A Dangerous Man: A Novel (Henry Thompson Book 3)

The final installment in a three book series finds Hank yet again on a downward spiral of broken bones, concussions and bruises. Hank has finally become what he feared the most at the beginning of the series. He is, "A dangerous man".The theme of this series might was well be "everyone dies. badly.", and that is especially true as the story wraps up.I see that the author describes his work as "pulp" rather than noir. These books are fine examples of the pulp genre, and that explains why he doesn't choose to explore the darker emotional conflicts that can be evident in noir.Looking back, I think the first book was the best. It was pure pulp action. The second book has that "middle" feel that seems to always occur in trilogies. I think that final book does choose to explore the dark emotional side of things much more, but doesn't do it very well.The series is marred by long diversions which don't help the story move along. The second book dedicated far too much time to pointless football talk, and the third book dedicated just as much time to pointless extended descriptions of nightmares.Still, these books are a great read, and highly recommended.

A great ending to a superb trilogy!Henry "Hank" Thompson is back, his plastic surgery enhanced face, his pill habit and more...The story starts in Vegas and then heads back to New York, Hank is working as a "dangerous man", a hired killer, enforcer, bodyguard, etc.The Russian mobster David Dolokhov has Hank on a short leash, with the threat of his parents being killed hanging over his head, Hank doesn't really have a choice!I enjoyed this book just as much as the 1st & 2nd books. Charlie's writing and great characters always make for a fast and exciting read!Hank has killed seventeen people through the three books, stolen four million dollars from the Russian mob and is wanted by the FBI, it had to end sometime!Charlie Huston could have went alot of different ways for the ending, I think he chose the most realistic ending possible, without overdoing it!Charlie Huston is a great writer, I'm looking forward to reading his other books, "The Shotgun Rule", "The Mystic Art of Erasing All Signs of Death" & "Already Dead"!

** WARNING TO PROSPECTIVE READERS ** * THIS IS THE THIRD BOOK IN THE "HANK THOMPSON" TRILOGY * * TO FULLY APPRECIATE THIS STORY IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT * * YOU READ THE TWO PRIOR BOOKS: * * "CAUGHT STEALING"** & "SIX BAD THINGS" * * BOTH OF WHICH I HAVE PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED *If you've made it through the wild and wooly life of Charlie Huston's Hank Thompson, by reading the first two books of this trilogy, you certainly know by now, that for a guy who was at peace with the world until he agreed to watch a neighbor's cat, that no matter how good or innocent Hank's intentions are, that dead bodies and drugs are sure to follow.Like Al Pacino, in the ongoing "Godfather" sequels, "Every time Hank tries to get out of the murder business, someone drags him back in!" The constant threat by undesirables to kill his parents, leads Hank to be a "hit-man" and "limb-breaker" for Russian mobster David Dolokhov. In addition to losing one of his kidney's in an earlier book, and assorted broken ribs, multiple concussions, multiple gun shot wounds, gashes, gouges, and more stitches than a garment made by an epileptic seamstress, Hank also gets plastic surgery to hide his identity from all the authorities and civilians looking for a payoff with his capture. The fact that the Russian mobster arranges for the plastic surgery to be performed by an individual not accredited to perform such surgery, leaves Hank with a deformed face riveted with scars and discoloration.The latest job assigned to Hank by the Russian is be a bodyguard and driver for Miguel Arenas, college baseball star, Olympic Gold Medal winner, and now the overall number one draft choice in the Major Leagues by the New York Mets. In addition to Miguel's ability to hit the ball out of the park, comes the ability to have a gambling "Jones" that causes him to lose million's of dollars of his signing bonus, which puts him into heavy debt, to who else, but the Russian mobster. Hank and Miguel forge a special bond, which brings Hank back to where his misery and murders began, New York city. Blood starts spurting, bodies start dying, bones start breaking, as Hank runs, hides, fights, shoots, stabs, and pleads for his life. This is a must read for every Charlie Huston fan!

Henry Thompson was a really nice guy.The operative word is 'was' because what he has descended to over the course of 'Caught Stealing', 'Six Bad Things', and 'A Dangerous Man' is anything but the life he thought he was going to have. He has a new face, an addiction to several new drugs, and a wide array of people who want to kill him, slowly. Oh yes, and there is the matter of the missing $4,000,000.Not a good life.But what a great end to a tremendous series. Huston is a master of non-linear plot lines, crackling dialogue, and constant surprises. The return to New York is welcome, as it was always his best locale. The subplot with the baseball player gives Huston a chance to share his love of the game and the young men who play for our enjoyment.Although the ending was not what I expected, upon reflection I don't see how he could have ended the series any other way and maintained plausibility. It's a fitting end that ties up virtually every plot line opened up in all three books.If you're new to Huston, please follow the advice of all the reviewers and read the books in the order they were written. Taking them out of order will really spoil the earlier books for you.And like a couple of the other reviewers, I also recommend strongly the Joe Pitt books. 'Almost Dead' is a tour de force. You'll never think about vampires the same way again.

Firstly, Have you read 'Caught Stealing' and 'Six Bad things'? If not, go away now. A Dangerous Man is the final installment in a tautly plotted trilogy and you must not cheat yourself of the outstanding experience waiting for you when you start at 1 and go through them in order.Huston is an undervalued mastermind and this book continues the adventures of Hank Thompson in brutal, realistic and unpredictable fashion. Rarely have I wanted to burn through a book faster and at the same time, cursed myself as I speeded up my arival at the final page. I didn't want the story to end.Through the horrific experiences of the previous stories, Hank has now become the dangerous man of the title. Caught between obligation to his new life and love for his old, wracked by guilt and desperate for redemption, he lurches towards the confrontation with the man behind his original downfall. And, most impressively, Huston keeps his own courage as a writer, giving Hank the ending he has wrought upon himself and not the ending we think he deserves.Brilliant.

I read Charlie Huston's vampire series first and loved it so thought I would try his earlier work, which can be a risk with an author as early stuff tends not to live up to more established works in my opinion but in this case I couldnt be more wrong.My only criticism is that I didnt want the series to end! I found myself cheering Hank on even after all the bad things he has done, you dont want anything bad to actually happen to him and are secretly hoping for a happy ending. I was actually gutted at the end.If you havent read the other books in the series, you have to as you need the back story to get the full effect of this one but you wont be disappointed.If you only pick one author, make it Charlie Huston. He makes is so real you think you actually know Hank. It would make a great movie.

Great read, but very noir. A very well written book - this guy can write. If you like your heroes tough, laconic, but ultimately tragic, you'll love this one.

great item