Loved it! In September 2008 I deployed to Baghdad, Iraq. While deployed to Iraq, I found a book in a stack of books that had been sent here for us to read called "The Last Quarry" by Max Allan Collins. I had never heard of the author before, and normally didn't read this style of book, but after reading the back cover and part of the first chapter I decided I was bored enough to read almost anything and I took the book back to my tent to read.
I enjoyed that book so much I read the entire thing in one sitting, frequently laughing out loud as I read. After reading that book I discovered Collins also wrote the books that many of my favorite movies were based on. I enjoyed that book so much I jumped on Amazon.com and bought another one, "The First Quarry." I was excited when it arrived here in Iraq, and I read it also in one sitting. It didn't disappoint!
Since then I've ordered and received two more Quarry books. I just finished reading "The Slasher / Quarry's Cut", again read it in one sitting, and tomorrow I'm going to read "The Broker / Quarry".
I love the authors sense of humor and it makes these books a real pleasure to read. I've discovered the Quarry books written prior to 2003 are only available used, and are very expensive to purchase.
I wonder if that same style of vulgar, sarcastic humor is present in his other books as well, or if it's limited to the Quarry books.
Anyway, I'm a big Quarry fan, and will probably soon become a big fan of his other books as well.
It's a Hit I never read any Quarry stories but I'm familer with Collins work. This Story is about an aging hitman who wants to retire but his proffesion catches up with him. Offered one final job Quarry accepts for the cash and fear of being exposed by his employer. Quarry soon finds his hit is a beautiful woman who's a librian that reads to kids. Quarry soon has doubts on doing his job, since all previous jobs dealt with mafia crimanials,pimps and other scumbags who deserved to die, this woman in his survalance is none of those and cannot figure why she should die. Quarry reasons their more going on than meets the eye but does he do the job or refuses and risk exposure? Collins delivers the goods.
Reviewing: The Last Quarry Quarry was a hit man and very good at his job. These days he is retired and not so good at that. He retired not because his conscience was getting to him, but because he had amassed enough money to live comfortably and not kill for money any more. So, he quit and through a contact he started managing a small resort that may or may not he located along Sylvan Lake in Minnesota.
According to the multi page author's note, this book was originally inspired by his anthologized short story "A Matter of Principal" (which is also a short film in the "Shades of Noir" collection and his short story "Guest Services." Fortunately for the author and readers, Charles Ardai wanted to not only reprint some of his earlier books, he also wanted an original Quarry novel for Hard Case Crime.
That request ultimately became this book which is a fast read at 194 pages and features distinctive cover art by the legendary Robert McGinnis. In those 194 pages, Max Allan Collins showcases an anti-hero of sorts who is what he is and accepts that with no excuses. He knows what he is and how he became what he is and when he makes a mistake, Quarry accepts it and moves on. This is a guy who does his job, expects others to follow through on their part of the contractual bargain and is perfectly willing to enforce compliance as well as accept his change of plans should the need arise. The result novel is an engaging tale that pulls no punches as it touches on the themes of murder, deceit, familial love and jealousy and the plain simple truth that some folks just need killing.
Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2008
Funny, quick, fast-paced. A great Hard Case crime story Hard Case Crime books come in all types. Some are old classics republished, some are old books rewritten for the series. Others are brand new offerings. All that I've read feature a tough, flawed hero in a gritty story of crime, sex, murder and moral depravity. The Last Quarry by Max Allan Collins is one of the best I've read in the series. The action moves fast, and the plot features many twists and turns. This book also had more sex and bad language than any of the others I've read. Collins writes in a fast, quick humorous style as he brings one of his characters out of retirement for one last assignment.
Quarry, not his real name, is retired and managing a resort for a friend in the back woods of Wisconsin. While making a midnight run to a convenience store, he spots a thug he used to know stocking up on food, and other products only a woman would need. Suspicious, he follows the thug to a remote cabin, where he finds the thug and his pal are holding a beautiful young woman hostage. Quarry rescues the girl, and opens the door to a final assignment he never really wanted. The girl is the daughter of Jonah Green, an incredible rich media magnate. He hires Quarry for one last job, and Quarry's biggest danger on this assignment will be falling in love.
This is an amusing, quick read. Fans of Hard Case Crime books should enjoy it. It was funny, but also quite vulgar, even for a book of the genre (whem compared to the admittedly few that I have read.)
FLUFF! Very silly story padded with lots of four letter words for 'realism' and the usual 'greatest sex ever' scenes not to mention the de riguer implausible 'happy' ending. Avoid it, or read it quickly and use it do pick up after the dog.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
