About the book
The second novel in the unforgettable, long lost series by Ralph Dennis is finally back in print... after being coveted for years by collectors of the very best in hardboiled fiction.
Jim Hardman was a mediocre Atlanta cop until he was wrongly accused of corruption and thrown off the force. Now he works as an unlicensed PI, trouble-shooter and bodyguard...often partnered with his drinking buddy Hump Evans, a black, ex-NFL player who supports his playboy lifestyle by working as hired muscle.
Five kids rip off a gambling party attended by Hump Evans and some of Atlanta's criminal and political elite. Hardman is hired to recover the loot and find the kids before they are caught and butchered by a hitman from Charleston with a very sharp knife.
This new edition includes an introduction by Joe R. Lansdale, the New York Times bestselling author of the Hap & Leonard crime novels.
Praise for the HARDMAN novels
\"His prose was muscular, swift and highly readable. Like Chandler and Hammett before him, Dennis was trying to do something different with what was thought of as throwaway literature.\" Joe R. Lansdale, from his introduction
\"Expert writing, plus good plotting and an unusual degree of sensitivity. Ralph Dennis has mastered the genre and supplied top entertainment. \" The New York Times
\"The Hardman books are by far the best of the men's action-adventure series.\" Mother Jones Magazine
\"Ralph Dennis is an underappreciated master. His Hardman series is one of the finest in the P.I. genre.\" Robert Randisi, founder of the Private Eye Writers of America
\"Among the best series books around. The dialogue is marvelously realistic.\" Philadelphia Daily News
Editions of The Charleston Knife Is Back in Town
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781732065673
- Kindle
- ISBN B07GSGVNX6
Read an Excerpt
The second novel in the unforgettable, long lost series by Ralph Dennis is finally back in print... after being coveted for years by collectors of the very best in hardboiled fiction.
Jim Hardman was a mediocre Atlanta cop until he was wrongly accused of corruption and thrown off the force. Now he works as an unlicensed PI, trouble-shooter and bodyguard...often partnered with his drinking buddy Hump Evans, a black, ex-NFL player who supports his playboy lifestyle by working as hired muscle.
Five kids rip off a gambling party attended by Hump Evans and some of Atlanta's criminal and political elite. Hardman is hired to recover the loot and find the kids before they are caught and butchered by a hitman from Charleston with a very sharp knife.
This new edition includes an introduction by Joe R. Lansdale, the New York Times bestselling author of the Hap & Leonard crime novels.
Praise for the HARDMAN novels
\"His prose was muscular, swift and highly readable. Like Chandler and Hammett before him, Dennis was trying to do something different with what was thought of as throwaway literature.\" Joe R. Lansdale, from his introduction
\"Expert writing, plus good plotting and an unusual degree of sensitivity. Ralph Dennis has mastered the genre and supplied top entertainment. \" The New York Times
\"The Hardman books are by far the best of the men's action-adventure series.\" Mother Jones Magazine
\"Ralph Dennis is an underappreciated master. His Hardman series is one of the finest in the P.I. genre.\" Robert Randisi, founder of the Private Eye Writers of America
\"Among the best series books around. The dialogue is marvelously realistic.\" Philadelphia Daily News
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Charleston Knife Is Back in Town about?
The second novel in the unforgettable, long lost series by Ralph Dennis is finally back in print... after being coveted for years by collectors of the very best in hardboiled fiction.
Jim Hardman was a mediocre Atlanta cop until he was wrongly accused of corruption and thrown off the force. Now he works as an unlicensed PI, trouble-shooter and bodyguard...often partnered with his drinking buddy Hump Evans, a black, ex-NFL player who supports his playboy lifestyle by working as hired muscle.
Five kids rip off a gambling party attended by Hump Evans and some of Atlanta's criminal and political elite. Hardman is hired to recover the loot and find the kids before they are caught and butchered by a hitman from Charleston with a very sharp knife.
This new edition includes an introduction by Joe R. Lansdale, the New York Times bestselling author of the Hap & Leonard crime novels.
Praise for the HARDMAN novels
\"His prose was muscular, swift and highly readable. Like Chandler and Hammett before him, Dennis was trying to do something different with what was thought of as throwaway literature.\" Joe R. Lansdale, from his introduction
\"Expert writing, plus good plotting and an unusual degree of sensitivity. Ralph Dennis has mastered the genre and supplied top entertainment. \" The New York Times
\"The Hardman books are by far the best of the men's action-adventure series.\" Mother Jones Magazine
\"Ralph Dennis is an underappreciated master. His Hardman series is one of the finest in the P.I. genre.\" Robert Randisi, founder of the Private Eye Writers of America
\"Among the best series books around. The dialogue is marvelously realistic.\" Philadelphia Daily News
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Charleston Knife Is Back in Town?
Fiction > Crime and / or mystery fiction > Crime and mystery: hard-boiled crime, noir fiction
Where can I read a sample of The Charleston Knife Is Back in Town?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781732065673
Is The Charleston Knife Is Back in Town part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Hardman
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Charleston Knife Is Back in Town?
Ralph Dennis; Joe R. Lansdale (Introduction by)
Who is the Publisher of the book The Charleston Knife Is Back in Town?
Brash Books
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Charleston Knife Is Back in Town is available as paperback(ISBN 9781732065673) and kindle(ISBN B07GSGVNX6)
Where can I buy The Charleston Knife Is Back in Town online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Charleston Knife Is Back in Town from below
Is there an audio of the book?
Listen to an audio sample of The Charleston Knife Is Back in Town here
Where can I buy The Charleston Knife Is Back in Town?