Midnight Haul

by Max Allan Collins

Suspicious because his girlfriend lacked a motive for her sudden suicide, journalism student Crane, investigates and discovers that five other townspeople--all employees at the Kemco chemical company--have committed suicide within the last year

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Crime

252 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1986

About the author

Received the Shamus Award, "The Eye" (Lifetime achievment award) in 2006.

He has also published under the name Patrick Culhane. He and his wife, Barbara Collins, have written several books together. Some of them are published under the name Barbara Allan.

Book Awards
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1984) : True Detective
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1992) : Stolen Away
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1995) : Carnal Hours
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) : Damned in Paradise
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1999) : Flying Blind: A Novel about Amelia Earhart
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (2002) : Angel in Black

Japanese: マックス・アラン・コリンズ
or マックス・アラン コリンズ

Reviews

[Reggie_Love · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is pretty much your run of the mill Erin Brockovich thriller. It's well-written and kept me wanting to know what was going to happen. This is the first original story I've read by Max Allan Collins in that it isn't based on a tv show. The book seemed out dated, which may be because it is almost thirty years old. Some of the situations weren't as developed as I wished the would be, and I thought everything was wrapped up way too nicely (or as nicely as something like this can be, anyway), but overall, it was an enjoyable book. I think he found his skill set in writing for novels for tv shows because this story seemed to follow the same flow of any typical blockbuster or thriller. What the author lacks in character development in this story is made up for in tv-show novels because the characters are already developed. It's a win/win/win for the show/author/fans.

[Steve Bivins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book by Max Allan Collins

This.book is certainly fiction ? It made me think about the number of dumping lots and waste lots all over the country. I read it and knew it was published in 1980's but we certainly have not made strides in assessing and solving the world-wide problem of killing our planet and living in physical , mental, problems etc. It didn't entertain me, but it sure captivated me. 4 stars.

[D. Durst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Max Allan Collins Winner!

Different subject matter, but still a mystery all the same. Intriguing story and well paced. Certainly, subject matter is just as relevant today as when this book was first published.

[JaiAre · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too slow

Too much talk not enough action too much of nothing I thought it would get interesting waited to the end nothing much happened

[Anthony P. Del Rio · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that will keep you reading chapter after chapter. Easy reading. I like more action and suspense, hence the 4 stars and not 5.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having been intrigued by the book description I was a little disappointed when I came to read the book. Conceptually it was thought provoking in the Brockovich/Silkwood style of story but the characters were not evolved enough to come fully alive. If I had been the editor I would have told the author that they had a genuinely promising book but that it needed to be developed to give it depth and a sense of consequence. The end of the second act and the whole of the third act were too short for a sense of fulfillment for either the main characters or this reader.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Collins best work, but still entertaining

[Ming · Rating 1 out of 5]

It feels very dated, and just plain dull. Characters speechify at each other constantly, and fall in love suddenly for no good reason. It took considerable effort just to finish the book.