Synopsis/blurb......
WHEN THE DIRECTOR CALLED CUT— THE KILLER DID JUST THAT
It’s normal to see bodies on the set of an adult film. But when they’re dead bodies—and the cast and crew discover they’re trapped in a house with a serial killer—Quarry’s got his work cut out for him.
The 4th entry in the author's Quarry series and after a gap of a few years, after reading the first three, a chance to get reacquainted with Max Allan Collins' hitman - Quarry.
Plenty of sex, plenty of death, an adult movie film set, lots of snow - a blizzard, a chance to catch up with a couple of old acquaintances; one a willing bedfellow, the other a less enjoyable reunion with a former work associate and a man in the same game as Quarry. It's a reunion which automatically heightens Quarry's spidey-danger sense. The fact that the man then kills one of Quarry's friends, means their next encounter is going to be terminal for one of them.
I liked it without being totally blown away by it.
It's the sort of book that could have been written for my reading palette.... an interesting main character, a profession hitman, an entertaining history and back story outlining where he is now, attributes - capable of cunning, efficient, patient, a calm, rational reasoner and when called for, a man of action. And he has a moral compass of sorts.
Decent length - not over long, Collins doesn't hang about too much telling his tale.
Some necessary conflict resolution (obviously, otherwise there's no book) - ergo murder, mayhem, violence and without spoiling things - one man standing at the end.4 from 5
Quarry (1976), Quarry's List (1976) and Quarry's Deal (1976) are the previous series entries which I've enjoyed. Quarry's Vote aka Primary Target will be my next outing with the character.
Read - April, 2020
Published - 1977
Page count - 170
Source - owned copy
Format - Kindle
That sounds like a good setup for a novel, Col. And Quarry sounds like an interesting character. I like the way you describe it: a moral compass of sorts. Characters like that can be a lot more engaging than 'perfect' characters.
ReplyDeleteMargot, I do enjoy this series and I'm a bit annoyed at myself for putting it aisde for a few years, though I do still have the rest of it to look forward to which is a positive. Flawed characters definitely make for more interesting reading.
DeleteHaven’t read Max in a while. Thanks for the reminder, Col.
ReplyDeleteElgin, it's my job!
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