4/9/22

This is my first introduction to Mike Hammer. I actually liked him, despite some of his narrow minded views and set-in-stone mindsets about political issues. Rather than being annoying, I found it amusing and appreciated the author's right-wing bend.

He was a stereotypical man's man - good with the ladies, always a step ahead of the police, sharp and insightful, tough...you know the type, I'm sure.

There isn't a big mystery on who is behind everything since there are only so many possibilities, but the story didn't seem intent on the mystery being the point. I still like how everything unfolded for Hammer to find out, and at the end revenge was served anyway, even if a little too sudden for me. An easy out for the villains.

It was definitely disturbing what they were up to. Picturing the end - brrr - that would be a nightmare come true for me.

Overall the book has fast pacing, smooth writing, a flawed but still likeable main, fun villains (fun in that they are diabolically cheesy but do it so well), and a justified ending. Not a typical, watered down mystery I encounter today. Would read more of Spillane's stuff if I ran into it.

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Entertaining, louche thriller that is essentially an undistinguished member of its canon. ( )