Kiss Her Good-Bye by Mickey Spillane

I forgot how violent Mickey Spillane Books are.  Mike Hammer has retired due to battle wounds.  The damage to his spirit is far worse than that to his body. 


There is something timeless about Mickey Spillane's work.  Morality is based on personal philosophy rather than legal precedent.   The settings may be dated but the emotions are truly timeless.  Loyalty to friends and just retribution characterized Mike Hammer stories.  A manly sublimation of a personal desire for commitment also characterizes Mike Hammer.   
You can depend to find colorful figures, moderate sex, gratuitous violence and thoughtless action in Mickey Spillane novels.   They are consistently entertaining and a genre which is generally underrated.   If you are looking for education or illumination Spillane won’t be your choice but if you just want relaxing entertainment, run out and introduce yourself to Mickey Spillane and Mike Hammer just make sure you bring a body bag.

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Mickey Spillane </a>

Web Site:  http://www.thrillingdetective.com/trivia/spillane.html

Drop Shot By Harlan Coben

Again Coben’s Mryon Bolitar reminds me a bit of Parker’s Spencer in this novel. Although Win, Myron’s border line psychopath best friend only resembles Hawk in his ferocity and lethalness not his unsurpassed cool. A classic whodunit focused on the tennis world even though it is a tad dated still holds your interest. There is plenty of action, violence and wise assery to satisfy the most demanding hard boiled detective fan, in spite of the fact that Myron is an attorney and a sports agent not a detective. The who and the why are very satisfactorily saved for the last few pages. All in all, a very good mystery and I recommend it.

Body of work of Harlan Coben

Web Site: http://www.harlancoben.com/static/novels/nsc.htm

Review: http://www.revish.com/reviews/0440220459/abvr/

Promise Me By Harlan Coben

I like the hard nose private eye genre. Myron Bolitar isn’t the typical gumshoe. He is too open with his feelings and too insecure in his motivation to be the typical hard nose PI. I like that, it makes him much more believable. In this story Myron sticks his neck out for a couple of teenagers and discovers that is a perilous choice. Having worked with teens, I found a great deal of accuracy in the portrayal of teen behavior. Living in a small town, I also saw distinctly accurate portrayal of small town politics. A good story about risking a great deal in trying to do what you feel is right regardless of what others think you should be doing. Once again the ancillary cast of the story is highly entertaining. I really enjoy this series from Coben and recommend it.

Body of work of Harlan Coben

Web Site: http://www.harlancoben.com/static/novels/nsc.htm

Review: http://www.bookreporter.com/reviews2/0525949496.asp

The Killing Man by Mickey Spillane

Ever since I stumbled on to a John P. McDonald story that was serialized in a newspaper, I have been a fan of the hard boiled detective. Glen Cook’s Garret combines two of my favorite genres, fantasy and hard boiled detective. Spillane is known as a mainstay of this type of story. The book was dated, the technology was obsolete and the vernacular was outmoded. Nevertheless the story was very entertaining. Mike Hammer has a clear picture of how justice should be served and he does his best to give the bad guys their just deserts. A brutal murder in his own office with his faithful Velda injured sets the tone of the book, retribution. A very quick, yet entertaining read.

Body of work of Mickey Spillane

Review: http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/thrillers/bullets-broads-blackmail-bombs-a-hammer-and-tongs/


Web Site: http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/thrillers/bullets-broads-blackmail-bombs-a-hammer-and-tongs/

Not really his web site, but a good bibliography. I use this site a great deal to make sure I buy and read series in order. (I know, anality runs amuck.)