Hardman Volume Two: Seven Complete Novels

by Ralph Dennis, Lee Goldberg (Introduction), Mel Odom (Introduction)

The last SEVEN novels in the legendary series in one volume... save $10 on the price of buying the books individually WORKING FOR THE MAN + THE DEADLY COTTON HEART + THE ONE DOLLAR RIP-OFF + HUMP'S FIRST CASE + THE LAST OF THE ARMAGEDDON WARS + THE BUY BACK BLUES + ALL KINDS OF UGLY It's Atlanta, 1974. Ex-cop Jim Hardman works as an unlicensed PI, trouble-shooter and bodyguard…often partnered with his drinking buddy Hump Evans, a black, ex-NFL player who supports his playboy lifestyle by working as hired muscle.  Praise for the HARDMAN "Exceptional characterization, strong and vigorous prose, and a glimpse into a place and time that has long since disappeared." Mystery Scene Magazine ""Gritty writing? Tough talk? Gripping action? Yes, yes and yes." The Daily Oklahoman “His prose was muscular, swift and highly readable. Like Chandler and Hammett before him, Dennis was trying to do something different with what was thought of as throwaway literature.” Joe R. Lansdale “Expert writing, plus good plotting and an unusual degree of sensitivity. Ralph Dennis has mastered the genre and supplied top entertainment. ” The New York Times "It's gritty, it's grounded, and it's also strong on character. The writing is a cut above and then there's the social realism, the piercing look at racism, corruption and the underbelly of the city." NB Magazine UK “The Hardman books are by far the best of the men’s action-adventure series.” Mother Jones Magazine "Ralph Dennis is an underappreciated master. His Hardman series is one of the finest in the P.I. genre." Robert Randisi, founder of the Private Eye Writers of America “Among the best series books around. The dialogue is marvelously realistic.” Philadelphia Daily News "Ralph Dennis and his Hardman series are finally getting the respect many readers and collectors feel they deserve... Hardman is not your typical PI. He is not that good looking; a bit on the pudgy side in fact. His methods are unorthodox, and he often plays both sides of the law when working a case. But these and several other genre-defying characteristics are what captures and holds our fascination with Hardman." Bookgasm

884 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 20, 2020

About the author

Ralph Dennis was born in South Carolina and had a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina, where he also taught. For mystery fans, Dennis will always be associated with the City of Atlanta, the locale for the twelve novel series about Jim Hardman, former cop and unofficial private eye, all published by Popular Library between 1974 and 1977.

At the time of his death in 1988, he was working at a bookstore in Atlanta and had a file cabinet full of unpublished novels.

Reviews

[William Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hidden classics discovered.

As usual, as good as they get. As satisfying as anything I've read in quite awhile. I highly recommend it.