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Down Among the Jocks
“Ralph Dennis has mastered the genre and supplied top entertainment.” The New York Times
Before Spenser & Hawk, Elvis Cole & Joe Pike, and Hap & Leonard, there was Jim Hardman & Hump Evans, author Ralph Dennis' legendary 1970s PI team. They're back in the fifth adventure in the beloved and acclaimed series that influenced generations of crime writers.
Retired pro football star Ed Cross did most of his scoring between bed posts with other player's women, including Hump's ex-girlfriend. That was bad enough. But, just to rub it in, Cross sends Hump an x-rated birthday skin flick of him celebrating in bed with two women. Hump goes looking for blood... and finds it. Cross is murdered and Hump becomes the prime suspect. Hardman works to clear Hump and discovers there's plenty of murderous hate for Cross out there...from the top of the sports world to the pits of Atlanta's illegal gambling scene... and revealing it could get them both killed.
This new edition includes an Afterword from Ben Jones, the Dukes of Hazzard actor and former U.S. Congressman from Georgia.
PRAISE FOR THE HARDMAN NOVELS
"Like Chandler and Hammett before him, Dennis was trying to do something different with what was thought of as throwaway literature.” Joe R. Lansdale, New York Times bestselling author of the Hap & Leonard series
“The Hardman books are by far the best of the men’s action-adventure series.” Mother Jones Magazine
“Among the best series books around.” Philadelphia Daily News
Before Spenser & Hawk, Elvis Cole & Joe Pike, and Hap & Leonard, there was Jim Hardman & Hump Evans, author Ralph Dennis' legendary 1970s PI team. They're back in the fifth adventure in the beloved and acclaimed series that influenced generations of crime writers.
Retired pro football star Ed Cross did most of his scoring between bed posts with other player's women, including Hump's ex-girlfriend. That was bad enough. But, just to rub it in, Cross sends Hump an x-rated birthday skin flick of him celebrating in bed with two women. Hump goes looking for blood... and finds it. Cross is murdered and Hump becomes the prime suspect. Hardman works to clear Hump and discovers there's plenty of murderous hate for Cross out there...from the top of the sports world to the pits of Atlanta's illegal gambling scene... and revealing it could get them both killed.
This new edition includes an Afterword from Ben Jones, the Dukes of Hazzard actor and former U.S. Congressman from Georgia.
PRAISE FOR THE HARDMAN NOVELS
"Like Chandler and Hammett before him, Dennis was trying to do something different with what was thought of as throwaway literature.” Joe R. Lansdale, New York Times bestselling author of the Hap & Leonard series
“The Hardman books are by far the best of the men’s action-adventure series.” Mother Jones Magazine
“Among the best series books around.” Philadelphia Daily News
168 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1974
34 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Ralph Dennis
55 books46 followersRalph Dennis was born in South Carolina and had a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina, where he also taught. For mystery fans, Dennis will always be associated with the City of Atlanta, the locale for the twelve novel series about Jim Hardman, former cop and unofficial private eye, all published by Popular Library between 1974 and 1977.
At the time of his death in 1988, he was working at a bookstore in Atlanta and had a file cabinet full of unpublished novels.
At the time of his death in 1988, he was working at a bookstore in Atlanta and had a file cabinet full of unpublished novels.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 11, 2020
4 stars for another enjoyable mystery in the Hardman series. Although it helps to read these books in order, this one can be read as a stand alone. Jim Hardman is an ex Atlanta cop who now works as an unofficial private investigator. He calls on Hump Evans, an ex NFL football player for backup periodically.
In this book, Hump comes to Jim for help. Hump has received a porno film from Ed Cross, another ex football player. Cross is the star in the film. Hump had an affair with a woman named Eartha which ended a few months before. Then he ran into Eartha with Ed Cross at a Braves game. When Hump gets the film, he knows that Ed is sending him a message. He goes looking for Ed. He finds blood all over Eartha's apartment, but no body. Hump calls Jim. They search the apartment thoroughly and then call the police. The police think that Hump has killed Eartha, who walks in her apartment while they are questioning Hump. The police search the surrounding area and find Ed's body.
Hump and Jim backtrack Ed's movements over the last few weeks. They are attacked a couple of times themselves. More people die. Jim and Hump do resolve the case
Ralph Dennis writes lean prose in the style of Chandler and Hammett.
One quote from Jim on lunch: "I walked down a block or so and found a sandwich shop where I got a quick hamburger and an iced tea. The hamburger tasted like fried dog food and the ice in the tea smelled like a swimming pool that had just had the chemicals added for the week."
There is an afterword by Ben Jones, aka "Cooter" if you are a Dukes of Hazzard fan. Ben and Ralph were good friends for decades.
This was a Kindle Unlimited book.
In this book, Hump comes to Jim for help. Hump has received a porno film from Ed Cross, another ex football player. Cross is the star in the film. Hump had an affair with a woman named Eartha which ended a few months before. Then he ran into Eartha with Ed Cross at a Braves game. When Hump gets the film, he knows that Ed is sending him a message. He goes looking for Ed. He finds blood all over Eartha's apartment, but no body. Hump calls Jim. They search the apartment thoroughly and then call the police. The police think that Hump has killed Eartha, who walks in her apartment while they are questioning Hump. The police search the surrounding area and find Ed's body.
Hump and Jim backtrack Ed's movements over the last few weeks. They are attacked a couple of times themselves. More people die. Jim and Hump do resolve the case
Ralph Dennis writes lean prose in the style of Chandler and Hammett.
One quote from Jim on lunch: "I walked down a block or so and found a sandwich shop where I got a quick hamburger and an iced tea. The hamburger tasted like fried dog food and the ice in the tea smelled like a swimming pool that had just had the chemicals added for the week."
There is an afterword by Ben Jones, aka "Cooter" if you are a Dukes of Hazzard fan. Ben and Ralph were good friends for decades.
This was a Kindle Unlimited book.
January 3, 2019
Lean Mean crime fiction
Lean, mean crime fiction without the fat, the gristle, the helper. No flowery descriptions. No fancy pseudo-political snarl. What Ralph Dennis gives us in the Hardman series is short, quick, stripped-down, nothing fancy, eminently readable, and quite entertaining.
This chapter of the Jim Hardman story has Jim and his buddy ex football player Hump trying to figure who set out for good a mean one who got his kicks cuckolding his teammates and buddies. No end in sight of the suspects for this one including Hump. No one admits to killing this one but no one sheds even one tear.
Lean, mean crime fiction without the fat, the gristle, the helper. No flowery descriptions. No fancy pseudo-political snarl. What Ralph Dennis gives us in the Hardman series is short, quick, stripped-down, nothing fancy, eminently readable, and quite entertaining.
This chapter of the Jim Hardman story has Jim and his buddy ex football player Hump trying to figure who set out for good a mean one who got his kicks cuckolding his teammates and buddies. No end in sight of the suspects for this one including Hump. No one admits to killing this one but no one sheds even one tear.
July 12, 2019
I received this audiobook from Brash Books in exchange for an honest review.
Book 5 in the outstanding Hardman series, this one was quite different that the previous four. Here, Hardman’s partner Hump is a suspect in a brutal murder, along with about half a dozen other suspects. The victim was hated by most of Atlanta, and no tears were shed for this man.
The biggest difference with this one is the ending, which was quite sudden and unfulfilling. Bad guys were caught, but the questions and answers were left hanging, and there was no neat, little bow on this story. Still, it was another outstanding entry in the series, and I’m looking forward to reading/hearing the rest of the books.
Book 5 in the outstanding Hardman series, this one was quite different that the previous four. Here, Hardman’s partner Hump is a suspect in a brutal murder, along with about half a dozen other suspects. The victim was hated by most of Atlanta, and no tears were shed for this man.
The biggest difference with this one is the ending, which was quite sudden and unfulfilling. Bad guys were caught, but the questions and answers were left hanging, and there was no neat, little bow on this story. Still, it was another outstanding entry in the series, and I’m looking forward to reading/hearing the rest of the books.
November 27, 2025
Hardman's partner, Hump Evens receives a film in the mail and when he sees it, it turns out to be a dirty movie of a former jock a woman and Hump's ex-girlfriend. It seems a handful of others got the same film in the mail. Hump goes looking for the creep. What he finds at his ex's place is a room full of blood and a dumpster out back with the dead jock in it. The police have their suspicions, and Hardman helps him find the killer.
All of these books have been some of the best crime, mystery whodoneit's, or whatever you want to call them of all time. So far, each one has been tops in the genre. It's hard to believe that these were not well received back when they first came out.
All of these books have been some of the best crime, mystery whodoneit's, or whatever you want to call them of all time. So far, each one has been tops in the genre. It's hard to believe that these were not well received back when they first came out.
August 9, 2019
Another good whodunit by Ralph Dennis.
Set in Atlanta during the 70's the language and actions of the protagonists, Hardman and Hump, certainly are not what we would call PC. Times and author styles change. It's nice to go back every now and again and see where today's authors got their 'training'.
Recommended.
Set in Atlanta during the 70's the language and actions of the protagonists, Hardman and Hump, certainly are not what we would call PC. Times and author styles change. It's nice to go back every now and again and see where today's authors got their 'training'.
Recommended.
February 14, 2019
A great read
I really enjoy this series of books it is just a good old detective book with no sex and some action but this one was a let down it didn't end right
I really enjoy this series of books it is just a good old detective book with no sex and some action but this one was a let down it didn't end right
August 3, 2019
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review and all opinions expressed herein are mine.
This is the fifth book in the Hardman series. It is a standalone book with no cliffhanger ending. All the books in this series are standalones and could be read in any order. However, I highly recommend that you start with the first book in the series - Atlanta Deathwatch. In the first book you get an introduction to the characters and enjoy their growth through the series.
Here, Hump receives an sex film in the mail depicting his former girlfriend with a former pro football player, Ed Cross. When Hump then visits his former girlfriend's home, he finds a bloody mess so he calls Hardman for help. Everyone believes that the former girlfriend has been murdered and as the cops investigate the crime scene, the former girlfriend shows up - very much alive. So who was murdered? Turns out Ed Cross was the victim and he sent similar sex films to several other men recently - so all the recipients [including Hump] are possible suspects. On top of that, Cross was writing a tell-all book [actually recording his thoughts on tape which were then transformed into a book by an actual writer] - so now there might be more suspects who may have wanted to keep Cross quiet. Hump and Hardman have to narrow the field to the actual perpetrator after it becomes clear that the police are very interested in Hump for the murder.
This is another excellent entry in this series. This book was written in the seventies, so be warned, if you are sensitive to these things, the vernacular and belief systems are from that era [for example - words used to describe women and races or attitudes related to domestic violence and race discrimination]. What I love about this series is the cleverly plotted mysteries with main characters who are realistic and flawed. Yet, these are two guys who you would enjoy passing the time listening to their adventures over a beer or two. At the end of the book is an afterword written by Ben Jones, who played Cooter in the 70's TV series Dukes of Hazzard. Jones describes his relationship with the author and some of his memories - it was an interesting heartfelt tribute.
I listened to this book - Shawn Compton has narrated all the books in the series. To me, he is absolutely the voice of Hardman and Hump. Another outstanding job!
This is the fifth book in the Hardman series. It is a standalone book with no cliffhanger ending. All the books in this series are standalones and could be read in any order. However, I highly recommend that you start with the first book in the series - Atlanta Deathwatch. In the first book you get an introduction to the characters and enjoy their growth through the series.
Here, Hump receives an sex film in the mail depicting his former girlfriend with a former pro football player, Ed Cross. When Hump then visits his former girlfriend's home, he finds a bloody mess so he calls Hardman for help. Everyone believes that the former girlfriend has been murdered and as the cops investigate the crime scene, the former girlfriend shows up - very much alive. So who was murdered? Turns out Ed Cross was the victim and he sent similar sex films to several other men recently - so all the recipients [including Hump] are possible suspects. On top of that, Cross was writing a tell-all book [actually recording his thoughts on tape which were then transformed into a book by an actual writer] - so now there might be more suspects who may have wanted to keep Cross quiet. Hump and Hardman have to narrow the field to the actual perpetrator after it becomes clear that the police are very interested in Hump for the murder.
This is another excellent entry in this series. This book was written in the seventies, so be warned, if you are sensitive to these things, the vernacular and belief systems are from that era [for example - words used to describe women and races or attitudes related to domestic violence and race discrimination]. What I love about this series is the cleverly plotted mysteries with main characters who are realistic and flawed. Yet, these are two guys who you would enjoy passing the time listening to their adventures over a beer or two. At the end of the book is an afterword written by Ben Jones, who played Cooter in the 70's TV series Dukes of Hazzard. Jones describes his relationship with the author and some of his memories - it was an interesting heartfelt tribute.
I listened to this book - Shawn Compton has narrated all the books in the series. To me, he is absolutely the voice of Hardman and Hump. Another outstanding job!
February 2, 2020
Glad to see Dennis getting the attention his writing deserves, even if it is thirty years later than it should be.
I agree with other reviewers that this is taut and engaging, but the ending is not effective, and was even a bit confusing until the last few pages. I also had the same reaction about how jarring some 1970's insensitivity to issues of color and gender is when we read it today. But Dennis clearly means to be on the right side; he is just limited by the terminology of his era, and his desire to be realistic.
This also seems in general more raw than its predecessors in the Hardman series. The sexual content seems more explicit, perhaps ahead of the time for when it was written, but nothing that distinctive in the current permissive era. And there are insights here for how the porn industry worked then, as well as betting and poker.
Anyway, a terrific series, ahead of its time by a wide margin, and well worth reading.
I agree with other reviewers that this is taut and engaging, but the ending is not effective, and was even a bit confusing until the last few pages. I also had the same reaction about how jarring some 1970's insensitivity to issues of color and gender is when we read it today. But Dennis clearly means to be on the right side; he is just limited by the terminology of his era, and his desire to be realistic.
This also seems in general more raw than its predecessors in the Hardman series. The sexual content seems more explicit, perhaps ahead of the time for when it was written, but nothing that distinctive in the current permissive era. And there are insights here for how the porn industry worked then, as well as betting and poker.
Anyway, a terrific series, ahead of its time by a wide margin, and well worth reading.
January 1, 2025
I'd read DOWN AMONG THE JOCKS over forty years ago. Brash Books has reprinted the entire series. Lee Goldberg, one of the founders of the publishing company, loved the series back when it was hitting the shelves and brought the books back.
I'd missed the series.
The book is dated, but in the best way. It shows the world the way it was over fifty years ago and demonstrates how much of the culture we have today sadly hasn't changed. Much has changed, of course, but the meanness persists.
The sports culture and its inherent problems still feel spot-on. Except for the absences of cell phones, the internet, podcasters, etc., the plot could stand in today's world.
I really enjoyed riding backseat to Jim Hardman and Hump Evans. They were an early precursor to Spenser and Hawk.
The writing is neat, tight, and unflinchingly brutal, yet somehow (in my opinion) softer than many of the murder documentaries/series on television today. Private eye fans and crime fans will enjoy this one.
I'd missed the series.
The book is dated, but in the best way. It shows the world the way it was over fifty years ago and demonstrates how much of the culture we have today sadly hasn't changed. Much has changed, of course, but the meanness persists.
The sports culture and its inherent problems still feel spot-on. Except for the absences of cell phones, the internet, podcasters, etc., the plot could stand in today's world.
I really enjoyed riding backseat to Jim Hardman and Hump Evans. They were an early precursor to Spenser and Hawk.
The writing is neat, tight, and unflinchingly brutal, yet somehow (in my opinion) softer than many of the murder documentaries/series on television today. Private eye fans and crime fans will enjoy this one.
June 12, 2020
This is Hardman No. 5, and I am happy to have stuck with this hugely enjoyable series thus far. Jim Hardman and Hump Evans are on another of their adventures, this time a bit personal for Hump, in the enthralling city of Atlanta. This story has the usual assortment of the nasty, funny and quirky characters. Hardman takes quite some beatings, and gives back equally, with some support from Evans. The plot is as crisp, and the dialogues are as funny, as ever. I was very much entertained by Down among the Jocks and am unchanged in my plan to follow the series through to the end.
January 13, 2020
After hitting his real stride with Pimp For the Dead, Ralph Dennis went for something new in this Hardman book. To be honest, I've read two other books since this one, and I cannot for the life of me remember what the hell happened. Maybe that's more about my memory than the book, but it's still not saying much for the entry. Oh, well. It's let's say it's a rare slip in an otherwise solid track record.
May 23, 2020
Hardman #5 Very Good Read
Hardman episode 5, Hardman and Hump Evans are not technically hired in this book. Hump is the client. He is a person of interest in a murder.This story gets complicated when a key piece of evidence , an x-rated video, disappears. The end was kind of a surprise.
Hardman episode 5, Hardman and Hump Evans are not technically hired in this book. Hump is the client. He is a person of interest in a murder.This story gets complicated when a key piece of evidence , an x-rated video, disappears. The end was kind of a surprise.
May 11, 2023
A Very Good Entry
I am by now a big fan of the Hump & Hardman novels and Down Among The Jocks is a very good entry in the series. While probably not my favorite of the five thus far, it is a well done work of crime fiction and I rather enjoyed the the ending for its bit of difference from the usual mystery formula of things being wrapped up nice and tight.
I am by now a big fan of the Hump & Hardman novels and Down Among The Jocks is a very good entry in the series. While probably not my favorite of the five thus far, it is a well done work of crime fiction and I rather enjoyed the the ending for its bit of difference from the usual mystery formula of things being wrapped up nice and tight.
December 14, 2019
Another great one with an ending I really didn't see until coming until the end. Love this series. The Afterword by Ben Jones was especially moving.
January 12, 2020
Another stellar Hardman book. More noir-ish, almost a straight ahead detective story, but it was really well done and ended on a bleak note.
December 21, 2019
They are super quick and easy reads and some of my favorite books to have read in 2019.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews