Quarry's Choice

I just surprised myself, characterizing the book as lighthearted. A book about a dangerous and violent assassin lighthearted? Well, yes. I don't think that Collins meant this as realistic adventure. But, as I get older and older and more and more bored by my standard reading fare, Quarry books stand out as fun reads and keep me fully engaged. They aren't as thought provoking as the Nate Heller books, as they don't engage with many issues other than the difficulties in carrying out assassinations of despicable people, and often in discovering who hired you and why, but they are fun reads that brighten my day. They are darker than the Lawrence Block books on assassination, but a lot lighter than Barry Eisner. I'm sure some others can disagree with this assessment, bu that is how it strikes me.

I really enjoy reading the Quarry books. I really enjoy the character, the action and the dialogue. I enjoy getting excited when I see a new Quarry book coming out and waiting in anticipation. I hate getting the book and finding out I already own it under a different title. This is a five star book but only two stars since I was fleeced by publisher slapping on a new title and reselling a book

This is the weakest Quarry, in my opinion. I have read them all, each as soon as they become available.

The story itself is not that engaging. The romantic interest is less believable this go round. In some places the editing was lacking - concepts and phrases repeated almost word for word - unusual for Max Allan Collins. The "surprises" here were not that surprising.

While I think that this author is great at writing sex scenes that make sense and that have a purpose, the graphic sex scenes here are not done as well as they usually are in Quarry books. For example, the glow in the dark make up scene in The Wrong Quarry was creative, clever and enriched the character greatly. In the previous book, the adult film location had a different twist, and was a plot device. Compare the sex scenes in Quarry's Choice - honestly, kind of rushed and gratuitous. There was no build up, and they lacked development. The first one may have been that way on purpose to convey the nature of the location, but there are several more for which there is no excuse.

On the whole, I would recommend this Quarry book be your last, or one that you read in a binge state.

The pace is fast, the dialogue is crisp and the action is hard and fast.

I’m hooked on the series! I’ll probably wind up reading them all

Well paced escapist read. Quarry is like a hard boiled detective with a heart of... well maybe not quite gold. Let's say silver. Except he is one of the bad guys. Being a crook instead of a cop frees the protagonist of all rules, except the need to get the job done and survive. Makes for entertaining reading.

Consistent with his other Quarry books and nice tie in with Showtime series.

It's Quarry at his best. I love the Quarry series. This one takes where Quarry tangles with the Biloxi mob and does what he does best. Bloody murders and sleeping with beautiful women.

Every time I read a John Quarry book my first thought is that I won't by another one, but then I sit back and realize that Quarry only kills someone in the book that deserved it, and buy another. Quarry's boss, Broker, discovers he is the subject of a hit, and sends Quarry to the deep south where he ends up going to work for the man who wants Broker killed. Dixie Mafia, prostitutes, and the war of leadership takes center stage in this book.

enjoyable casual reading