What do you think?
Rate this book
The Hard Goodbye
As the old axiom goes, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
John Savage realized that too late.
Following the biggest job of their lives, John and his small crew think they've got it made. But a lawyer, a junkie, a crooked cop, Savage, and his girlfriend have unknowingly opened Pandora's Box. And they won't know it until it's too late. As the brutally tortured bodies of their partners come to light, tensions rise all the way to the screaming, chaotic conclusion of this bloody crime thriller.
High risk brings high reward, but the safe bet is usually the smartest. Stick to the plan, or get ready for the hard goodbye.
"Brutal, driving suspense, with an opening that'll grab you by the throat - but keep in mind it's only the beginning." - Ray Garton, author of LIVE GIRLS and RAVENOUS
"Dropped me right into the conflict and crackled with raw energy. I dug it!"—Jonathan Janz, author of CHILDREN OF THE DARK and THE SIREN AND THE SPECTER
"...takes the concept of dark fiction and turns the lights off completely." - Sword & Spectre Reviews
John Savage realized that too late.
Following the biggest job of their lives, John and his small crew think they've got it made. But a lawyer, a junkie, a crooked cop, Savage, and his girlfriend have unknowingly opened Pandora's Box. And they won't know it until it's too late. As the brutally tortured bodies of their partners come to light, tensions rise all the way to the screaming, chaotic conclusion of this bloody crime thriller.
High risk brings high reward, but the safe bet is usually the smartest. Stick to the plan, or get ready for the hard goodbye.
"Brutal, driving suspense, with an opening that'll grab you by the throat - but keep in mind it's only the beginning." - Ray Garton, author of LIVE GIRLS and RAVENOUS
"Dropped me right into the conflict and crackled with raw energy. I dug it!"—Jonathan Janz, author of CHILDREN OF THE DARK and THE SIREN AND THE SPECTER
"...takes the concept of dark fiction and turns the lights off completely." - Sword & Spectre Reviews
- GenresHorror
159 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2019
11 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Chris Miller
49 books168 followersChris Miller is a native Texan who has been writing from an early age. He began publishing in 2017 with his first novel, A Murder of Saints, and since then he has published several novels—including the Amazon bestselling Splatter Western, Dust—and has also been inducted into many anthologies. When not writing, Chris enjoys playing guitar, watching movies, and reading. He is first and foremost a family man and is happily married to the love of his life (and best friend) Aliana. They have three beautiful children and live in Winnsboro, TX.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 1, 2020
Fast pace
What I liked about this book was that it had me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading I just could not put this book down I had to know what happened next, I liked all the characters in this book and I liked every part of this whole story. I recommend you check this one out if you like crime or noir book. I am looking forward to reading more from Chris
What I liked about this book was that it had me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading I just could not put this book down I had to know what happened next, I liked all the characters in this book and I liked every part of this whole story. I recommend you check this one out if you like crime or noir book. I am looking forward to reading more from Chris
June 26, 2019
I read this in one sitting; it was that enthralling. I loved it. Exactly the kind of story I enjoy. Each character is perfectly crafted to move the plot along. This is one of my favorite reads in quite some time. I highly recommend it and would give it more than five stars if I could.
September 28, 2019
Finished in one sitting! But writing a review only now... This is a skin-crawling dark book with a brutal premise and a shocking, gut-punch of a conclusion. Suspense and tension on each page, fast-paced and witty - had me on the edge of my seat all the time! Well done!
February 1, 2021
It was a crew. A dirty cop, junkie, lawyer, and John Savage, a man who could not control himself, faster on the trigger than he should be. Greed prevailed so they took money that was not theirs. What was next, was a brutal payback.
This book will make your heart rate faster. A hunger for money is one of the biggest temptations. The author shows us how characters lived before they took prey, he challenges us to like them even they made a criminal act.
In a manner of western and thriller movies, Chris showed how to write a great thriller. Find out who will survive.
This book will make your heart rate faster. A hunger for money is one of the biggest temptations. The author shows us how characters lived before they took prey, he challenges us to like them even they made a criminal act.
In a manner of western and thriller movies, Chris showed how to write a great thriller. Find out who will survive.
June 1, 2021
Chris Miller is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine and this story is no exception. The Hard Goodbye tells the story of a crew of thugs that have finally ripped off the wrong bad guy. John Savage and his crew, including one member that has a very bad monkey on his back, have been doing jobs for a long time and have always been careful but when Tony joins their team, things take a turn for the worse. A corrupt cop is one thing but when he gets greedy, well, things go down the drain pretty damn quick.
No sooner than they get clear with the money, and begin to celebrate another clean score, their victim is hot on their trail. Their vick was not just some guy. He was definitely the wrong guy to mess with, the last guy that anyone, ever, should have messed with. This story is intensely gritty, dirty, fast and dangerous with more bad guys than Pulp Fiction. There are cops, there is a deranged monkey, there is blood, and there is pain, a lot of pain. These guys bring the pain like no other. This is not technically a horror story but it fits horrifying, down to the last word.
I need to give this five stars, the level of grit in this, is dangerous.
No sooner than they get clear with the money, and begin to celebrate another clean score, their victim is hot on their trail. Their vick was not just some guy. He was definitely the wrong guy to mess with, the last guy that anyone, ever, should have messed with. This story is intensely gritty, dirty, fast and dangerous with more bad guys than Pulp Fiction. There are cops, there is a deranged monkey, there is blood, and there is pain, a lot of pain. These guys bring the pain like no other. This is not technically a horror story but it fits horrifying, down to the last word.
I need to give this five stars, the level of grit in this, is dangerous.
December 25, 2019
I finished “the hard goodbye by Chris Miller” this morning and to be completely honest I would have never picked up this book based on its cover but I am thankful I have it a shot because I would have missed out on a great story if I didn’t! This is fast pace! High action! Gruesome and gory! Everything you want in a short read!
February 23, 2019
The only thing I like as much as this book is bacon. And believe me, I love me some bacon.
May 23, 2022
Without the perfect crew, you can forget the perfect heist and expect “the hard goodbye”
July 23, 2020
This book had me hooked from the first chapter. I started reading it way late at night, but I forced my eyes to stay open for as long as they could to get every bit of gory goodness. It starts out with a man torturing another man. In very vague terms. Whatever the torturer is looking for is never named. The bloody part was my favorite. I fell asleep, and couldn't wait until my next reading session to figure out what the man was looking for.
Then it got tamer. Lots of character development. A team of thieves stole money. The man wants his money back.
It was a great story overall. It showed how not only is the man they stole from evil, but also the other people they pulled the 'job' with.
The gore toned down a bit, unless you count gun shots as gore.
I enjoyed this read very much.
Then it got tamer. Lots of character development. A team of thieves stole money. The man wants his money back.
It was a great story overall. It showed how not only is the man they stole from evil, but also the other people they pulled the 'job' with.
The gore toned down a bit, unless you count gun shots as gore.
I enjoyed this read very much.
February 11, 2019
The first chapter is gruesome and sets the pace for the entire story. Then the read gently jumps into a happy, in love couple – don’t let it fool you! I felt like an adrenaline junkie – maybe as much as the character Jimmy – I needed the next fix (chapter) and I needed it now!
This author labels his stuff as horror – this is horrific but more of a blood pumping, heart racing, fear for the characters type of read. Maybe it’s worse because the monsters are human. I would suggest reading with the lights on and the doors locked!
This author labels his stuff as horror – this is horrific but more of a blood pumping, heart racing, fear for the characters type of read. Maybe it’s worse because the monsters are human. I would suggest reading with the lights on and the doors locked!
December 23, 2019
I knew when I started this novel that it was not a traditional horror story. A group of small time criminals get a lead on a big score that will be bigger than any payoff they have received before. Miller takes the time to give us some backstory and history on the friendships of these guys. It helps to develop the characters so you can see why their life has brought them to this crossroad together. Although some of them participate in petty crimes, they also have families that rely on them for support.
The Hard Goodbye is a thrilling story of intrigue, murder, loyalty, friendship, inner demons and difficult choices. Some of the chapters tug at those heart strings, especially for those readers with families. Although not fully engrossed in horror, the book has some elements of horror scattered throughout. It was a different change of pace for me that I welcomed. I enjoyed reading something different and I think you will too. Chris Miller once again shows his versatility in writing. I didn't want this one to end and was sad when it did.
The Hard Goodbye is a thrilling story of intrigue, murder, loyalty, friendship, inner demons and difficult choices. Some of the chapters tug at those heart strings, especially for those readers with families. Although not fully engrossed in horror, the book has some elements of horror scattered throughout. It was a different change of pace for me that I welcomed. I enjoyed reading something different and I think you will too. Chris Miller once again shows his versatility in writing. I didn't want this one to end and was sad when it did.
September 19, 2021
I've read a few of Chris Millers books now and thoroughly enjoyed all of them. This one has fast become my favourite, I was completely hooked from the start and could not put it down!
Whilst not technically horror, more of a very dark thriller, there are plenty of horror elements and the opening chapter is pretty damn brutal!
I love how the story progresses, and how it unravels to reveal each characters part in it.
When you decide to rob from a bad guy, expect some payback......very nasty payback!!
I felt so many different emotions reading this book because the characters were written so well. I felt their fear, their heartbreak....even their madness and rage!
The story builds effortlessly, with events getting more and more out of control!
Absolutely riveting, tense and emotional......I LOVED IT!!!!
5 creepy monkeys on my back!! 🐵🐵🐵🐵🐵
Whilst not technically horror, more of a very dark thriller, there are plenty of horror elements and the opening chapter is pretty damn brutal!
I love how the story progresses, and how it unravels to reveal each characters part in it.
When you decide to rob from a bad guy, expect some payback......very nasty payback!!
I felt so many different emotions reading this book because the characters were written so well. I felt their fear, their heartbreak....even their madness and rage!
The story builds effortlessly, with events getting more and more out of control!
Absolutely riveting, tense and emotional......I LOVED IT!!!!
5 creepy monkeys on my back!! 🐵🐵🐵🐵🐵
May 15, 2020
The Hard Goodbye is a blood soaked thriller that begins brutally and doesn’t stop to catch its breath until its frenetic ending. This book contains one of the compelling characters in the author’s previous novel “A Murder of Saints” and is a prequel of sorts to that excellent novel. This story is short but makes up for its brevity with tons of action and violence. Once I started reading this I couldn’t stop until it was finished. The characters in this story felt realistic and I was very interested in their fate. I had so much fun reading this story and the author has proven that he can write very different stories and make them just as exciting. I highly recommend this book which thrills as it entertains.
August 6, 2024
Non stop action
An action filled tale of gritty crime fiction. A gang of four criminals take money from someone they shouldn't have. All hell breaks loose.
An action filled tale of gritty crime fiction. A gang of four criminals take money from someone they shouldn't have. All hell breaks loose.
June 24, 2019
Savage, his girlfriend, a lawyer who manipulates the law, a terribly crooked cop and a junkie... No, this isn't the opening to a bad joke, they're the main characters of The Hard Goodbye, by Chris Miller. They have pulled off the heist of their lives- an unnecessary job, if not for the fact that a few in the crew can't handle their spending habits. Unlucky for them all, the owner knows who they are and wants his money back.
The Hard Goodbye is brutal; if you can not take the opening chapter then it's not for you. But if you love a good, suspenseful, thrilling, back-stabbing book of betrayal and trying to get away clean, you'll want to read this book. I normally don't read these (I usually wait for the movie), but I'm telling you its good. Very good. The ending had me thinking of John Wick - but with an insane monkey. LOL I can't explain that part; you'll have to check it out for yourself, while I move on to the next read.
Cheers!
*video and music are my own.
To view video and read the full review, please visit https://www.areneehunt.com/the-review...
The Hard Goodbye is brutal; if you can not take the opening chapter then it's not for you. But if you love a good, suspenseful, thrilling, back-stabbing book of betrayal and trying to get away clean, you'll want to read this book. I normally don't read these (I usually wait for the movie), but I'm telling you its good. Very good. The ending had me thinking of John Wick - but with an insane monkey. LOL I can't explain that part; you'll have to check it out for yourself, while I move on to the next read.
Cheers!
*video and music are my own.
To view video and read the full review, please visit https://www.areneehunt.com/the-review...
December 1, 2024
Excellent dark crime thriller. Action packed from start to finish.
May 27, 2020
Wow. It's been a while since I've read something truly dark, but The Hard Goodbye just takes the concept of dark fiction and turns the lights off completely. This, by far, is the darkest, most torturous book I've read in God knows how long.
And I loved it!
When I say torturous, I mean it. There's literally graphic torture on the opening page. Really sets the tone of utter grimness.
The Hard Goodbye is not populated with likeable characters. Every one of them is a criminal and none of them are what you'd class as loveable. Unfortunately for them, their most recent act of thievery is from the kind of guy you don't want to cross. The kind of guy that gets turned on when he hammers railroad spikes through your feet.
The novel/novella is a short 144 page romp of vengeance and the desperation to survive. As I said the characters are all bad people and, for the most part I didn't really care what happened to them. But, as the story progresses I found myself caring for some of them more and more.
Chris Miller does an excellent job of making you like the kinds of people you shouldn't. He particularly does a good job of cramming so much back story into so few pages. Each character also gets their time in the spotlight and each of their stories feels as important as any other.
If you like your crime fiction dark, bloody, fast-paced and brutal, you need to buy this book. At the time of purchase it was only a couple of pounds. I got the hard copy as it was only twenty pence or so more expensive than the kindle. Something about the monkey on the cover just made me need to own the book.
I look forward to seeing what happens in the sequel.
And I loved it!
When I say torturous, I mean it. There's literally graphic torture on the opening page. Really sets the tone of utter grimness.
The Hard Goodbye is not populated with likeable characters. Every one of them is a criminal and none of them are what you'd class as loveable. Unfortunately for them, their most recent act of thievery is from the kind of guy you don't want to cross. The kind of guy that gets turned on when he hammers railroad spikes through your feet.
The novel/novella is a short 144 page romp of vengeance and the desperation to survive. As I said the characters are all bad people and, for the most part I didn't really care what happened to them. But, as the story progresses I found myself caring for some of them more and more.
Chris Miller does an excellent job of making you like the kinds of people you shouldn't. He particularly does a good job of cramming so much back story into so few pages. Each character also gets their time in the spotlight and each of their stories feels as important as any other.
If you like your crime fiction dark, bloody, fast-paced and brutal, you need to buy this book. At the time of purchase it was only a couple of pounds. I got the hard copy as it was only twenty pence or so more expensive than the kindle. Something about the monkey on the cover just made me need to own the book.
I look forward to seeing what happens in the sequel.
February 16, 2019
While I’m not the intended readership demographic for it, Miller’s The Hard Goodbye is an awful lot of fun for crime caper enthusiasts, especially those who like their stories of a heist-gone-bad with a extra brutal side of gore. Miller begins with a nasty sucker-punch of an opener and then rapidly maneuvers the reader through the story, which gradually unravels to an inevitable showdown of violence and (junkie-induced) madness. Aptly fast-paced with all the trimmings (e.g., a motley crew, guns, betrayals, T&A, a vicious hitman). Enjoy!
March 20, 2020
Lean & fast paced
This is the literary equivalent to a well timed left jab. It's quick, knocks you for a loop and chances are, you never saw it coming.
The story is simple. A heist team is forced to take a job outside their usual channels and of course stir up the hornets.
The characters are all interesting ( isn't it always the heavies who make things worthwhile? ) and believeable. The book is cinematic in pacing and I can't wait to see how some producer effs this one up if it ever gets optioned.
This is the literary equivalent to a well timed left jab. It's quick, knocks you for a loop and chances are, you never saw it coming.
The story is simple. A heist team is forced to take a job outside their usual channels and of course stir up the hornets.
The characters are all interesting ( isn't it always the heavies who make things worthwhile? ) and believeable. The book is cinematic in pacing and I can't wait to see how some producer effs this one up if it ever gets optioned.
February 10, 2020
This is an excellent example why I’ve quickly become a huge fan of Chris’s work
Full of bloody backstabbing and nonstop action this could easily be a Tarantino film
Well narrated and a must read for crime thriller fans
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review
Full of bloody backstabbing and nonstop action this could easily be a Tarantino film
Well narrated and a must read for crime thriller fans
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review
May 15, 2020
Terrifically written. Chris Miller can flat out write. I say that as a writer myself. In fact, I liked this book so much I immediately contacted Miller about writing something for an anthology I'm editing. I would thoroughly recommend this book.
December 27, 2021
Loved this brutal, dark crime thriller, wish it was longer.
February 1, 2019
Brutal Fast Paced Hard Crime!
To his is the first novel I read from Chris Miller it definitely won't be the last. All the gore, action, blood you could ask for with great character so. Also as a side note this is the second Death's Head Press book I have read both were fantastic if they keep up this pace all other presses need to take notice!
To his is the first novel I read from Chris Miller it definitely won't be the last. All the gore, action, blood you could ask for with great character so. Also as a side note this is the second Death's Head Press book I have read both were fantastic if they keep up this pace all other presses need to take notice!
April 27, 2020
Chris Miller has written a book so dark and gritty, I almost felt the need to cleanse myself with the blood of a virgin. Thankfully, I didn't.
This is a story about corruption. It's about brothers; criminals; double-crossing. And a monkey. A book of great quality, this is the sort of thing Elmore Leonard could outline before Quentin Tarantino ejaculated his brash scribbles with a red marker pen. A crime-noir, this is a wonderful book. Check it out. Before the monkey gets you...
This is a story about corruption. It's about brothers; criminals; double-crossing. And a monkey. A book of great quality, this is the sort of thing Elmore Leonard could outline before Quentin Tarantino ejaculated his brash scribbles with a red marker pen. A crime-noir, this is a wonderful book. Check it out. Before the monkey gets you...
June 4, 2019
Yes!
Thoroughly enjoyed this one! Excellent and fast pace without feeling rushed with a gritty raw feel to it. Would highly recommend this!
Thoroughly enjoyed this one! Excellent and fast pace without feeling rushed with a gritty raw feel to it. Would highly recommend this!
January 28, 2021
Relentless and gruesome, a crime thriller that never lets up from the blood-drenched start to the frankly insane ending. Loved it, and you will too.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews