Max Allan Collins

hard-boiled pat · 05-09-2012, 09:35 PM

anyone read his books? i've read a couple from his 'nolan' series and one from his 'quarry' series... not impressed so far, although his books have good plots.

charlesatan · 05-09-2012, 11:14 PM

Haven't read any yet although friends rave about his graphic novel Road To Perdition (which got adapted into a movie a few years back).

rkomar · 05-10-2012, 01:42 AM

I got a copy of "Dick Tracy Meets the Punks" in a bargain bin. Not very satisfying.

DrNefario · 05-10-2012, 02:39 AM

I really liked the Road to Perdition graphic novel. I got it as a promotional package with the DVD, and thought the GN was far the better of the two. I sold the DVD and kept the book.

Largely on the strength of that, I've bought True Detective for the Kindle, but not read it yet.

KentE · 05-16-2012, 10:14 AM

I've read a number of his Nathan Heller series, and enjoyed them, but kind of got tired of them after a while. I think he does an incredible job of recreating the style and feel of the 1940's detective in these. I've read a couple from his other series, and admired the style, but they didn't quite work for me.
Short version-- I think Collins usually accomplishes exactly what he intends, and does it very well. He's not on my A-list (the Heller books maybe on my B-list), but I'd certainly recommend him to someone who's a little more into period-pieces than I am.
From a similar virtual 'era', have you tried the Stuart Kaminsky 'Toby Peters' series? Not as dry as Collins can be, not as centered on historical facts. Definitely "hard-boiled" in the traditional sense, Pat, but not in your favorite "hard-man" range. (Protagonist Peters gets beat up more than beating up.) Now, these are on my A-list (along with Kaminsky's Lieberman series, and his Inspector Rostnikov series)
I've spent a lot of time reading through your Hard-Man thread, Pat, and I certainly count a lot of authors mentioned in that thread as among my favorites. Not sure Kaminsky would tickle your fancy, but I wouldn't hesitate to suggest you give him a shot if you haven't!
KentE

Phogg · 05-18-2012, 10:44 PM

I have read and liked some of the Nate Heller books, and will buy e-versions when the price comes down.

05-09-2012, 09:35 PM	#1
hard-boiled pat The Night Was Moist Posts: 177 Karma: 1018844 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: toronto, canada Device: kobo,kindle,supernova, playbook	Max Allan Collins anyone read his books? i've read a couple from his 'nolan' series and one from his 'quarry' series... not impressed so far, although his books have good plots.

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05-09-2012, 11:14 PM	#2
charlesatan Addict Posts: 230 Karma: 3799024 Join Date: May 2012 Device: iPad	Haven't read any yet although friends rave about his graphic novel Road To Perdition (which got adapted into a movie a few years back).

05-10-2012, 01:42 AM	#3
rkomar Wizard Posts: 3,052 Karma: 18821071 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Sudbury, ON, Canada Device: PRS-505, PB 902, PRS-T1, PB 623, PB 840, PB 633	I got a copy of "Dick Tracy Meets the Punks" in a bargain bin. Not very satisfying.

05-10-2012, 02:39 AM	#4
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,201 Karma: 12029046 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	I really liked the Road to Perdition graphic novel. I got it as a promotional package with the DVD, and thought the GN was far the better of the two. I sold the DVD and kept the book. Largely on the strength of that, I've bought True Detective for the Kindle, but not read it yet.

05-16-2012, 10:14 AM	#5
KentE ...still a Zealot Posts: 268 Karma: 319949 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Kansas City, Kansas, USA Device: Palm Pixi & PC	I've read a number of his Nathan Heller series, and enjoyed them, but kind of got tired of them after a while. I think he does an incredible job of recreating the style and feel of the 1940's detective in these. I've read a couple from his other series, and admired the style, but they didn't quite work for me. Short version-- I think Collins usually accomplishes exactly what he intends, and does it very well. He's not on my A-list (the Heller books maybe on my B-list), but I'd certainly recommend him to someone who's a little more into period-pieces than I am. From a similar virtual 'era', have you tried the Stuart Kaminsky 'Toby Peters' series? Not as dry as Collins can be, not as centered on historical facts. Definitely "hard-boiled" in the traditional sense, Pat, but not in your favorite "hard-man" range. (Protagonist Peters gets beat up more than beating up.) Now, these are on my A-list (along with Kaminsky's Lieberman series, and his Inspector Rostnikov series) I've spent a lot of time reading through your Hard-Man thread, Pat, and I certainly count a lot of authors mentioned in that thread as among my favorites. Not sure Kaminsky would tickle your fancy, but I wouldn't hesitate to suggest you give him a shot if you haven't! KentE

05-18-2012, 10:44 PM	#6
Phogg PHD in Horribleness Posts: 2,320 Karma: 23599604 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.	I have read and liked some of the Nate Heller books, and will buy e-versions when the price comes down.

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