kurtz reports everything to the Don, and they plan to investigate further by tracking the family trucks.

Overall, the story has its pros and cons. The fast-paced action and interesting twists make it an engaging read, but some of the plot elements, such as the sudden appearance of the Don's daughter and her actions, seem a bit unrealistic. Nevertheless, it is a story that keeps the reader interested and guessing until the end.

Joe Kurtz is as hard-boiled as they come.

This could have been extremely cheesy, especially considering that Simmons utilized just about every possible cliché. However, it turned out to be a hilarious and wild romp instead.

The fact that it was set in Buffalo, NY was an added advantage.

The story of Joe Kurtz takes the audience on a thrilling ride filled with unexpected twists and turns. Despite the use of clichés, Simmons managed to make it engaging and entertaining.

The setting in Buffalo adds a unique flavor to the narrative, with its distinct charm and local atmosphere.

Overall, it's a fun and enjoyable read that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

Whether you're a fan of hard-boiled detective stories or just looking for a lighthearted and entertaining read, Joe Kurtz has something to offer.

So, give it a try and see for yourself why this story is a must-read.

Many are looking forward to the criminal thriller by Dan Simmons! "The Crook" is filled with dynamic action and exciting twists, but it also contains wise thoughts and references to other books.

The main hero in the story is the former private detective Joe Kurtz, who has just been released from prison. He is already prohibited from practicing his old profession, but he has no intention of giving up. Joe quickly gets involved with the mafia, starting to investigate a case on behalf of the Farino family. The risk to his life is extremely high, yet he has personal motives to get involved in these huge troubles.

"This trait of Doc's appealed to Kurtz. They hadn't seen each other for more than eleven years, and the old man had already exhausted his repertoire of empty stories."

"He couldn't remember, even as a very small child, ever not having loved jazz and the blues. For him, they were the closest thing to religion."

"Pruno opened his eyes.
— Which book on my list do you like the most but understand the least, Joseph?
Kurtz thought for a moment.
— Maybe the first one. The Iliad.
— Maybe the answer lies in that story.
Kurtz couldn't help but smile.
— You think if I build a big wooden horse and hide inside it, Malcolm and his boys will let me into the Seneca Club, is that it?
— O seculum insipiens et inficetum — said Pruno and didn't translate his words."

This thrilling tale takes readers on a wild ride through the seedy underworld, filled with danger, mystery, and unexpected alliances. Simmons' writing style is engaging and immersive, making it difficult to put the book down. As the story unfolds, readers will find themselves on the edge of their seats, eager to discover what will happen next to Joe Kurtz and those around him.

I just can't believe that this work was penned by the very same author who gave us masterpieces like Hyperion, The Terror, and Carrion Comfort. The dialogue in this piece is horribly cliched and almost makes you cringe. It's literally the worst attempt at "gangster" talk that I have ever come across.

It's boring in just about every possible regard. There's nothing really engaging or exciting about it. Fortunately, considering it's only 263 pages long, divided into 45 chapters, and with what seems to be a relatively large font size of 25, it only took me a little over an hour to get through.

But still, it's quite disappointing when compared to the author's previous great works. One would have expected something of much higher quality and originality. It makes you wonder what happened to the author's once-brilliant writing skills. Maybe it was just an off day or a rushed project, but whatever the reason, this one definitely doesn't measure up.

In 2001, I had the opportunity to read a remarkable piece of literature.

It was the first in a series of three hard-boiled detective novels that centered around the captivating character of Kurtz.

The story immediately drew me in with its gritty and noirish atmosphere.

Kurtz, the detective protagonist, was a complex and flawed individual, which added depth and authenticity to the narrative.

As I delved deeper into the novel, I was enthralled by the intricate plot and the numerous twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The author's writing style was vivid and engaging, painting a vivid picture of the seedy underworld that Kurtz inhabited.

The hard-boiled detective genre has always held a certain allure for me, and this novel did not disappoint.

It was a thrilling and captivating read that left me eager to explore the remaining two novels in the series.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a touch of darkness and a memorable protagonist.

3.5 / 5 stars

I understand that it is self-aware and deliberately over the top. However, it was not particularly special. Simmons was surely having a great time, but I have a much stronger preference for his more ambitious epics.

This work seems to lack the depth and grandeur that his other ambitious epics possess. While the self-awareness and over-the-top nature can be entertaining to some extent, it fails to leave a lasting impression.

Simmons has shown his ability to create truly remarkable and engaging epics in the past, and perhaps this one falls a bit short in comparison. It may be that the concept was too focused on being self-aware and over the top, rather than on developing a complex and captivating story.

Nevertheless, it's important to note that everyone has different tastes, and some may find this work highly enjoyable. For me, though, I'll be looking forward to Simmons' next ambitious epic, hoping that it will recapture the magic and grandeur that I've come to expect from him.