Hardcase

Joe Kurtz #1

by Dan Simmons

Former private detective Joe Kurtz finds himself in over his head when semi-retired crime boss Don Byron Farino hires him to find the New York mob's missing accountant, a man with far too much knowledge of the Family business, but Kurtz soon discovers that someone will do anything to keep him from finding the missing man. By the author of The Crook Factory. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Thriller, Fiction, Noir, Detective, Mystery Thriller

291 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Dan Simmons is an American science fiction and horror writer. He is the author of the Hyperion Cantos and the Ilium/Olympos cycles, among other works that span the science fiction, horror, and fantasy genres, sometimes within a single novel. Simmons's genre-intermingling Song of Kali (1985) won the World Fantasy Award. He also writes mysteries and thrillers, some of which feature the continuing character Joe Kurtz.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

After eleven years in the clink, Joe Kurtz, eager to get back on his feet, signs on with the mob to investigate who is highjacking their trucks. But can Joe figure out who's stealing from the mob before someone from his past guns him down?

Wow. Dan Simmons knows how to spin a yarn. Hardcase is an homage to the Parker books for Richard Stark but manages to steer clear of ripoff territory.

Joe Kurtz is a former PI that winds up working for the mob and gets caught in the middle of a power struggle. Simmons' style is reminiscent of Stark's; spare and powerful. The story is full of twists and turns, especially in the last forty pages or so. The action is fast and brutal and Kurtz is far from unscathed when the story draws to a close.

I can't say much more without giving too much away. The title is accurate; Joe Kurtz is a Hardcase of the highest order. If you're looking for a great crime novel, come and get it.

[Dave Edmunds · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Our contest is not against flesh and blood, but against powers, principalities, against the world-rulers of this present darkness, against spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places."

Initial Thoughts

The Dan Simmons Deep-dive continues with the first in his hard crime, 'Joe Kurtz' trilogy... Hardcase. It's one of my many reading missions for 2023 to read through a good chunk of this author's bibliography in a somewhat chronological fashion. Minus a few that just don't really appeal to me for various reasons. I've done it with Stephen King and Roberts McCammon, I'm almost finished with Peter Straub, and now it's the turn of Mr Simmons.

But on the subject of reading challenges, I love to have a few set for the year. They add an extra element of spice to one's reading schedule. Who else likes to do that? Answers in the comments. Anyway, getting sidetracked here. Back to the review.

One of the things I've discovered from reading these prolific horror authors is that they don't constrain their writing to that particular genre. And that my friends is a good thing. It's great to experience variety in your reading and broaden those horizons. And Dan Simmons in particular knows how to put himself about, so to speak. A genre swapping ho if ever there was. One minute he's writing epic science fiction (he won the Hugo award for Hyperion in 1989), the next minute it's spine tingling horror (Bram Stoker Award, Carrion Comfort), then he's scooping an award with some dark fantasy (World Fantasy Award, Song of Kali). And now he fancies having a stab at some hard boiled detective stuff. I for one won't stand in his way.

The Story

This one kicks off in Buffalo, NY, with that dish that's best served cold. Hardened private detective Joe Kurtz gets himself some old school revenge on the scumbag who raped and murdered his partner, before peacefully giving himself up. That earns him some hard time in Attica jail for doing the world a big favour.

Out on parole Joe makes up for lost time, using a contact he made on the inside by putting those private eye skills to good use. This lands himself in bed with the Mafia, when he starts to investigate the disappearance of Buell Richardson, an accountant who was in possession of a big wedge of their money.

The whereabouts of this guy is a mystery in itself but there's a lot more going on here. Sticking his nose in where it doesn't belong sets Joe on a collision course with some of the underworlds most dangerous characters, including the ruthless gangster Malcolm Kibunte and his creepy henchman 'Cutter.' There's a potential enemy waiting around every corner and the brown stuff is set to explode all over that fan.



The Writing

The author dedicates this one to Richard Stark and the writing style he adopts fits the hardboiled crime-noir genre perfectly. It's clear that Simmons is a fan and the voice he adopts is clearly in homage, with some lean prose and razor sharp dialogue. Theres no frills here as he strips things back, while still providing some gritty detail and subtle black humour. Simmons isn't writing at his best, but it's authentic and creates the right mood for this type of story.

And this brings me to one of his main strengths as an author. I've never encountered anyone quite like Simmons, who can change his style and alter his voice to fit whichever genre he decides to write in. The way he can change his pace, style and actual prose to seamlessly fit the story he's narrating is something else. It has a natural feel that's never forced. If you want a perfect example then checkout his sci-fi epic Hyperion, where the voice changes throughout as different stories are told.

In keeping with this form of fiction this is a relatively short, tightly paced rollercoaster with very little filler. Unusual for Simmons who normally prefers his humongous, doorstopper of a novel. Stick one down the front of your top and it would quite easily stop a 9mm round. But it's great to experience this author when he concentrates his effort on keeping the action flowing.

"Kurtz might be slightly embarrassed by this melodramatic approach, but he always preferred embarrassment to a bullet in the brain."

The Characters

Again, not the most detailed characters that Simmons has put to paper, but it fits with the style he's going for. The main protagonist of Kurtz is an interesting one. In almost any other story he could easily be the villain. Despite having a sometimes flexible code of honour, he's tough, mean and you certainly wouldn't want to get on his bad side. It's a nice change from these carbon copy, white knights that bore the socks off me. I would have enjoyed getting a bit more backstory on him though and I'm assuming that'll be coming in the next two installments.

Writing in this style also gives Simmons the chance to construct some interesting villains that add an extra bit of spice to the narrative. Yes they were pretty stereotypical, but each had their own distinct personality and presence within the script. Favourite for me was European hitman for hire 'the Dane' although super hot Sophia Farina did run him close.

Final Thoughts

Certainly not my favourite Simmons, but a damn fine read nonetheless. He isn't attempting to reinvent the wheel here, but write a particular type of story that he's a fan of. That being hardboiled crime and it delivers exactly what you'd expect. A compelling narrative that makes for compulsive reading.

There are two more books that feature the main character, Joe Kurtz, and I've definitely seen enough to make me want to continue. I can't wait to get stuck into them.

If well written, fast paced crime fiction is your bag then I thoroughly recommend it. It's a further showcase of what Dan Simmons can do and that's pretty much anything he sets his mind to. You really have to experience one of the most talented authors working today and Hardcase is a fine place to begin your journey.

And that my friends is the end. Case closed. Thanks for reading and...cheers!

[Kemper · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have any doubts that this one was inspired by the Parker novels, just check out the dedication: “This book is for Richard Stark, who sometimes writes under the wussy pseudonym of Donald Westlake.”

Joe Kurtz may be a private detective instead of a professional thief, but he can match Parker for sheer ruthlessness and poor social skills. In the first six pages of this book he sticks a guy's hand into a garbage disposal and chucks him out a window. For that little temper tantrum, Kurtz spends eleven years in prison where he meets and protects the son of a Mafia don. When Kurtz gets released, he immediately offers his detective services to the mob to help them track down an accountant of theirs that has gone missing. But Kurtz will have to cope with a shifty lawyer, the don’s beautiful daughter, a pair of deranged killers, redneck white supremacists, gang bangers, a dirty cop and a Danish hitman.

Apparently, Dan Simmons wasn’t content with being an award winning writer of horror, sci-fi and detailed historical fiction so he decided to just cobble together some hard boiled crime novels in his spare time. While Kurtz is obviously inspired by Parker, Simmons managed to give Kurtz his own distinct personality so this feels like a homage instead of a rip-off.

The outlandish plot and over-the-top violence make this seem like an action movie at times, but Simmons’ writing combined with the Kurtz character made this a lot of fun if you like books with plenty of kicked asses.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rip roaring homage to Donald Westlake's (AKA Richard Stark) classic Parker series which is best described as Parker on steroids, with all the hardboiled ingredients cranked up to eleven. Certainly over the top compared with Parker, but not necessarily by today's standards.

[Велислав Върбанов · Rating 4 out of 5]

Много готин криминален трилър на Дан Симънс! „Куфарът“ е изпълнен с динамично действие и вълнуващи обрати, но също така съдържа мъдри мисли и препратки към други книги...

Главен герой в историята е бившият частен детектив Джо Курц, който тъкмо е пуснат от затвора. Вече му е забранено да упражнява старата си професия, но той няма намерение да се отказва... Джо бързо се свързва с мафията, започвайки да разследва случай в полза на фамилията Фарино. Рискът за живота му е твърде голям, но пък той си има лични мотиви, за да се забърка в тези огромни неприятности...





„Тази черта на Док допадаше на Курц. Не се бяха виждали повече от единайсет години, а старецът вече беше изчерпал асортимента от празни приказки.“


„Не си спомняше, дори като съвсем малък, някога да не е обичал джаза и блуса. За него те бяха най-близкото понятие до религията.“


„Пруно отвори очи.
— Коя книга от моя списък ти хареса най-много, но разбра от нея най-малко, Джоузеф?
Курц се замисли за миг.
— Май че първата. Илиадата.
— Може би решението ти се крие в тази притча.
Курц не можа да не се усмихне.
— Мислиш, че ако построя един голям кон и се скрия в него, Малкълм и момчетата му ще ме вкарат в клуб „Сенека“, така ли?
— O seculum insipiens et inficetum — каза Пруно и не преведе думите си.“

[Syaza Jamal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan Simmons as a writer is one hard to pin down, what with having written heavily researched horror historical fiction in The Terror and Drood, heavy duty sci-fi in the Hyperion series while also a fair bunch of normal horror, sci-fi, drama novels and short stories. They're all very, very good but very, very different and unrecognizable from one another in terms of general writing. From the shift in the structures to the style of prose Simmons employed, if it weren't for him name printed on the cover, I wouldn't blame you if you did not know that they were written by the same guy. Now we go again, but this time into the bleak and ferocious Hardboiled territory with Hardcase .

With Hardcase, Simmons is deliberate in his homage to the hardboiled crime genre, with one in particular; the Parker series. "This book is for Richard Stark, who sometimes writes under the wussy pseudonym of Donald Westlake" written in the dedication section.

Just like with all his other books, Simmons change up his writing style and his prose are once again unrecognizable, in trying to fit in with the genre of hardboiled fiction and what a doozy this one was to read. It's barebones and punchy but there is an air of ambiguity about them, like Richard Stark meets violently with Kurt Vonnegut. It felt like a seasoned hardboiled writer in his element and the Simmons of pervious oeuvre was shaved off entirely.

The story itself isn't anything new. It's a "missing" person's case - a missing "family" accountant and by family, I meant the mob but the story itself is elevated by Simmons' prose and how the story is delivered shaped by how the man craft each sentences. It's atmospheric in its bleakness and hyperviolent showings. There are very little fat in the plot and every chapter is design to maximized that in every way. We started with Joe Kurtz, the private eye archetype who is the main character, scrapping with a rapist and that revenge earned him 11 years in prison and this segue into the main plot after Kurtz went mob affiliated in the joint.

In between Joe Kurtz, the mobsters and cast of underworld criminal, Simmons does get to stretch his character loving writer's hat. No two characters sound the same and they are aesthetically colourful. Kurtz himself isn't boring and dropped a few of the best dialogues on the novel.

Is this the best thing Simmons has done? No, not by a long shot but it was quite the romp for a writer that is know to hop genre and utterly alter himself in it. Ominous and hyperviolent, this is an exercise on creating a hardboiled crime novel that embraces the genre and its tropes with apt pacing and prose.

[Metodi Markov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Много добра кримка, издържана в стила на старите майстори в занаята!

[Corey Woodcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that was a crazy fun novella-length book.

The plot basically revolves around the main character, Joe Kurtz, settling some scores when he gets released from prison while investigating a disappearance for a local mafia Don. The book then proceeds to introduce us to every kind of psychopath, freak, junkie, and criminal the underworld has to offer-and Kurtz is going to have close encounters with all of them.

This is clearly Dan Simmons having fun and paying homage to the dark, gritty and violent hardboiled books of the past. I’m going to venture a guess that this book wasn’t meant to be taken completely seriously-however the writing is still as on point as ever. In some ways, it falls between homage and flirting with parody at times, but never in a bad way. Simmons puts the cliche to work here, and you will find quite a few of them exploited in these pages. “Book em, Danno!” and all that... Some of the scenes are so cartoonishly over the top, I can almost see Bruce Willis in my head doing these things. But, damn it’s fun to read, and if they made a film of this I would watch it tomorrow. Here’s an example of what I’m talking about (with a changed name so as not to spoil anything):

“The molotov cocktail exploded against Bob’s chest, filling the enclosed stairway with flame and driving Kurtz back from the heat. The office door splintered and gave way. A firefighter’s arm appeared, the hand releasing the bolt and turning the knob.

Bob screamed and tumbled down the steps again, battering at the closed door, trying to get out, but then began climbing the steps again, slowly, inexorably. When the flaming human figure reached the top of the stairs, Kurtz tugged the heavy oxygen tank off his back, handed it to Bob, and kicked him back down the stairs. Kurtz stepped aside a second before the explosion.”

If that hasn’t sold you on reading this one, then perhaps you should pass on it. This is a short, virtually novella length ride on a freight train through the craziest part of the craziest town in the world, and it’s a hell of a good time. I’m thrilled that there are two more of these books.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This entire book is a cliche, but that doesn't stop it being entertaining from the first to the last page. The protagonist (he's not really a hero when one takes an objective view, yet he gains the reader's sympathy very quickly) is not hard-boiled, he's grilled on the forge Sauron used to make the One Ring. I'm surprised there hasn't been a film adaptation, since the book has the tone and plot of a crime-revenge-thriller-action movie. Looked at another way, it's Dashiell Hammett for the current day.

It seems like Simmons can do anything; he's got SF, supernatural, crime and historical fiction to his name, that I'm aware of - I've read from his contributions to the first three genres and the only things I can find in common are that they are all well worth my time and they all have references to Important Books (say in voice-over man portentous tones). It's been suggested that the protagonist of Hardcase is called Kurtz simply so that Simmons could use a literary in-joke and I could believe it. There are also two addicted down-and-out former college professors who argue with each other by quoting writers in Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, even English! Kurtz, himself, has read quite a bit - reminiscent of Marlowe's chess games.

There are another two Kurtz novels and I would happily read them.

[Still · Rating 5 out of 5]

First entry in the "Joe Kurtz" series by Dan Simmons - a Donald Westlake as Richard Stark fan.
Like Dan Marlowe's "Earl Drake" series, the "Joe Kurtz" series is a "Parker" send-up, though Simmons "Kurtz" series is more a work of fannish love.

I really enjoyed this initial entry in the series and look forward to reading the other two "Kurtz" novels by Simmons that I own.

Joe Kurtz just completed an 11 year stay-over at Attica for a revenge-murder referenced in the first chapter. The first chapter has an interrogation scene worthy of early "Mike Hammer". Unpleasant and only tangentially related to the novel itself.

This novel is plot heavy, action packed, and full of the genre's expected neck-breaker plot twists.
I totally enjoyed reading this.

Recommended.

[Brendon Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel starts out at a frantic pace with some great hardboiled dialogue and action scenes. Our Private Investigator Joe Kurtz ends up in prison and gets out after more than a decade inside.

Looking for a job he hits up a Mafia Don who needs some help with an 'investigation' into hijacked trucks. This leads Kurtz on a dangerous path where his life is on the line at every new lead.

It's hard to believe this is written by Dan Simmons as it's so wacky and over the top. The action is unbelievable and seems like a Hollywood movie at times but its definitely alot of fun if you can suspend your belief and just jump on board for the ride.

3.5 stars up to 4.

[Darwin8u · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Mistah Kurtz, he dead."
- Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness



Hard

Dan Simmons writes fantastic science fiction and horror, but love to jump genres. Hardcase is his first book in his (so far) three book Joe Kurtz series. Joe is a well-read (allusions in the novel to Oscar Wilde, Joseph Conrad, Epictetus, Tom Wolfe, and Shakespeare) private detective who gets sent to prison for 11-years after his partner is killed and he takes revenge on the killers. As the titles of all the books suggest, the Joe Kurtz novels put the HARD into hard-boiled. The action is fast, the plots are fairly inventive (if a bit too coincidental), but largely distracting and enjoyable. This is thriller escapism without too many regrets. The setting is in the Niagara Falls, Buffalo region. In someways, this feels like a mixture of John Wick meets the Continental Op.

[Xabi1990 · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10 en 2010.

Hale, lo de siempre...¿Simmon = Hyperyon? No, no solo.

Y en esta novela corta de terror te lo muestra. Pinceladas muy muy buenas de terror y sexo para adentrarse en "otro" Simmons con ambientación opresiva y preciosista.

[John of Canada · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The only good news is that if Sophie had hired him, I'd know it because I'd be dead already." This is just a sample of the dialogues that Simmons seems to be a master of. Also "mean as a snake bit Mormon." ! ! !. Can somebody help me out there? I'm a big fan of Richard Stark, AND Donald E. Westlake, so how could I not love this. As a result of some of the conversations, I feel a need to read Epictitus and the Stoics. " Kurtz brushed a speck of lint from the crease in his gray trousers." I'm sure I've seen similar lines in other noir books, but it was very appropriate for this one. When Kurtz was getting firearms from Doc he went into great detail, and it made me question the choices of principal characters from some of my favourite thrillers, and their choices of armaments. Now I'm going to be questioning Scot Harvath and others. Fun book, hilarious writing, and the Beagle Boys!(Taking me back to my childhood, and Mickey Mouse comic books. Dan Simmons is awfully good.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm starting to suspect Dan Simmons is a genius. I know that sounds ridiculous and hyperbolic but hear me out. The fact alone that he can write something as lofty and high-minded as Hyperion and something as gleefully lowbrow and uncouth as this book and they can both be so thoroughly and casually awesome has already made him one of my favorite writers. As a sidenote, I'm almost finished with The Terror so look out for that almost assuredly annoyingly-gushy review. What we have here is a no-frills black-as-night lean, mean hardboiled crime story. Our protagonist Joe Kurtz is so hardboiled, in fact, as to make guys like Philip Marlowe and Jack Reacher look positively fucking...no, softboiled is too easy. They come off maybe more gently sautéed. Also, the setting is much grimmer and colder than most crime stories. Granted, a lot of them are in New York but there you have all this light and stimulation to pretty it up. I have never been to Buffalo, but I'm fairly certain it's not as visually impressive as New York.

Joe Kurtz is basically a homeless ex-con P.I. No breezy Ventura Boulevard office for Joe a la Marlowe; he makes his office in the basement of a greasy porn shop. Reacher may be an ex-MP nomad, but did he ever do 11 years for outright murder? I think not! He seems to be based on this Parker fellow that I've never read about, but I doubt Mr. Parker ever shoots a police officer in cold blood. In a lot of ways, he's the perfect anti-hero for this kind of story. I've harped a lot about how brutal Kurtz is but he is always likable and even occasionally funny, and always deftly and affectionately written by Simmons. This grim-faced fun extends to the rest of the cast of characters, including a fallen mafia Don and his dysfunctional family, a chillingly efficient Scandinavian hitman and a couple of gross street enforcers. I loved these last two. I've been fascinated by antagonists in stories ever since I was a kid, probably starting when my dad gave me some weird old copy of Peter Pan that had all this cold-blooded murder and violent death in it. You don't even have to write a "relatable" or "human" bad guy in order for me to love them, and these two were neither. They were just straight up vile two-dimensional motherfuckers and it was great.

While Simmons does obviously enjoy playing with the standard tropes of the hardboiled crime story this is not a jokey send-up or smug pastiche. It's clear that the dude loves these kinds of stories and wanted to write one and it's as good as it sounds. The pages fly by and the sense of the author's fun as he wrote this book is constantly palpable. It's not long (300 pages) but I read it in two sittings, which is entirely attributable to the aforementioned factors. The plot meets the mandatory complexity of a hardboiled mystery but is constantly moving ahead with consistently dark and awesome scenes of intimidation, violence, sex, clandestine surveillance, breaking and entering, etc. All the wholesome. sophisticated stuff we crime fiction fans dig. To write a successful hardboiled novel you must also be quick with the dry, often crude wit and turn of phrase and Simmons succeeds here as well, resulting in gems like Kurtz drove about three miles before deciding that whoever was behind the wheel of the Honda was a fucking idiot or The trick was to enjoy the hard-on but not be led around by it. Is it The Bard? No. And thank the Book Gods for that.

Every fan of hardboiled fiction owes it to themselves to check this one out. It's even more awesome he wrote two more of these! I'll be reading those very, very soon. I really don't see anyone who digs a dark crime story with a good bit of violent action not being satisfied by this one. I mean, this is the kind of book where the protagonist commits open defenestration within the full view of several police officers within the first 5 pages! (I can't believe I finally got to use the word defenestration. Thanks, Dan Simmons!) What an incredibly versatile and fantastic storyteller. I know I'm being fanboyish and annoying but like I mentioned, there really is something to be said for an author who can write an awesome book about the future of the human race and the meaning of art and then turn around and write an awesome book about a homeless murderer killing junkies and racist hicks and having sex with beautiful women. Know what I mean?

[Иван Величков · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ако очаквах нещо от висотата на "Хиперион" или "Summer of Night" щях да бъда много разочарован, обаче "Куфарът" ми предостави перфектния ноар, оправдавайки надеждите ми, че бате Дан изпипва всичко с което се захване.
Бърз, лаконичен и мръсен, романът преминава през всички клишета в жанра, маркирайки ги само като километрични камъни по пътя на болид с прерязано спирачно жило. Здраво бъхтене, пуцане и двуцифрено число обрати, събрани в 200 страници. Направо е престъпление, че не са превели и другите от поредицата и горките фенове трябва да се задоволяват с Майкъл Конъли, примерно.

Джо Курц излиза от затвора с мисия и навлиза между шамарите на организираната престъпност, опитвайки се да разкрие убийство свързано с много пари. В разследването се сблъсква с мафия, банди, корумпирани куки и психопати, но чисто по мъжки се справя с всички предизвикателства.

И тук Симънс блесва ненатрапчиво с дълбоките си проучвания за всичко което пише. Леките факсимилиета, елегантно подпъхнати в здравия екшън, показват познаване на подземния свят, историята му и организацията на връзките между десетките играчи в него. А понеже е Дан Симънс, препоръчвам препрочитане на 29 глава, в която двама клошари играят шах, спорят на латински и за секунди струпват повече информация за литературни класики, от колкото има в която и да е христоматия; само си пригответе речника и наострете сивото вещество.

[Данило Судин · Rating 4 out of 5]

Черговий роман Сіммонса, написаний з метою показати "я і так вмію". Ще одним таким твором є "Літо ночі", але тут все інакше.
Жанрово це "крутий (hard boiled) детектив". Тому тут є стандартний набір: крутий детектив, мафія, наркотики, ґанґстери, розбитий шлюб головного героя (не зовсім так, але Сімменс пропонує сюжетно повний еквівалент), наймані вбивці, продажні поліцейські, гроші в валізках, зради, перестрілки. Чоловіки тут справжні мужики, а жінки... Їх тут майже немає.
Але Сіммонс все це гіпертрофує. Чоловіки не просто мужики - з них тестостерон капає замість поту. Наприклад, один з мафіозі серед грудня ходить в спортивних штанях та одній футболці - щоб було видно його накачаний торс. Тобто він не просто мужик, а мужикотавр з Gravity Falls. Головний герой не просто суворий - він кремінь у всьому. Відсидів 11 років в тюрмі? Нічого, перший секс після виходу триває не менше 5 годин.
Тобто читаєш цей роман - і першу половину регочеш, такий він карикатурний.
Втім, Сіммонс виїжджає не на карикатурності. Сюжет доволі закручений, спершу поворотів не так багато, але далі починаються американські гірки. І так, всі рушниці стріляють, але Сіммонс доволі пародійно ставить декілька роялів в кущах. Сцена фінального з'ясування, хто ж поганець, верх пародійності.
Роман читається легко, немає депресивності нуару чи безнадійності крутих детективів. Просто розвесела байка.
П.С. і тут є "камео" Сіммонса. Я так розумію, що він любить ввести персонажа, який є викладачем/письменником. В "Привидах зими" є, в "Гіперіоні". І тут їх аж два - один філософ, інший біблеїст. Обоє бездомні, живуть під мостом, але комп'ютер з доступом до нету мають. І сцену їх сварки, де один лається латиною, а інший - давньоєврейською, Сіммонс точно додав з куражу: а простібуся-но я з жанру ще й так.

[Denisse · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ Joe Kurtz sale de la cárcel después de estar encerrado 11 años. Para ganar dinero rápido, decide investigar quién asesinó al contable de la familia Farino.

En su búsqueda, Joe se encuentra en peligro pues su cabeza tiene un monto y muchos están dispuestos a cobrarlo.

La verdad no me esperaba este tipo de libro. Pensé que era un libro más de misterio y lo que me encontré fueron muchas muertes, asesinatos y mucha acción. Mientras leía, pensaba que estaba leyendo el guión de una película.

Lo que más me gustó del libro fue que no anda con rodeos a la hora de la narración, va al punto. Tanto así, que se sabe muy poco de la vida del protagonista. El autor se concentra en narrar los hechos y mostrar al protagonista como un James Bond.

En cambio lo que no me gustó, es que no muestra nada del pasado del protagonista. Pues no sabemos cómo de ser un simple detective en el pasado tiene tanto conocimiento de las armas, de defensa personal y sobrevivencia.

De todas formas fue un libro que disfruté y que recomendaría para aquellas personas que disfrutan mucho el género de acción.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe Kurtz is a hard boiled as they come. This could have been very cheesy, especially as Simmons employed just about every cliche possible, but it was instead a funny, wild romp. Being set in Buffalo NY was an added bonus.

[Mark Tallen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another excellent novel by the extremely diverse Dan Simmons. It seems that no matter what the type of fiction he writes in he excels at it. This hardboiled crime novel was a fantastic read. I read it over the weekend. It isn't a big novel unlike many of the authors other novels but for this type of novel I personally think that the length of it hit the sweet spot. As is normal for a Dan Simmons novel the characters and the locations were extremely well drawn and as usual the writing is top notch. There are two more books that feature the main protagonist of the novel, Joe Kurtz. The other two novels are Hard Freeze and Hard As Nails. Kurtz is an interesting character and I'm hoping to get a little more back story about him by reading the next two books at some point. To be honest though , the back story that we do get in this novel is absolutely fine and it fits perfectly with the nature and purpose of the novel. It is a rollercoster ride of a story with twists and turns coming along at high speed throughout. A highly recommended read.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome! Not quite a Dan Simmons masterpiece, which I oh-so-miss reading. But a great Simmons book nonetheless.

Joe Kurtz is quite similar to Jack Reacher, but ex P.I. instead of ex M.P. They have the same bold attitude and fighting skills, and the hard drive for survival.

The violence and suspense made for a fast and satisfying read. I'm glad there's still two more of these books to get to.

[Симеон Трифонов · Rating 3 out of 5]

Симънс е един от петимата ми любими фантастични автори. Ако Дик и Стругацки са божества в личния ми пантеон, то Симънс е първа резерва, редом с Глуховски. Намирам "Хиперион", "Ужас" и "Кухият човек" за задължителни за четене преди да умреш.
Курц обаче някак не му се е получил. Или по-скоро - получил се е, но така между другото, сякаш Симънс е имал нужда да разпише свободно, да почине между две велики книги. Знам ли, "Куфарът" ми се стори бутафорен, скициран, ненужен. Определено няма да прочета другите книги от поредицата, но изкушеният към тънкото книжле няма да остане разочарован от стила и изпълнението. Вече, че съдържанието е плитко и дъвкано, то е защото споменатите 3 книги ми вдигнаха очакванията към всеки симънс неимоверно.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book featuring Joe Kurtz, Simmons' hard-boiled noir private eye. Simmons by this time had become a dominant figure in both the horror and science fiction fields, and I found it interesting that he chose to more into a different niche genre. Set in Buffalo, it's the story of a man who wrongfully spent eleven years in prison and sets out for revenge (or justice? Are they the same?) upon his release. Simmons employs many familiar tropes of the genre, and even a few humorous bits, in telling a tense and suspenseful story. Read it with your trench coat on.

[Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un certo genere di passato

Il romanzo si apre con: "Questo libro è dedicato a Richard Stark, il quale a volte scrive sotto il moscio pseudonimo di Donald Westlake".
Se conoscete uno dei due nomi sopra, la dedica chiarisce subito di che pasta è fatto il romanzo.
Se non li conoscete, magari è l'occasione per informarsi, potreste scoprire di conoscerlo comunque per via di quel Senza un attimo di tregua con Lee Marvin, o di quel Payback con Mel Gibson, o ancora di quel Parker con Jason Statham.

Questo Simmons, quindi, non guarda al futuro come in Hyperion, né al passato sfruttando le innovazioni del futuro come in Ilium.
Qui guarda al passato, e a esso si allinea continuando la tradizione "di genere", di quel Hardboiled-Noir diretto come un treno.

Qualcuno, leggendo il romanzo, storcerà il naso perché non riconoscerà l'autore che ha scritto questo e quello e bla bla bla... fatevi un favore, non lagnatevi e passate ad altro.

Se invece siete interessati a vedere Simmons cimentarsi con questo genere, allora ne resterete soddisfatti.
Non pienamente soddisfatti - almeno nel caso in cui siate avvezzi al genere - perché, per quanto il protagonista abbia una spiccata personalità per attrarre il lettore, l'intero romanzo risulta una sorta di compitino in cui la fantasia di Simmons segue orme più grandi delle sue, senza lasciare un segno distintivo o un guizzo significativo.

Io mi ci sono divertito, a leggerlo.

[Ben Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 / 5 stars

I get it’s self aware and purposefully over the top but it was nothing special. Simmons was definitely having fun but I much prefer his more ambitious epics.

[MadameD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story 3/5
Narration 5/5

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the past 2 years, I’ve discovered that my favorite books to read are crime fiction. I fell for the genre when I picked up my first Charlie Parker novel and have never looked back – reading stuff by Stieg Larsson, Connolly, Koontz and Jeff Lindsay. With those authors, I have yet to even crack open the proverbial briefcase of crime fiction but hey, you got to start somewhere.

When perusing good reads one evening, I noticed a few reviews for the Dan Simmon’s series about hard boiled ex-PI, Joe Kurtz. In his debut novel, Kurtz is freshly released from prison following the murder of a no-good-nik (can I still use that phrase). It should be noted that Kurtz spent 11 of those hard years protecting both himself and the son of a prominent mob boss. Upon release, Kurtz is granted a meeting with said boss and finds himself in employment once again. This time, Kurtz is working for the mob in an effort to track down the family accountant who recently went missing.

This book was really fun. Unlike a lot of crime fiction I read, they delve into extensive back stories and character development. That’s not too say that Simmons writes simple one dimensional characters, it’s just that that’s not really his focus here. I don’t want to speak directory for the author but it reads like a Hollywood blockbuster. I mean, you’ve got the vengeful anti-hero, the conspicuous plot and an array of enemies that mirror your average big budget action film. You’ve even got the unstoppable monster who rarely speaks! C’mon! What else can you ask for?

The writing is pretty straightforward; there are a lot of one liners and violent action scenes but you can’t really find fault in that as it works really well. There’s one particular “fight” scene that had me laughing out loud. Anyone who literally kicks someone’s ass can always get a chuckle out of me.

I’m game for the next in the series and the only reason that this received anything less than 5 stars is just personal preference. While I did enjoy it, it’s not up there with the more intricately plotted novels and characters I’m used to. If I could give it 4 and a ½ stars, I would. Either way, it’s a sold outing in my book.

[Sheree · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Think Pulp Fiction with Roid Rage and you'll have a taste of what's in store for you with Hardcase.
This is one action-packed, graphically violent, pared down to a bare minimum, hard-boiled suspense novel.

Former Private Investigator and ex-con Joe Kurtz spends 11 years in prison after avenging the death of his partner and lover Samantha Fielding. While in jail, Kurtz protects & befriends Steve Farino, the son of New York mob boss. Don Farino becomes Joe's first client on leaving prison when his services are engaged to locate mob accountant Buell Richardson.

Kurtz has his own very amoral code of honour which he adheres to strictly, making him a kind of 'endearing' anti hero. Simmons gives readers a veritable feast of psychotic killers; Malcolm Kibunte, Cutter, DooRag, the Alabama Beagle Boys, an assassin known only as The Dane and Manny Levine, a dwarf who looks like a mean version of Danny DeVito. Manny is seeking revenge for the death of his brother, Sammy (the germ who killed Joe's lover.) These guys make Joe Kurtz look like he has a spot reserved in heaven.

Full of twists & double-crosses, this is a fast, page-turning read but not really the most believable.
Hardcase is the first of three Joe Kurtz novels - Hard Freeze & Hard as Nails. Still undecided whether I'll be reading more of Joe Kurtz, maybe I'll stick to Dan Simmons' science fiction novels.

[Nadia Karlikova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Голямо пуцане, безкрайни псувни. С други думи - много екшън. Не си падам точно по този тип произведения, но ме впечатли умението на Дан Симънс да пише в различни стилове. В "Куфарът" липсва мащабността на "Ужас". Тук всичко е само щрихирано, развива се шеметно, обратите са почти на всяка страница.
Личи си обаче колко усърдно е работил авторът върхи книгата. Проучил е в детайли престъпният свят, търговията с оръжие и наркотици. Наслада за душата е сцената с клошаря, бивш професор, който на два пъти доказва, че не трябва да съдим човек по външния му вид. Такава лекция по философия, теология и литература, каквото изнасят той и събрата му бездомник, не може да се чуе дори в някои от многобройните аули на престижни университети.

[LJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hardcase - Ex
Dan Simmons
When ex-PI Joe Kurtz emerges from Attica after an 11-year-stretch, he is still being sought by the brother of a man he iced for murdering his partner, as well as by disciples of a Black Muslim group whose leader he killed in stir. Not the most obedient parolee, Joe clandestinely resumes detective work, tracing a vanished mob accountant for aging don Byron Farino much to the aggravation of the don's family and associates, who are secretly double-crossing one another and jockeying for power.

Loved this - fast and furious. Character doesn't need a psychotic sidekick; it takes care of it himself.