"Hardcase" (2001) is a work that showcases a fan's deep appreciation for Richard Stark's Parker novels. It endeavors to bring a modern touch by introducing a new bad guy, the master criminal Joe Kurtz. Kurtz, having been released from prison, reconnects with those from his pre-prison days while working for a mafia don in Buffalo, NY, who is gradually losing his sway in the city.

However, rather than adhering to the Parker novels' characteristic arm's length, economical, and coldly efficient narrative style, "Hardcase" opts for lengthier wording and run-ons. It features more colorful action sequences, double-crosses, shock value vulgarities, and open mob wars, which bear a stronger resemblance to Don Winslow's "City on Fire."

On multiple occasions, the story presents scenarios where someone holding a gun on a captured victim is suddenly shot by someone else off-screen, much like a movie surprise. Additionally, there are quite a few psychotic, torture-loving bad guys. In essence, it lacks the authenticity and believability that are the core elements of the Parker heist books or other excellent crime novels. I suspect that it may have been written with the intention of securing a movie deal.

Verdict: A wild and vivid mob loner tale.

Jeff's Rating: 2 / 5 (Okay)

Movie rating if made into a movie: R

Simmons showcases his adaptability by delving into the mystery genre. The protagonist, Joe Kurtz, is as tough as Child's Jack Reacher.

At the start of the story, ex-PI Kurtz is released after twelve years in prison for brutally killing his partner and lover's murderers. In prison, he befriends "Little Skag" Farino, the son of a mafia boss. Using this connection, he manages to get a job with the boss, whose power is waning. Kurtz is tasked with investigating the disappearance of the accountant and finding out who is behind the recent attacks on the boss's business interests.

The phrase "It's not paranoia when they REALLY are ALL out to get you" comes to mind when describing this book. Kurtz has only a few true friends outside prison. His former secretary Arlene, whom he re-hires, a couple of old homeless informants, and a weapons dealer named Doc who supplies him with pistols. Everyone else has their own motives and seems to want to harm Kurtz in some way.

There's Don Farino's lawyer Miles, who has been skimming profits for years. There are also hoods from a street gang, Malcolm and Cutter, who are ripping off the Don's shipments. The Don's bodyguard Carl takes offense to Kurtz and ambushes him. There's a group of dumb rednecks from the White Aryan Army of the Lord who try to invade his warehouse hideout. There's a corrupt cop Hathaway who tries to frame him for murder and parole violations. And there's the brother of one of the people he killed and who got him imprisoned in the first place.

Kurtz deals with most of them using brute force, while relying on his street smarts to solve the mystery and survive for the sequel. It's great, mindless, entertaining violence.

If I had expected something from the height of "Hyperion" or "Summer of Night", I would have been very disappointed. However, "The Judge" provided me with the perfect noir, justifying my hopes that Father Dan squeezes everything he gets his hands on.

Fast, concise, and dark, the novel goes through all the clichés in the genre, marking them only as kilometer stones on the path of a sports car with a cut brake line. A healthy dose of violence, shootings, and double-digit body count, all gathered in 200 pages. It's a crime that the others in the series haven't been translated and the hardcore fans have to be content with Michael Connelly, for example.

Joe Kurtz gets out of prison with a mission and enters the world of organized crime, trying to solve a murder related to a lot of money. In the investigation, he encounters the mafia, gangs, corrupt cops, and psychos, but he deals with all the challenges like a real man.

And here Simmons shines discreetly with his in-depth research on everything he writes. The light facsimiles, elegantly tucked into the healthy action, show an understanding of the underworld, its history, and the organization of the connections between the dozens of players in it. And since it's Dan Simmons, I recommend rereading chapter 29, in which two hitmen play chess, argue in Latin, and in seconds spill more information about literary classics than there is in any anthology; just have your dictionary ready and sharpen your gray matter.

Joe Kurz is a highly forthright ex-Private Investigator. He was imprisoned for a decade due to a revenge killing that he committed without hesitation. We follow him as he is released back into the world of 2001 (I believe) to begin life anew on the outside. Subsequently, a significant number of characters become involved, and a surprisingly large number of events take place in what is actually a rather short story (6 hours of audio, approximately 300 pages). The characters are mostly those one would expect to encounter in a detective story, but there are some unexpected gems such as Pruno and Soul Dad.

This is Dan Simmons' (famous for Hyperion) foray into the hardboiled detective-noir genre. I wasn't certain what to anticipate from him in this genre, mainly because that's why I read it, to see what he did after his successes in science fiction. Other writers have done a great job of combining sci-fi and detective-noir (for example, Alastair Reynolds' Century Rain), but this is a straightforward detective story and it's very good! One of the more interesting aspects for me was the fact that it is set in modern times compared to the majority of other books in this genre, and I enjoyed this style of storytelling with more modern trappings. I was surprised to discover some recurring themes from Hyperion here: the story of Abraham pops up ever so briefly, in a chapter filled with so many wacky references that it'll keep me occupied for months with side-reading (starting with the angel Mastema).

There were very few chapters that were reasonable stopping points. I almost always had to find out what happened next, and the final twenty chapters were just one long, twisty, turny crescendo. None of it is remotely believable, but it's an enormous amount of fun and rather impossible to put down! Why this hasn't been made into a Jason Statham movie is beyond my comprehension.

Kurtz let out a sigh. He then forearmed the thug right in the throat. The thug was bent back over the sink. Kurtz jammed Eddie's right hand deep into the garbage disposal. Eddie Falco was already screaming even before Kurtz reached over and turned on the switch.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is dedicated to Richard Stark's 'Parker' character. Thank goodness Dan Simmons didn't attempt to resurrect the 'Parker' character. Instead, he only acknowledges it as an influence. The book is well written and highly entertaining. It has a gritty and hardboiled feel to it. And yes, it is something that fans of Parker may very well enjoy. It offers a unique take on the crime genre, with its intense scenes and engaging storyline. The characters are well-developed, and the action keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Joe Kurts is an absolute force to be reckoned with.

He has an uncanny ability to size up a situation and then take the best possible course of action.

Sure, he gets a bit of luck now and then, but that doesn't take away from the fact that he's not afraid to dish out his own brand of justice to the lowlifes of the Niagara Frontier.

However, he has to tread carefully as he's currently on parole.

His parole officer, by the way, is quite the looker.

HARD CASE is indeed HARD BOILED, and Joe Kurts embodies that tough and unyielding spirit.

He's constantly navigating the dangerous waters of his parole while still making sure that justice is served in his own unique way.

Whether it's dealing with the scum on the streets or keeping an eye on his parole conditions, Joe Kurts is always up for the challenge.

He's a complex character with a heart of gold hidden beneath his tough exterior.

And as he continues to fight the good fight, one thing is for sure - he's not going to back down easily.

Boring, hyper-violent noir-ripoff. This description seems to sum up the work in question rather succinctly. It appears to lack the necessary elements to engage the reader on a deeper level. The excessive violence might be off-putting to some, and the fact that it's a noir-ripoff doesn't necessarily give it a unique identity.

Most importantly, and some readers might find this harsh, I would like to propose that a doctor be kept on call should Simmons ever attempt to write a sex scene again. In which case, the doctor should gently euthanize him. This rather extreme statement perhaps reflects the author's dissatisfaction with Simmons' previous attempts at writing such scenes. It implies that Simmons may not have the skill or finesse required to handle this particular aspect of writing in a tasteful and engaging manner.

Overall, the work seems to have several flaws that prevent it from being a truly great piece of literature. However, it's important to note that everyone has different tastes and preferences when it comes to reading, and some may find value in this work that others do not.

Over the past two years, I have made a fascinating discovery - my absolute favorite genre of books to read is crime fiction. It all began when I picked up my very first Charlie Parker novel, and from that moment on, I was completely hooked and have never looked back. I have since delved into the works of amazing authors like Stieg Larsson, Connolly, Koontz, and Jeff Lindsay. With these talented writers, I feel like I have only scratched the surface of the vast and exciting world of crime fiction. But as they say, you have to start somewhere.

One evening, while perusing through some good reads, I came across several reviews for Dan Simmons' series featuring the hard-boiled ex-PI, Joe Kurtz. In his debut novel, Kurtz has just been released from prison after serving 11 long and difficult years for the murder of a no-good-nik. It's important to note that during his time behind bars, Kurtz not only protected himself but also the son of a prominent mob boss. Upon his release, Kurtz is granted a meeting with the boss and finds himself back in employment. This time, he is working for the mob, tasked with tracking down the family accountant who has recently gone missing.

I have to say, this book was an absolute delight to read. Unlike a lot of the crime fiction I have read in the past, which often delves deep into extensive back stories and character development, Simmons takes a slightly different approach here. That's not to say that his characters are one-dimensional or simple; it's just that character development isn't his main focus in this particular story. If I had to describe it, it reads like a Hollywood blockbuster. You have the vengeful anti-hero, the attention-grabbing plot, and a whole cast of enemies that would be right at home in a big budget action film. And let's not forget the unstoppable monster who rarely speaks! Come on, what more could you ask for?

The writing style is straightforward and engaging, filled with plenty of one-liners and exciting violent action scenes. I have to admit, there was one particular "fight" scene that had me laughing out loud. There's just something about a character who can literally kick someone's ass that always brings a smile to my face.

I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next installment in the series. The only reason I didn't give this book a full 5 stars is simply a matter of personal preference. While I thoroughly enjoyed it, it didn't quite reach the level of the more intricately plotted novels and complex characters that I'm used to. If I could give it 4 and a half stars, I would. Either way, in my opinion, it's a solid and enjoyable read.

I have a deep affection for Dan Simmons as a SciFi writer. However, this particular work leans more towards the private detective noir genre.

I made the purchase for my mom, who has a penchant for mystery novels. Unfortunately, it proved to be too gritty for her taste, and as a result, she returned the series.

Even though this isn't the genre that I typically gravitate towards, I still found myself enjoying the hard-boiled protagonist and the numerous plot twists. Simmons, without a doubt, is a truly great author. His ability to create complex characters and engaging storylines is evident in this work as well.

Despite not being my favorite genre, I can appreciate the skill and craftsmanship that Simmons has put into this series. It's a testament to his versatility as a writer that he can excel in different genres and still maintain a high level of quality.

I would recommend this series to those who enjoy the private detective noir genre or are fans of Simmons' work. It's a thrilling and engaging read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

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Apparently, this work serves as a salute to the Richard Stark (Donald Westlake) noir books. It is extremely violent, which adds a sense of intensity and edge to the narrative.

Surprisingly, for a Dan Simmons book, it moves along at a brisk pace, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish.

The overall tone and style of the story remind me strongly of Frank Miller's Sin City. There is a similar dark and gritty atmosphere, with characters who are complex and often morally ambiguous.

All in all, it is a captivating read. If it were to be made into an audiobook, it would probably run for about 5 hours, allowing listeners to fully immerse themselves in this thrilling and action-packed world.

My love for Dan Simmons knows no bounds, and everyone is well aware of this fact.

This profound love is the primary reason why I found this novel to be extremely disappointing during the first hundred pages or so. It is written in such a concise and truncated style that it simply doesn't read like a typical Dan Simmons novel.

Let me provide you with an example. A normal Dan Simmons sentence might be: Kurtz swung his elbow backward with brute force, connecting just under his would-be assailant's chin with such power that it knocked him backward, rendering him unable to catch his balance. However, in "Hard Case", a Dan Simmons sentence would be: Kurtz punched him. He fell backward.

As I mentioned earlier, it took me some time to adjust to this new style. It's almost as if Dan Simmons has simplified it to a certain extent (or perhaps a great deal, in reality). Nevertheless, once I became immersed in the story being told, I had to admit that Joe Kurtz is an action hero worthy of consideration.

Furthermore, although I initially thought that this novel was just average (especially when compared to the normal Dan Simmons style that I truly adore), it does once again demonstrate that Dan Simmons cannot be confined by a particular genre. His writing is versatile and capable of transcending the limitations of any specific category.

What areas could not be stopped?

Growing up close to Buffalo, I really felt at home with all the location details. The familiarity of the place was like a warm embrace.

Living in Fort Erie, I had a good understanding of cross border traffic. It was an interesting aspect of the area.

The book had great characters. They were vividly portrayed and added depth to the story.

However, there were too many deaths in the book. It was a bit disheartening.

Overall, it was still a great book. It managed to capture my attention and keep me engaged from start to finish.

The combination of the familiar locations, the interesting characters, and the engaging plot made it a worthwhile read.

Despite the drawbacks, I would still recommend this book to others.

It offers a unique perspective on a particular area and its people.

Maybe you'll find something in it that speaks to you as well.

Give it a try and see for yourself.