What do you think?
Rate this book
Mike Hammer #14
The Goliath Bone: A Mike Hammer Novel
From the New York Times bestselling author Max Allan Collins and the iconic master of noir Mickey Spillane comes the first book in the Mike Hammer series.
In the midst of a Manhattan snowstorm, Hammer halts the violent robbery of a pair of college sweethearts who have stumbled onto a remarkable archaeological find in the Valley of Elah: the perfectly preserved femur of what may have been the biblical giant Goliath. Hammer postpones his marriage to his faithful girlfriend, Velda, to fight a foe deadlier than the mobsters and KGB agents of his past--Islamic terrorists and Israeli extremists bent upon recovering the relic for their own agendas.
In the midst of a Manhattan snowstorm, Hammer halts the violent robbery of a pair of college sweethearts who have stumbled onto a remarkable archaeological find in the Valley of Elah: the perfectly preserved femur of what may have been the biblical giant Goliath. Hammer postpones his marriage to his faithful girlfriend, Velda, to fight a foe deadlier than the mobsters and KGB agents of his past--Islamic terrorists and Israeli extremists bent upon recovering the relic for their own agendas.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 13, 2008
19 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Mickey Spillane
316 books447 followersMickey Spillane was one of the world's most popular mystery writers. His specialty was tight-fisted, sadistic revenge stories, often featuring his alcoholic gumshoe Mike Hammer and a cast of evildoers who launder money or spout the Communist Party line.
His writing style was characterized by short words, lightning transitions, gruff sex and violent endings. It was once tallied that he offed 58 people in six novels.
Starting with "I, the Jury," in 1947, Mr. Spillane sold hundreds of millions of books during his lifetime and garnered consistently scathing reviews. Even his father, a Brooklyn bartender, called them "crud."
Mr. Spillane was a struggling comic book publisher when he wrote "I, the Jury." He initially envisioned it as a comic book called "Mike Danger," and when that did not go over, he took a week to reconfigure it as a novel.
Even the editor in chief of E.P. Dutton and Co., Mr. Spillane's publisher, was skeptical of the book's literary merit but conceded it would probably be a smash with postwar readers looking for ready action. He was right. The book, in which Hammer pursues a murderous narcotics ring led by a curvaceous female psychiatrist, went on to sell more than 1 million copies.
Mr. Spillane spun out six novels in the next five years, among them "My Gun Is Quick," "The Big Kill," "One Lonely Night" and "Kiss Me, Deadly." Most concerned Hammer, his faithful sidekick, Velda, and the police homicide captain Pat Chambers, who acknowledges that Hammer's style of vigilante justice is often better suited than the law to dispatching criminals.
Mr. Spillane's success rankled other critics, who sometimes became very personal in their reviews. Malcolm Cowley called Mr. Spillane "a homicidal paranoiac," going on to note what he called his misogyny and vigilante tendencies.
His books were translated into many languages, and he proved so popular as a writer that he was able to transfer his thick-necked, barrel-chested personality across many media. With the charisma of a redwood, he played Hammer in "The Girl Hunters," a 1963 film adaptation of his novel.
Spillane also scripted several television shows and films and played a detective in the 1954 suspense film "Ring of Fear," set at a Clyde Beatty circus. He rewrote much of the film, too, refusing payment. In gratitude, the producer, John Wayne, surprised him one morning with a white Jaguar sportster wrapped in a red ribbon. The card read, "Thanks, Duke."
Done initially on a dare from his publisher, Mr. Spillane wrote a children's book, "The Day the Sea Rolled Back" (1979), about two boys who find a shipwreck loaded with treasure. This won a Junior Literary Guild award.
He also wrote another children's novel, "The Ship That Never Was," and then wrote his first Mike Hammer mystery in 20 years with "The Killing Man" (1989). "Black Alley" followed in 1996. In the last, a rapidly aging Hammer comes out of a gunshot-induced coma, then tracks down a friend's murderer and billions in mob loot. For the first time, he also confesses his love for Velda but, because of doctor's orders, cannot consummate the relationship.
Late in life, he received a career achievement award from the Private Eye Writers of America and was named a grand master by the Mystery Writers of America.
In his private life, he neither smoked nor drank and was a house-to-house missionary for the Jehovah's Witnesses. He expressed at times great disdain for what he saw as corrosive forces in American life, from antiwar protesters to the United Nations.
His marriages to Mary Ann Pearce and Sherri Malinou ended in divorce. His second wife, a model, posed nude for the dust jacket of his 1972 novel "The Erection Set."
Survivors include his third wife, Jane Rodgers Johnson, a former beauty queen 30 years his junior; and four children from the first marriage.
He also carried on a long epistolary flirtation with Ayn Rand, an admirer of his writing.
His writing style was characterized by short words, lightning transitions, gruff sex and violent endings. It was once tallied that he offed 58 people in six novels.
Starting with "I, the Jury," in 1947, Mr. Spillane sold hundreds of millions of books during his lifetime and garnered consistently scathing reviews. Even his father, a Brooklyn bartender, called them "crud."
Mr. Spillane was a struggling comic book publisher when he wrote "I, the Jury." He initially envisioned it as a comic book called "Mike Danger," and when that did not go over, he took a week to reconfigure it as a novel.
Even the editor in chief of E.P. Dutton and Co., Mr. Spillane's publisher, was skeptical of the book's literary merit but conceded it would probably be a smash with postwar readers looking for ready action. He was right. The book, in which Hammer pursues a murderous narcotics ring led by a curvaceous female psychiatrist, went on to sell more than 1 million copies.
Mr. Spillane spun out six novels in the next five years, among them "My Gun Is Quick," "The Big Kill," "One Lonely Night" and "Kiss Me, Deadly." Most concerned Hammer, his faithful sidekick, Velda, and the police homicide captain Pat Chambers, who acknowledges that Hammer's style of vigilante justice is often better suited than the law to dispatching criminals.
Mr. Spillane's success rankled other critics, who sometimes became very personal in their reviews. Malcolm Cowley called Mr. Spillane "a homicidal paranoiac," going on to note what he called his misogyny and vigilante tendencies.
His books were translated into many languages, and he proved so popular as a writer that he was able to transfer his thick-necked, barrel-chested personality across many media. With the charisma of a redwood, he played Hammer in "The Girl Hunters," a 1963 film adaptation of his novel.
Spillane also scripted several television shows and films and played a detective in the 1954 suspense film "Ring of Fear," set at a Clyde Beatty circus. He rewrote much of the film, too, refusing payment. In gratitude, the producer, John Wayne, surprised him one morning with a white Jaguar sportster wrapped in a red ribbon. The card read, "Thanks, Duke."
Done initially on a dare from his publisher, Mr. Spillane wrote a children's book, "The Day the Sea Rolled Back" (1979), about two boys who find a shipwreck loaded with treasure. This won a Junior Literary Guild award.
He also wrote another children's novel, "The Ship That Never Was," and then wrote his first Mike Hammer mystery in 20 years with "The Killing Man" (1989). "Black Alley" followed in 1996. In the last, a rapidly aging Hammer comes out of a gunshot-induced coma, then tracks down a friend's murderer and billions in mob loot. For the first time, he also confesses his love for Velda but, because of doctor's orders, cannot consummate the relationship.
Late in life, he received a career achievement award from the Private Eye Writers of America and was named a grand master by the Mystery Writers of America.
In his private life, he neither smoked nor drank and was a house-to-house missionary for the Jehovah's Witnesses. He expressed at times great disdain for what he saw as corrosive forces in American life, from antiwar protesters to the United Nations.
His marriages to Mary Ann Pearce and Sherri Malinou ended in divorce. His second wife, a model, posed nude for the dust jacket of his 1972 novel "The Erection Set."
Survivors include his third wife, Jane Rodgers Johnson, a former beauty queen 30 years his junior; and four children from the first marriage.
He also carried on a long epistolary flirtation with Ayn Rand, an admirer of his writing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 6, 2017
This story starts several thousand years ago in the middle east when the Israelites met the Philistines for that social gathering called war on their battlefield. The Philistines brought their secret weapon one giant called Goliath and he met up with the Jewish giant by the name of David who took him down hard.
Post 9/11 New York Mike Hammer does mind his own business when he sees a person stalking two kids and he needs to stop the man from shooting these kids and does the trick shot of shooting the gun out of the mans' hand which does not stop the gunman from dying as he slips and does the dying thing.
Mike finds out that these two kids carry with them one giant femur bone they dug up in some middle eastern desert and might or might not belong to the biblical hero/baddie Goliath. When Mike Hammer decides to take care of these kids with their possible priceless artifact he soon finds out that he has entered an arena of religious thread. This indeed is the PI Mike Hammer versus the boys from Al Qaida. And they do so in his native new York. This time it is personal because this affair postpones Mike's and Velda's wedding.
Is it a great book, no it isn't but it is entertaining. The basis of Mike Hammer against the terrorists is just a hoot. And indeed a bone from a mythological being as Goliath might indeed start a public war as it would be a very dangerous religious symbol. That said the book handles it well enough. A very entertaining read. If you realize that the novel was unfinished due to Mickey Spillanes dead you realise that Spillane wrote quite a lot and Collins finished it for him. The book has a nice twist at the end which you night or might not see coming. And it is not the fact that Mike and Velda finally get married.
Nice entertaining read which is nice for travelling by train or during lunchbreaks at work.
Post 9/11 New York Mike Hammer does mind his own business when he sees a person stalking two kids and he needs to stop the man from shooting these kids and does the trick shot of shooting the gun out of the mans' hand which does not stop the gunman from dying as he slips and does the dying thing.
Mike finds out that these two kids carry with them one giant femur bone they dug up in some middle eastern desert and might or might not belong to the biblical hero/baddie Goliath. When Mike Hammer decides to take care of these kids with their possible priceless artifact he soon finds out that he has entered an arena of religious thread. This indeed is the PI Mike Hammer versus the boys from Al Qaida. And they do so in his native new York. This time it is personal because this affair postpones Mike's and Velda's wedding.
Is it a great book, no it isn't but it is entertaining. The basis of Mike Hammer against the terrorists is just a hoot. And indeed a bone from a mythological being as Goliath might indeed start a public war as it would be a very dangerous religious symbol. That said the book handles it well enough. A very entertaining read. If you realize that the novel was unfinished due to Mickey Spillanes dead you realise that Spillane wrote quite a lot and Collins finished it for him. The book has a nice twist at the end which you night or might not see coming. And it is not the fact that Mike and Velda finally get married.
Nice entertaining read which is nice for travelling by train or during lunchbreaks at work.
January 13, 2026
I enjoyed this book. It's the first Mike Hammer book I've read and it's a real page turner. There's a lot of dialogue and almost all the scenes contribute to the story. It is fast-paced with no unnecessary descriptions of a scene or long tedious musings on a character's existence. No wonder a lot of literary critics panned these books, but then John Steinbeck's 'Sweet Thursday' was detested by some critics too.
As you might expect, the story gets a bit silly at times - for example most skeletons are found with two legs, so shouldn't there have been two bones to be dug up, more or less side by side? Many of the characters don't make it to the end of the book and Hammer's 45 does jam at a most convenient time, but this aside I liked the ending and how he got rid of all the assassins regardless of how he felt about them.
There was a subtle change of writing towards the end and I'd love to know which parts of the book were written by Max Allan Collins, who took over when Spillane passed away.
As you might expect, the story gets a bit silly at times - for example most skeletons are found with two legs, so shouldn't there have been two bones to be dug up, more or less side by side? Many of the characters don't make it to the end of the book and Hammer's 45 does jam at a most convenient time, but this aside I liked the ending and how he got rid of all the assassins regardless of how he felt about them.
There was a subtle change of writing towards the end and I'd love to know which parts of the book were written by Max Allan Collins, who took over when Spillane passed away.
April 9, 2024
I grew up with Mickey Spillane thrillers on my Dad's bookshelves - titles I remember were 'I, The Jury' and 'Kiss Me Deadly' - so I did dip into them as a youngster and quite enjoyed the hard-boiled crime writing. I have since read and enjoyed others but unfortunately 'The Goliath Bone' was just not for me, so much so that I abandoned it halfway through.
The subject did not appeal at all and Mike Hammer seemed to have lost that fizz that he had in the early days. The tale revolved around a huge bone being discovered in Israel and shipped out to America where it was thought to be from the giant Goliath, a Philistine giant defeated by the young David in single combat and recorded in the book of Samuel.
It was brought back by two students who found themselves the target of Middle Eastern terrorists, whose first attempt on their lives was thwarted by Mike Hammer, who took it upon himself to protect them while research into the validity, or otherwise, of the bone proceeded.
I wasn't sure of the book from the beginning but as it progressed I was certain that it was not my type of thriller so I decided there were better things to read and enjoy and I put it down.
Sorry about that, Mr Spillane and Max Allan Collins who finished the book after Spillane passed away.
The subject did not appeal at all and Mike Hammer seemed to have lost that fizz that he had in the early days. The tale revolved around a huge bone being discovered in Israel and shipped out to America where it was thought to be from the giant Goliath, a Philistine giant defeated by the young David in single combat and recorded in the book of Samuel.
It was brought back by two students who found themselves the target of Middle Eastern terrorists, whose first attempt on their lives was thwarted by Mike Hammer, who took it upon himself to protect them while research into the validity, or otherwise, of the bone proceeded.
I wasn't sure of the book from the beginning but as it progressed I was certain that it was not my type of thriller so I decided there were better things to read and enjoy and I put it down.
Sorry about that, Mr Spillane and Max Allan Collins who finished the book after Spillane passed away.
October 23, 2014
I read my first Mike Hammer novel when I was about 10, so after 40 years, it was fun reading this one. Congrats to Collins for finishing it up so well. It was typical of the others, possibly a little better done. Some of the obvious plot devices were a bit smoother & subtler. It's Mike Hammer, so neither adjective fits too well. It was fun, though.
If you've never read a Mike Hammer novel, don't start with this one. I, the Jury is definitely the place to start. Here's the list & I believe the chronology runs pretty much in line with the publication dates.
1. I, the Jury (1947)
2. My Gun Is Quick (1950)
3. Vengeance Is Mine (1950)
4. One Lonely Night (1951)
5. The Big Kill (1951)
6. Kiss Me Deadly (1952)
7. The Girl Hunters (1962)
8. The Snake (1964)
9. The Twisted Thing (1966)
10. The Body Lovers (1967)
11. Survival... Zero (1970)
12. The Killing Man (1989)
13. Black Alley (1996)
14. The Goliath Bone (2008) (with Max Allan Collins)
15. King of the Weeds (2009) (with Max Allan Collins)
16. The Big Bang (2010) (with Max Allan Collins)
If you've never read a Mike Hammer novel, don't start with this one. I, the Jury is definitely the place to start. Here's the list & I believe the chronology runs pretty much in line with the publication dates.
1. I, the Jury (1947)
2. My Gun Is Quick (1950)
3. Vengeance Is Mine (1950)
4. One Lonely Night (1951)
5. The Big Kill (1951)
6. Kiss Me Deadly (1952)
7. The Girl Hunters (1962)
8. The Snake (1964)
9. The Twisted Thing (1966)
10. The Body Lovers (1967)
11. Survival... Zero (1970)
12. The Killing Man (1989)
13. Black Alley (1996)
14. The Goliath Bone (2008) (with Max Allan Collins)
15. King of the Weeds (2009) (with Max Allan Collins)
16. The Big Bang (2010) (with Max Allan Collins)
October 2, 2025
This was Mickey Spillane's last story and he entrusted the unfinished manuscript with his notes to Max Allan Collins. So Collins finished this story. In this one, Mike Hammer saves a young couple from a robbery in a Manhattan subway station. It turns out they are carrying a priceless archaeological artifact from Israel- a giant-sized femur of what may have been the Biblical Philistine giant Goliath. The bone becomes a bone of contention as various factions-Palestinian and Israeli-show that they will stop at nothing to gain control of it.
I find it hard to believe that "the Goliath bone" would cause so much contention--but then I try to be a rational person!
I like the story for the hard-boiled detective character of Mike Hammer and the snappy dialogue. If Collins added a lot to this story, I think he remained true to the spirit of Mickey Spillane..
I find it hard to believe that "the Goliath bone" would cause so much contention--but then I try to be a rational person!
I like the story for the hard-boiled detective character of Mike Hammer and the snappy dialogue. If Collins added a lot to this story, I think he remained true to the spirit of Mickey Spillane..
December 15, 2018
A tad disappointing in that this was the first Mike Hammer novel I have read and it didn't engage me in the characters, especially the offspring of two unlikely archaeologists. A bone belonging to Goliath of the old Testament is found in the desert something I just couldn't accept and so continuing with the novel was difficult.
Hammer is an old fashioned PI of the 1950s and he is still stuck there despite this being just post 9-11. He shoots first and asks questions later and gets away with it.
The ending I couldn't help thinking of the film King Kong and at that point I let out an inner groan. The book's only saving grace it moves along at a fair lick and it wasn't too long.
Hammer is an old fashioned PI of the 1950s and he is still stuck there despite this being just post 9-11. He shoots first and asks questions later and gets away with it.
The ending I couldn't help thinking of the film King Kong and at that point I let out an inner groan. The book's only saving grace it moves along at a fair lick and it wasn't too long.
January 3, 2026
This is the first Mike Hammer novel to follow creator Mickey Spillane’s death and largely based on an unfinished manuscript and notes. It shows, at least a bit. The usual straight-no-chaser Mike Hammer is here, but there’s some subtleties of the character missing where this posthumous version takes on more caricature. I still enjoyed it, and will continue the series, but do warily seeking evidence of diminishment.
July 11, 2017
A modern day Mike Hammer closer to retirement age in a post 9/11 era is a vastly different Hammer to the earlier acclaimed works. Gone are the shysters and mobsters, in their place; terrorists and scheming consulate representatives. There is a distinct feel to 'The Goliath Bone' which segregates it from other novels in that this case (involving an actual bone believed to be from Goliath) isn't personal. It starts by Hammer stumbling across a couple in their twenties being shot at by an assailant who later kills himself - turns out he was after a package under guard by two college students - the bone. From there its a typical investigation with a bit of Hollywood sprinkle and Government braggadocio thrown in for good measure.
The classic throw away lines Spillane and Max Allan Collins are so famous for are plentiful (as with any Hammer novel) and touch on a multitude of subjects from appreciation of the finer species to modern warfare:
'War used to be two groups of men hammering at each other out in some field till the other one surrendered or was defeated. Now its airlines flying into buildings and suitcase nukes and dirty bombs.'
Spillane and Collins wax poetic in depicting New York - as much part of Hammer as his patented .45 to capture the true essence of Hammer novels:
'They can gentrify the streets all they want, but scrape a fingernail across this white veneer, and the gleaming black shows through.'
Lines like this take me back to 'I, The Jury' and 'My Gun Is Quick' - hard boiled perfection personified.
At the heart of 'The Goliath Bone' lies subtle humour and a toned down Hammer more attune to building a life post PI than bathing himself in blood. That being said, the ending does leave the door ajar for future escapades. Velda resumes her seductive sidekick role while the ever present Pat dons a persona slightly too compromising and agreeable than argumentative and obstructive to previous installments. Perhaps its the old age getting to the hardened cop. Nevertheless, the trio work well in securing an outcome for the young couple while eliminating the threat of a third world war (a slight exaggeration but it was touched upon).
Overall, 'The Goliath Bone' is an enjoyable look at the infamous Mike Hammer in his golden years doing what Hammer does best - while providing the reader with lighter moments -
'A trio of soon-to-be retirees, bucking an open contract and taking on the top terrorist assassin in the world - that's a laugh.'
- and an insight into a future world where Mike Hammer is no longer the sole PI (excluding Velda) at Mike Hammer Investigations. 3.5 stars
The classic throw away lines Spillane and Max Allan Collins are so famous for are plentiful (as with any Hammer novel) and touch on a multitude of subjects from appreciation of the finer species to modern warfare:
'War used to be two groups of men hammering at each other out in some field till the other one surrendered or was defeated. Now its airlines flying into buildings and suitcase nukes and dirty bombs.'
Spillane and Collins wax poetic in depicting New York - as much part of Hammer as his patented .45 to capture the true essence of Hammer novels:
'They can gentrify the streets all they want, but scrape a fingernail across this white veneer, and the gleaming black shows through.'
Lines like this take me back to 'I, The Jury' and 'My Gun Is Quick' - hard boiled perfection personified.
At the heart of 'The Goliath Bone' lies subtle humour and a toned down Hammer more attune to building a life post PI than bathing himself in blood. That being said, the ending does leave the door ajar for future escapades. Velda resumes her seductive sidekick role while the ever present Pat dons a persona slightly too compromising and agreeable than argumentative and obstructive to previous installments. Perhaps its the old age getting to the hardened cop. Nevertheless, the trio work well in securing an outcome for the young couple while eliminating the threat of a third world war (a slight exaggeration but it was touched upon).
Overall, 'The Goliath Bone' is an enjoyable look at the infamous Mike Hammer in his golden years doing what Hammer does best - while providing the reader with lighter moments -
'A trio of soon-to-be retirees, bucking an open contract and taking on the top terrorist assassin in the world - that's a laugh.'
- and an insight into a future world where Mike Hammer is no longer the sole PI (excluding Velda) at Mike Hammer Investigations. 3.5 stars
December 29, 2014
Pretty bog-standard mystery novel in terms of plotting, with the bonus of some very questionable racial politics and a MacGuffin that is particularly unconvincing. It's not unreasonable that a grizzled PI and his associates in New York post 9/11 might not have much nice to say about Islam but it's unpleasant reading. Characters take turns to point out that #notallmuslims but in the next scene the same character might be the one going on a rant with the person they corrected correcting them so it doesn't exactly ring true. Characters are all also convinced that Al-Qaeda has a secret army hidden throughout America and poised to attack - paranoia that feels quaint for a book written in 2008 and even more quaint being read in 2014.
I'm also not convinced that the discovery of a bone that might belong to Goliath would lead to Al-Qaeda, Mossad, fictionalised Andrew Lloyd Webber, the FBI, DoHS and Israeli terrorists all trying to claim it for themselves, with the potential of igniting World War 3. When the whole plot relies on this bone being pursued by multiple factions who are willing to kill for it, this is a problem.
Overall, basically any other detective novel will cover the same ground as this one, and about as well or better, but probably won't feature as much post 9/11 paranoia, Islamophobia or questionable biblical artifacts as major plot points - if that's what you're looking for then this novel is for you.
I'm also not convinced that the discovery of a bone that might belong to Goliath would lead to Al-Qaeda, Mossad, fictionalised Andrew Lloyd Webber, the FBI, DoHS and Israeli terrorists all trying to claim it for themselves, with the potential of igniting World War 3. When the whole plot relies on this bone being pursued by multiple factions who are willing to kill for it, this is a problem.
Overall, basically any other detective novel will cover the same ground as this one, and about as well or better, but probably won't feature as much post 9/11 paranoia, Islamophobia or questionable biblical artifacts as major plot points - if that's what you're looking for then this novel is for you.
December 9, 2011
It left a bitter aftertaste in my mouth. A posthumous piece from the master of hard boiled detective fiction, an attempt to update this genre against the post 9/11 landscape falls flat disastrously. Seriously cliched, shamelessly xenophobic and inadequately researched, I only finished it for the fond memories I had of reading Spillane's earlier work. Not a worthwhile reading, and Spillane fans would be better served revisiting his earlier books, rather than spoiling their appetite with this anachronistic piece of work.
June 22, 2021
Read earlier books and I’m sad that this one had to be finished by another author. Sorry but this just didn’t hold my interest. I read while sitting outside during the day and skimmed through it.
July 21, 2017
The Goliath Bone is Spillane's 26th Book, released posthumously in 2008, after being completed for publication by Max Allan Collins. Spillane began writing his Mike Hammer novels in 1947 and, surprisingly, was one of the top American fiction sellers of all time. His novels, which were panned by critics in the forties and fifties because of their violence, are top-notch crime novels and are often not recognized for the quality work that they represent. Before his death, Spillane left instructions for his friend, Collins, to finish his unfinished work and Goliath Bone was the first of these to be published.
It's the same Mike Hammer in this book, tough as nails, uncompromising. His good buddy, Pat, the homicide chief, is here too. And, of course, Velda, is prominently featured. Velda started off in the series as Hammer's secretary and former CIA operative. His romance with her is one of the longest running affairs in all of literature and, as this book begins, they finally have plans to get married. Hammer's fascination with Velda is obvious in every description of her, from how she gets out of a taxi to how she walks into a room.
This book is a post 9/11 book and, appropriately, Hammer's enemies are not the mob, but international terrorists, particularly Al-Queda and, throughout the book, there are numerous references to what is now missing from the New York skyline and what the stakes are when dealing with this foe.
Hammer, as usual, stumbles his way into the case that is at the heart of this story. He sees two young kids exiting a taxi with a large package and a suspicious man following them. Entering the subway station, Hammer shoots the gun out of the man's hand and the man tumbles down the stairs to his death. Taking the two kids under his wing, Hammer learns that they have discovered nothing less than the thigh bone of Goliath, that is, the Goliath that King David slew in the Bible. Hammer quickly realizes that such a relic is valuable to everyone in the Middle East as the modern-day Philistines will be out to wreak revenge on those who slew their hero and the Israelis will celebrate a great historic victory. But, Hammer will have his hands full trying to keep these two kids alive.
The premise is a bit hokey, but Spillane manages to make it work and an aging, but still fearless Mike Hammer does battle in the modern world.
It's the same Mike Hammer in this book, tough as nails, uncompromising. His good buddy, Pat, the homicide chief, is here too. And, of course, Velda, is prominently featured. Velda started off in the series as Hammer's secretary and former CIA operative. His romance with her is one of the longest running affairs in all of literature and, as this book begins, they finally have plans to get married. Hammer's fascination with Velda is obvious in every description of her, from how she gets out of a taxi to how she walks into a room.
This book is a post 9/11 book and, appropriately, Hammer's enemies are not the mob, but international terrorists, particularly Al-Queda and, throughout the book, there are numerous references to what is now missing from the New York skyline and what the stakes are when dealing with this foe.
Hammer, as usual, stumbles his way into the case that is at the heart of this story. He sees two young kids exiting a taxi with a large package and a suspicious man following them. Entering the subway station, Hammer shoots the gun out of the man's hand and the man tumbles down the stairs to his death. Taking the two kids under his wing, Hammer learns that they have discovered nothing less than the thigh bone of Goliath, that is, the Goliath that King David slew in the Bible. Hammer quickly realizes that such a relic is valuable to everyone in the Middle East as the modern-day Philistines will be out to wreak revenge on those who slew their hero and the Israelis will celebrate a great historic victory. But, Hammer will have his hands full trying to keep these two kids alive.
The premise is a bit hokey, but Spillane manages to make it work and an aging, but still fearless Mike Hammer does battle in the modern world.
October 5, 2023
Dodici anni dopo "Vicolo oscuro" gli eredi Spillane danno alle stampe "La reliquia che scotta", pubblicato sotto due autori, Mickey Spillane e il suo amico Max Allan Collins.
È lo stesso Collins, a fondo libro, a svelarci la genesi di questo romanzo: fu iniziato da uno Spillane sconvolto dall'attacco alle Torri gemelle di New York, ma rimase incompiuto per problemi di salute. Collins promise a Spillane che l'avrebbe portato a termine personalmente.
Al di là dell'apporto di Collins, è un libro noioso, verboso, che racconta troppo poco in troppe pagine: Mike Hammer è ormai sulla soglia della pensione e si sta per sposare finalmente con la sua bella Velda. Ma i suoi piani vengono sconvolti dal ritrovamento di un'antica reliquia che fa gola a gruppi terroristici musulmani, israeliani e pure a un magnate dello show di Broadway. Già in partenza il ritrovamento di un femore enorme appartenuto al gigante biblico Golia, alto oltre tre metri, fa abbastanza sorridere: stiamo leggendo un hard-bolied o uno script di un episodio di "Ai confini della realtà"? Nessuno dei due... La narrazione ha perso tutto il fascino dei vecchi Hammer e alla fine si rimane con la sensazione di avere speso troppo tempo a leggere questa storia sbilenca. Qualche guizzo qua e là, ma nulla di rimarchevole.
La "coppia" Spillane-Collins darà alla luce altri romanzi dopo questo, derivanti da svariati manoscritti incompiuti che Spillane avrebbe lasciato alla sua morte: più che figli dei due autori, saranno realisticamente il frutto operazioni di marketing selvaggio.
È lo stesso Collins, a fondo libro, a svelarci la genesi di questo romanzo: fu iniziato da uno Spillane sconvolto dall'attacco alle Torri gemelle di New York, ma rimase incompiuto per problemi di salute. Collins promise a Spillane che l'avrebbe portato a termine personalmente.
Al di là dell'apporto di Collins, è un libro noioso, verboso, che racconta troppo poco in troppe pagine: Mike Hammer è ormai sulla soglia della pensione e si sta per sposare finalmente con la sua bella Velda. Ma i suoi piani vengono sconvolti dal ritrovamento di un'antica reliquia che fa gola a gruppi terroristici musulmani, israeliani e pure a un magnate dello show di Broadway. Già in partenza il ritrovamento di un femore enorme appartenuto al gigante biblico Golia, alto oltre tre metri, fa abbastanza sorridere: stiamo leggendo un hard-bolied o uno script di un episodio di "Ai confini della realtà"? Nessuno dei due... La narrazione ha perso tutto il fascino dei vecchi Hammer e alla fine si rimane con la sensazione di avere speso troppo tempo a leggere questa storia sbilenca. Qualche guizzo qua e là, ma nulla di rimarchevole.
La "coppia" Spillane-Collins darà alla luce altri romanzi dopo questo, derivanti da svariati manoscritti incompiuti che Spillane avrebbe lasciato alla sua morte: più che figli dei due autori, saranno realisticamente il frutto operazioni di marketing selvaggio.
July 20, 2023
It was good to read another Mike Hammer book, even if it wasn't entirely written by him. It's a little unusual, though. Remember, Mike Hammer made his debut in the late 'Forties. Here he is in the years just after 9/11, when he's in his eighties, still being a tough guy. It's hard to envision Mike Hammer with a cell phone, and it's even harder to see him as someone who actually quit smoking. Speaking of 9/11, the empty spot where the Twin Towers used to stand definitely haunts this book.
Mike, on the brink of getting married to Velda (finally!), saves a couple of kids from an assassin who is after them because they uncovered what might be the Biblical Goliath's femur bone. It doesn't sound like a Mike Hammer adventure, but it's full of Mike Hammer action as you like it. The ending is just as surprising as I, the Jury, the first book to feature Mike. One could even view it as a bookend.
As the book says, Spillane passed away when the book was almost finished, so I wanted to see if I could detect the moment when Max Allan Collins took over. I like to think of myself as a literary detective, and I feel that Collins sprinkled a few things over the course of the book, but I'm 99% certain he took over in chapter 11.
Apparently there are other Mike Hammer novels that Spillane was working on at the time of his death that Collins was supposed to finish. None as nearly done as this one was. If this book is an indication of how the others will wind up, I'll give 'em a shot.
Mike, on the brink of getting married to Velda (finally!), saves a couple of kids from an assassin who is after them because they uncovered what might be the Biblical Goliath's femur bone. It doesn't sound like a Mike Hammer adventure, but it's full of Mike Hammer action as you like it. The ending is just as surprising as I, the Jury, the first book to feature Mike. One could even view it as a bookend.
As the book says, Spillane passed away when the book was almost finished, so I wanted to see if I could detect the moment when Max Allan Collins took over. I like to think of myself as a literary detective, and I feel that Collins sprinkled a few things over the course of the book, but I'm 99% certain he took over in chapter 11.
Apparently there are other Mike Hammer novels that Spillane was working on at the time of his death that Collins was supposed to finish. None as nearly done as this one was. If this book is an indication of how the others will wind up, I'll give 'em a shot.
July 22, 2019
This is the first Mike Hammer book written by Max Collins. It is based on an incomplete manuscript that was started by Mike Hammer's creator Mickey Spillane. I have a lot of issues with this book. Mike Hammer is one of the original hard boiled private eyes. So, the decision to let him age strains credulity.
Collins mentions that Hammer is a WWII veteran and has him running around after criminals post 911 as if he has barely aged, He does mention his age from time to time as a humorous aside. But, if you stop and actually consider what this means, Hammer must be in his late seventies. He should be retired. He should not be shooting it out and fighting with people young enough to be his grandchildren.
Mike Hammer does not really belong operating in the present day. Mike Hammer using a cell phone? No way. This is just not right. He is better served working in the 405 and 50s with an occasional foray into the 60's.
Mike Hammer does not belong chasing terrorists. He does not belong getting involved in an archaeological mess with ancient bones. He should be chasing hoods. This just is not a good fit.
In short, Hammer should be treated as a period piece and does not work updated for the modern era.
I rate this book 2.5.
Collins mentions that Hammer is a WWII veteran and has him running around after criminals post 911 as if he has barely aged, He does mention his age from time to time as a humorous aside. But, if you stop and actually consider what this means, Hammer must be in his late seventies. He should be retired. He should not be shooting it out and fighting with people young enough to be his grandchildren.
Mike Hammer does not really belong operating in the present day. Mike Hammer using a cell phone? No way. This is just not right. He is better served working in the 405 and 50s with an occasional foray into the 60's.
Mike Hammer does not belong chasing terrorists. He does not belong getting involved in an archaeological mess with ancient bones. He should be chasing hoods. This just is not a good fit.
In short, Hammer should be treated as a period piece and does not work updated for the modern era.
I rate this book 2.5.
November 20, 2017
I found this book among the shelves of my recently-deceased father-in-law. I had never read a Mickey Spillane book and so I gave it a try. I am not a huge fan of detective/crime fiction and I gather that this was not one of Spillane's best efforts. In fact, it was published after his death and was finished by Max Allan Collins.
The premise is far-fetched: two young archaeology students come across a perfectly-preserved, but enormous, femur in the Valley of Elah, where David slew Goliath. All signs point to this being the femur of the biblical Goliath. They successfully smuggle it out of the Middle East and into New York. But along the way, just about every spy network and terrorist organization finds out about it. And somehow, the possession of this relic becomes the lightning rod that could spark a world war. Mike Hammer stumbles across the students, signs up to protect them, and the body count begins. It's silly from the first page on.
I should probably find a copy of "I The Jury" and go back to the days when Mike Hammer just plugged gangsters and criminals. It might be believable then.
The premise is far-fetched: two young archaeology students come across a perfectly-preserved, but enormous, femur in the Valley of Elah, where David slew Goliath. All signs point to this being the femur of the biblical Goliath. They successfully smuggle it out of the Middle East and into New York. But along the way, just about every spy network and terrorist organization finds out about it. And somehow, the possession of this relic becomes the lightning rod that could spark a world war. Mike Hammer stumbles across the students, signs up to protect them, and the body count begins. It's silly from the first page on.
I should probably find a copy of "I The Jury" and go back to the days when Mike Hammer just plugged gangsters and criminals. It might be believable then.
December 13, 2024
Oooof. Big miss here for me. Mike Hammer is dropped into a 5th rate would-be Da Vinci Code inspired story minus the mystery or intrigue all while draped in simpleton post 9/11 politics that play at insightful but carry the weight of a Facebook post from THAT relative. The biggest issue here is that the premise -- the discovery of the femur of Goliath would incite and inspire a World War III holy war -- is ludicrous. Scene after scene is characters talking incessantly about how amazing and dangerous this discovery is. And it all rings false. All because it would somehow inspire zealots to engage in a balls out, last man standing war to end all wars? Zealots don't need proof.... THAT'S WHY THEY'RE ZEALOTS!!!
At the center of it all is Mike Hammer, a legendary pseudo-celeb geriatric private eye. This Hammer is more cartoon character. If I'm being generous... big IF....and no, I'm not ultimately... but I can imagine a story where Goliath is like Mike Hammer: a larger than life character, a man out of time.
And lastly, it's boring. The cardinal sin of genre fiction!
At the center of it all is Mike Hammer, a legendary pseudo-celeb geriatric private eye. This Hammer is more cartoon character. If I'm being generous... big IF....and no, I'm not ultimately... but I can imagine a story where Goliath is like Mike Hammer: a larger than life character, a man out of time.
And lastly, it's boring. The cardinal sin of genre fiction!
July 8, 2023
This is NOT Mickey Spillane!
Supposedly the iconic author had begun or at least outlined the story, but he was in his last years and asked Collins to complete it.
Well, the premise is silly, and the narration is vulgar, and it's almost not readable.
Some aspects of the plot are interesting, but how it started is ... well, I already said "silly."
If you can get past the ridiculous premise, the idea, an apparent archaeological find, and how it furthers conflict in a part of the world already full of conflict is not bad.
Get past the non-Mike Hammer vulgarity, and the not-especially-well-crafted story can be worth the time it takes for an escape from the even worse "real life."
Supposedly the iconic author had begun or at least outlined the story, but he was in his last years and asked Collins to complete it.
Well, the premise is silly, and the narration is vulgar, and it's almost not readable.
Some aspects of the plot are interesting, but how it started is ... well, I already said "silly."
If you can get past the ridiculous premise, the idea, an apparent archaeological find, and how it furthers conflict in a part of the world already full of conflict is not bad.
Get past the non-Mike Hammer vulgarity, and the not-especially-well-crafted story can be worth the time it takes for an escape from the even worse "real life."
March 13, 2019
This is a collaboration with another author. Mickey Spillane died in 2006 and this was written in 2008. Apparently he had many half finished manuscripts when he died and his wife asked this author, who was a friend, to finish them. I remember my parents reading his books in the 60s but I never read one. Now I am going to read a few of his early books. The main character, Mike Hammer, was as I expected but still very fresh. Good read.
August 7, 2022
This is the last Mike Hammer novel chronologically, or so it was intended. I read it as my first entry into the series because it was free on audible. Stacy Keach is a wonderful narrator, the story itself is a confused mess of post-9/11 hangups & a farewell to an ageing relic of a bygone era. Interestingly enough I know Spillane from a quote that says he refused to age Hammer up because heroes shouldn't get old. Reading the last first was a mistake.
December 7, 2022
Normally I love Mike Hammer books. Characters are brilliant, well drawn but the plot line to this book was boring. Too much background information dumping from religion to politics of the history of the world past and present. I read enjoyment not of a blow by blow history lesson. Yes, I understand the characters were talking about the importance of the bone but it was too much so it slowed the plot down.
January 4, 2022
This was the last Mike Hammer novel Mickey Spillane wrote before he passed away in 2006.
Two teens are on the run with an artifact believed to be what is left of the mighty Palestinian warrior Goliath. They don't know where to turn until they bump into (you guessed it) Mike Hammer.
It's a wild ride from being to end that Mickey Spillane wanted to give us as his final good-bye.
Two teens are on the run with an artifact believed to be what is left of the mighty Palestinian warrior Goliath. They don't know where to turn until they bump into (you guessed it) Mike Hammer.
It's a wild ride from being to end that Mickey Spillane wanted to give us as his final good-bye.
May 20, 2022
Another good Mike Hammer story. This was finished by Max Allan Collins after Mickey Spillane died. There were times when I thought it didn't have quite the same edge to it that Spillane's writing did but, for the most part, I really couldn't tell the difference.
October 6, 2022
4/5
The last Mike Hammer novel at least chronologically. I couldn’t tell where Mikey Spillane started and Max Allan Collins finished. Mike Hammer post 9/11 is something for sure. Max Allan Collins is one of my all time favorites. If you like this kind of stuff check out his Nathan Heller series!
The last Mike Hammer novel at least chronologically. I couldn’t tell where Mikey Spillane started and Max Allan Collins finished. Mike Hammer post 9/11 is something for sure. Max Allan Collins is one of my all time favorites. If you like this kind of stuff check out his Nathan Heller series!
September 10, 2023
The first Hammer book written by Maz Allan Collins after Spillane's demise. It still had the feel of the Hammer novels but brought into modern times with cellphones, computers etc.
. With that, Hammer comes up against assassins, formerly employees of Sodamn Insane.
. With that, Hammer comes up against assassins, formerly employees of Sodamn Insane.
December 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this. And, oddly enough, the final location of the Goliath Bone was exactly where I had predicted it would be, several chapters before the conclusion.
I did *not* expect the plot twist in the final chapter, however. Kudos to Mr. Collins and the late Mr. Spillane.
I did *not* expect the plot twist in the final chapter, however. Kudos to Mr. Collins and the late Mr. Spillane.
April 3, 2025
Old time detective story. At least it seems like from yesteryear in style and story although the time is the 21 oughts. Hammer is old. He happens upon a crime that involves a fossil bone suspected to be that of Goliath.
August 26, 2017
Enjoyed this, probably as much for nostalgia as anything else. I was a Mickey Spillane fan when I was a teen ager and that was many moons ago.
November 21, 2017
Great story written in great style
February 26, 2018
weird premise
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews