Dan Simmons, a well-known author of many science fiction works, introduced a new anti-hero in Hard Case, published by St. Martin's Minotaur in 2001.
Hard Freeze, which came out in 2002, keeps up the relentless pace of the first novel, with ex-PI Joe Kurtz now out on parole. Kurtz is another hard-bitten tough guy like Richard Stark’s Parker and Andrew Vachss’ Burke. However, while Burke has a strong moral code in his hatred for child molesters, Kurtz, although not a thief, seems closer to Parker than Burke. Unlike Parker, Kurtz did spend eleven years in prison for killing two hit men who murdered his partner and, as the first book hints, the mother of his child.
In this latest book, for example, he asks which of two Mafia bodyguards named Marco and Leo will volunteer to help in his plan. Marco thinks it over; Leo’s fingers start twitching. Kurtz says, “No volunteers? I guess I’ll just have to pick.” He then proceeds to shoot Leo through his left eye. Marco cooperates willingly.
Hard Freeze, set in Buffalo, NY in the wintertime, has Kurtz pursuing several issues. In one, he has to deal with a contract on his head placed by the acting Don of a Mafia family, Angelino Farino Ferrara. He also has a Fatwa on him from prison days. The Mafia contract is given to decreasingly inept killers. Kurtz also is being tracked by two cops on the Buffalo PD, one of whom is on the payroll of the real Don who is in prison. Finally, an elderly violinist sets him on the trail of a serial killer specializing in young teenagers. As a side issue, Kurtz also runs, with the help of a secretary, several Internet businesses needing an influx of cash.
Kurtz is an uncomplicated sort of protagonist who will always take the most direct line to get desired results, no matter who or what get in his way. He seems to take incredible risks such as frequently carrying a gun. He knows the police tailing him could stop him at any time for a search, which, if armed, would send him directly back to prison. Given the frequent need to defend himself, apparently the risk is one he has no trouble assuming, although to the reader, it seems at times a bit foolhardy.
Other characters in the book see Kurtz as a sociopath, but given his feelings for his daughter (who is unaware of his existence) and his willingness to help others, clearly he is not devoid of human emotions. Instead, despite his stone-killer approach which does pile up the bodies, he is a sympathetic character, and it is easy for the reader to follow the along, rooting for him to succeed.
The sequel to Hard Freeze is Hard as Nails, published in 2003.
