Alternate title could be, “Everybody Dies” as almost everyone meets their end by the conclusion of the story. This book is a great choice for action enthusiasts. It is filled to the brim with blood, bullets, explosions, and harrowing escapes that will keep you on the edge of your seat. However, I must admit that I found the characters to be mostly flat and/or stereotypical. They lacked the depth and complexity that would have made them truly engaging. If you are the type of reader who enjoys multiple cliffhangers and a high body count, then by all means give this book a try. But for me, it just wasn't quite in my lane. I prefer stories with more developed characters and a bit more substance.

This particular offering from Dan Simmons is a bit more hard-boiled than what I typically relish. There is an abundance of killing and violence throughout the story. The detective protagonist, Joe Kurtz, is not only on the receiving end of this brutality but also dishes it out. At first blush, he doesn't seem like the kind of character one would immediately consider "likeable." However, as the story unfolds, I found myself growing fond of him. He clearly adheres to his own moral code, with loyalty being a top priority for him.

It can be a bit of a challenge to keep track of all the scrapes he gets into and manages to extricate himself from. Moreover, there are certain aspects of the plot that remain hidden from the reader until the very last moment. Nevertheless, overall, I found myself enjoying the book mainly because of my affinity for Kurtz.

The other books I have had the pleasure of reading by Dan Simmons have all been within the realm of science fiction, and he truly excels in that genre. This very short mystery series, consisting of only three books, may not rank among my absolute favorites, but it is most definitely an enjoyable read.

Hard Case Hardcase by Dan Simmons is definitely a favorite. It truly deserves Five Stars.

“Kurtz sighed, forearmed the thug in the throat, bent him back over the sink, and jammed Eddie’s right hand down deep into the garbage disposal. Eddie Falco was screaming even before Kurtz reached over and turned on the switch.” This intense scene was on page 3. It gives us a taste of what to expect from Joe Kurtz. He is one tough cookie and you do not want to mess with this guy.

I read the three Joe Kurtz novels in reverse sequence. Surprisingly, it doesn't matter as they are all excellent. They are related but not dependent on each other. The story line begins with Joe taking revenge on a killer and then doing the time to repay society. When he is released from prison, he is hired by a crime family to figure out who is moving the family business into a new and dangerous line of work. As a result, a high body count ensues.

The writing in this novel is superb. Dan Simmons is a master of many genres. He writes great horror stories, incredible space opera, and action-packed mysteries. It makes one wonder if there is anything he can't write?

Dan Simmons has crafted a solid and intelligent hard boiled crime thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

The story is filled with complex characters and a web of mystery that gradually unfolds.

The author's writing style is engaging and descriptive, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the gritty world of the crime underworld.

The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end.

Overall, this is a must-read for fans of the hard boiled crime thriller genre.

Snel, alles is snel in dit verhaal.

Actually, I have a really bad feeling in my stomach about this book. I could write a straightforward review on paper, but then I wouldn't do justice to the author. Is Lood really that bad? No, for people who like this kind of no-nonsense stories, it's quite enjoyable. A retired private detective with a long prison sentence behind him, an equally retired don, the beautiful daughter of the don, the corrupt lawyer, and a handful of retired hitmen play a complicated game together. There are many corpses during many confrontations. Needless to say, the retired main character wasn't so crazy after all, and while figuratively brushing the dust off his jacket, he leaves the battlefield wounded but alive.

Snel, snel, alles is snel in dit verhaal. The cars, the entanglements, the shootings, even the obligatory escape is fast. The atmosphere is okay, the villains are real villains but the sweethearts aren't always real sweethearts. And the'mastermind' manipulates the story to his advantage. But of course I'm not going to tell you who that is here.

I have this book in my stomach because it was written by Dan Simmons. Dan Simmons, who decided in the late 1970s that he wanted to be an author. Unfortunately, he wasn't very successful. One day in 1981, he was in the company of even more aspiring writers, attending a workshop led by Harlan Ellison. Harlan Ellison is a famous SF writer. And not only Harlan Ellison, but the entire group present was deeply, deeply impressed by the story that Dan Simmons had submitted for the workshop. Harlan Ellison writes about this in Prayers to broken stones, a book of short stories by Dan Simmons that was published in 1990. The short story was then submitted for a contest of Twilight Zone Magazine (I assume the name Twilight Zone is still familiar to you). The story won. After that, the rise of Dan Simmons could no longer be stopped. His next books Song of Kali, Carrion Comfort, Hyperion, and a few other titles were a huge, very huge success. Millions of copies of these books have been sold, and the mentioned titles have also been translated into Dutch.

But: there is a difference. The mentioned books are not really thrillers. Song of Kali and Carrion Comfort belong to the best and scariest horror books I have ever read (and I'm not the only one who thinks so). Hyperion is boundary-pushing Science Fiction; literally and figuratively. They are all titles that I have read several times, and each time with deep awe for the great talent of Simmons. They are the kind of books that leave an indelible impression, but also really change your view of the world. And now: Lood (Hardcase). Is this a book that leaves an indelible impression? Well no. Is this a book that changes your view of the world? Well no. Am I now deeply disappointed? Well no, not that either. Lood is of course very professionally written. But this book lacks almost everything that made Simmons' previous books so special.

So, if you think Lood is a great book: then especially try to read one of the other books by Simmons. And be prepared for a special surprise. You have been warned! Of course I have no idea of the motives of Simmons to write Lood. Maybe he just thought it would be fun to do something completely different for once. Writing those other books must have cost him plenty of blood, sweat, and tears. I will still go on a search to see if I can find out why Lood had to come into being.

Let me commence this review by declaring that Dan Simmons is an outstanding writer.

Most writers choose a particular genre and remain within its confines. When they dare to step out of their "comfort" zone, the outcomes are usually abysmal. Simmons, however, has crafted a science fiction masterpiece with the Hyperion series, which features on many critics' top ten lists. Another of his works, The Terror, is a spine-chilling horror story that makes you want to pull the covers up and leave the lights on.

In this case, he has penned an homage to late noir novelists such as Don Westlake, who wrote under various pseudonyms and was a virtuoso in this genre, winning several Edgar awards for crime fiction. This hard-boiled fiction is fast-paced, intense, and unyielding. Who would have thought Buffalo, NY could be so captivating? Certainly not me. The body count in this book is high and brutal.

Our protagonist may not be a John Wick, but he conducts himself with style and confidence. In the freezing cold, digging up a body for a creepy midget who is brandishing a gun and a nasty taser, our hero knows there is a Beretta pistol buried with the body - if only he can reach it in time! Now, to discover the answer, read the book! I liked it so much that I immediately purchased the second and third books in the series.

The Dan Simmons Deep-dive continues with the first in his hard crime 'Joe Kurtz' trilogy, Hardcase. It's part of my 2023 reading mission to go through a significant portion of his bibliography chronologically. I've done this with Stephen King, Roberts McCammon, and almost finished with Peter Straub. Now it's Simmons' turn.

One thing I've learned from reading prolific horror authors is their genre versatility. Dan Simmons, in particular, is a master of genre swapping. He's won awards in science fiction, horror, and dark fantasy. Now, he's taking a stab at hardboiled detective fiction, and I'm all for it.

The story kicks off in Buffalo, NY, with Joe Kurtz seeking revenge on the scumbag who raped and murdered his partner. After serving time in Attica jail, he's out on parole and using his private eye skills to investigate the disappearance of an accountant with ties to the Mafia. This leads him into a dangerous world of underworld characters, including Malcolm Kibunte and his henchman Cutter.
The writing style, dedicated to Richard Stark, fits the hardboiled crime-noir genre perfectly. Simmons strips things back, providing gritty detail and subtle black humour. His ability to change his style and voice to fit the genre is a major strength.
The characters, while not the most detailed, are interesting. Kurtz, the main protagonist, is a tough and mean anti-hero, a refreshing change from the typical white knight. The villains, though stereotypical, have their own distinct personalities.
Overall, Hardcase is a damn fine read. It may not be my favourite Simmons, but it delivers exactly what you'd expect from a hardboiled crime novel. I'm excited to continue with the next two installments featuring Joe Kurtz. If you're a fan of well-written, fast-paced crime fiction, I highly recommend it. It's a great showcase of Simmons' talent and a fine place to start your journey with this author.

This work is not one of Simmons' finest. It is written in a style that makes it feel like a movie. At some points, I found myself wondering where the movie I was seeing was playing, only to realize that I was actually reading it.

I assume it was written as an homage to something. It is violent and ruthless, and although it takes place at the start of the 21st century, it has the feel of an 80s production.

Overall, it is an okay and fun read. However, I probably won't continue with the series. The writing style, while unique, didn't fully engage me, and the story didn't have enough depth to keep me interested for the long haul.

Maybe others will enjoy it more, but for me, it was just an average read.

The protagonist of this story is ex-PI Joe Kurtz. The setting is Buffalo, NY, and this is the first installment of a three-part series, rated 3.75. After brutally avenging the man who raped and murdered his partner, Joe Kurtz served 11 years in prison.

Upon his release, he is hired by mob boss Byron Farino to locate his missing accountant. However, Kurtz suspects that there is more to this job than meets the eye. As he delves deeper, he finds himself targeted by a vicious gang.

Kurtz lives by his own unwavering code and will not hesitate to take whatever action is required in any given situation. Many people come to deeply regret crossing him, or they would if they were still alive. The characterization in this story is outstanding, from his loyal secretary to the diverse cast of unsavory characters. It is a hardboiled tale that verges on noir, filled with mystery, danger, and a protagonist you can't help but root for.

I really enjoyed this one!

Perhaps it deserves more of a 3.5 rating but I rounded it up.

It is very violent and the supposed good guy isn't all that good.

Kurtz has been released from prison and now he needs to get back to work.

He takes on a job with a mob family.

However, there is a dirty cop who wants him back in prison.

On top of that, there is also a criminal who is seeking revenge against him.

The story unfolds with Kurtz trying to navigate this dangerous web of mobsters, the dirty cop, and the vengeful criminal.

It keeps you on the edge of your seat with its intense action and unexpected twists.

Overall, it's a thrilling read that will satisfy fans of action-packed and gritty stories.

On August 10th, 2010.

Hale, the same old thing... Is Simmon = Hyperyon? No, not just that.

And in this short horror novel, it shows you. Very, very good brushstrokes of horror and sex to enter into "another" Simmons with an oppressive and precious atmosphere.

This short horror novel takes the reader on a journey into a world filled with mystery and terror. The author uses vivid descriptions and a unique writing style to create an atmosphere that is both chilling and captivating.

The combination of horror and sex adds an extra layer of complexity to the story, making it not just a simple horror tale but also a exploration of human欲望 and the darker side of人性.

Overall, this short novel is a must-read for fans of horror and those who enjoy exploring the boundaries of文学. It will leave you on the edge of your seat and keep you thinking long after you have finished reading.

Rip roaring homage to Donald Westlake's (AKA Richard Stark) classic Parker series!

This work can be best described as Parker on steroids. It takes all the hardboiled ingredients and cranks them up to eleven.

Certainly, when compared with the original Parker series, it may seem over the top. However, by today's standards, it might not be that extreme.

The story likely features intense action, gritty characters, and a complex plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

It pays tribute to the classic series while also adding its own unique twist and modern flair.

Whether you're a die-hard fan of the Parker series or a newcomer to the world of hardboiled crime fiction, this homage is sure to provide an exciting and engaging read.

So, sit back, relax, and prepare to be immersed in a world of danger, deception, and adventure.