I read Mickey Spillane’s I, The Jury in the early 1960s. I was blown away by the violence and the surprise ending! That led me to read My Gun Is Quick, Vengeance Is Mine. One Lonely Night, The Big Kill. and Kiss Me, Deadly. I binged on Mickey Spillane’s works then and recently I’ve been binging on Mickey Spillane’s work finished by Max Allan Collins for Hard Case Crime.
In his “Introduction” Max Allan Collins says that The Last Stand is Spillane’s last completed novel. This edition includes “A Bullet for Satisfaction”–a novella about a rogue cop fighting corruption.
The Last Stand (2018) was released to honor Spillane’s 100th birthday. The story follows a pilot who makes an emergency landing in the desert and gets caught in a dangerous power struggle involving FBI agents, fortune hunters, and a local Native American tribe over a mysterious discovery. All of Spillane’s signature tropes show up here: a clever hero, a beautiful woman, a loyal pal, a fight with a menacing thug, and a treasure worth billions.
If you’re a Mickey Spillane fan, you’ll enjoy this closing chapter of his writing career. If you’re just curious about the Spillane phenomenon, The Last Stand is a good display of his legendary talent. And, I also love the cover artwork by Laurel Blechman! GRADE: B+
Walking fom the train station to the university campus in the early 60s I saw several erotic Pictures in a bookshop – Micky Spillane covers.
So when I had some money left (I was a poor student) I bought “I, the Jury” and was fascinated, so I tried to find all his novels later when I had some money and went to London regularly. His stories were so different from the novels I knew, with authors like Agatha Christie and Edgar Wallace which I also liked.
Those were the days!
Wolf, Mickey Spillane was the best selling writer of that era. His books were everywhere!
Spillane was a talented showman and writer (don’t ever try to call him an author to his face!) who had his finger on the pulse of his readership. Despite criticism from highbrows and from such respected critics as Anthony Boucher, Spillane became on of the greatest selling authors of his time. I find some of his work to be hokey and contrived, but always readable and often highly readable. Spillane has had many imitators but no one has come close to his rapid-fire excitement. I have often maintained that if someone wanted to learn how to write, they had to read the first chapter of ONE LONELY NIGHT. Collins must be recommended for hoisting the Spillane flag in support for so many years (it was his influence that led to Spillane eventually being named a MWA Grand Master) and for keeping Spillane’s name in the public eye following Mickey’s death.
THE LAST STAND is a winner. I’d rate it even higher than you did, George.
Jerry, I agree with your assessment of Spillane and the incredible first chapter of ONE LONELY NIGHT! Max Allan Collins, with the help of Hard Case Crime, kept Spillane’s work in print.
I see the attraction and I’ve liked some, but not a big fan.
Jeff, there’s no doubt part of reading of Mickey Spillane recently is pure nostalgia. Spillane had a huge impact on me back in the 1960s when I was a teenager.
It reminds me of the Gat Heat panels at long ago mystery conventions. Bob Randisi did them with help from Max Allen Collins preteen son. They were a wonderful addition to the cons. A humorous talk showesque panel. I’m not sure if I’m correct that they were inspired by Mickey Spillane’s books.
Maggie, Max Allan Collins is heavily involved in bringing Mickey Spillane’s work to readers.
The Mick is aces with this gazabo!
Bob, I recall sending you some Mickey Spillane crime novels and Westerns!
Yes, thanks! I know I read most of them! They don’t have the same wallop they had before he became a Jehovah’s Witless, but they’re better than nothing!
Bob, more Spillane books will be coming your way in the months ahead!