Rating: 
Summary: A very poor outing by a previously dynamite author.
Review: In my opinion this does not even come close to the Spillane classics, Kiss Me Deadly, I the Jury, My gun is quick. This is not the same old Hammer and the plot is definitely not up to Spillane's previous works. The plot is shallow, the characters are transparent and he should give up now before he embarrasses himself further. I bought the hardcover (never again) and when finished, gave it away.
Rating: 
Summary: MIKE IS A SHELL OF HIS FORMER SELF
Review: IN THIS NOVEL MIKE HAMMER LACKS THE HARD HITTING ATTITUDE THAT HE FORMERLY POSSESSED. THE STORY IS OK BUT WITHOUT THE NORMAL TWIST AT THE END TO REVEAL THE SOLUTION AS IN PAST NOVELS. THE CHARACHTER DEVELOPMENT IS GOOD; I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED THE WAY REAL PEOPLE FIND THEIR WAY INTO THE STORY aka HY GARDNER.
Rating:
Summary: Mike and Velda Become Closer in a Lousy Plot
Review: This story has so many flaws, it's not worth listing them all. If you like your hard-boiled characters turning sensitive and up-scale, you may like this book. But Mike Hammer it isn't! The name's the same, but almost all of the details have changed for the worse.Mike awakes from a coma to find he is recovering from a life-threatening wound. In a crazy and improbable tale, a surgeon turned drunk has picked him up and saved his life. The book's title refers to the temptation to take the black alley towards death. His recovery is cut short when an old army pal calls him back to his death bed, where Mike learns about a missing $89 billion that his friend has hidden. The search for the money is complicated by Mike's finally proposing to Velda, and her accepting. To me, the whole injury recovery, the missing $89 billion, and the way Mike lives are all very dissatisfying. What I loved about the book was the way that Mike keeps to his idealism when it comes to his love for Velda. No modern monkeyshines for him! That aspect of the book was the only one that rang true for me. If you love Mike Hammer, you may want to skip this book. You won't feel the same about the character or the series if you read this book. If you have never read Mike Hammer, this book may seem a little less bad to you. If you do decide to read the book, I suggest that you think about where you can uphold your standards in ways that will make your life and the lives of those around you better. Be yourself . . . in a helpful way!
Rating:
Summary: Mike and Velda Become Closer in a Lousy Plot
Review: This story has so many flaws, it's not worth listing them all. If you like your hard-boiled characters turning sensitive and up-scale, you may like this book. But Mike Hammer it isn't! The name's the same, but almost all of the details have changed for the worse. Mike awakes from a coma to find he is recovering from a life-threatening wound. In a crazy and improbable tale, a surgeon turned drunk has picked him up and saved his life. The book's title refers to the temptation to take the black alley towards death. His recovery is cut short when an old army pal calls him back to his death bed, where Mike learns about a missing $89 billion that his friend has hidden. The search for the money is complicated by Mike's finally proposing to Velda, and her accepting. To me, the whole injury recovery, the missing $89 billion, and the way Mike lives are all very dissatisfying. What I loved about the book was the way that Mike keeps to his idealism when it comes to his love for Velda. No modern monkeyshines for him! That aspect of the book was the only one that rang true for me. If you love Mike Hammer, you may want to skip this book. You won't feel the same about the character or the series if you read this book. If you have never read Mike Hammer, this book may seem a little less bad to you. If you do decide to read the book, I suggest that you think about where you can uphold your standards in ways that will make your life and the lives of those around you better. Be yourself . . . in a helpful way!
Rating: 
Summary: Black Alley
Review: Would you risk your life and the life of your beautiful fiancé over and over in hope of finding 89 billion dollars? This is what the famous, fictitious detective, Mike Hammer does in Black Alley. Mike Hammer, the ruthless, New York City detective fights crime in this action-packed mystery. Not only is Hammer after the loot, he is also out for revenge, after his friend dies from gunshots.
The novel begins with Mike Hammer recovering from bullet wounds received during infiltration of a drug war, which he almost died from. After being thought dead by all of his close friends and family for 8 months, he comes back and resumes his normal, exciting life. When his friend from the war is on his deathbed, he clues him in on a pot of 89 billion dollars he stole and hid from the dons of the mafia. Young, greedy mobsters are also looking for the pot, which they should have inherited, had it not been stolen. Mike Hammer takes on the whole mafia, coolly, in imperfect health.
Black Alley is a thrilling story of good vs. bad. The novel was never too predictable with many unexpected plot twists. As in all Mike Hammer tales, there is a lot of killing, revenge, girls, and near-death struggles. The book was never boring, even in calm parts. It painted a vivid picture in my mind of the numerous settings as well as the various characters. It has a fast pace with many encounters of hostile mobsters. It is a good conclusion of the Mike Hammer series, by Mickey Spillane. This emotive story is suitable for people who like mysteries, don't mind reading about murder, and enjoy gunfights. Anyone who thoroughly enjoyed a James Bond novel or movie will like this book.
Rating:
Summary: Black Alley
Review: Would you risk your life and the life of your beautiful fiancé over and over in hope of finding 89 billion dollars? This is what the famous, fictitious detective, Mike Hammer does in Black Alley. Mike Hammer, the ruthless, New York City detective fights crime in this action-packed mystery. Not only is Hammer after the loot, he is also out for revenge, after his friend dies from gunshots.
The novel begins with Mike Hammer recovering from bullet wounds received during infiltration of a drug war, which he almost died from. After being thought dead by all of his close friends and family for 8 months, he comes back and resumes his normal, exciting life. When his friend from the war is on his deathbed, he clues him in on a pot of 89 billion dollars he stole and hid from the dons of the mafia. Young, greedy mobsters are also looking for the pot, which they should have inherited, had it not been stolen. Mike Hammer takes on the whole mafia, coolly, in imperfect health.
Black Alley is a thrilling story of good vs. bad. The novel was never too predictable with many unexpected plot twists. As in all Mike Hammer tales, there is a lot of killing, revenge, girls, and near-death struggles. The book was never boring, even in calm parts. It painted a vivid picture in my mind of the numerous settings as well as the various characters. It has a fast pace with many encounters of hostile mobsters. It is a good conclusion of the Mike Hammer series, by Mickey Spillane. This emotive story is suitable for people who like mysteries, don't mind reading about murder, and enjoy gunfights. Anyone who thoroughly enjoyed a James Bond novel or movie will like this book.
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