The Goliath Bone

In this posthumously published Mike Hammer novel, hardboiled detective Hammer must delay his retirement when he rescues two archaeologists from an attack in New York City. The archaeologists possess what might be the thigh bone of the biblical giant Goliath, drawing the attention of dangerous international terrorists. The story follows Hammer as he protects both the archaeologists and the potentially sacred artifact from Al Qaeda operatives. His longtime secretary and fiancée Velda joins him in confronting a terrorist network that includes a seven-foot agent codenamed "Goliath." This final Mike Hammer adventure, completed by Max Allan Collins after Mickey Spillane's death, combines religious mythology with contemporary terrorism threats. The novel brings closure to the long-running series while maintaining the signature blend of action and suspense that defined Spillane's work.

Readers found this final Mike Hammer novel underwhelming compared to earlier books in the series. Many noted it felt unfinished and roughly pieced together after Spillane's death. Readers appreciated: - Return of familiar characters - Quick pace and action scenes - References connecting to previous Hammer stories Common criticisms: - Plot feels disjointed and meandering - Modern terrorism storyline doesn't fit Hammer's noir style - Too much focus on romance instead of detective work - Dialogue seems forced and uncharacteristic - Religious themes feel heavy-handed One reader stated "It reads like a first draft that needed serious editing." Another noted "The Mike Hammer in this book bears little resemblance to the hard-boiled detective we know." Average Ratings: Goodreads: 3.2/5 (238 ratings) Amazon: 3.5/5 (71 reviews) LibraryThing: 3.1/5 (22 ratings) Several reviewers suggested reading earlier Hammer novels instead of this posthumous release.

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler A private detective navigates through corruption and murder in Los Angeles while uncovering a wealthy family's dark secrets.

The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett A hard-boiled detective pursues a priceless artifact through San Francisco's criminal underworld while confronting betrayal at every turn.

One Shot by Lee Child Ex-military investigator Jack Reacher unravels a complex conspiracy behind a sniper attack in a case that mirrors Mike Hammer's methodical approach to justice.

The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy Two LAPD detectives investigate a brutal murder case in 1940s Los Angeles, leading them through a maze of police corruption and personal obsession.

Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley A World War II veteran turned private investigator searches for a mysterious woman in 1948 Los Angeles, encountering racial tensions and political intrigue.

🔍 Mickey Spillane wrote the first draft of "The Goliath Bone" in the wake of 9/11, specifically incorporating terrorism themes into his noir detective world 📚 Max Allan Collins completed this novel using Spillane's extensive notes and their discussions, following Spillane's dying wish that Collins finish his remaining works 💫 The book's premise involving biblical archaeology was inspired by real archaeological discoveries in Israel during the early 2000s 🕵️ Mike Hammer, the protagonist, first appeared in 1947's "I, The Jury" and has since featured in over 20 novels, becoming one of crime fiction's most enduring detectives 📖 This was the first of three posthumously completed Hammer novels that Spillane specifically left for Collins to finish, with the others being "The Big Bang" and "Kiss Her Goodbye"