Quarry
Created by Max Allan Collins

The first series to be based on the exploits of a hired killer, predating both Loren Estleman's Peter Macklin and Lawrence Block's Keller, was the QUARRY series penned by baby boomer renaissance man Max Allan Collins, creator of Nate Heller, Ms. Tree, Mallory, Nolan, et al.

Quarry is a Vietnam vet who evidently learned his lessons all too well during his time overseas.

Now he's home, earning a living as a cold, remorseless hitman, taking orders from a man called simply The Broker, coincidentally the name of the first book in this popular series. Even now, years after the last novel in the series was published, with the character appearing in occasional short stories, Collins admits that "I get as much mail on this character as Heller; truly a cult fave."

NOVELS

• The Broker (1976; AKA "Quarry")
• The Broker's Wife (1976)
• The Dealer (1976)
• The Slasher (1977)
• Primary Target (1987)
• The Last Quarry (2006). Buy this book
• The First Quarry (2008)...Buy this book
  

SHORT STORIES

• "A Matter of Principal" (1989, Stalkers)
• "Quarry's Luck" (1994, Blue Motel; also 2005, Greatest Hits)
• "Guest Services" (1994, Murder Is My Business)

COLLECTIONS

• Quarry's Greatest Hits (2003; all the stories, plus "Primary Target"). Buy this book

FILMS

• A MATTER OF PRINCIPAL
  (2003, Another Level Inc.)
  17 minutes
  Based on the 1989 short story by Max Allan Collins
  Screenplay by Max Allan Collins
  Directed by Jeffrey Goodman
  Produced by John Buckley Gordon
  Starring William Makozak as QUARRY
  Also starring Randall Bosley, Jenna Bari, Nathan Osgood, Amanda Rogers
  A short but very effective film based on a short story that has incredible legs -- it's not only inspired this film, but a longer, feature length film and a novel.
  
  
• THE LAST QUARRY (in production)
  Screenplay by Max Allan Collins
  Based on his 1989 short story "A Matter of Principal" and the short film of the same name.
  Tentatively scheduled to start shooting in Louisiana in 2007.
  

RELATED LINKS

• F.O.M.A.C. (Friends, Fans, and Family Of Max Allan Collins)
  Max's Official Website!  Here you can find information on Max and his latest works, all done up in a most excellent fashion by his son, Nate, who wants to go to college. So, buy his dad's stuff!

Report respectfully submitted by Kevin Burton Smith.