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Kurt Argento #2
Hard Town
When a plea for help sends retired Detroit cop Kurt Argento to the small desert town of Fenton, Arizona things immediately don’t appear to be as they seem, and he finds himself unraveling secrets that want to stay hidden and questioning his own moral compass.
After having survived a deadly prison break, ex-Detroit cop Kurt Argento is ready for some quiet. Still working through his grief over the passing of his wife, Argento finds himself house-sitting for a friend with his loyal companion, Hudson, a Chow Chow-Shepard mix. It's a simple life, picking up odd jobs here and there, but it's one that Argento is content to live.
Then Kristin Reed shows up with her young son, Ethan, and begs Argento to help find her missing husband... and Argento tells her he'd just be in the way. He's no investigator, not anymore. He's a handyman who fixes fences. But he's not one to ignore his gut feeling when something is wrong. After an attempt to talk with Kristin more in the next town over, just to find her and her son missing as well, Argento starts to notice that Fenton, Arizona is more than meets the eye.
First there's the large, overly equipped public safety team complete with specialized tactics and sophisticated weaponry. Then there's the unusual financial boosting of failing small businesses by the U.S. government. And finally, there's one man with no name who seems to have control over this town in an unprecedented way.
Argento finds himself unraveling not just the truth behind the disappearance of a family, but a conspiracy that's taken a whole town to cover up. But Fenton, Arizona is going to push him further than he’s ever had to go. And along the way, he may just lose a part of himself as well. Because justice isn't as black and white as Argento would like to believe.
After having survived a deadly prison break, ex-Detroit cop Kurt Argento is ready for some quiet. Still working through his grief over the passing of his wife, Argento finds himself house-sitting for a friend with his loyal companion, Hudson, a Chow Chow-Shepard mix. It's a simple life, picking up odd jobs here and there, but it's one that Argento is content to live.
Then Kristin Reed shows up with her young son, Ethan, and begs Argento to help find her missing husband... and Argento tells her he'd just be in the way. He's no investigator, not anymore. He's a handyman who fixes fences. But he's not one to ignore his gut feeling when something is wrong. After an attempt to talk with Kristin more in the next town over, just to find her and her son missing as well, Argento starts to notice that Fenton, Arizona is more than meets the eye.
First there's the large, overly equipped public safety team complete with specialized tactics and sophisticated weaponry. Then there's the unusual financial boosting of failing small businesses by the U.S. government. And finally, there's one man with no name who seems to have control over this town in an unprecedented way.
Argento finds himself unraveling not just the truth behind the disappearance of a family, but a conspiracy that's taken a whole town to cover up. But Fenton, Arizona is going to push him further than he’s ever had to go. And along the way, he may just lose a part of himself as well. Because justice isn't as black and white as Argento would like to believe.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published April 8, 2025
26 people are currently reading
9594 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
July 23, 2025
This is a fiercely intense and turbulent action-packed thriller. I chose this book because I really enjoyed this author's debut novel, The Ascent, which I rated 4.5 stars. The main character, Kurt Argento, is an ex-Detroit cop who used all his knowledge and skills to save the governor of Missouri's daughter during a prison riot in the first book in this series.
In this book, Kurt is in AZ house sitting for a friend when a woman with a small child asks him to help her find her husband who seemingly has disappeared. Once Kurt finds out that the woman and her child have also disappeared, he decides to investigate.
There is something secretive happening in Fenton, AZ and Kurt is dead set on finding out what that is, even if it may cost him his life. There is a team of ex-soldiers that are supposedly protecting the town, who are pretending to be local police officers. They don't give out any traffic tickets, but they are more than willing to kill anyone when directed. Unfortunately, that even includes women, children, and dogs. And what is happening in the heavily guarded secret house on the hill and why is Homeland Security involved?
This may appeal to readers who appreciate books about top secret government projects and conspiracies, vicious drug cartels, and destructive murderous characters. It's obvious that the author, who is a police officer himself, knows his subject matter well and that he has done a considerable amount of excellent research. The narrative flows smoothly and keeps things exciting throughout. On those merits alone I decided to rate this book four stars. However, the amount of violence and murder in this second book was just too much for me to give it a higher rating. I'm unsure at this time whether I will even continue on with this series.
I encourage readers to check out other reviews to get a full picture before deciding to commit to this book. I hope that you might enjoy it more than I did. Each of these books can be read as a standalone.
In this book, Kurt is in AZ house sitting for a friend when a woman with a small child asks him to help her find her husband who seemingly has disappeared. Once Kurt finds out that the woman and her child have also disappeared, he decides to investigate.
There is something secretive happening in Fenton, AZ and Kurt is dead set on finding out what that is, even if it may cost him his life. There is a team of ex-soldiers that are supposedly protecting the town, who are pretending to be local police officers. They don't give out any traffic tickets, but they are more than willing to kill anyone when directed. Unfortunately, that even includes women, children, and dogs. And what is happening in the heavily guarded secret house on the hill and why is Homeland Security involved?
This may appeal to readers who appreciate books about top secret government projects and conspiracies, vicious drug cartels, and destructive murderous characters. It's obvious that the author, who is a police officer himself, knows his subject matter well and that he has done a considerable amount of excellent research. The narrative flows smoothly and keeps things exciting throughout. On those merits alone I decided to rate this book four stars. However, the amount of violence and murder in this second book was just too much for me to give it a higher rating. I'm unsure at this time whether I will even continue on with this series.
I encourage readers to check out other reviews to get a full picture before deciding to commit to this book. I hope that you might enjoy it more than I did. Each of these books can be read as a standalone.
May 1, 2025
Adam Plantinga's exciting follow-up to his debut, The Ascent, puts him in the big leagues with Badacci, Child, and Hurwitz. Hard Drive marks the return of retired Detroit Cop, Kurt Argento, after he put his life at risk in order to rescue a Senator's daughter during a revolt in a Maryland prison. Argento's previous mission made headlines that brought him unwanted fame. Kristin Reed tracks down Argento and asks him to find her husband and son. Argento takes the case then travels to Fenton, Arizona where he discovers a top secret goverment project. Step by step uncovers a project that involves a notorious drug cartel, the DEA, and Homeland Security. "Hard" does exactly what a follow-up should do which is to flesh out the main character and puts him in a completely different scenerio. Argento shows more vulnerabity and there's more tension then action this time around. When the action happens it's a 100% adrenaline rush as Argento takes down those responsible for the shocking deaths of certain characters. I know Adam Plantigna is on the right track with his first two Kurt Argento novels because I'm already for the next Argento book in 2026
October 3, 2024
(Reviewed off a pre-pub draft)
The Ascent announced Adam Plantinga as a serious new thriller writer. Hard Town establishes his Kurt Argento character as one you're going to be reading for a long, long time.
The second time out, Plantinga could've taken it easy. Dropped Argento into a similar situation as the first without pushing the stakes. Instead Plantinga throws a world of hurt at Argento--the reluctantly good man fighting the darkness inside him--and pits him against a squad of equally badass, compelling antagonists. Fenton, AZ feels pops as vividly as The Ascent's prison. Plantinga's world sucks you in.
But he excels at balancing action with heart, and that's not easy. The narrative swerves seamlessly from pulsing set piece to (brief) pit stop back to gun/fist/knife/crossbow fight. And where The Ascent was balls-out action, here Plantinga adds a tight mystery. Argento's ex-cop's morbid wit softens the relentless body blows; I laughed more than once.
The ending spins Argento off down an unexpected road. No spoilers, but Plantinga leaves nothing in the story tank. I'm grateful to have found Kurt Argento. Two novels in, I'm willing to follow him anywhere.
The Ascent announced Adam Plantinga as a serious new thriller writer. Hard Town establishes his Kurt Argento character as one you're going to be reading for a long, long time.
The second time out, Plantinga could've taken it easy. Dropped Argento into a similar situation as the first without pushing the stakes. Instead Plantinga throws a world of hurt at Argento--the reluctantly good man fighting the darkness inside him--and pits him against a squad of equally badass, compelling antagonists. Fenton, AZ feels pops as vividly as The Ascent's prison. Plantinga's world sucks you in.
But he excels at balancing action with heart, and that's not easy. The narrative swerves seamlessly from pulsing set piece to (brief) pit stop back to gun/fist/knife/crossbow fight. And where The Ascent was balls-out action, here Plantinga adds a tight mystery. Argento's ex-cop's morbid wit softens the relentless body blows; I laughed more than once.
The ending spins Argento off down an unexpected road. No spoilers, but Plantinga leaves nothing in the story tank. I'm grateful to have found Kurt Argento. Two novels in, I'm willing to follow him anywhere.
November 21, 2025
In this sequel to The Ascent, the reader accompanies ex-cop and widower Kirk Argento on the next step in his journey of loss and rediscovery, with his beloved dog, Hudson, in tow. Kirk finds himself housesitting in Arizona, when he is approached at his favored place to eat in the area (a diner that serves a great breakfast) by a young woman with a toddler. She asks him to find her missing husband who went to a nearby town and never returned. Kirk is not in the investigation business, but he is compelled to help the woman because he knows his beloved deceased wife, Emily, would have wanted him to do so. When he goes to Fenton, it’s apparent all is not as it appears, especially when Kristen and her son Ethan disappear. The more he looks into things, the more “off” events and the entire vibe of the town is revealed to be, and when things escalate, he ends up on his own quest for revenge.
Kirk Argento has made it on my list of favorite tough guys. I appreciate how distinctive his personality is, although he does remind me slightly, though favorably, of other favorites like Gregg Hurwitz’ Evan Smoak, Robert Crais’ Joe Pike, and Lee Child’s Jack Reacher. Yet, he stands alone in how he processes and reacts to things, using his ex-cop background, and his wife as a guide and boost to his moral compass and interpersonal relationships.
The pacing for this book is about 180 degrees different from The Ascent, but I appreciated it. This book allowed me to live in Kirk’s mind and to spend time with this unique man who captivated me in the first book. Kirk has shed his policeman uniform, but he has been shaped by his 20 years in the job, and also by the experiences in his life. I love how much he loves his wife and his dog. And he has a certain kind of integrity that I really appreciate.
Kirk is a morally complex character, yet he exists in a world that has people who are profoundly evil, and he doesn’t mind visiting violence on them. I see him as a bit of a protector (even though he feels he is not a people person). He sees himself as someone who is willing to use violence as a tool for correcting wrongs. Otherwise, he is a live and let live kind of person (although he doesn’t like criminals). Seeing the evolution he takes as he moves further away from his cop background is compelling.
I like how this story starts slowly and ramps out to a larger than life exposition. While there are some slower moments, everything makes sense on this journey for Kirk. The people that Kirk encounters all have a place in the story, and there is a payoff for each one, in small to big ways. The author is good at creating characters who feel three dimensional, but this is not always in a palatable way. For instance, some of the bad guys are extremely terrible people. In this current reality, their actions are realistically evil (we can’t say that people in real life wouldn’t do these things) and absolutely abhorrent.
Hard Town is action oriented, but it’s also character driven. A very satisfying hybrid of both. Like The Ascent, there are plenty of thrilling moments where Kirk is clearly not invincible, so the reader is holding their breath to see how he will navigate out of some dire circumstances. And seeing evil people get their just deserts is cathartic in today’s current events. I definitely want to keep reading stories about Kirk Argento. He’s fascinating and not easily categorized. I can’t imagine where he’s going to end up next with the way this one ends.
Trigger warnings:
Kirk Argento has made it on my list of favorite tough guys. I appreciate how distinctive his personality is, although he does remind me slightly, though favorably, of other favorites like Gregg Hurwitz’ Evan Smoak, Robert Crais’ Joe Pike, and Lee Child’s Jack Reacher. Yet, he stands alone in how he processes and reacts to things, using his ex-cop background, and his wife as a guide and boost to his moral compass and interpersonal relationships.
The pacing for this book is about 180 degrees different from The Ascent, but I appreciated it. This book allowed me to live in Kirk’s mind and to spend time with this unique man who captivated me in the first book. Kirk has shed his policeman uniform, but he has been shaped by his 20 years in the job, and also by the experiences in his life. I love how much he loves his wife and his dog. And he has a certain kind of integrity that I really appreciate.
Kirk is a morally complex character, yet he exists in a world that has people who are profoundly evil, and he doesn’t mind visiting violence on them. I see him as a bit of a protector (even though he feels he is not a people person). He sees himself as someone who is willing to use violence as a tool for correcting wrongs. Otherwise, he is a live and let live kind of person (although he doesn’t like criminals). Seeing the evolution he takes as he moves further away from his cop background is compelling.
I like how this story starts slowly and ramps out to a larger than life exposition. While there are some slower moments, everything makes sense on this journey for Kirk. The people that Kirk encounters all have a place in the story, and there is a payoff for each one, in small to big ways. The author is good at creating characters who feel three dimensional, but this is not always in a palatable way. For instance, some of the bad guys are extremely terrible people. In this current reality, their actions are realistically evil (we can’t say that people in real life wouldn’t do these things) and absolutely abhorrent.
Hard Town is action oriented, but it’s also character driven. A very satisfying hybrid of both. Like The Ascent, there are plenty of thrilling moments where Kirk is clearly not invincible, so the reader is holding their breath to see how he will navigate out of some dire circumstances. And seeing evil people get their just deserts is cathartic in today’s current events. I definitely want to keep reading stories about Kirk Argento. He’s fascinating and not easily categorized. I can’t imagine where he’s going to end up next with the way this one ends.
Trigger warnings:
February 16, 2025
"𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅."
I didn't realize this was book two, so I definitely plan to read the book that started it all, THE ASCENT. I love layered, complicated characters, and Kurt Argento definitely fits that profile. One can ascertain that he has good intentions, but how he gets results is definitely on the morally ambiguous side.
After having survived a deadly prison break in book one, ex-Detroit cop Kurt Argento is ready for some quiet. Still working through some personal grief, he is house sitting for a friend, enjoying the company of a dog, and picking up odd jobs. When a plea for help to locate a missing person comes in from a young mother and her son, Argento reluctantly travels to the small desert town of Fenton, Arizona, to locate the woman's missing husband. Immediately, he senses something is off. And when the woman and her son go missing as well, Argento knows he's stepped into something sinister.
Even for someone with the sharpest, purest moral compass, the author has a way of making you want to see Kurt succeed, despite some of his more questionable tactics. If you see all the shades of gray and not just the black and white, Kurt will be your new literary hero. Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for this dark, gritty early copy. This title is expected to publish April 8, 2025.
I didn't realize this was book two, so I definitely plan to read the book that started it all, THE ASCENT. I love layered, complicated characters, and Kurt Argento definitely fits that profile. One can ascertain that he has good intentions, but how he gets results is definitely on the morally ambiguous side.
After having survived a deadly prison break in book one, ex-Detroit cop Kurt Argento is ready for some quiet. Still working through some personal grief, he is house sitting for a friend, enjoying the company of a dog, and picking up odd jobs. When a plea for help to locate a missing person comes in from a young mother and her son, Argento reluctantly travels to the small desert town of Fenton, Arizona, to locate the woman's missing husband. Immediately, he senses something is off. And when the woman and her son go missing as well, Argento knows he's stepped into something sinister.
Even for someone with the sharpest, purest moral compass, the author has a way of making you want to see Kurt succeed, despite some of his more questionable tactics. If you see all the shades of gray and not just the black and white, Kurt will be your new literary hero. Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for this dark, gritty early copy. This title is expected to publish April 8, 2025.
July 3, 2025
A mixed bag for me with this John Wick, Dirty Harry, Jack Reacher read-a-like. We got off to a great start with a quick pace, building tension and a tight story….but once the middle hits, the story unspools and our main character is all over the map in the desert southwest on a quest that takes us away from the main action for far too long. He is also the luckiest dude in the history of action stories, there’s no pickle he gets I. To that isn’t resolved with the best luck imaginable. The final chapters get us back into the meat of the story, but there’s too many mistakes from the main character, that are unbelievably ludicrous. Throughout there’s also a weird writing quirk, where whenever our MC does something we’re given an explanation of why he knows to do that thing…like if he speaks to a Mexican person in Spanish the narration will tell us “ Argento knows Spanish from a two month vacation in Mexico City” it is totally bizarre. It happens so often and pulls the reader right out of the action.
April 6, 2025
Wow! Hard Town is fast-paced, action-packed, and absolutely impossible to put down! While it's the second book in the Kurt Argento series, it works perfectly as a standalone. I haven’t read The Ascent, yet I never felt lost.
I really enjoyed Argento as a character. He is complex and driven by his instincts. His questionable methods make him morally ambiguous, but this gray area feels justifiable.
The pacing is excellen! The short chapters, a steady flow of action, and the gradual unfolding of secrets kept me hooked. But for me, Argento's imperfections and gritty nature truly enhance the story.
I’m already planning to read The Ascent, and I can’t wait to see where Plantinga takes Kurt Argento next.
Please be mindful of the trigger warnings due to the level of violence.
I really enjoyed Argento as a character. He is complex and driven by his instincts. His questionable methods make him morally ambiguous, but this gray area feels justifiable.
The pacing is excellen! The short chapters, a steady flow of action, and the gradual unfolding of secrets kept me hooked. But for me, Argento's imperfections and gritty nature truly enhance the story.
I’m already planning to read The Ascent, and I can’t wait to see where Plantinga takes Kurt Argento next.
Please be mindful of the trigger warnings due to the level of violence.
did-not-finish
May 2, 2025Unfortunately this is a DNF for me at 19%.
I love the character of Kurt Argento and The Ascent was my favorite book that I read in 2024. However I love Kurt in a more high stakes environment and in this book he's just hanging out in a small town trying to help this woman find her husband. And I have no reason to care about this woman or her husband so there goes my motivation to continue with this story. So sorry about this one. Hoping Adam Plantinga has another great one in store for us.
I love the character of Kurt Argento and The Ascent was my favorite book that I read in 2024. However I love Kurt in a more high stakes environment and in this book he's just hanging out in a small town trying to help this woman find her husband. And I have no reason to care about this woman or her husband so there goes my motivation to continue with this story. So sorry about this one. Hoping Adam Plantinga has another great one in store for us.
May 1, 2025
I’m not sure how to rate this book.
The characters were well developed, especially the protagonist, the ex-cop.
However, less than a third way through the book,
I stopped reading because something happened.
After several hours, or the next night, I decided to continue. I understand why the author had the
“happening” as I’ll refer to it, but I think that could have been achieved in a better manner without getting me upset & others angry, including the ex-cop.
The story started off slowly and then picked up pace.
I’m still sad, upset & angry that the author had the “happening” occur.
I will NOT recommend this book to friends and I doubt I’ll read another book by this author.
The characters were well developed, especially the protagonist, the ex-cop.
However, less than a third way through the book,
I stopped reading because something happened.
After several hours, or the next night, I decided to continue. I understand why the author had the
“happening” as I’ll refer to it, but I think that could have been achieved in a better manner without getting me upset & others angry, including the ex-cop.
The story started off slowly and then picked up pace.
I’m still sad, upset & angry that the author had the “happening” occur.
I will NOT recommend this book to friends and I doubt I’ll read another book by this author.
July 18, 2025
The author is fast becoming one of my favorites.
Readers of The Ascent will want to know that the violence in this one doesn't start out wham bam thank you ma'am. It definitely starts out with a bit more subtlety...but it does come.
The story is a mix of heartbreak and thrills.
I loved our main character and was absolutely wishing violence upon a number of characters.
An adrenaline filled read that should come with a box of tissues for the tears.
Excellent!
Readers of The Ascent will want to know that the violence in this one doesn't start out wham bam thank you ma'am. It definitely starts out with a bit more subtlety...but it does come.
The story is a mix of heartbreak and thrills.
I loved our main character and was absolutely wishing violence upon a number of characters.
An adrenaline filled read that should come with a box of tissues for the tears.
Excellent!
March 6, 2025
This book brings us back into the world of Kurt Argento and it is as good as the first one. It is another crazy ride! Intense, terrifying, and I could not stop reading it! The writing is so readable and drew me right in. Kurt Argento is the person I want with me when things start to go wrong, smart, resourceful, and not afraid to do what needs to be done to survive. Krisitn Reed, a mother looking for answers about what happened to her husband when he visited the isolated town of Fenton, Arizona. Kurt is not inclined to get involved but his vow to help those in need has him nosing around and puts him in the path of dangerous and desperate people. As Kurt tries to figure out what is going on it becomes dangerous but Kurt is not a man to be messed with. The closer he gets to the truth the more dangerous it becomes for everyone. Will he make it out alive? While this is the second book with Kurt Argento as the main character it can be read as a standalone. I highly recommend this book to readers that enjoy action books or shows like Reacher.
Thanks to Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse and the author for a gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 9, 2025
Two books in to Adam Plantinga's Kurt Argento series, I'm getting really strong Jack Reacher vibes. As with the Reacher novels, I don't believe these need to be read in order, and usually I'm a stickler for that. And like Reacher, Argento is a former police officer, drifting and somewhat isolated. Also like Reacher, trouble has a way of finding him.
The more I think about this, the more apt the comparison seems. I don't believe that Adam has ripped off Lee Child, but the characters share some DNA. When I accused Reacher of being a sociopath, Lee Child totally agreed with me. I don't think Argento is a sociopath. He cares when he has to do bad/hard things--but it doesn't stop him from doing them. His ethics are strong, but also somewhat situational/questionable.
Does all of this leave you thinking this novel has a body count? You would be correct. There is a fair amount of graphic violence and generally disturbing content, so if you're an especially delicate person, this may not be for you.
If, on the other hand, you want a page-turning thriller, you may be in the right place. Adam is still a San Francisco cop. He seriously looks like the poster child for "protect and serve." And his hard-won experience adds a layer of verisimilitude. (Hopefully with very little in this story!). Still, just the familiarity with weapons, with danger, with criminals, etc.
Adam is becoming a proficient storyteller, though I do have a significant quibble when the heart of the big, secret project is finally revealed. Everything was a little too neat...vague...convenient? A little too something. I could debate it, but no spoilers. But he writes some truly bad baddies, some great action sequences, some cool settings. Overall, this was a very entertaining read. I think I'm with Kurt Argento for the long haul. Adam, could you make something nice happen in the next book?
The more I think about this, the more apt the comparison seems. I don't believe that Adam has ripped off Lee Child, but the characters share some DNA. When I accused Reacher of being a sociopath, Lee Child totally agreed with me. I don't think Argento is a sociopath. He cares when he has to do bad/hard things--but it doesn't stop him from doing them. His ethics are strong, but also somewhat situational/questionable.
Does all of this leave you thinking this novel has a body count? You would be correct. There is a fair amount of graphic violence and generally disturbing content, so if you're an especially delicate person, this may not be for you.
If, on the other hand, you want a page-turning thriller, you may be in the right place. Adam is still a San Francisco cop. He seriously looks like the poster child for "protect and serve." And his hard-won experience adds a layer of verisimilitude. (Hopefully with very little in this story!). Still, just the familiarity with weapons, with danger, with criminals, etc.
Adam is becoming a proficient storyteller, though I do have a significant quibble when the heart of the big, secret project is finally revealed. Everything was a little too neat...vague...convenient? A little too something. I could debate it, but no spoilers. But he writes some truly bad baddies, some great action sequences, some cool settings. Overall, this was a very entertaining read. I think I'm with Kurt Argento for the long haul. Adam, could you make something nice happen in the next book?
February 28, 2025
I really enjoyed this thriller, expectantly turning page after page.
Kurt Argento is a retired Detroit cop, recently widowed after his beloved wife Emily succumbed to cancer, and currently house- and dog-sitting for his friend in Arizona. Argento likes routines, and one of his favorites is getting breakfast at the local diner. One day, as he's eating, a woman with a young child approaches him and asks for his help finding her husband. Argento no longer wants to do police work. He's content getting by as a now and again handyman. The woman's husband has disappeared and she'd like Argento to find him. The last she knew, he was in Fenton Arizona, a small desert town. She went looking for him there but no one there appears to have seen him.
Argento turns her down but, not with his better judgment, gets talked into meeting her in Fenton to try and pick up the trail of her spouse. Argento knows that people go missing for all sorts of reasons and, while the woman fears something sinister has occurred, Argento finds it difficult to buy into this idea.
Once in Fenton, Argento finds all sorts of strange things occurring. The police don't seem to care about finding this man and they appear more like paramilitary than police. Most importantly, the woman doesn't meet him at their designated place. This worries him as she seemed very sincere. Additionally, when he gives the police missing persons fliers to hang up, not only do they refuse to post them, but they tear them up.
This is only the beginning of a very compelling thriller that is well-written with detailed and complex characterizations.
While it is the second in a series, it can be read as a standalone. The first in the series is called The Ascent and I immediately ordered it after finishing Hard Town.
I thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity of reading an advanced review copy. The opinions in ths review are solely my own.
Kurt Argento is a retired Detroit cop, recently widowed after his beloved wife Emily succumbed to cancer, and currently house- and dog-sitting for his friend in Arizona. Argento likes routines, and one of his favorites is getting breakfast at the local diner. One day, as he's eating, a woman with a young child approaches him and asks for his help finding her husband. Argento no longer wants to do police work. He's content getting by as a now and again handyman. The woman's husband has disappeared and she'd like Argento to find him. The last she knew, he was in Fenton Arizona, a small desert town. She went looking for him there but no one there appears to have seen him.
Argento turns her down but, not with his better judgment, gets talked into meeting her in Fenton to try and pick up the trail of her spouse. Argento knows that people go missing for all sorts of reasons and, while the woman fears something sinister has occurred, Argento finds it difficult to buy into this idea.
Once in Fenton, Argento finds all sorts of strange things occurring. The police don't seem to care about finding this man and they appear more like paramilitary than police. Most importantly, the woman doesn't meet him at their designated place. This worries him as she seemed very sincere. Additionally, when he gives the police missing persons fliers to hang up, not only do they refuse to post them, but they tear them up.
This is only the beginning of a very compelling thriller that is well-written with detailed and complex characterizations.
While it is the second in a series, it can be read as a standalone. The first in the series is called The Ascent and I immediately ordered it after finishing Hard Town.
I thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity of reading an advanced review copy. The opinions in ths review are solely my own.
January 30, 2025
Former cop Kurt Argento, who helped others survive a disastrous prison break in The Ascent, is back in Adam Plantinga's Hard Town. His reputation precedes him, and his desire to help others in dire straits runs parallel with his almost super-human skills. So when a woman with a toddler disappears after asking Argento to help find her missing husband, he can't help but look into to what has happened to this family. But his quest again leads to his involvement with the most dangerous of criminals, not to mention a mysterious psychopath with a huge intellect who is working on a secret project for the government.
Argento's skills and determination will be tested over and over, as will his moral compass. There are some hard, violent things to read in this book, as in the previous one, but it is the fascinating portrait police sergeant Plantinga paints of Kurt that is the star of the show. With his beloved wife dead of cancer and little to live for, he flies by the seat of his pants and never looks back. But he never stops being human, and that's his saving grace.
Kudos to Adam Plantinga on his second action thriller, which is sure to be another hit. It isn't necessary to read The Ascent to appreciate this book, but why not start with that one for a wild ride that makes you want to find out more about Argento and his exploits.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.
Argento's skills and determination will be tested over and over, as will his moral compass. There are some hard, violent things to read in this book, as in the previous one, but it is the fascinating portrait police sergeant Plantinga paints of Kurt that is the star of the show. With his beloved wife dead of cancer and little to live for, he flies by the seat of his pants and never looks back. But he never stops being human, and that's his saving grace.
Kudos to Adam Plantinga on his second action thriller, which is sure to be another hit. It isn't necessary to read The Ascent to appreciate this book, but why not start with that one for a wild ride that makes you want to find out more about Argento and his exploits.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.
March 12, 2025
I was excited to read this book - it easily grabbed my attention and never let go! This story is full of action and mystery and I loved the sense of suspense. While you can definitely read this as a standalone, The Ascent (Book 1) is now available in paperback.
I found myself very interested in this story and these characters. Kurt was looking for some needed downtime and still dealing with the loss of his wife. When a woman approaches him to help find her missing husband he declines…but his guy says something isn’t right…
Kurt struggled with some different decisions he had to make - he finds himself in morally grey areas. He felt really authentic to me and I found myself rooting for him early on. He was smart (with a sense of humor) and resilient and searching for the truth.
He finds himself in the middle of a dangerous conspiracy…no spoilers - you’ll have to read it to find out what happens!!
I found myself very interested in this story and these characters. Kurt was looking for some needed downtime and still dealing with the loss of his wife. When a woman approaches him to help find her missing husband he declines…but his guy says something isn’t right…
Kurt struggled with some different decisions he had to make - he finds himself in morally grey areas. He felt really authentic to me and I found myself rooting for him early on. He was smart (with a sense of humor) and resilient and searching for the truth.
He finds himself in the middle of a dangerous conspiracy…no spoilers - you’ll have to read it to find out what happens!!
April 14, 2025
I enjoyed this just as much as I expected to. I absolutely love Argento as a character. In this installment, he’s facing a new challenge and while he is still an honorable man, he’s forced to make some questionable decisions to help others. The action is intense, the violence hits hard and I was hooked from start to finish. The pacing was spot on keeping me engaged the whole way through.
The only thing keeping this from being a full five star read for me was the reveal about what was happening in the shady town, it felt a bit underwhelming, I was hoping for something a bit more dramatic or unexpected. This was still a enjoyable read and I can’t wait to see what the author does next!
I receive an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review
The only thing keeping this from being a full five star read for me was the reveal about what was happening in the shady town, it felt a bit underwhelming, I was hoping for something a bit more dramatic or unexpected. This was still a enjoyable read and I can’t wait to see what the author does next!
I receive an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review
April 1, 2025
A retired cop, a missing man, and a town with too many secrets.
This is book 2 and I’m definitely going back and reading the first one.
After a brutal prison break, ex-Detroit cop Kurt Argento escapes to Arizona for some much needed peace. But when a desperate woman begs him to find her missing husband, he gets pulled into the eerie little town of Fenton, Arizona. Things are just not adding up. The deeper he digs the more it’s clear the town has secrets and someone will do anything to keep it buried.
Overall, Hard Town is tense, gripping and perfect for fans of crime thrillers.
This is book 2 and I’m definitely going back and reading the first one.
After a brutal prison break, ex-Detroit cop Kurt Argento escapes to Arizona for some much needed peace. But when a desperate woman begs him to find her missing husband, he gets pulled into the eerie little town of Fenton, Arizona. Things are just not adding up. The deeper he digs the more it’s clear the town has secrets and someone will do anything to keep it buried.
Overall, Hard Town is tense, gripping and perfect for fans of crime thrillers.
April 23, 2025
This is a second book featuring Kurt Argento. He recently escaped a near-death experience in a prison hellscape, where he was erroneously trapped.
This adventure finds him in a small town in Arizona. Once again, Argento reluctantly opts to help a woman and her young son locate her missing husband. What follows is a horrifying adventure featuring a brilliant twisted scientist, the US government and the Mexican Sinaloa drug cartel. There is death, violence, and vengeance. Hudson, part shepherd and part chow, is Argento’s partner.
This adventure finds him in a small town in Arizona. Once again, Argento reluctantly opts to help a woman and her young son locate her missing husband. What follows is a horrifying adventure featuring a brilliant twisted scientist, the US government and the Mexican Sinaloa drug cartel. There is death, violence, and vengeance. Hudson, part shepherd and part chow, is Argento’s partner.
February 3, 2025
A Gritty and Authentic Police Novel
With sharp dialogue and a compelling lead, Hard Town offers a fast-paced, realistic look at policing. Plantinga’s firsthand experience shines through, making the story feel authentic without glorifying or oversimplifying the job. The mix of action, humor, and moral dilemmas keeps it engaging, though some parts felt a bit repetitive. Still, it’s a solid, well-written read for crime fiction fans.
With sharp dialogue and a compelling lead, Hard Town offers a fast-paced, realistic look at policing. Plantinga’s firsthand experience shines through, making the story feel authentic without glorifying or oversimplifying the job. The mix of action, humor, and moral dilemmas keeps it engaging, though some parts felt a bit repetitive. Still, it’s a solid, well-written read for crime fiction fans.
April 18, 2025
Thanks to #Netgalley and #GrandCentralPublishing and #ThrillerBookLoversthePulse for the book #HardTown by #AdamPlantinga. This book has me on the edge of my seat and I could not put it down. Ex cop Kurt Argento is back in this second book of the Argento series. This time he is helping to find a husband and son that have gone missing. What he finds out is this town in Arizona is not what he thought it was. Can he figure out what’s going on before going mad himself?
September 8, 2025
Looking forward to more Kurt Argento. I hope he's heading East.
October 24, 2025
Not as scary as Book 1 but just as heart felt. For dog lovers everywhere.
June 13, 2025
This author is earned the high praise his first two fiction novels received. If he continues, he will likely be a household name.
July 19, 2025
Super violent but good… dragged a bit in the middle.
Read
August 10, 2025As much as I loved Adam Plantinga’s first book, I had hoped to love this one. In his first book, the dog Hudson, was the best part of the whole read . Very happily Hudson followed into this book as well. But by page 87, the criminals that Detroit cop, Kurt Argento were chasing, shot the dog dead. That’s when the book ended for me. I closed the book. Done. That’s it.
April 20, 2025
Got boring in the middle DNF
April 6, 2025
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Adam Plantinga for the ARC!
We have been chatting at The Pulse lately about this newest installment in the Kurt Argento series! Even though this is book #2, most of us haven't read the first book, The Ascent, but we all plan to! This book easily works as a stand alone though, and I didn’t feel lost at all after not having read the previous one.
Full of action and with a fast pace, “Hard Town” had me turning pages quickly to find out what was going to happen next. Our MMC, Kurt, is a retired cop who is living a simple life of odd jobs with his dog, Hudson, when he becomes caught up in a missing children’s case. He can’t ignore his gut that something isn’t adding up. I loved Kurt’s character; he was complex and not afraid to follow his gut even if it meant using some questionable tactics. I would really like to know what made him this way, so I look forward to reading book one ASAP!
If you enjoy fast-paced action stories, you will enjoy this one!
”Hard Town” releases April 8, 2025. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
We have been chatting at The Pulse lately about this newest installment in the Kurt Argento series! Even though this is book #2, most of us haven't read the first book, The Ascent, but we all plan to! This book easily works as a stand alone though, and I didn’t feel lost at all after not having read the previous one.
Full of action and with a fast pace, “Hard Town” had me turning pages quickly to find out what was going to happen next. Our MMC, Kurt, is a retired cop who is living a simple life of odd jobs with his dog, Hudson, when he becomes caught up in a missing children’s case. He can’t ignore his gut that something isn’t adding up. I loved Kurt’s character; he was complex and not afraid to follow his gut even if it meant using some questionable tactics. I would really like to know what made him this way, so I look forward to reading book one ASAP!
If you enjoy fast-paced action stories, you will enjoy this one!
”Hard Town” releases April 8, 2025. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
January 21, 2025
5/5 STARS! Wow! This book is one of the best books I've read when it comes to excop to private investigator stories. The plot is unique and interesting, the action brutal & gory, & Argento the ultimate man's man. I feel like I just watched one of the best crime thriller movies ever & my mind is reeling. This is book 2 but can be read as a standalone. If you don't pick this up, you are truly missing out. This book got my adrenaline pumping & now I want to workout....man I love reading.
March 31, 2025
Hard Town by Adam Plantinga is the 2nd book in his Kurt Argento series.
"After fighting his way out of a prison, Kurt is ready for some peace and quiet. He offers to house sit for a friend in Arizona along with only Hudson, his dog, for company. A woman finds him at his favorite diner and asks him to find her missing husband - last seen in the town of Fenton. Kurt finally relents and finds several odd things in Fenton. The well-equipped Public Safety department - the money propping up small businesses - and one man seemingly in control of the town. Kurt finds a conspiracy that takes a whole town to cover it up. And getting justice is not all black and white."
Lots of Reacher vibes in this one. Argento is more of a regular guy than Reacher. Kurt makes a wild decision to find justice. One of the best things Plantinga does is writing action and there is plenty of it. The ending is wild and explosive. There are some big losses here that will make you angry. Not sure how an author can actually write that.
Great for fans of action/thrillers.
"After fighting his way out of a prison, Kurt is ready for some peace and quiet. He offers to house sit for a friend in Arizona along with only Hudson, his dog, for company. A woman finds him at his favorite diner and asks him to find her missing husband - last seen in the town of Fenton. Kurt finally relents and finds several odd things in Fenton. The well-equipped Public Safety department - the money propping up small businesses - and one man seemingly in control of the town. Kurt finds a conspiracy that takes a whole town to cover it up. And getting justice is not all black and white."
Lots of Reacher vibes in this one. Argento is more of a regular guy than Reacher. Kurt makes a wild decision to find justice. One of the best things Plantinga does is writing action and there is plenty of it. The ending is wild and explosive. There are some big losses here that will make you angry. Not sure how an author can actually write that.
Great for fans of action/thrillers.
April 9, 2025
I think my expectations were too high after the action packed book The Ascent. This sequel did not have much action until the finale.
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