Book Review: A Dead Man In Hammer’s Chair

The Killing Man is written by the late, great Mickey Spillane and was published in 1989. It features his best-known protagonist, Mike Hammer.

Mike Hammer has agreed to a rare Saturday meeting with a prospective new client and finds that his beloved secretary, Velda, has been assaulted and is near death. A dead man is in Mike’s chair and has had his fingers chopped off. A strange note with the name Penta is one of the few clues left at the scene. Mike meets a new deputy district attorney who has more sex appeal than many in that office. He finds connections to organized crime and may be tracking a killer who has been active overseas as well. If there is no justice to be had, Mike will gladly settle for vengeance. It will take Mike being abducted and taking a beating or two for him to balance the books in his typical brutal fashion.

There are times that I think Spillane is a little overrated as a writer. I think his popularity stems more from his books tapping into the desire for the brutal delivery of justice that Mike Hammer delivers on a regular basis. It’s not that I think Spillane is talentless as writer

It is still an enjoyable read. The plot does get interesting because there is some uncertainty as to whether Mike was the primary target or not.

Mike’s single-mindedness is somewhat inspiring, and his affection for Velda is also sort of oddly touching.

Even is some aspects of the story seem to get a little overcomplicated, I still found plenty of reasons to enjoy the ride.

Time to take another thrilling ride with John Sandford’s Neon Prey.