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Hard Luck Hank #7
Dumber Than Dead
Hank is getting married!
The space station Belvaille has become home to a species of actors. The newest edition to the Post Colmarian Confederation Colmarian Confederation are the Damakan race. As a species they are capable of “broadcast empathy.” Their acting skills are so powerful they are able to make people believe their portrayals are literally happening—even over remote transmission.
Belvaille, with its access to powerful radio telescopes, becomes an entertainment powerhouse, cranking out Damakan dramas and tragedies across the empire. As the city modifies is resources to accommodate the new cash cow, Hank is hired to protect important actors by the city’s premier talent agent: his butler Cliston.
But the good times don’t last as Damakans start getting murdered and whole productions are sabotaged and even outright attacked. The Navy threatens to get involved as their favorite tele programs are interrupted and Garm, the Adjunct Overwatch of the city, enlists Hank to find the source of the violence and put an end to it.
Hank fears his own betrothed is in danger as the city gets dragged into a gang war of which no one knows the cause.
Read By: Liam Owen
The space station Belvaille has become home to a species of actors. The newest edition to the Post Colmarian Confederation Colmarian Confederation are the Damakan race. As a species they are capable of “broadcast empathy.” Their acting skills are so powerful they are able to make people believe their portrayals are literally happening—even over remote transmission.
Belvaille, with its access to powerful radio telescopes, becomes an entertainment powerhouse, cranking out Damakan dramas and tragedies across the empire. As the city modifies is resources to accommodate the new cash cow, Hank is hired to protect important actors by the city’s premier talent agent: his butler Cliston.
But the good times don’t last as Damakans start getting murdered and whole productions are sabotaged and even outright attacked. The Navy threatens to get involved as their favorite tele programs are interrupted and Garm, the Adjunct Overwatch of the city, enlists Hank to find the source of the violence and put an end to it.
Hank fears his own betrothed is in danger as the city gets dragged into a gang war of which no one knows the cause.
Read By: Liam Owen
19 pages, Audible Audio
First published November 17, 2018
102 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 8, 2019
HARD LUCK HANK is one of my all-time favorite indie comedy series. It is the story of a down on his luck mutant living in a space station in the (probable) far future. Hank is a thug, there's no two ways about it and the only thing he's good at is smashing people or shooting people. He's not even THAT good at it but he's bulletproof so he has a healthy advantage over his fellow goons. The series has gone through multiple iterations with Hank being a football player, a rich billionaire, an alien separatist, and a variety of other jobs as long as he's: 1. Getting paid to do it. 2. There's the possibility of getting laid.
This is a "soft reboot" of the series as Bellvaile Station, the Mos Eisley of the non-Star Wars universe, has once more degenerated into a wretched hive of scum and villainy with Hank as its chief fixer. It's also become the center of the galaxy's motion picture and daytime television industry due to the arrival of a race that can project emotion but not feel it themselves unless projected by another of their kind. Hank is engaged to one who makes him feel awesome (and he thinks she likes him--which goes to show Hank is a moron but we knew that). Hank has been hired to bodyguard a bunch of the local actors but he's terrible a his job and they keep ending up dead.
This is a classic HLH novel in the sense that it's a parody of noir Detective stories and very close in feel to THE BIG LEBOWSKI IN SPACE. Hank wants nothing more than to get paid and is so terrible at his job that he keeps getting more and more people killed. On the plus side, he's in love and what could possibly go wrong at his wedding (we see exactly what could happen on the front cover). I had a lot of fun with this even if it was a bit slow to start and a bit more serious in places than previous editions.
Fans should definitely buy this.
4.5/5
This is a "soft reboot" of the series as Bellvaile Station, the Mos Eisley of the non-Star Wars universe, has once more degenerated into a wretched hive of scum and villainy with Hank as its chief fixer. It's also become the center of the galaxy's motion picture and daytime television industry due to the arrival of a race that can project emotion but not feel it themselves unless projected by another of their kind. Hank is engaged to one who makes him feel awesome (and he thinks she likes him--which goes to show Hank is a moron but we knew that). Hank has been hired to bodyguard a bunch of the local actors but he's terrible a his job and they keep ending up dead.
This is a classic HLH novel in the sense that it's a parody of noir Detective stories and very close in feel to THE BIG LEBOWSKI IN SPACE. Hank wants nothing more than to get paid and is so terrible at his job that he keeps getting more and more people killed. On the plus side, he's in love and what could possibly go wrong at his wedding (we see exactly what could happen on the front cover). I had a lot of fun with this even if it was a bit slow to start and a bit more serious in places than previous editions.
Fans should definitely buy this.
4.5/5
October 26, 2021
Having started with the first of this series and working my way through at a slow pace. Why? because you don't need a lot of Hank day after day. I enjoy these books when I want to laugh out loud and shake my head at the all out "dumbness" of the stories. Hank is a big loveable mutant character, that gets himself in the worst of situations, while trying to solve other peoples dilemmas. He's joined by a group of reoccurring characters, all as unique in laughable quotes as Hank.
As I said, you have to be in the right mood for these books, so I don't listen often, but when I do, they certainly hit the spot. The narrator, Liam Owen is excellent in capturing personalities, so good in fact, that I don't think I would ever read any of these stories. It would be like reading the material of a stand up comedian, it's all in the presentation.
As I said, you have to be in the right mood for these books, so I don't listen often, but when I do, they certainly hit the spot. The narrator, Liam Owen is excellent in capturing personalities, so good in fact, that I don't think I would ever read any of these stories. It would be like reading the material of a stand up comedian, it's all in the presentation.
May 17, 2019
Not my favorite Hank, but still endlessly amusing. I chuckled all the way through. I love this character and the narrator.
I could listen to 12 hours of just Hank reviews.
Bella Torra Jangle Flod
I could listen to 12 hours of just Hank reviews.
Bella Torra Jangle Flod
March 7, 2019
Good stuff
I am a big HUH fan and have read them all! Funny and enjoyable read! Read the series in order and you will be hooked
I am a big HUH fan and have read them all! Funny and enjoyable read! Read the series in order and you will be hooked
February 3, 2019
Laugh-out-loud funny. Not quite as loud as the previous one. Kinda chuckle, occasionally guffaw outloud
January 26, 2019
Amazing book
Great story telling as always, love the futuristic hard boiled noir setting. Can’t wait for the next installment of the series.
Great story telling as always, love the futuristic hard boiled noir setting. Can’t wait for the next installment of the series.
January 24, 2019
Hanks back
As always, Hank kept me hooked from beginning to end. Campbell has kept me entertained since the first chapter of the first hank book.
As always, Hank kept me hooked from beginning to end. Campbell has kept me entertained since the first chapter of the first hank book.
January 12, 2019
Welcome laughter and an intimate walk around Hanks head
I laughed in awkward places. I laughed in my car. I laughed in my bed. Most importantly this book will make you laugh. Second this book stays true to the genre all its own while making subtle and unexpectedly novel course corrections. Third, I miss Bellvaille when I am not there and always want to return. I hope to see Hank again soon. I really needed Hank at this time in my life and I am glad he was there. Thank you to the author.
I laughed in awkward places. I laughed in my car. I laughed in my bed. Most importantly this book will make you laugh. Second this book stays true to the genre all its own while making subtle and unexpectedly novel course corrections. Third, I miss Bellvaille when I am not there and always want to return. I hope to see Hank again soon. I really needed Hank at this time in my life and I am glad he was there. Thank you to the author.
January 20, 2019
Another fitting tale about Hank and Company
I love reading the Hard luck Hank series. It has great irreverent humour and the characters really jump out at you. I recommend it to lots of my friends and several have taken on the entire series. Keep'm coming.
I love reading the Hard luck Hank series. It has great irreverent humour and the characters really jump out at you. I recommend it to lots of my friends and several have taken on the entire series. Keep'm coming.
January 5, 2019
One Of The Best In The Series
A few other reviewers mentioned that this may be the best Hank book yet, and I agree. Every character felt real and multifaceted. The world feels believable. The plot was highly entertaining. Discounting a small handful of minor editing issues, this was the perfect Hard Luck Hank novel.
A few other reviewers mentioned that this may be the best Hank book yet, and I agree. Every character felt real and multifaceted. The world feels believable. The plot was highly entertaining. Discounting a small handful of minor editing issues, this was the perfect Hard Luck Hank novel.
January 11, 2019
I missed you hank
Good book i miss hank slower than the others but still why didn't you use the main character that also made the book
Good book i miss hank slower than the others but still why didn't you use the main character that also made the book
January 8, 2019
Hank in love!?
A Hank love story is just as disastrous and fantastically full of death and destruction as Hank is known for.
A Hank love story is just as disastrous and fantastically full of death and destruction as Hank is known for.
January 7, 2020
A bit disjointed.
July 7, 2019
One of the most entertaining series I have ever read. I hope this isn't the end! read
Hank is a psychopathic killer with more heart than most people can even fathom. He stumbles through his life in an almost Forest-Gump-like daze, surrounded by friends who are sometimes enemies and enemies who are sometimes friends, saving the galaxy but rarely getting credit for it! Yet he soldiers on. An often funny and always thought provoking series that I dearly hope continues. Well done and highly recommended!
Hank is a psychopathic killer with more heart than most people can even fathom. He stumbles through his life in an almost Forest-Gump-like daze, surrounded by friends who are sometimes enemies and enemies who are sometimes friends, saving the galaxy but rarely getting credit for it! Yet he soldiers on. An often funny and always thought provoking series that I dearly hope continues. Well done and highly recommended!
November 6, 2020
The first book in the series I could barely finish
Wow this was a slog. Typically I like the humor and light hearted numb scullery of HLH books. But this was more of a bumbling idiot with a side of weak sauce. I really couldn’t put my finger on it, maybe someone else can explain it more eloquently than I. I skimmed the last 30% so maybe I missed some clever twist that pulled it all together. But this might be the last HLH for me. We’ll see how the reviews of the next book are before I jump in.
Wow this was a slog. Typically I like the humor and light hearted numb scullery of HLH books. But this was more of a bumbling idiot with a side of weak sauce. I really couldn’t put my finger on it, maybe someone else can explain it more eloquently than I. I skimmed the last 30% so maybe I missed some clever twist that pulled it all together. But this might be the last HLH for me. We’ll see how the reviews of the next book are before I jump in.
August 1, 2021
This has to be the funniest Hank so far. The station is now the center of a new species producing movies, series and other entertain in acting. The only way they convey emotions is through acting. So the navy is making money because they own the satellites (read money), the gangs have been attacking, no one is sure why, and killing actors (that is where this story starts) and Hank is set to marry one of the new comers... maybe, if her career ever gets off the ground. This was a very fun romp in the big thug but sweet and dumb Hank world.
December 8, 2022
This was much more fun than the previous book. Hank seemed to be less of an idiot, although not much less, and the action kept moving at a good pace. It would have been nice to get a break from Hank's love life but at least he stopped sounding so creepy when mentioning Garm and her granddaughter. The ending had me squinting a bit with disbelief but I am willing to forgive such a minor transgression considering the rest of the nonsense.
August 8, 2024
It wasn't exactly.....
like his other endeavors. It was more plot and subplot and climax and almost anticlimax. The story wasn't like his others, it had more sustenance involved. It was all in all a different type of story. Marriage, death, battle, and more death all worked into a most enjoyable episode. Master Campbell, you have penned a most enjoyable novel
like his other endeavors. It was more plot and subplot and climax and almost anticlimax. The story wasn't like his others, it had more sustenance involved. It was all in all a different type of story. Marriage, death, battle, and more death all worked into a most enjoyable episode. Master Campbell, you have penned a most enjoyable novel
March 12, 2019
Nice read
I’m amazed that the author continues to find interesting & different tales of Hard Luck Hank, but he does. Of all the HLH stories, I have to say that this one gets a little slow & plodding in spots but redeems itself in the end.
I’m amazed that the author continues to find interesting & different tales of Hard Luck Hank, but he does. Of all the HLH stories, I have to say that this one gets a little slow & plodding in spots but redeems itself in the end.
October 28, 2019
Usual Hank stuff
Does not disappoint. Love reading his adventures.
I may have to go back and re-read the previous books, because I've forgotten some of the threads that connect the stories together. I'm definitely looking forward to that!
Does not disappoint. Love reading his adventures.
I may have to go back and re-read the previous books, because I've forgotten some of the threads that connect the stories together. I'm definitely looking forward to that!
January 7, 2022
Poor Hank!
At this point Garm is the only one of Hank's gfs that can withstand his bad luck. I'm still holding hope that by the last book they'll rekindle lol however, it's highly unlikely & more likely that she'll be the actual death of him someday lol
At this point Garm is the only one of Hank's gfs that can withstand his bad luck. I'm still holding hope that by the last book they'll rekindle lol however, it's highly unlikely & more likely that she'll be the actual death of him someday lol
January 9, 2019
Another wonderful Campbell read
Laugh out loud funny. Haven't had as much fun with sci fi humorr since Laumer's Retief stories . More, please
Laugh out loud funny. Haven't had as much fun with sci fi humorr since Laumer's Retief stories . More, please
May 17, 2019
Another great Hank book.
Another great Hank book! Lots of twists and turns and Hanks philosophy. Always leaves you smiling. The audio is even better.
Another great Hank book! Lots of twists and turns and Hanks philosophy. Always leaves you smiling. The audio is even better.
May 19, 2019
This series never fails me. It's laugh out loud funny when you least expect it. All the characters you love and trouble around every corner.
June 10, 2019
I've never laughed out loud to a book until I discovered Hard Luck Hank. Thank you Mr. Campbell.
July 14, 2019
This story was a lot deeper than previous stories. Nice.Really
August 27, 2019
Did enjoy Hank's adventures again. It is probably my least favorite book of the series though.
September 18, 2019
Best so far
I enjoy these silly books. Bank is a guy you wish you could have a beer with. It is a good way to forget the worries of the day
I enjoy these silly books. Bank is a guy you wish you could have a beer with. It is a good way to forget the worries of the day
November 12, 2019
At least they are consistent.
December 9, 2019
Exceĺlent addiťion to the series, looking forward to anòther.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews