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constantreader471's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars for another enjoyable mystery in the Hardman series. Although it helps to read these books in order, this one can be read as a stand alone. Jim Hardman is an ex Atlanta cop who now works as an unofficial private investigator. He calls on Hump Evans, an ex NFL football player for backup periodically.
In this book, Hump comes to Jim for help. Hump has received a porno film from Ed Cross, another ex football player. Cross is the star in the film. Hump had an affair with a woman named Eartha which ended a few months before. Then he ran into Eartha with Ed Cross at a Braves game. When Hump gets the film, he knows that Ed is sending him a message. He goes looking for Ed. He finds blood all over Eartha's apartment, but no body. Hump calls Jim. They search the apartment thoroughly and then call the police. The police think that Hump has killed Eartha, who walks in her apartment while they are questioning Hump. The police search the surrounding area and find Ed's body.
Hump and Jim backtrack Ed's movements over the last few weeks. They are attacked a couple of times themselves. More people die. Jim and Hump do resolve the case
Ralph Dennis writes lean prose in the style of Chandler and Hammett.
One quote from Jim on lunch: "I walked down a block or so and found a sandwich shop where I got a quick hamburger and an iced tea. The hamburger tasted like fried dog food and the ice in the tea smelled like a swimming pool that had just had the chemicals added for the week."
There is an afterword by Ben Jones, aka "Cooter" if you are a Dukes of Hazzard fan. Ben and Ralph were good friends for decades.
This was a Kindle Unlimited book.
In this book, Hump comes to Jim for help. Hump has received a porno film from Ed Cross, another ex football player. Cross is the star in the film. Hump had an affair with a woman named Eartha which ended a few months before. Then he ran into Eartha with Ed Cross at a Braves game. When Hump gets the film, he knows that Ed is sending him a message. He goes looking for Ed. He finds blood all over Eartha's apartment, but no body. Hump calls Jim. They search the apartment thoroughly and then call the police. The police think that Hump has killed Eartha, who walks in her apartment while they are questioning Hump. The police search the surrounding area and find Ed's body.
Hump and Jim backtrack Ed's movements over the last few weeks. They are attacked a couple of times themselves. More people die. Jim and Hump do resolve the case
Ralph Dennis writes lean prose in the style of Chandler and Hammett.
One quote from Jim on lunch: "I walked down a block or so and found a sandwich shop where I got a quick hamburger and an iced tea. The hamburger tasted like fried dog food and the ice in the tea smelled like a swimming pool that had just had the chemicals added for the week."
There is an afterword by Ben Jones, aka "Cooter" if you are a Dukes of Hazzard fan. Ben and Ralph were good friends for decades.
This was a Kindle Unlimited book.
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