A fun shoot'em-up-bang-bang. That's the label my family gives to mindless action flicks & this book read like one. It will make a great movie & they sA fun shoot'em-up-bang-bang. That's the label my family gives to mindless action flicks & this book read like one. It will make a great movie & they shouldn't change it much. That doesn't mean I didn't like it. I did. The author avoided jumping the shark & kept it logical. He pushed the edge while retaining good writing & consistent logic. The characters were well done without a lot of gray or angsty questions. Everything was pretty straight forward, a nice change of pace.
The narrator was good & the plot made sense for the most part. I don't think I'll ever read this again, though. It was fun once & I'll look for another by the author.
Merged review:
A fun shoot'em-up-bang-bang. That's the label my family gives to mindless action flicks & this book read like one. It will make a great movie & they shouldn't change it much. That doesn't mean I didn't like it. I did. The author avoided jumping the shark & kept it logical. He pushed the edge while retaining good writing & consistent logic. The characters were well done without a lot of gray or angsty questions. Everything was pretty straight forward, a nice change of pace.
The narrator was good & the plot made sense for the most part. I don't think I'll ever read this again, though. It was fun once & I'll look for another by the author....more
It's a pretty good continuation of the first book, but definitely suffers from middle book syndrome. Must be read in order, of course. I enjoyed it, bIt's a pretty good continuation of the first book, but definitely suffers from middle book syndrome. Must be read in order, of course. I enjoyed it, but it didn't wow me. On to the third & final book of the trilogy....more
A hands on colonel at the end of his career is sent into a war zone to solve a mystery & winds up needing to clean up a much bigger mess. That's clearA hands on colonel at the end of his career is sent into a war zone to solve a mystery & winds up needing to clean up a much bigger mess. That's clearly going to happen from the first chapter, if you know anything about the military & it should be even if you don't. The setting is one of the US failed wars (Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, leaning toward the last) that's been ported to a planet with a lot of similarities. For instance, it's a long journey away from HQ, but communications between the two are fairly quick if limited. The main base is in orbit, a few hour hop to the planet, & naval support are spaceships. It's all well done & the narrator did a fantastic job from the point of view of the main character.
One of the most popular reviews by a friend of mine only gave this 2 stars. (I HATE the new book page!!!) The reason given is that the motivations don't make sense nor does the mystery. I'm not sure how they missed either. They made perfect sense to me, especially given one of the scenes toward the end. It's not a very clean ending, but none of the wars it was modeled on were either. There are two more books in the trilogy, but they follow the main character of this book, Col. Butler. I suppose we'll never see all the bad guys rolled up with Truth & Justice prevailing, but that's just real life so I appreciated it in this novel. It was another mark of realism that raises this above the normal fare. I found it quite satisfying & am moving on to the next one....more
This was a lot of fun action with very little gore & sex, just a con man who tries to do the 'right' thing while lining his own pockets. Of course, thThis was a lot of fun action with very little gore & sex, just a con man who tries to do the 'right' thing while lining his own pockets. Of course, the course is a tough one to navigate, so Gas has to scramble to keep a step ahead. There are some leaps in the plot, but it's all in fun so didn't bother me.
It was nice reading another book with power armor, too. Future infantry in power armor is a theme that has interested me since I read Starship Troopers & The Forever War. Followed by Armor & Old Man's War in that order shows a progression of the idea. This is a good, if not great, addition.
Mammay really showed the feel of an infantry unit with the macho guy interplay & all. Excellent narration helped the story, too. Definitely recommended....more
While it had a lot of elements that have been done before, it put them together in a new & interesting way. There were several reveals throughout the book which changed who I was rooting for. As big as they were, they made sense. Very well done. I'd like to say more, but I don't want to spoil anything. Just keep an open mind & watch for clues.
The ending was satisfying, but definitely left room for a sequel. I'm not sure if I'll read it or not. I think this did a pretty good job just like Dune. Sure, life goes on, but I never thought much of those sequels. This book was well narrated, too. I'll look for more by this author....more
I've read this both in paperback & audiobook, too. This time I read it on my computer, something I almost never do. I'll skim an ebook, usually of a nI've read this both in paperback & audiobook, too. This time I read it on my computer, something I almost never do. I'll skim an ebook, usually of a nonfiction book to nail down some points, or read articles, but reading an entire fiction novel? It has to be short & incredibly good. This is both & yet I don't even like Parker, the main character. In fact, I rarely like any of the characters nor the way they make their living. I despise it. So how come I'm always rooting for Parker? I have no idea. He shows few hints of humanity, but those are fascinating.
This Wikipedia article on the book lists the movies based on the character, although they seem like a stretch in some cases. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parker_...
"Payback" (1999) starring Mel Gibson is based on this novel & the first part follows it well. It set Porter's character up well early on pretty much the same way as the book. I really liked the humor added to it. James Coburn complaining that Porter was just mean for shooting his alligator luggage makes me LOL every time. Even Kris Kristopherson did well & he's not my favorite actor.
I'd seen the original release at least a couple of times when I got a chance to watch the Director's Cut. That really surprised me by changing quite a bit of the ending - the last 1/4 or maybe 1/3 of the movie. Very different, but every bit as good, maybe better.
There were 2 other movies made based on Parker that I've seen. "Point Blank" (1967) starring Lee Marvin is also based on this book & was really good. "Parker" (2013) starring Jason Statham is based on Flashfire (Parker #19). He just did his normal thing, so it was a fun action flick, but that's it. He's not really a 'Parker' type. Too much emotion. ...more
No rating since it could well be my mood. I'm not much for novels that expand on TV shows. For instance, I've never cared for the Star Trek or Star WaNo rating since it could well be my mood. I'm not much for novels that expand on TV shows. For instance, I've never cared for the Star Trek or Star Wars novels. I have read a Firefly novel & liked it, but this one just isn't blowing any wind up my skirt. I'm impatient with the constant backstory/explanations of the characters. I KNOW THEM. I don't need to be reminded 6 times in the first chapter why Mal takes the dodgy contracts....more
I read this as a teenager & loved it, but the details were hazy as that was 45+ years ago. As an audiobook, it was fantastic; well narrated & as amaziI read this as a teenager & loved it, but the details were hazy as that was 45+ years ago. As an audiobook, it was fantastic; well narrated & as amazing as I remembered. What these men managed under the conditions they endured was incredible. They worked as a great team & while things didn't work out as well as they could (Awful for some.) they did manage to tie up an inordinate amount of German resources with their escapes. The big one for which the book is named was incredibly taxing for the Germans.
I'm fairly handy & I make a lot of things from scrap & scratch, so I was particularly interested in some of the passing references to the items that they made. I know nothing of forging documents, but can't imagine how they did such fine jobs for so many with so few, jury-rigged supplies. I marveled at their tailoring & tool making abilities. Simply fantastic.
Over the years I've read some stories about the Japanese & Russian POW camps. The contrast between them & the German ones is stark. While there were quite a few deaths, slim rations, & otherwise harsh conditions, there was also a great deal of restraint on the part of the Germans unlike the others. Part of that was that Germany was one of the first signatories of the Geneva Convention & there was fear of reprisal for their own people held prisoner, (The air war was teaching them that.) but there was also a lot of kinship between them & the officers of the RAF. Many spoke each other's language & had visited or even lived in their countries during peace time. Still, it was horrific & the last days were especially bleak. All this is told in a very sparse, factual manner so the horror of it was somewhat lost on my teenage self.
It's a great book & highly recommended. It was also written at the perfect time. In 1950, the memories were fresh enough & yet had some time to scar. Also, there was time to investigate & piece together the final acts. The horror of not knowing was probably worse for them & they didn't for years.
I'm not going to close this review yet. I watched "The Great Escape" (1963) movie starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, Charles Bronson, James Coburn & many other stars. It had been a while (decades?) since I last saw it. It's a lot more upbeat, but still a great movie. The Wikipedia entry is well worth reading before watching. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gre...
The article highlights some of the great casting since many of the actors had served in WWII & had experiences that made their performances better. For instance, Charles Bronson worked in mines & had claustrophobia, so he was perfect as the Tunnel King who suffered from the same.
It points out that the movie was changed to suit the US audience & many of the factual errors, but again in an understated way. For instance, the weather was always nice in the movie & wasn't in real life, but that doesn't begin to cover things like standing for 7 hours in the cold rain in underwear. McQueen made the Cooler look as if it was easy time. Not hardly. His motorcycle scene, fun as it was, was ridiculous.
It was great seeing it after reading the book It took some of the haunting edge off. I highly recommend both, but in that order....more
Family is down & I escaped to do some mowing. Finished The Last Quarry & went on to the next, which is this one. Yeah, doesn't make sense to me eitherFamily is down & I escaped to do some mowing. Finished The Last Quarry & went on to the next, which is this one. Yeah, doesn't make sense to me either since this really is about his first job for the Broker. Oh well, it's all in mindless fun, a snarky hitman who doesn't kill for pleasure, just for money.
The people he kills are already dead by the time he is contacted. Someone big wants them dead, so all that remains is the detail of who does it & how. He takes care of that detail & it's never as simple as he thinks it will be.
I really like the snarky references. He despises collateral damage, but he contemplates killing one guy since he was obviously trying to kill himself by driving a Corvair one of the cars featured in Unsafe at Any Speed. It was groundbreaking at the time & adds some fun to the story....more
Well narrated & kind of weird. There was a strong, well done romantic thread entwined on top of a gun porn & cyber war background. I don't know enoughWell narrated & kind of weird. There was a strong, well done romantic thread entwined on top of a gun porn & cyber war background. I don't know enough about PTSD to know if that part was well done or not, but I did find it a bit tiring. I'm sure those who suffer from it do, too. His fix was OCD which made sense in a way, although I kept thinking that he could have found something else to do with his skills. Interesting ending, but overall it just didn't do a whole lot for me....more
Another of the novels that Spillane started & gave to Collins to finish. More than any other, this one is pretty far out, pure Hammer-porn. It might hAnother of the novels that Spillane started & gave to Collins to finish. More than any other, this one is pretty far out, pure Hammer-porn. It might have the highest death & girl count of any I've read to date, although I can't say the details stick well. They're sort of a tough guy fantasy on steroids blowing the Mike Hammer legend to outrageous proportions. Fun in an almost comic book way & well read by Stacy Keach, the Mike Hammer of the TV series. ...more
King tells me how the book ends in his 1996 introduction. Seriously? I hate spoilers. What a pompous prick! Does he think that just because he wrote iKing tells me how the book ends in his 1996 introduction. Seriously? I hate spoilers. What a pompous prick! Does he think that just because he wrote it we all know the basic story? I was really tempted to just stop the book there, but I didn't. His intro was interesting. Still, that's a cardinal sin. I dislike the little I know of his personality more all the time.
The story itself was great. Much different & better than the movie which I also liked. It had much faster pacing than his later books. There was plenty of detail about a futuristic world (today!) with air pollution as a major issue. I was really interested in his vision of the future & the worries of the times. Some we've whipped pretty well, others not so much, but they're still there.
Highly recommended in this format with great narration. I suggest skipping the introduction & listening to it afterward. It was good, just a spoiler. It's a 4 star read, but getting 3 stars because King is a dick....more
Both Mike Hammer & the Spillane/MAC team have been a disappointment, but this was an exception. I'll put it down to my mood. It was fun & funny. You kBoth Mike Hammer & the Spillane/MAC team have been a disappointment, but this was an exception. I'll put it down to my mood. It was fun & funny. You know how a movie can be so bad that it's entertaining? (Think "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" or "Our Man Flint".) This made that mark. There was barely a sentence where we weren't told just how tough & bad Hammer was, a gift to the ladies, & thorn in the sides of the authorities even as he cleans up messes too bad for them.
Narrated by Stacy Keach, who played MH on TV, is great, too. The way drugs were handled was better, although not great. That had to be MAC's influence since Spillane's ideas along the line were idiotic.
Surprisingly, it had a really strong & thoughtful ending. We're left hanging as to what Mike is going to do & the results of his choice are huge. I didn't see that coming, although the rest of the book was fairly predictable. That's why I'm bumping this to 4 stars. It deserves to stand above the rest.
So far, this is the best book by the team that I've read. If you liked the original stories, just written by MS, I think this is the closest one yet. My library has half a dozen of these & I don't read them often. They are a nice palate cleanser occasionally, though. Mindless fun, great when I'm not all there or have just finished a really thought-provoking book. This time was some of both....more
Twisty mystery with some messed up characters. Everyone is an assassin, except one poor schmuck. A lot of action & very mysterious past. Wraps up fairTwisty mystery with some messed up characters. Everyone is an assassin, except one poor schmuck. A lot of action & very mysterious past. Wraps up fairly well, but there's still a major mystery to solve that will take another book. I don't think I'll read it.
I didn't like any of the characters much. Way too much testosterone even in the women, especially in them, & they're twisted folks living only to survive. It was pretty good until the end where it started jumping the shark too much. I didn't buy allowing one person to live because it kept worse at bay.
Still, it was well narrated & kept my attention....more
Another one that Collins finished up after Spillane's death. It was fun, but I didn't like it as much as the last one I read. They really jumped the sAnother one that Collins finished up after Spillane's death. It was fun, but I didn't like it as much as the last one I read. They really jumped the shark a couple of times with Hammer mowing down people in droves. Still, it was an interesting chapter in his continuing adventures & there are always a few nuggets thrown in. This time it was the list of celebrities at a hot club. I'm sure I missed some good references because I don't know enough about the bright & beautiful. Those I caught were good.
Well narrated by Stacy Keach who titles himself "the Mike Hammer of a generation". He's not wrong....more
I can't believe I didn't have this on my shelves. It's an old favorite of mine & my kids liked it, too. It's a bunch of short stories with young boys I can't believe I didn't have this on my shelves. It's an old favorite of mine & my kids liked it, too. It's a bunch of short stories with young boys (10-14? certainly no older) getting into 'good' trouble. They cross a few lines occasionally, but they're good-hearted & full of zest. For instance, in one story they make up their own balloon & participate in a race. Through their industrious use of junk, a good knowledge of the science behind the balloon, & the help of Zeke, a friendly junkman, they win the race against the rich kids & the adults. That's pretty typical.
The stories are somewhat dated. Kids are allowed to roam without much (any?) parental supervision pretty much like when I was a kid. Mine remarked on this 30 years ago, when they were 5-10 years old, so I imagine kids today with think it's fictional, unfortunately....more
I read this before reading the blurb. Final? Please no!!! It was great. Next year I plan to listen to these back to back making one long book. MurderbI read this before reading the blurb. Final? Please no!!! It was great. Next year I plan to listen to these back to back making one long book. Murderbot's growth from a thing to something resembling a human emotionally is a great journey. Definitely start with book 1 All Systems Red & read them in order. They're interesting stories in themselves & all are excellent. They quick & engaging. Well narrated, but I'm sure they'd be fine to read in print. Highly recommended....more
Not quite gun porn, but close. Still a fun action romp with some good scenes about the Blue Angels & what they mean to our nation. Rat & company are aNot quite gun porn, but close. Still a fun action romp with some good scenes about the Blue Angels & what they mean to our nation. Rat & company are a bit too good to be true, but the action is fast paced & the ending is satisfying. Well narrated. I won't be in a hurry to read more by this author, though. More of a 2.5....more
This novella is an interesting mix of fantasy into a world that is otherwise much like our own. Reminded me a bit of For Whom the Bell Tolls except thThis novella is an interesting mix of fantasy into a world that is otherwise much like our own. Reminded me a bit of For Whom the Bell Tolls except there's an illusion caster & some shape changers. Neat names for them.
I liked the short format & yet complete story. He did a great job & the narration fit very well. Highly recommended....more
I read this with some trepidation since it's written by Elmore's son, Peter. In my experience, the children of authors rarely measure up to their pareI read this with some trepidation since it's written by Elmore's son, Peter. In my experience, the children of authors rarely measure up to their parents (e.g., Zelazny, King, Herbert). It's also rare for another author to take over a character & do as well, so this had 2 strikes going in, but I have to say Peter came closer to the mark than most.
This wasn't a huge disappointment, but there was an edge lacking. Elmore was great at packing a lot of emotion & action into a very few words. He used a few well chosen words to evoke my imagination that made the scene quite rich, yet flow quickly. Peter doesn't quite do that. He kept the scenes short, but often at the expense of fully painting them properly.
The story dragged on a little too long, too. I know the slippery nature of the bad guy & Raylan's dogging him was part of the plot, but it happened once too often for me. It was good, but didn't provide the kick that Elmore managed to elicit.
Overall, close, but no cigar. Still, I'm glad I read it. At least Raylan didn't step out of character. It was also well narrated, so I don't mind recommending this to fans of 'Justified' or the other Raylan stories....more
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