BLACK ALLEY

Mike Hammer is back. And I, for one, am glad. During the seven years since his last novel, I've missed the tough, two-fisted gumshoe. This tale starts with the retired Hammer on his deathbed. But it takes more than a couple of slugs in the gut to keep this shamus out of action as he searches for 89 billion bucks in Mob dough. For many people, Stacy Keach IS Mike Hammer. They won't be disappointed with this performance. His throaty voice captures Hammer's nastiness with the bad guys, as well as his affection for his doll, Velma. As a bonus, a muted trumpet plays the blues between scene changes. P.B.J. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPT 97]