Juan Saniose presents “The Man. The Myth. The Legend.”
Juan Saniose presents The Man. The Myth. The Legend.
Category: Crime
RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON by Max Allan Collins / Z-View
THE RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON by Max Allan Collins
Publisher: Hard Case Crime
First sentence…
Samuel Spade, leaning back in his swivel-chair, studied the modest pine tree that might have sprouted tinsel-trimmed from where his late partner’s desk had till lately stood.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
THEN…
Detective Sam Spade was pulled into the search for the legendary Maltese Falcon, a jewel-encrusted gold statuette intended as a gift for the 16th century King of Spain. Spade’s partner was murdered. Spade was the prime suspect.
Brigid O’Shaughnessy who hired Spade, was willing to use money, her female charms and anything else to get Spade’s protection from criminals after the Falcon. The others were Casper Gutman, an obese gentleman malefactor and his thugs, Cairo and Wilmer Cook. Gutman depended on his brains and lies. When that didn’t work, Cairo and Cook would use their guns.
In addition to Spade’s partner, two others were killed in pursuit of the bird. Turns out Brigid was the murderess. She’s now behind bars. So is Cairo. But the story doesn’t end there…
NOW…
About a week has passed since Sam Spade’s life was upended. Rhea Gutman, the teenage daughter of Casper Gutman, wants to hire Spade to find the Maltese Falcon. Rhea informs Spade, her father was murdered, but she wants to complete his life’s mission. Rhea believes the Falcon is somewhere close. Spade accepts her retainer.
In short order, Spade is approached independently by several people who also want the Falcon.
- Dixie Monahan, an infamous and dangerous Chicago gambler. He has no legal claim to the bird, but sees an opportunity to make money.
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Corinne Wonderly, the younger sister of the imprisoned Brigid O’Shaughnessy wants to get and sell the Falcon. She plans to use the money raised to help her sister get a good lawyer.
-
Stewart Blackwood is a British Museum curator. He claims that he legally purchased the Maltese Falcon and it was stolen. Blackwood has a bill of sale.
Never one to turn down money, Spade accepts retainers from each.
Spade then works to untangle the lies, double crosses, twisted motivations and shifting alliances brought on by greed and self-preservation. Several people have already died in pursuit of the jewel-encrusted bird.
More will as well.
+++++
Recently Max Allan Collins gave away several copies of RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON. I was a lucky winner. Truth be told, I would have bought a copy had I not won one.
Collins is an author that I follow. I’m a huge fan of Max Allan Collins’ Nate Heller series. Every new Heller tale is a must-buy for me. Collins also completed several of Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer novels (from partially finished manuscripts and outlines). I’ve read almost all of them. Collins’ Quarry crime novels are also good. I’ve read some of them. Same could be said for Collins’ Ms. Tree comics, his Dick Tracy strips and his movie adaptations and other novels. Max Allan Collins can be counted on to deliver a great tale each time out, but it’s his Nate Heller series that does it best for me.
RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON shouldn’t be thought of as a sequel. It’s a continuation of the story. Taking on Hammet’s classic characters was a bold move. I’m very happy to say that Collins met the challenge.
Collins is to be commended. Not only for daring to step up and continue Hammet’s classic, but also for his ease at transporting readers to 1928 San Franciso. Collins take on Spade and the other characters feels like Hammet from their motivations to dialogue. Collins humor (just the right amount) and witty dialogue shine. The plot twists are unexpected, but not outlandish. They work to provide a surprisingly and satisfying climax.
RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON not only reaches the bar set by Collins’ Nate Heller novels but that of Hammet in the original tale. I don’t say this lightly.
I’d love to see Collins provide us with another Sam Spade outing. Maybe even one that crosses over with Nate Heller.
RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON gets my highest recommendation.
Rating:
“London Calling” (2025) directed by Allan Unger, starring Josh Duhamel, Jeremy Ray Taylor with Rick Hoffman and Aidan Gillen / Z-View
London Calling (2025)
Director: Allan Ungar
Screenplay: Levin Menekse, Quinn Wolfe, Allan Ungar
Stars: Josh Duhamel, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Rick Hoffman, Aidan Gillen, Neil Sandilands, Brandon Auret, Milton Schorr, Dumani Siphosethu Mtya, Karl Thaning and Arnold Vosloo.
Tagline: Answer the call
The Plot…
After Tommy Ward accidentally killed a London cartel lord’s son, Tommy escaped to the United States. Now Tommy wants to go back to London since that is where his son lives. Harry, Tommy’s current employer offers Tommy a deal. If Tommy will teach Julian (Harry’s son) to become a man, Harry will get Tommy safe passage back to London. All Tommy has to do is take Julian on a hit.
Taking Julian along is a dangerous proposition. It becomes worse when Tommy becomes a target himself.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Josh Duhamel and Jeremy Ray Taylor had good on-screen chemistry. There were some funny moments, but the film became to over-the-top for me. Your mileage, as always could vary.
London Calling (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars.
RIGHTEOUS TRASH by Nick Kolakowski / Z-View
RIGHTEOUS TRASH by Nick Kolakowski
First sentence…
It was midnight but I was still wide awake in bed when the security lights in the back yard blazed to life.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Jake Halligan needs a break. He’s not making much as a bounty hunter. If his finanaces don’t improve, he could lose everything. His land. His wife. His daughter.
When Jake’s crazy sister, Frankie unexpectedly returns from Mexico, Jake doesn’t know what to expect. Frankie has come back to restart her illegal arms business. Jake wants no part of it.
Frankie is the best shot Jake (or nearly anyone) has ever seen. Frankie plans to enter and win Crazy Bill’s world famous shooting contest. Frankie knows the grand prize money will give her the startup cash she needs. There’s just one problem. She has to win.
Jake has faith in Frankie. Although the contest draws crack shots from around the country, Frankie is the best. Even on a bad day, Frankie would be tough to beat. Jake decides to take a leap of faith. He goes to a loan shark and borrows $100,000.00. He’s going to bet it all on Frankie winning. If she does Jake can pay off the loan plus interest and be flush again. But if Frankie doesn’t win, Jake will lose everything including his life. The loan shark told him as much.
Soon Jake and Frankie are the targets of rival gangs, corrupt politicians, and Federal Agents. Oh, and let’s not forget the loan shark who wants his money… or Jake dead.
+++
RIGHTEOUS TRASH is the third outing for Jake and Frankie. If you’re a fan of crime stories featuring non-stop action with a nice mix of humor, then this one is for you!
Rating:
Marv by Denis Tandirovic!
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my all-time favorite characters. I love seeing artists do their “take” on the big lug. Today we have a Marv by Denis Tandirovic.
Batman’s Discovery by Leonardo Romero!
Diggin’ this Batman art by Leonardo Romero.
“Nightmare” (1964) / Z-View
Nightmare (1964)
Director: Freddie Francis
Screenplay: Jimmy Sangster
Stars: David Knight, Moira Redmond, Brenda Bruce, Jennie Linden.
Tagline: THREE SHOCKING MURDERS…did she DREAM them? …or DO them?
The Plot…
Six years ago Janet Freeman saw her mother stabbed to death. Janet was eleven. Nightmares have haunted her since. Now seventeen, the night terrors have become so bad that Janet has been sent home from boarding school to recover.
At home, the nightmares become worse and even more realistic. Is Janet dreaming of murders or commiting them?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
There are worse ways to spend 82 minutes…
Nightmare (1964) rates 2 of 5 stars.
“Dobermann” (1997) / Z-View
Dobermann (1997)
Director: Jan Kounen
Screenplay: Joël Houssin
Stars: Vincent Cassel, Tchéky Karyo, Monica Bellucci.
Tagline: Are you ready for a Good Time?
The Plot…
Dobermann, a daring and charismatic criminal and his gang of outlandish misfits are hunted by a sadistic cop and his team off oddballs.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Dobermann is styish and over-the-top. Too much so for me. I tapped out after 33 minutes. Your mileage, as always, may vary.
Dobermann (1997) rates 1 of 5 stars.
“Double Indemnity” Alt Poster by Angora!
Double Indemnity is one of my all-time favorite movies. Angora has come up with an alt poster that I hope brings more eyes to the film.
“A Working Man” (2025) starring Jason Statham / Z-View
A Working Man (2025)
Director: David Ayer
Screenplay: Sylvester Stallone, David Ayer based on LEVON’S TRADE by Chuck Dixon
Stars: Jason Statham, Jason Flemyng, Maximilian Osinski, Cokey Falkow, Michael Peña, Noemi Gonzalez, Emmett J. Scanlan, Emmett J. Scanlan and David Harbour.
Tagline: Human traffickers beware.
The Plot…
Levon Cade is a former Royal Marine Commando now working as a construction foreman. When his boss’ daughter is kidnapped, Levon uses his skills to find her and do what he does best.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
A Working Man is the second film written by Sly Stallone that stars Jason Statham. Homefront (2013) was the first.
A Working Man (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“The Godfather Part II” by Mark Levy!
This Godfather Part II art was created by Mark Levy for The Godfather trilogy custom box set.
“I don’t want anything to happen to him while my mother’s alive.”
BLOOD AND MAGICK by James R. Tuck / Z-View
BLOOD AND MAGICK by James R. Tuck
First sentences…
I should have known.
There were signs. I’m supposed to be the damn expert. I should have caught the warnings.
I should have.
But I was completely clueless until the minute the restaurant exploded in a wave of eldritch flame and burning glass.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Deacon Chalk knows the truth about things that go bump in the night. Chalk looks like a stereotypical biker. Bald head. Tats. Tall, broad-shouldered and muscular. But Chalk is anything but stereotypical. Several years ago, he almost died along with his family. Vampires took them out. But Chalk was saved by an angelic blood transfusion. Yeah, angel’s blood.
Now Chalk and the small circle of friends that surround him are monster hunters.
But not tonight.
Chalk, his girlfriend Tiff, and their friends are having a quiet dinner. Then all hell explodes. Literally. Members of a coven known as the Wrath of Baphomet attack. They’re after the “Blood of the Trinity”.
Chalk and his team are no longer the monster hunters… tonight the monsters hunt them.
+++
BLOOD AND MAGICK is the third book in James R. Tuck’s Deacon Chalk: Occult Bounty Hunter series. I’ve read and enjoyed all three.
I love crime, noir and detective/anti-hero stories. Add the right mix of humor and violence and I’m on board. The tales don’t normally feature werewolves, vampires, witches or demons. But Tuck’s Deacon Chalk yarns do, and they work.
Chalk is the type of anti-hero I like. Smart (but not brainy), tough and with enough attitude to get him in tight jams as he tries to (mostly) do the right thing. While I’m not ready for a constant diet of this genre, when I do want another taste, I know James R. Tuck is open for business with other tales.
Rating:
“Dark Winds”: Season 4 – The Trailer is Here!
The poster and trailer for Dark Winds: Season 4 is here.
Deal me in.
No matter how many times you ride out to the desert, you won’t sweat away who you are.
The new season of #DarkWinds premieres February 15 on AMC and AMC+.
“Unit 234” (2024) starring Don Johnson, Isabelle Furhman and Jack Huston / Z-View
Unit 234 (2024)
Director: Andy Tennant
Screenplay: Derek Steiner
Stars: Don Johnson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jack Huston, James DuMont, Manny Galan, Jason Altman, Lia Lando and Christopher James Baker.
Tagline: Some doors should never be opened.
The Plot…
Laurie Saltair is working the overnight shift at her remote storage facility. A man named Jules comes in wanting to get into Unit 234. But it’s not the man who rents the unit. After a tense exchange of words, the man leaves. Laurie decides to check to see what’s in container 234.
She’s shocked to discover a man on a gurney. The man has sutures from a recent surgery. He says his name is Clayton and he’s been kidnapped. They have already taken one of his kidneys and plan to steal more of his organs!
Suddenly the electricity and phone lines to the facility are cut. Laurie frees Clayton from the gurney. As they look for refuge, Jules and two thugs head for Unit 234.
It’s going to be a long night.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Unit 234 is a low-budget thriller that is better than expected. Don Johnson and Isabelle Fuhrman’s acting raises the bar as does the twist ending that you won’t see coming.
Unit 234 (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Marv by Patrick Piazzalunga!
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my all-time favorite characters. I love seeing artists do their “take” on the big lug. Today we have a Marv by Patrick Piazzalunga.
