Quarry's Reunion by Max Allan Collins

It’s always a joy to read a new Quarry novel and this one is no exception. In fact, this one is special in that it celebrates 50 years since the very first Quarry was published, titled “Broker”. (That first novel has been re-released under the title, “Quarry” and is the author’s preferred title). I was lucky enough to snag an ARC from author Max Allan Collins and I couldn't be happier.

In this novel, the third of the “old man Quarry” novels, as they have been unofficially dubbed, our former contract killer is now past 70 years of age and continues to manage the Sylvan Lodge in Minnesota. A visit from the 40ish year-old daughter of Mary Ann, an old high school girlfriend, turns out to be a summons from said girlfriend, leading to Quarry’s return to his old hometown and his high school class’s 50^th reunion. Seems somebody is out to kill Mary Ann’s daughter, even though the local police have dismissed the so-called murder attempts as accidents or gang initiation activity.

As Quarry digs into the case, he re-engages with quite a few reunion attendees, bringing back all sorts of memories, both good and bad. The danger increases as he gets closer to discovering the source of the attacks and the action grows more and more hard-boiled.

Quarry fans will certainly enjoy this one as will newcomers to the series. The author points out in the afterword that there is no reason to read this series in chronological order or even in the order they were published, and I completely agree. There is always a short bit about Quarry’s history to entice a new reader to each novel.

I’m a relative late comer to the Quarry series and have read only about five so far. With each one I read, I am so thankful that I have many more to go. Told in the first-person, they have a hard-boiled nature on par with Raymond Chandler or Dashiell Hammett and, of course, Mickey Spillane. They also offer some of the finest dialogue written in any prose today. Frankly, I would have a hard time choosing among all these authors as my favorite.

Keep ‘em coming.

Expected publication November 10, 2026

Japanese Tales of Mystery and Imagination by Edogawa Rampo

I was fortunate to be able to visit Japan last summer and, of course, bought several books (English translations) to bring home with me as souvenirs.  This one caught my eye in a little shop in Kyoto so I thought I would take a chance on it.  There are nine stories in this volume and taken together represent a nice sampling of the author’s work.  The author’s real name is Hirai Taro (1894 – 1965) but his chosen pseudonym is of interest.  Try saying “Edogawa Ranpo” three times fast and you might find a resemblance to a Japanese pronunciation of “Edgar Allan Poe”, an author who reportedly influenced him greatly.  That is certainly evident in these stories, combining Poe’s first-person narrative style with similar plots including mystery/detective yarns as well as a couple with more mystical themes.

It is rare that I can say about any anthology I’ve read that I absolutely loved every single piece in it.  But it’s true for this collection.  Each one immediately captured my interest and held it through the very end.  Several times after I finished a story, I sat back and just thought about it, letting it last a while longer in my mind.  That sounds corny, I know, but is true, nonetheless.  All stories take place in Japan, but the characters and ideas are universal.  There is a reason this author is considered the father of Japanese mystery writing.

I feel lucky to have discovered this author for myself and am happy to discover that there are a number of his works (novels and short stories) available in English translation.

Highly recommended!