The Complete Hardman: All 13 Novels

All THIRTEEN novels in the legendary series of crime novels in one volume...ATLANTA DEATHWATCH * THE CHARLESTON KNIFE IS BACK IN TOWN * THE GOLDEN GIRL AND ALL * PIMP FOR THE DEAD * DOWN AMONG THE JOCKS * MURDER IS NOT AN ODD JOB * WORKING FOR THE MAN * THE DEADLY COTTON HEART * THE ONE DOLLAR RIP-OFF * HUMP'S FIRST CASE * THE LAST OF THE ARMAGEDDON WARS * THE BUY BACK BLUES * ALL KINDS OF UGLYIt'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. A ground-breaking series that inspired an entire generation of top crime writers. The collection includes new introductions or afterwords to the 13 novels by Joe R. Lansdale, Lee Goldberg, Paul Bishop and Robert J. Randisi, among others.Praise for the HARDMAN “Expert writing, plus good plotting and an unusual degree of sensitivity. Ralph Dennis has mastered the genre and supplied top entertainment. ” New York Times“The Hardman books are by far the best of the men’s action-adventure series.” Mother Jones Magazine"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"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"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"Ralph Dennis was a master of believable action and surprising heart, with characters who could dish out the tough guy banter with the best of them. 'All Kinds of Ugly' is a beauty, though; a pure distillation of grade A, hardboiled pulp that dares to reach for more." Mystery Scene Magazine"His strong prose and well-paced storytelling place him alongside the likes of George V. Higgins and Ross MacDonald." Publishers Weekly"The South's version of Spenser & Hawk -- that's Jim Hardman, an unlicensed, pudgy Atlanta PI and his black sidekick, ex-football player, Hump Evans. They're a rough pair, and Atlanta makes a surprisingly good setting for this well-written, fast-action series." 101 A Survey of American Detective Fiction