Synopsis/blurb…..
The taut, final crime
novel in Max Allan Collins's Nolan series. Both Nolan and his friend Jon have
retired from the dangerous game of robbery. But a backwoods hoodlum named Cole
Comfort kidnaps Nolan's girlfriend and demands he pull one final, huge job.
Fast, sexy, brutal.
"Max Collins is
a damned fine writer!" (The Armchair Detective)
Another entertaining romp with Collins and his man Nolan. On
this occasion Nolan has stepped away from a life of crime and is a respected
businessman in his community. Sherry his live-in girlfriend and club manager, has
designs on marriage, but has yet to totally convince Nolan of the idea. Her
plans get thrown off track with the arrival of Jon – Nolan’s younger sidekick from
previous adventures.
The unexpected appearance of more of the Comfort clan – a
nemesis from previous books - doesn’t bode well for future matrimonial harmony;
because if Coleman Comfort’s plans come to fruition, Sherry and Nolan (and Jon)
won’t be around to exchange vows.
Comfort kidnaps Sherry, to coerce Nolan into heisting the
shopping mall where his nightclub is situated. With limited options, Nolan puts
himself back in the game; planning to heist his friends and neighbours while at
the same time desperately trying to track down Sherry’s location.
Fast, funny, violent and on this occasion we see, if not a
softer Nolan, one a lot less machine-like and more capable of emotion.
4.5 from 5
Despite the bit in the blurb stating this is the final Nolan
book, I do still have one to read. Collins’ Nolan books have a chequered
publishing timeline. Written, published, not published, options not taken up,
manuscripts lost and subsequently rediscovered and resurrected. Max Allan’s
interesting introductions to the Kindle editions add value to the series.
Ed Gorman enjoyed Spree, his thoughts are here.
Mourn the Living
coming sometime in December!
Spree was bought for Kindle a year two two ago.
It's always intriguing to see what happens when someone like Nolan tries to go straight. Doesn't always work out the way it's supposed to... Glad you enjoyed this one, Col. Not sure it's up my street, but the premise is interesting.
ReplyDeleteAgreed - it was enjoyable spending time in the company of straight Nolan, but he can never seem to totally escape from his past!
DeleteCol, Max Allan Collins is one of many must-read authors for me in 2016. I hope I can get to all of them by next year-end.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy him when you get to him. I want to read his Quarry hitman books after I finish this series.
DeleteMy comment is similar to Prashant's. I have a long list of authors I really want to read in 2016 and Collins is one of them.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will like his work when you get there Tracy.
DeleteYou do like you some Max Allan Collins, don't you? I have one of his books kicking around somewhere, and really must get to it.
ReplyDeleteYep - he's becoming a real favourite of mine. Shame I won't have time for more than a couple of his series.
DeleteStill dithering on this author - but I may get to him.
ReplyDeleteI think his Nate Heller's would probably be more your thing than Nolan, Moira.
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