Family Skeletons

Dirty Harry #5

by Dane Hartman

Vintage movie tie-in paperback

Genres: Fiction

176 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Following the release of the third Dirty Harry movie, The Enforcer, in 1976, Clint Eastwood made it clear that he did not intend to make any more Dirty Harry movies. In 1981, Warner Books (the publishing arm of Warner Bros., which made the films) began publishing a number of men's adventure series under its now-defunct "Men of Action" line. One such series features the further adventures of Inspector Harry Callahan. The books, written primarily by Ric Meyers and Leslie Alan Horvitz, appeared under the house name Dane Hartman. The series was brought to an end when Eastwood decided to direct, produce, and star in a fourth Dirty Harry movie, Sudden Impact, which was released in December 1983.

Reviews

[Josh Hitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a fun story, some of the writing is so so, but I can't say I was ever bored. It's probably closer to a 3.5 for me. Harry is going to Boston because his sister sent him a letter saying she needed help. Seems there is a maniac killer on the loose killing young coeds, people her daughter knows, so she thinks she could be next. Harry gets involved, and like usual, he just sort of goes wild like a bull in a china shop. He gets to the bottom of it, but it's a wacky conclusion.

Recommended if you are already a fan of the Dirty Harry character. There are good scenes, and again, the ideal is fun. Just the writing seemed off in a way.

[Mikepottz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A religious college girl, her throat slashed, blood running through her fingers as she tries to plug the gaping wound. A mention of the movie Just before dawn (awesome 80s slasher). Harry wearing his favourite brown and Tweed jacket gets a letter from a distant cousin from Boston begging for help. He will throw a man onto a pinball machine shattering the glass, the scoring going crazy, and smash a guy on a plane playing a beatbox loudly. A necrophiliac on the loose. Harry after getting knocked unconscious the doctor on shift explains to Harry not to donate any of his body to science as it is useless. He pumps his Magnum into bodies and eats and sleeps well. Not a care in the world. Another will get Harry's gun shoved into his mouth and his brain splattered onto the seat the wet smacking sound. A girl has a strap on dildo and penetrates without knowing what they are doing.

[Tom Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirty Harry #5: “Family Skeletons” (Rick Meyers). Harry’s cousin, Linda Donovan asks him to come to Boston to help the family. He takes a week’s leave to visit, though he doesn’t want to. In Boston he learns that a young girl that was raped and murdered was a close friend of Linda’s daughter, and they’re afraid she’s next. She’s involved in a religious cult that believes in sacrificing virgins, etc. A black detective is investigating the rape and murder, but he seems to be closer to the case than he should be, and knows a little too much that he isn’t telling. In fact, there are more suspects than you can shake a stick at. In fact, Linda Donovan and her husband may know more than what they are telling him, and they’re having marital problems to boot. Rick Meyers’ Dirty Harry stories are all excellent, and I think this is one of his best. There’s a great twist at the end of this one, too.

[Russell Horton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting enough story for fans of the film series. The main character isn't as fully realised as in the films, however, it is nice explore into Harry's family history with some neat pop culture references thrown in. A different title could have be used. The story was a bit violent in places.

[Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best of first five in the series. Twists and turns make it interesting. Harry is finally not invincible. Characters are fleshed out a bit more than usual, with Harry actually providing his thoughts and a little of his background. Second typing of my review, it got deleted, so not as full.

[Bradley Schlieper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Could have been fleshed out a little which would have made it a 4.5 star.

[StanSwitek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, I think Harry works better when he's in San Francisco, but the villains were unique and characterization strong.

[Chris Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the opening murder to the graphic rape at the end, this is Dirty Harry meets '80s SplatterPunk. Whichever of the 2 contract authors who wrote as Dane Hartman for this series really outdid themselves here.
Oh, als we learn a bit about Harry's family, but no one reads these books for that. They're from the "Men Of Action" line. We read them for the action.

[Beauregard Shagnasty · Rating 1 out of 5]

My least favorite of all the Dirty Harry books. A muddled mystery that didn't work for me.