Hammer Spade and the Merchants of Death

In Merchants of Death Hammer and his friends are pitted against a master criminal who leaves dead bodies in his wake. Their work is made more complicated by the rules under which they must accomplish their goal, causing Hammer to seek advice from one of Alonia’s ex-husbands who is a talented metallurgist. The action is fast and furious as Hammer and his friends meet one challenge after another along the picturesque eastern North Carolina coast. 

Reviews :

Hammer Spade, a private detective, is a man who prefers to keep a low profile. However, his success in the previous episode, “Hammer Spade and the Diamond Smugglers,’ has brought him to the attention of the United States government. He is asked to “eliminate” a drug cartel leader.

Hammer assembles a crew and turns a diverse group of people into a well functioning unit. Then he commences to wage war on the drug dealers. Ham is not one to turn down help. It does not matter if assistance is offered from a mechanic, a metallurgist, or the drug dealer’s mistress. The aid is cheerfully accepted and put to good use. 

Readers will enjoy the fast paced action as Mr. Spade and crew draw their task to a successful conclusion. Equally enjoyable is author E.B. Alston’s description of the swamps, canals, rivers and sounds of North Carolina’s coast.

As the Hammer Spade series evolves, the characters are maturing and gaining depth. Each episode is a stand alone novel, but the series builds upon itself quite nicely. One can eagerly anticipate the next adventure of Hammer Spade.

Judy Jacobs 
St. Joseph MO.
May 13, 2007