The first novel in the unforgettable, ground-breaking series of crime novels by Ralph DennisIt’s Atlanta, 1974. Ex-cop Jim Hardman works as an unlicensed PI, trouble-shooter and bodyguard…often partnered with his drinking buddy Hump Evans, a black, ex-NFL player who supports his playboy lifestyle by working as hired muscle. Hardman is hired by The Man, the “Black Godfather,” to investigate the … Godfather,” to investigate the murder of his white girlfriend, a college student. It’s a case that plunges Hardman and Evans into the center of a violent street war that stretches from Atlanta’s seedy back alleys to the marbled corridors of power.
This new edition includes an introduction by Joe R. Lansdale, the New York Times bestselling author of the Hap & Leonard crime novels.
Praise for the HARDMAN novels:
“Exceptional characterization, strong and vigorous prose, and a glimpse into a place and time that has long since disappeared.” Mystery Scene Magazine
“”Gritty writing? Tough talk? Gripping action? Yes, yes and yes.” The Daily Oklahoman
“His prose was muscular, swift and highly readable. Like Chandler and Hammett before him, Dennis was trying to do something different with what was thought of as throwaway literature.” Joe R. Lansdale, from his introduction
“Expert writing, plus good plotting and an unusual degree of sensitivity. Ralph Dennis has mastered the genre and supplied top entertainment. ” The New York Times
“It’s gritty, it’s grounded, and it’s also strong on character. The writing is a cut above and then there’s the social realism, the piercing look at racism, corruption and the underbelly of the city.” NB Magazine UK
“The Hardman books are by far the best of the men’s action-adventure series.” Mother Jones Magazine
“Ralph Dennis is an underappreciated master. His Hardman series is one of the finest in the P.I. genre.” Robert Randisi, founder of the Private Eye Writers of America
“Among the best series books around. The dialogue is marvelously realistic.” Philadelphia Daily News
“Ralph Dennis and his Hardman series are finally getting the respect many readers and collectors feel they deserve… Hardman is not your typical PI. He is not that good looking; a bit on the pudgy side in fact. His methods are unorthodox, and he often plays both sides of the law when working a case. But these and several other genre-defying characteristics are what captures and holds our fascination with Hardman.” Bookgasm
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Atlanta, 1974. Private investigator and former cop Jim Hardman takes what he can get in a world where getting beaten up and shot at are par for the course. Along with his pal Hump Evans, Hardman agrees to look into the disappearance of a young woman – girlfriend of mysterious underworld figure, ‘The Man’. But the plot soon gets complicated with an awful lot of people seeming to want Hardman out of the way.
This new edition of the author’s first book in the Hardman series includes an introduction by Joe R. Lansdale, which declares Ralph Dennis to be close on the heels of the likes of Chandler and Hammett. I first heard of the author via a Facebook pal and bought Atlanta Deathwish after reading the first page of the novel on Amazon. The writing is gritty and sharp, and while occasionally sliding into less politically correct language, the author’s skill in creating fully-rounded characters and a knack for realistic dialogue, keeps the plot moving along swiftly. There’s a nice line of humour, too, that gives Hardman a layer of likeability, and though he’s clearly nothing special, his ordinariness makes him all the more believable.
A stonking good read by an author I wish I’d discovered years ago.
Very good action novel, ca 1970’s. Ralph Dennis really did a great job on the whole Hardman/Hump Evans series. Highly recommend them to all who like the action novels of that era.
A “retro” series based in Atlanta which is the work of an incredible author whose work was obscured and lost by the original publisher. Now reprinted, we get to enjoy the characters again.
Dated
A solid 4 stars
Thanks to Brash Books for sending me this eARC through their Priority reviewers program. It is a republication of an overlooked author. His first publisher published his books as cheap men’s action-adventure paperbacks. In reality, this one is book 1 in a series of hard boiled private eye stories in the tradition of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. I found the plot to be well written with believable characters. Jim Hardman is an ex Atlanta policeman who was forced to resign after being falsely implicated in a corruption scandal. He now works as unlicensed PI. He has an African American sidekick, Hump, an ex football player who can ask questions where Hardman can’t.
Hardman is hired by a member of the Black Mafia to find the killer of his white girlfriend, Emily Campbell.
Together Hardman and Hump follow the trail of clues as more people die. They do solve the case and there is a satisfying ending. There is a disclaimer at the beginning explaining that the book was published in 1974 and reflects the cultural and sexual attitudes of the time.
This book was an easy fast paced read –2 days.
I plan to read more books in this series.
Formulaic. Not what I’d call groundbreaking and it lacked depth of characterization—perhaps that’s noir. Anyway, not horrible and I looked at reading the next in the series.
locations brought back memories of when I grew up in Atlanta
very entertaining—a new author to read more of.
Not a bad book. It was well crafted and moved along. The mystery was was well done. It had shadows of Spencer and Hawk.
Witty and action packed. Good read.
Ho hum. Nothing original here. I found I could not check any of the boxes for “what did you like about this book?”.
review posted to amazon
I think Robert Parker May have gotten his Spencer characters from this.
It was great to read the start of a series written in the 60s – old style detective novel. I have bought the next one in the series to keep following the character.
Ok but not great.
Excellent read
Interesting characters and an interesting partnership.
liked th characters and the story
This is the first book in this series—-I will read the whole set.
The two main characters remind me of the TV show Spencer for Hire.
I could not turn the pages (or swipe my Kindle) fast enough.
Great story and a great ride.
His prose was muscular, swift and highly readable. Like Chandler and Hammett before him, Dennis was trying to do something different with what was thought of as throwaway literature.