mickeymole's review
2.0
"You're a deadly man, Mike."
So says Gorgeous Lily, and of course, she's right.
Perhaps I've read too much Hammer lately, having finished six of the Spillane novels in the past few months. Or maybe Spillane was running Mike in the ground by the sixth Hammer installment. Either way, I've had enough of Spillane for the time being. This book was just so over-the-top nonsensical, I couldn't take any of it seriously. It got a little easier to take when I started reading it as comedy. What else could I do when Spillane sends our hero off after the Mafia without a rod? This after he was almost killed in the first chapter (anyone else would have been in such a situation). So, I started thinking that maybe Superman is not Clark Kent, but really Mike Hammer. But, that was a big leap over a tall building, too, because I don't think Superman would make all the bone-headed decisions that Mike did, as he ran around without a weapon, making sure the bad guys who were trying to snuff him out, knew exactly where he was. Fortunately for Mike, all of them were dumber than him.
And, what of Velda? Would Superman send Lois Lane on such a dangerous mission? Even if she isn't the absolute dish that Velda is, I wouldn't think so.
OK, forget Superman (even though Mike does seem indestructible).
On second thought, though, Mike does seem to have his own form of kryptonite, which takes the form of the female mouth. He's so obsessed with the lips on these babes, that he has to tell us about it every few pages. I'm on the edge of my seat, wondering if one of these dames is gonna kiss him deadly. Thus the weird title. If this didn't wear me out enough, I also had to hear how perfect and beautiful Velda is, over and over between the rest of the dolls who are falling for Mike, and enticing him with their lips. After six books, that's getting rather old. I'm the farthest thing from a wall-flower you're likely to find, and it still drove me nuts.
The ending was just weird and abrupt, like Spillane got tired of what he was doing. If I didn't know there were more Mike Hammer books, I would think this would be a good place to just let Mike die, and get him out of his misery, and mine, too. If I were in my right mind, I would say I probably wouldn't read any more Mike Hammer, but I'm not, and Spillane's writing is sometimes like watching a train wreck. It's not good for you to see such a thing, but you can't force yourself to look away.
I just reread that weird ending again to make sure I understood it. I did. It was unbelievably stupid. I think I'll stay away from Spillane for a while. But still I'm left with the image of Mike wearing a red cape, salivating over a woman's lips while he smokes a Lucky, and grimaces.
So says Gorgeous Lily, and of course, she's right.
Perhaps I've read too much Hammer lately, having finished six of the Spillane novels in the past few months. Or maybe Spillane was running Mike in the ground by the sixth Hammer installment. Either way, I've had enough of Spillane for the time being. This book was just so over-the-top nonsensical, I couldn't take any of it seriously. It got a little easier to take when I started reading it as comedy. What else could I do when Spillane sends our hero off after the Mafia without a rod? This after he was almost killed in the first chapter (anyone else would have been in such a situation). So, I started thinking that maybe Superman is not Clark Kent, but really Mike Hammer. But, that was a big leap over a tall building, too, because I don't think Superman would make all the bone-headed decisions that Mike did, as he ran around without a weapon, making sure the bad guys who were trying to snuff him out, knew exactly where he was. Fortunately for Mike, all of them were dumber than him.
And, what of Velda? Would Superman send Lois Lane on such a dangerous mission? Even if she isn't the absolute dish that Velda is, I wouldn't think so.
OK, forget Superman (even though Mike does seem indestructible).
On second thought, though, Mike does seem to have his own form of kryptonite, which takes the form of the female mouth. He's so obsessed with the lips on these babes, that he has to tell us about it every few pages. I'm on the edge of my seat, wondering if one of these dames is gonna kiss him deadly. Thus the weird title. If this didn't wear me out enough, I also had to hear how perfect and beautiful Velda is, over and over between the rest of the dolls who are falling for Mike, and enticing him with their lips. After six books, that's getting rather old. I'm the farthest thing from a wall-flower you're likely to find, and it still drove me nuts.
The ending was just weird and abrupt, like Spillane got tired of what he was doing. If I didn't know there were more Mike Hammer books, I would think this would be a good place to just let Mike die, and get him out of his misery, and mine, too. If I were in my right mind, I would say I probably wouldn't read any more Mike Hammer, but I'm not, and Spillane's writing is sometimes like watching a train wreck. It's not good for you to see such a thing, but you can't force yourself to look away.
I just reread that weird ending again to make sure I understood it. I did. It was unbelievably stupid. I think I'll stay away from Spillane for a while. But still I'm left with the image of Mike wearing a red cape, salivating over a woman's lips while he smokes a Lucky, and grimaces.
grgrhnt's review
3.0
The dialogue is great. There is enough violence and machoness. But I guess now that I'm older it's very hard to ignore the sexism. I know 'Dames' are integral parts of the noir genre, but there's just little too much of that in it. Mike Hammer insistence that Velda, another detective, cannot hold her own just didn't sit well with me. Even when she does fall prey to the villains, it seems like it was more to elevate Hammer's status as a reluctant saviour.
leftylucyprivateeye's review
3.0
Good noir with excellent tough guy language. Doesn't quite live up to the gonzo movie that shares its title and (a bit of) its plot.
thecrankyreader's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Another fun adventure with Mike Hammer! I find myself always coming back to these stories. This is another fun addition to the series. If you enjoyed the previous ones you should enjoy this one too.
avicosmos's review
3.0
The dialogue is great. There is enough violence and machoness. But I guess now that I'm older it's very hard to ignore the sexism. I know 'Dames' are integral parts of the noir genre, but there's just little too much of that in it. Mike Hammer insistence that Velda, another detective, cannot hold her own just didn't sit well with me. Even when she does fall prey to the villains, it seems like it was more to elevate Hammer's status as a reluctant saviour.
dflevitt's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
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