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Hard Dog To Kill
Stan Mullens is an American mercenary in the Congo who sees himself as a good guy with a bad job. Stan’s self-assigned mission to protect his long time brother-in-arms, Frank, takes a serious hit when their boss sends them on an unsupported mission into the jungle to track and kill Tonde Chiora, a former company employee accused of stealing vital company mining technology.
As their mission takes them deep into the violent heart of the Congo, Stan soon discovers that his victim hasn’t done anything to warrant being murdered. And as he struggles to survive the jungle, his enemies, and Frank’s random acts of violent stupidity, he finds himself increasingly drawn in by the innocence and optimism of the man he is supposed to kill.
With his enemies closing in and his friendship with Frank falling apart, Stan has to make a dangerous choice between his old loyalties and his new friends. Maybe hardest of all, he has to make peace with the realization that despite what he’s told himself all these years, he is not one of the good guys.
As their mission takes them deep into the violent heart of the Congo, Stan soon discovers that his victim hasn’t done anything to warrant being murdered. And as he struggles to survive the jungle, his enemies, and Frank’s random acts of violent stupidity, he finds himself increasingly drawn in by the innocence and optimism of the man he is supposed to kill.
With his enemies closing in and his friendship with Frank falling apart, Stan has to make a dangerous choice between his old loyalties and his new friends. Maybe hardest of all, he has to make peace with the realization that despite what he’s told himself all these years, he is not one of the good guys.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2017
15 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Craig Holt
2 books10 followersCraig Holt is the author of three books, four screenplays, and a whole mess of short stories. His novel Hard Dog to Kill (wbp.bz/hdtka) was a finalist in both the Pacific Northwest Writer’s Association Literary Competition, and the Colorado Gold Writing Contest. When he is not scribbling in the pre-dawn hours, he is an avid (obsessive?) reader.
By day he is a professional coffee geek. Every two years he gets his tongue re-certified. You know – for the coffee business. (Yeah. I know...) In a previous life he was an expedition leader for an eco-tourism company. Between that job and the coffee gig, he has been lucky enough to visit more than 70 countries, with stops on all of the continents.
Because he believes that it’s better to wear out than to rot he has participated in destructive sports all his life, including (but not limited to) football, wrestling, rugby, soccer, and Tae kwon do. He has completed marathons, iron-distance triathlons, and ultra-marathons.
Craig lives in Seattle with his incredible wife and kids, in an old house full of books.
https://wildbluepress.com/hard-dog-to...
By day he is a professional coffee geek. Every two years he gets his tongue re-certified. You know – for the coffee business. (Yeah. I know...) In a previous life he was an expedition leader for an eco-tourism company. Between that job and the coffee gig, he has been lucky enough to visit more than 70 countries, with stops on all of the continents.
Because he believes that it’s better to wear out than to rot he has participated in destructive sports all his life, including (but not limited to) football, wrestling, rugby, soccer, and Tae kwon do. He has completed marathons, iron-distance triathlons, and ultra-marathons.
Craig lives in Seattle with his incredible wife and kids, in an old house full of books.
https://wildbluepress.com/hard-dog-to...
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 10, 2018
Hard Dog to Kill by Craig Holt
Traveling through the Congo with two men who have been “killers” for ten years was…interesting…very interesting indeed… Stan Mullins and Frank Giordano met early in their military days and became inseparable. Frank has saved Stan a number of times and though Stan, the narrator, doesn’t mention it my guess is that he has had Frank’s back numerous times, too.
The two men have seen much violence and dispensed death to many but Stan has perhaps retained more of his humanity than Frank has. I do wonder what was in the letter Frank received that turned him into the colder version of himself that he displays throughout this book. Anyway, the two men are off on a journey to find one man for their employer and bring him in but their encounters on the way include many adventures. They interact with a variety of Congolese; face danger that slithers, flies, walks on two and four legs, slithers and explodes; lose friends and interact with one another and others in ways that were at times uncomfortable to read.
The book is violent. Many people are killed. Miseries are described. Politics are alluded to. Friendship is explored. Humanity is displayed. Inhumanity is experienced. Greed is a given. The future of a mercenary is broached. And by the end of the book I understood the relationship of Frank and Stan a bit better realizing that war creates warriors who kill – killing dehumanizes and becomes easier – some killers lose sensitivity – some people who kill still have possibilities. I also realized that soldiers must have a different kind of “friendship” than civilians. I would like to know what happens in the future and wonder if Stan will appear in future books.
Thank you to NetGalley and WildBlue Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Traveling through the Congo with two men who have been “killers” for ten years was…interesting…very interesting indeed… Stan Mullins and Frank Giordano met early in their military days and became inseparable. Frank has saved Stan a number of times and though Stan, the narrator, doesn’t mention it my guess is that he has had Frank’s back numerous times, too.
The two men have seen much violence and dispensed death to many but Stan has perhaps retained more of his humanity than Frank has. I do wonder what was in the letter Frank received that turned him into the colder version of himself that he displays throughout this book. Anyway, the two men are off on a journey to find one man for their employer and bring him in but their encounters on the way include many adventures. They interact with a variety of Congolese; face danger that slithers, flies, walks on two and four legs, slithers and explodes; lose friends and interact with one another and others in ways that were at times uncomfortable to read.
The book is violent. Many people are killed. Miseries are described. Politics are alluded to. Friendship is explored. Humanity is displayed. Inhumanity is experienced. Greed is a given. The future of a mercenary is broached. And by the end of the book I understood the relationship of Frank and Stan a bit better realizing that war creates warriors who kill – killing dehumanizes and becomes easier – some killers lose sensitivity – some people who kill still have possibilities. I also realized that soldiers must have a different kind of “friendship” than civilians. I would like to know what happens in the future and wonder if Stan will appear in future books.
Thank you to NetGalley and WildBlue Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
November 13, 2017
Vivid, insightful and haunting
Buckle up for a cracker of an adventure with Craig Holt’s debut novel ‘Hard Dog to Kill’. Set in the formidable Congo, the story follows Stan and Frank, two mercenaries contracted by a Chinese mining company to assassinate ex-company man Tonde Chiora, accused of stealing important company mining technology. Frank’s lust for blood, drugs and money makes him an unlikely partner for charismatic, bookish and (mostly) sober protagonist Stan, but now more than ever, the long-time brothers in combat must overcome their differences to find out which of the major players can be trusted, while the ever-elusive facts become increasingly enshrouded in fiction. The jungle is a character entirely of its own as oppressive heat, aggressively abundant flora and deadly animal inhabitants all threaten their mission at every turn. Holt’s prose is vivid, witty, and often profound, and he perfectly balances fast-paced action with heart-rending, emotional scenes. The novel is ultimately about undying hope in the face of overwhelming odds, and explores ideas about the true price of our dreams, which may indeed take the shape of our living nightmares. An enthralling read even for non-lovers of adventure stories.
Buckle up for a cracker of an adventure with Craig Holt’s debut novel ‘Hard Dog to Kill’. Set in the formidable Congo, the story follows Stan and Frank, two mercenaries contracted by a Chinese mining company to assassinate ex-company man Tonde Chiora, accused of stealing important company mining technology. Frank’s lust for blood, drugs and money makes him an unlikely partner for charismatic, bookish and (mostly) sober protagonist Stan, but now more than ever, the long-time brothers in combat must overcome their differences to find out which of the major players can be trusted, while the ever-elusive facts become increasingly enshrouded in fiction. The jungle is a character entirely of its own as oppressive heat, aggressively abundant flora and deadly animal inhabitants all threaten their mission at every turn. Holt’s prose is vivid, witty, and often profound, and he perfectly balances fast-paced action with heart-rending, emotional scenes. The novel is ultimately about undying hope in the face of overwhelming odds, and explores ideas about the true price of our dreams, which may indeed take the shape of our living nightmares. An enthralling read even for non-lovers of adventure stories.
November 4, 2017
Set in the bloody diamond region of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Holt has crafted a compelling story of a couple former American special forces soldiers turned mercenaries. They're sent by Mister Zhou, head of a Chinese mining company, to kill renegade African employee Tonde Chiora, who Zhou claims has stolen company secrets. By the time the two mercenaries find Chiora, they realize they've been sent on a fool's errand that could cost them their lives. Their journey is fraught with the kind of deadly violence that's sadly common in a country where chaos is the norm. The story unfolds via mercenary Stan Mullens, a well-read man who dreams of buying a cattle ranch in Texas. Stan is a beacon of sanity and a moral foil for his uncontrollable partner, Frank. Having personally prowled the mining regions of eastern DRC, I can confirm that Holt deftly captures the often horrific realities found there. The book is a skillful and dramatic portrayal of the dark side of diamond business, which diamond dealers refuse to acknowledge. While Holt's work has literary overtones of the classic, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, it is not for the faint of heart. Still, it's a highly satisfying and wild ride through lawless land. An unforgettable tale that's hard to put down.
February 10, 2018
I read some generally favorable Goodreads comments on this novel and began to wonder why I wasn't as enthused. It 's a genre action novel, and just didn't keep me very interested, more my fault, I'm sure, than the novel's which is competent enough in what it does. Two men, former American special forces soldiers, hire themselves out to a Mr. Zhou. an African thug who operates a diamond mining operation in the Congo. Their mission is to capture or kill a Zimababwean national named Tonde Chiora who is on the run for something he has done to anger Zhou.. Frank and Stan don't ask questions, just do their work and get paid well. A reader's guess at the beginning is that he has stolen some diamonds.
The two men are referred to at one point as "Frankenstan" as they create death and destruction in their trek through hostile territory on the trail of Chiora. Stan is seemingly the more intelligent and sensitive of the two; he dreams of getting out of this unsavory enterprise and starting a farm in Texas, and he is literate as well, carrying titles like DAVID COPPERFIELD, LORD OF THE FLIES, BLOOD MERIDIAN, and BRAVE NEW WORLD in his pack. These books ostensibly stamp him as intellectually respectable, although to make this really believable, they'd have to be more than just be mentioned. Frank doesn't seem to have an idea in his head, besides getting drunk or high, chasing women, and killing people. A central question of why Stan stays with Frank is that Frank, despite his shortcomings, has always been a loyal friend.
They make their way across central Africa, Chiora always just a step ahead of them. In the end, they catch up with Chiora and find that they have misjudged him and have second thoughts about terminating him. Stan begins to change and at the end he is reminiscent of the Humphrey Bogart Fred C. Dobbs character in "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" as he realizes what depths men will sink to in their lust for diamonds and wealth. There are echoes, too, of Conrad's HEART OF DARKNESS, as the bestiality of humans is depicted in the jungle which in itself may be the chief character of the novel, a lawless and unpredictable territory where anything goes. Here Cormac McCarthy's BLOOD MERIDIAN novel comes to mind.
But what dampened much enthusiasm I might have had for the book was the constant killing. I know these men were trained killers, but no matter what kind of a scrape they got themseves into, and how outnumbered they were, they always shot their way out, killing anyone who stood in their way. The point was, no doubt, to show the impersonality and callousness toward human life, but I found it became tiresome to read about.. Another tiresome thing - I have nothing against realistic language, and it was no doubt intended to show Frank's character but his constant fuck this and fuck that became wearing as well. After while, I just wanted some innovative language.
Why did I keep reading then? It was for a book group discussion and I always feel if I expect people to read my book recommendations, the least I can do is spend a few hours reading theirs.
The two men are referred to at one point as "Frankenstan" as they create death and destruction in their trek through hostile territory on the trail of Chiora. Stan is seemingly the more intelligent and sensitive of the two; he dreams of getting out of this unsavory enterprise and starting a farm in Texas, and he is literate as well, carrying titles like DAVID COPPERFIELD, LORD OF THE FLIES, BLOOD MERIDIAN, and BRAVE NEW WORLD in his pack. These books ostensibly stamp him as intellectually respectable, although to make this really believable, they'd have to be more than just be mentioned. Frank doesn't seem to have an idea in his head, besides getting drunk or high, chasing women, and killing people. A central question of why Stan stays with Frank is that Frank, despite his shortcomings, has always been a loyal friend.
They make their way across central Africa, Chiora always just a step ahead of them. In the end, they catch up with Chiora and find that they have misjudged him and have second thoughts about terminating him. Stan begins to change and at the end he is reminiscent of the Humphrey Bogart Fred C. Dobbs character in "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" as he realizes what depths men will sink to in their lust for diamonds and wealth. There are echoes, too, of Conrad's HEART OF DARKNESS, as the bestiality of humans is depicted in the jungle which in itself may be the chief character of the novel, a lawless and unpredictable territory where anything goes. Here Cormac McCarthy's BLOOD MERIDIAN novel comes to mind.
But what dampened much enthusiasm I might have had for the book was the constant killing. I know these men were trained killers, but no matter what kind of a scrape they got themseves into, and how outnumbered they were, they always shot their way out, killing anyone who stood in their way. The point was, no doubt, to show the impersonality and callousness toward human life, but I found it became tiresome to read about.. Another tiresome thing - I have nothing against realistic language, and it was no doubt intended to show Frank's character but his constant fuck this and fuck that became wearing as well. After while, I just wanted some innovative language.
Why did I keep reading then? It was for a book group discussion and I always feel if I expect people to read my book recommendations, the least I can do is spend a few hours reading theirs.
March 11, 2018
Hard Dog to Kill by Craig Holt is a novel about two American mercenaries in the African Congo. Mr. Holt writes books, screenplays and short stories, Hard Dog to Kill was a finalist in both the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Literary Competition, and the Colorado Gold Writing Contest.
Stan Mullens, together with his partner Frank Giordano, is an American mercenary who sees himself as a scholar/soldier who likes what he does but has philosophical issues with his job. Together the pairs is known as a mythical monster FrankAndStan to the native people.
Stan and Frank, having been kicked out of Blackwater, find a job securing a diamond mine. The pair’s boss sends them on a mission to find Tonde Chiora, a former employee who has stolen proprietary technology which will allow him to open a competitive diamond mine.
I have always enjoyed books taking place in Africa, and books about soldiers, military or not, so when I was offered Hard Dog to Kill by Craig Holt I jumped on the opportunity. The book grabbed me from start to finish, it is fast, enjoyable and well written.
The action is not stop, it is violent, full of misery, dark humor, and descriptions of how human kind goes out of its way to make each other miserable. The adventure is just and excuse for the author to conduct a character study of the protagonist and explore the relationship between Stan and Frank. Frank, it seems, is his own worst enemy dragging Stan with him, who somehow feels responsible to save Stan from himself.
Even though Stan has been all around the world, including several years in Africa, it still feels as if he a stranger in a strange land, an out of place narrator trying to make the best of the hand he was dealt. This environment allows Stan, a well-read man who always carries a book with him, for some internal philosophical discussions with himself.
I enjoyed very much reading this book, I finished it quickly following the compelling characters with their dark side and dark secrets. While some of the novel is brutal, much of it had me laughing and I couldn’t wait to turn the page.
For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: http://www.ManOfLaBook.com
Stan Mullens, together with his partner Frank Giordano, is an American mercenary who sees himself as a scholar/soldier who likes what he does but has philosophical issues with his job. Together the pairs is known as a mythical monster FrankAndStan to the native people.
Stan and Frank, having been kicked out of Blackwater, find a job securing a diamond mine. The pair’s boss sends them on a mission to find Tonde Chiora, a former employee who has stolen proprietary technology which will allow him to open a competitive diamond mine.
I have always enjoyed books taking place in Africa, and books about soldiers, military or not, so when I was offered Hard Dog to Kill by Craig Holt I jumped on the opportunity. The book grabbed me from start to finish, it is fast, enjoyable and well written.
The action is not stop, it is violent, full of misery, dark humor, and descriptions of how human kind goes out of its way to make each other miserable. The adventure is just and excuse for the author to conduct a character study of the protagonist and explore the relationship between Stan and Frank. Frank, it seems, is his own worst enemy dragging Stan with him, who somehow feels responsible to save Stan from himself.
Even though Stan has been all around the world, including several years in Africa, it still feels as if he a stranger in a strange land, an out of place narrator trying to make the best of the hand he was dealt. This environment allows Stan, a well-read man who always carries a book with him, for some internal philosophical discussions with himself.
I enjoyed very much reading this book, I finished it quickly following the compelling characters with their dark side and dark secrets. While some of the novel is brutal, much of it had me laughing and I couldn’t wait to turn the page.
For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: http://www.ManOfLaBook.com
August 30, 2018
This is some great writing. Descriptions of the Congo are vivid and the main characters are fully developed. Unfortunately, there's not a likable character to be found in this story. Frank and Stan are particularly unlikable -- not good, given this is very much a character-driven story. Remorseless violence defines these characters.
Tom Fria has a good voice for this novel. However, he does not give distinctive voices to the characters, making many passages quite confusing.
Worst of all, the production is atrocious. Words are truncated or missing altogether. Some phrases are duplicated, obviously edits that weren't removed. There are some mispronunciations and inappropriately long pauses. There's no way any quality assurance was applied to this production.
NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Tom Fria has a good voice for this novel. However, he does not give distinctive voices to the characters, making many passages quite confusing.
Worst of all, the production is atrocious. Words are truncated or missing altogether. Some phrases are duplicated, obviously edits that weren't removed. There are some mispronunciations and inappropriately long pauses. There's no way any quality assurance was applied to this production.
NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
February 23, 2018
This is a story about a couple hired assassins, so there's a lot of violence...... it's weird, but if you can get past all that...it was a likeable read?! (One of the killers loves to read, & brings along in his pack a variety of books to read, in his 'spare time'!) The story moves along at quite a fast pace, & it is a fast read. There is quite a story in there, thru it all! I'd guess that if you like tough guy, 'brothers in arms' action....you'll like this book. (Of special note, I read the author's bio.....& thought he sounded like a fun guy to get to know!)
I received this e-galley from NetGalley, in return for my unbiased, fair & honest review.
I received this e-galley from NetGalley, in return for my unbiased, fair & honest review.
November 9, 2017
Really enjoyed this and will read it again. Love the ex-marine mercenary main character, Stan. He's witty, observant, conflicted, darkly humorous, and stuck in a bad situation. Plus, the story takes place in interesting parts of modern Africa and they feel authentic in that "reality is stranger than fiction" kind of way. Great stuff.
January 18, 2019
Not for me
I read many books and so I'm not offended by violence or killing, however I am not a fan of mindless violence or senseless killing. The beginning of this book showed promise to me but it quickly deteriorated into a disturbing and brutal darkness.
I read many books and so I'm not offended by violence or killing, however I am not a fan of mindless violence or senseless killing. The beginning of this book showed promise to me but it quickly deteriorated into a disturbing and brutal darkness.
August 5, 2023
If you lust blood this is your book. Pretty well written for the genre and not hard for me to get through. I wouldn’t have read it if it wasn’t free, But if you dream of being a mercenary, this book’s for you.
November 16, 2017
Intriguing characters, interesting subject matter plus good writing = me up all night reading!
December 31, 2017
Twists and turns in every chapter. Vivid descriptions of the Congo, sophisticated writing and filled with action. If you are looking for a thrill, you just found it.
November 20, 2017
This is not my usual genre of book but I loved the characters and the author's ability to show both the darkness and hope of humans. I felt the excitement of the Congo and eagerly read to the ending.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews