Hard Case Crime, Part 4
#101
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Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
Do yourself a favor and buy it anyway. I started reading it yesterday, and before I knew it I'd read a hundred pages. Its that good.
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Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
That's a pretty strong recommendation. I think I will pick it up. I've been needing to get back to the Hard Case Crime anyway.
I've strayed into other things since getting a Kindle and they don't have many HCC on there (plus, you miss out on the great covers).
I've strayed into other things since getting a Kindle and they don't have many HCC on there (plus, you miss out on the great covers).
#103
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Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
No doubt. Honestly 1/2 the reason i am buying the books (even though my backlog is huge) is due to the art.
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Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
I have all but the last 6 or so books (I have a huge backlog, too. I think I've read probably 70% of the series at this point).
I have a real problem displaying/storing them. Obviously, the art is very important to the series, but the spines are ugly (well, not ugly, I like the vintage feel, but certainly not as cool as the covers). Got any creative storage ideas, anyone?
I have a real problem displaying/storing them. Obviously, the art is very important to the series, but the spines are ugly (well, not ugly, I like the vintage feel, but certainly not as cool as the covers). Got any creative storage ideas, anyone?
#105
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#106
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Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
I have all of them, although I haven't read a lot of them. But once you start, you just have to keep getting them. It's an addiction!

#107
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Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
I will stick with it as I am sure it will pick up
Not as exciting as Somebody Owes Me Money by Westlake (HCC # 044) which also concerned a cab driver.
#108
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Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
So I got a new cell phone this week - a touchscreen one - and, of course, the stock wallpapers are pretty blah. Then I had an epiphany: when shrunk down a bit, the HCC covers from the official site are almost the same resolution as my phone's screen! Right now I'm sporting the cover of Blackmailer as my wallpaper.
Over the weekend I finished The Max. I think I liked it better than Slide, but it still couldn't touch Bust. When Max is in gangsta mode, he's one of the most annoying characters I've ever read. It was left open for possibly another sequel and, who knows, maybe...
Also, the cover would lead you to believe that at least a significant portion of the story would take place in a women's prison, when in fact only a chapter or two did. I wanted more caged heat, dammit!
I started 361 last night.
Over the weekend I finished The Max. I think I liked it better than Slide, but it still couldn't touch Bust. When Max is in gangsta mode, he's one of the most annoying characters I've ever read. It was left open for possibly another sequel and, who knows, maybe...
Spoiler:
Also, the cover would lead you to believe that at least a significant portion of the story would take place in a women's prison, when in fact only a chapter or two did. I wanted more caged heat, dammit!

I started 361 last night.
Last edited by DJLinus; 06-03-10 at 07:49 PM.
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Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
#110
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Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
I finished 361 last night. Normally, revenge tales are my bread and butter, but this one was just okay.
It held my interest, but wasn't one of the better HCC books I've read.
Up next: probably Gun Work.
Spoiler:
It held my interest, but wasn't one of the better HCC books I've read.
Up next: probably Gun Work.
#111
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Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
I finished Gun Work last night and LOVED it. From time to time it's nice to read a story that contains a ton of balls to the wall action.
A negative customer review of the book on Amazon likened it to an unfilmed grindhouse script. Of all of the HCC I've read so far, I think I'd like to see this one adapted to film the most. The cover painting's Barney really gave off a Thomas Jane vibe.
Up next: Zero Cool (it is my cell phone wallpaper, after all)
Spoiler:
A negative customer review of the book on Amazon likened it to an unfilmed grindhouse script. Of all of the HCC I've read so far, I think I'd like to see this one adapted to film the most. The cover painting's Barney really gave off a Thomas Jane vibe.
Up next: Zero Cool (it is my cell phone wallpaper, after all)
#112
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Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
Zero Cool was fun and fast-paced. The European (mostly Spain) setting was a nice change of pace. I rather enjoyed it. And it has one of the best HCC covers, IMO.
Tonight I'm going to start Home Is The Sailor.
Tonight I'm going to start Home Is The Sailor.
#114
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Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
Quarry in the Middle (Kindle Edition) is only $2.99 on Amazon right now. Pretty good deal there, if you're willing to forgo the print edition.
#115
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#117
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
Nice. Just yesterday the book club was showing Nobody's Angel as the current book. Saw your post and went back today and it's updated so I just went ahead and signed up for the book club.
I also just ordered two books the other day that's part of their "Summer Beach Reads" sale - Zero Cool and Home is the Sailor for 2 bucks each. Already had the third one that I got for a buck or two at either Dollar General or Big Lots.
So far I've read about 12 or so HCC books, and the only one I didn't really care for was Kiss her Goodbye.
I also just ordered two books the other day that's part of their "Summer Beach Reads" sale - Zero Cool and Home is the Sailor for 2 bucks each. Already had the third one that I got for a buck or two at either Dollar General or Big Lots.
So far I've read about 12 or so HCC books, and the only one I didn't really care for was Kiss her Goodbye.
Last edited by dgmayor; 07-26-10 at 03:49 PM. Reason: spelling/grammar
#118
Moderator
Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
Started Westlake's Memory the other day. A nice departure from the typical crime yarn. Am only 150 pages in, but so far so good.
#119
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Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
I just picked up two at the local used book store (Half-Price Books). It was hard to locate them since they don't have them shelved together. Instead, they are shelved by author. So I picked up the Stephen King one (which I've heard is just mediocre) and House Dick by E. Howard Hunt.
#120
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
Well, Two weeks later, still haven't received the newest book. Strange since it took less than a week to receive the other two I ordered just days before.
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#121
Moderator
Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
Latest from Mr. Ardai:
Friends,
Those of you who are tuned in to goings-on in the publishing industry may have seen the announcement last week from Dorchester Publishing that they've decided to get out of the business of publishing mass-market paperback novels (the main business they've been in for the past 40 years). Instead, they've announced they're only going to publish ebooks and a limited number of larger trade paperbacks, using a 'print on demand' process.
What does this have to do with Hard Case Crime? Well, for the past six years, Dorchester has been the company that has printed and distributed our books. They're a first-rate company run by good people, and I'm sorry to see them going through tough times. I'm also sorry to see them stop publishing books in our format. What does this mean for us? Well, either we'll need to switch from the smaller "mass market" format to the larger "trade" format, or we'll need to start working with another publisher, or both. (Most likely both, but we'll see.)
It'll take a little while for this all to get sorted out, and I apologize for delays in the meantime. Our August title, Brett Halliday's MURDER IS MY BUSINESS, has shipped to booksellers and is available right now. I'd encourage you to grab a copy while you can -- it's a terrific book (with a gorgeous Robert McGinnis cover), and it'll be the last new Hard Case Crime book you'll see for a while. The next two -- QUARRY'S EX by Max Allan Collins and CHOKE HOLD by Christa Faust -- will not be coming out in October and March as planned. They will come out -- but probably not till sometime later next year. We'll keep you posted as soon as we know when.
And you'll be glad to know we're already at work on subsequent titles. It's too early to spill the beans about what they are -- but it looks like books #69 and #70 will actually be by the same author, one well known to readers of our line. The former will be a reprint, the latter a brand-new book, and both are very exciting. As soon as I can let the cat out of the bag (once the ink is dry on the contracts!), you'll hear more.
After that? Well, you won't be seeing a new book every month, but I expect you'll continue to see a handful of new Hard Case Crime titles each year, and rest assured they'll be good ones. Stay tuned to your email for news and announcements (also not every month -- but every time we've got news to share, I promise).
And if you're a member of the Hard Case Crime Book Club, I'd say don't cancel that subscription just yet -- again, it's too early to talk about what we've got in store, but a neat idea has surfaced for a way to keep the books coming and if it works out, I think you're going to like it. (I know I'm excited about it.)
In the meantime, I want to thank you all for your years of support and your passion for our books -- it feels good to know so many of you are as excited about these books as I am, and (circumstances permitting) I'm looking forward to bringing you more of them for years to come.
Best,
Charles
Those of you who are tuned in to goings-on in the publishing industry may have seen the announcement last week from Dorchester Publishing that they've decided to get out of the business of publishing mass-market paperback novels (the main business they've been in for the past 40 years). Instead, they've announced they're only going to publish ebooks and a limited number of larger trade paperbacks, using a 'print on demand' process.
What does this have to do with Hard Case Crime? Well, for the past six years, Dorchester has been the company that has printed and distributed our books. They're a first-rate company run by good people, and I'm sorry to see them going through tough times. I'm also sorry to see them stop publishing books in our format. What does this mean for us? Well, either we'll need to switch from the smaller "mass market" format to the larger "trade" format, or we'll need to start working with another publisher, or both. (Most likely both, but we'll see.)
It'll take a little while for this all to get sorted out, and I apologize for delays in the meantime. Our August title, Brett Halliday's MURDER IS MY BUSINESS, has shipped to booksellers and is available right now. I'd encourage you to grab a copy while you can -- it's a terrific book (with a gorgeous Robert McGinnis cover), and it'll be the last new Hard Case Crime book you'll see for a while. The next two -- QUARRY'S EX by Max Allan Collins and CHOKE HOLD by Christa Faust -- will not be coming out in October and March as planned. They will come out -- but probably not till sometime later next year. We'll keep you posted as soon as we know when.
And you'll be glad to know we're already at work on subsequent titles. It's too early to spill the beans about what they are -- but it looks like books #69 and #70 will actually be by the same author, one well known to readers of our line. The former will be a reprint, the latter a brand-new book, and both are very exciting. As soon as I can let the cat out of the bag (once the ink is dry on the contracts!), you'll hear more.
After that? Well, you won't be seeing a new book every month, but I expect you'll continue to see a handful of new Hard Case Crime titles each year, and rest assured they'll be good ones. Stay tuned to your email for news and announcements (also not every month -- but every time we've got news to share, I promise).
And if you're a member of the Hard Case Crime Book Club, I'd say don't cancel that subscription just yet -- again, it's too early to talk about what we've got in store, but a neat idea has surfaced for a way to keep the books coming and if it works out, I think you're going to like it. (I know I'm excited about it.)
In the meantime, I want to thank you all for your years of support and your passion for our books -- it feels good to know so many of you are as excited about these books as I am, and (circumstances permitting) I'm looking forward to bringing you more of them for years to come.
Best,
Charles
#122
Formerly FunkDaddy J; DVD Talk Reviewer Emeritus
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Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
Well, crap. I hope they survive. Would like to see them continue with small, pulpy paperbacks. The line just wouldn't have the same charm as trades, would it?
#123
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Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
Yeah, probably not. That said though, I'd be happy to see their line picked up by a smaller publishing press that currently puts out crime/noir (i.e., Busted Flush, New Pulp Press, Bleak House, etc). HCC shouldn't have a problem finding a new home...
Heck, maybe they get picked by Random House's crime imprint Black Lizard. They publish trades today, but Black Lizard used to do in the 80s what HCC is currently doing (resurrect pulps and reissue as paperbacks). They did this until Random House bought them out.
Heck, maybe they get picked by Random House's crime imprint Black Lizard. They publish trades today, but Black Lizard used to do in the 80s what HCC is currently doing (resurrect pulps and reissue as paperbacks). They did this until Random House bought them out.
Last edited by Geofferson; 08-09-10 at 02:02 PM.
#124
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Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
Well this sucks !...I wonder if the value will jump on certain titles.
I have everyone except 3 or 4 of them ...I kept putting off buying them I hope I am not too late?
I have everyone except 3 or 4 of them ...I kept putting off buying them I hope I am not too late?
#125
Moderator
Re: Hard Case Crime, Part 4
All of the existing titles are still widely available (I would assume). I still see a lot of them at used bookstores I frequent.