Killing Man

This is part of a series but each one is a stand alone. In this one we return to the character of Mike Hammer. The author took a long time to return to this character and series. Mike goes into his office to discover that someone has attacked Velda and left a dead body in his chair. Mike is pissed a......more

A floating timeline is sometimes a useful device. For instance, if one is writing a series of novels, by keeping the lead character the same age but updating the setting, the narrative will remain current. Richard Stark’s Parker, as an example, was the same strong and ruthless professional in the tw......more

I am a fan of Spillane because his Mike Hammer character is consistent. He gets knots in his gut when he sees men beat on the defenseless (women, kids, etc.). He plasters on a tight, sh!t-eating grin when he's imagining knocking some delinquent in their teeth. He slowly leans on doors, listens, and......more

Started off great with Hammer finding his secretary Velda unconscious and an unknown man murdered in his office. The Killing Man’s brutal beginning had all the hallmarks of a Hammer story; personal, violent, and a raging bull hero with a score to settle. Unfortunately as the story progressed, the li......more

I saw this book on the shelf. It was about one of my cases and it sat uncomfortably and incongruously between two cosy English golden age detective stories. Something was not right. I withdrew it ... and by the way my name is Michael Hammer, PI. I remember the case in question well. Thunder rolled across......more