Hard Case Crime
 

I thought it was time Hard Case Crime had its own thread. (We talked a bit about it in the Colorado Kid thread.) This little paperback imprint is getting quite hot, with all kinds of publicity all over the place (including a recent spread in EW), and it's no wonder, considering it's put out a string of more than 20 great books with ultra-cool cover art: throwback noir from new and established and classic authors.

How many of us are keeping up with the line? I'd like to hear about your favorites, as well as what authors you'd like to see represented.

If you haven't heard of Hard Case, get out to your local bookstore! Meanwhile, here's a link to the site, where you can see cover art and news.

To give you an idea of the art, here's the June '06 title...

http://www.hardcasecrime.com/books/bk21/cover_big.jpg

I've read every one thus far. :D

Some faves:
Little Girl Lost - Richard Aleas (Charles Ardai)
Bust - Ken Bruen/Jason Starr
Say it With Bullets - Richard Powell
Plunder of the Sun - David Dodge
The 2 Block installments

Just started this one last night. I love the tone of it so far.

Bust is not only a good book, but it's got my favorite cover art thus far:

http://www.hardcasecrime.com/books/bk20/cover_big.jpg

I've not read any but my dad quite likes this style and seeing this thread and the link gives me an idea for next Yule/Birthday!

I'll be paying close heed to the recommendations before ordering 5+1.

I just picked up Bust last night and plan to start it tonight. I also just joined the Hard Case book club - it's quite a deal with 2 books a month for only $6.99(plus $2 shipping).

I've read:
http://ec3.images-amazon.com/images/...094248313_.jpg
I have, but have not read:
http://ec3.images-amazon.com/images/...091683919_.jpg

it would be bitchin if hammet got a hard case crime.

little girl lost was good, but you could kind of see the ending coming. Some of the reviews on amazon said it had a twist ending that you wont see coming and that's not true, it was an obvious ending. But it was good, no twist, just a good dark detective story.

Although pretty much every book review on amazon says ending you wont see coming.

You know, I like the idea of this cover, but that leg is just freakishly long.

I've heard from many that this one is great...

http://www.hardcasecrime.com/books/bk6/cover_big.jpg

I've been tempted by that, but I've never trusted the mail to deliver nice, pristine copies of books. I like picking out the perfect one at the store. That probably goes against the whole notion of the pulp paperback, but hey, I'm a collector. :)

:lol:
Classic Jason.

what book club? I couldn't find any info on their site.

The link is toward the bottom of the page. Here's a link to the order page, where you'll see Hard Case at the bottom.

I thought it was good, though not great. It did win the Edgar for best paperback novel.

I've written about a few of the Hard Case Crime books and have generally been very pleased with the quality of the work they're doing. (They're also getting some great press -- the latest EW has a piece and my friend Denise Hamilton just wrote about them for the LA Times.)

Bruen and Starr's Bust is one of my favorites so far, so I would definitely recommend that one. I think it's the best original they've done.

The Block reprints are great, and their resurrection of an old Richard Stark (coming soon) is another winner.

I believe the July '06 title is hitting stores now...

http://www.hardcasecrime.com/books/bk22/cover_big.jpg

Sure is. Haven't read it, but have heard wonderful things.

I liked Lemons. It's not as hard-edged as the Parker books, but otherwise it's similar in style. Good stuff.

Speaking of Parker... I hope we get a new one eventually. I know Westlake's getting up there in age, but I'd really miss that series if he stopped writing them.

I just finished Bruen and Starr's Bust. Loved it - it was classic pulp. I especially loved the way it ended - here's hoping they work together again at some point.

I asked Jason if they were going to do another one the last time I saw him and he said they were. I got such a kick out of Bust... really looking forward to another!

:thumbsup: Can't wait!

so are all of them noir/detective novels or are any comedy or modern crime stories?

I found Richard Powell's Say it With Bullets to be hilarious.

And yes, some (such as Bust, mentioned above) have modern settings, but they still retain that noir flavor.

I received an email from the guys at HCC today with this blurb on what to expect in the coming months:

2 of my favorites. :up: