Dead Street

by Mickey Spillane

Book Overview

THE FINAL CRIME NOVEL FROM THE KING OF PULP FICTION For 20 years, former NYPD cop Jack Stang has lived with the memory of his girlfriend's death in an attempted abduction. But what if she didn't... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0843957778
• ISBN13: 9780843957778
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Hard Crime Case
• Length: 219 Pages
• Weight: 0.27 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Posthumously-released Spillane

The dean of tough-guy mysteries is Mickey Spillane. Yes, other hard-boiled writers came first--most notably Hammett and Chandler, but Spillane ramped up the violence with his series of post-WWII mysteries, particularly featuring private eye Mike Hammer. Over the next five or so decades, Spillane's literary output would be sporadic, but he kept writing till his 2006 death. Dead Street is a posthumous novel, mostly written when Spillane died and completed by Max Allan Collins. The narrator of Dead Street is Jack Stang, a fiftyish retired NYPD cop known as the Shooter for his reputation for getting into and surviving a number of gunfights. Stang has no real retirement plans when he is approached by a man who reveals a mind-blowing secret: Stang's fiancee Bettie, thought dead for twenty years, is actually alive and living in Florida. Bettie had been kidnapped by mobsters who believed that she had incriminating evidence, but the kidnap was botched and Bettie was trapped in a car that went off a bridge and into the Hudson River. She survived, however, but was blind and a complete amnesiac. She was taken in by a kindly veterinarian who - knowing that she was still in danger - kept her identity concealed. The revelation to Stang, who still deeply loves Bettie, sends him shuttling back and forth between Florida and New York. He wants to help Bettie regain her lost memory, but also has to take care of the criminals who still want her dead. Though twenty years have gone by, the crimes that took place then could still put people in jail. Spillane - with an assist from Collins - was still an able writer at the end of his life. At just 200 pages, it bears the hallmarks of a typical Spillane novel: short and fast-paced, with prose that can be described as lean-and-mean. For Spillane fans, and for old-style pulpish mysteries, Dead Street will be a fine book.

"The street wasn't dead yet.Not all the way."

When I finished reading "Something's Down There",I felt that I had just read the last novel I would ever read by Spillane. I have read most of his novels since I first read his "I the Jury" back in the 50's while still in High School;and I still have most of them in my library.When I came across this paperback ,sitting on the bookshelf in the store;my attention was immediately taken by the cover. My first reaction was that it looked out of place and looked like something from the 50's.Then I noticed the name "Mickey Spillane".What a surprise ,a new novel,when I thought the great run of his novels was over.And now we find we may be in for a few more with the help of his friend Max Allan Collins and Hard Case Crime books. A special mention is deserved to Arthur Suydam whose painting for the cover faithfully captures the style we came to love in the covers of Spillane's novels over the years. It is also important to mention the efforts of Spillane's friend Max Allan Collins who actulally helped complete this novel,writing its last 3 chapters.Fans of that other great crime fighter,Dick Tracy,will also be familiar with his efforts in keeping that fantastic comic strip going. So,once again,we get another engrossing crime story,fully in the style and action packed adventure that we have have come to love over the years. We all miss Spillane's great stories;but if he were still with us;I am sure he would be taken by Collin's line on page 186;"I feel for you,Bucky. But like the man says,I just can't reach you." ;and be asking "I wonder if he was really talking to me here?" Can't wait for another one;--thanks for keeping it all going.

Classic Spillane

Despite the plot holes and technical flaws (NYPD cops carrying .45s, etc.), this is Mickey at his best. The plot harkens back to his vintage red-scare stories, with plenty of violence, only one hot babe (hey, the hero's in his 50s), and New York City as a major character. There's only a fdew of these new Spillane's left. I for one will savor them all.

He's still got it!

Mickey Spillane is what every writer of hardboiled mysteries aspire to become. "Dead Street" is one of the best of the Hard Case Crime series and a good place to start if you haven't tried one yet. It really doesn't get any better than this. A great set of characters, a taut plot and easy reading that can be done in a few sittings and a very satisfying story all around.

Mickey Lives

The good news is that this is not Mickey's last book. He was working on several others at the time of his death and we can look forward to seeing one or more of them, hopefully soon. Dead Street was prepared for publication by Max Allan Collins, working from approximately two-thirds of the book, Mickey's notes, and Mickey's conversations. When I say the "good news" I hasten to add that there is no bad news, except for Mickey's passing. Dead Street is wonderful--vintage Mickey Spillane, with a great protagonist, a great love, a faithful dog, and several piles of bodies. The plot is excellent, the characters endearing and the conclusion as wondrous as any fan might hope. The book is also seamless. Collins has done a spectacular job in completing Mickey's work and we are all in his debt. Once again, a tip of the hat to Charles Ardai and the team at Hard Case Crime. Thanks for bringing us a delight from the master. Do not miss this one.