Dive into the gritty, pulse-pounding world of the Nolan series, where a seasoned criminal chases redemption in a life that refuses to let him go! Crafted by Max Allan Collins, this hard-boiled crime saga follows Nolan, an aging thief, and his young protégé Jon as they navigate heists, mob vendettas, and the elusive dream of a clean slate. With its blend of dark humor, moral complexity, and raw realism, the Nolan books offer a thrilling ride for fans of crime fiction.
Across eight novels, Collins weaves a tale of a man caught between his criminal past and his yearning for legitimacy, set against the backdrop of America’s seedy underbelly. If you love stories of flawed heroes, high-stakes capers, and second chances, Nolan’s world is calling.
How Nolan Began
The Nolan series kicked off in 1973 with Bait Money, born from Max Allan Collins’ admiration for Richard Stark’s iconic Parker novels. Collins, a young writer in his 20s, wanted to pay homage to the tough, no-nonsense thief while carving out his own niche. He created Nolan, a professional crook pushing 50, whose desire to retire is thwarted by his mob ties and past sins. With permission from Stark (a pseudonym for Donald Westlake), Collins turned a one-off tribute into a beloved series, pairing Nolan with Jon, a comic-book-loving apprentice, to add a generational twist to the classic crime tale.
The Heart of Nolan
The series spans eight books, each a standalone heist thriller laced with gritty realism. In Bait Money (1973), Nolan, on the run from the Chicago mob after a betrayal, assembles a ragtag crew for a bank heist to buy his freedom. Blood Money (1973) picks up with the fallout, as Nolan and Jon face betrayal and a skyjacker. Spree (1987) sees a retired Nolan pulled back into crime when his girlfriend is kidnapped, forcing a high-stakes mall heist. The final novel, Skim Deep (2020), brings Nolan to Las Vegas, where a casino scam threatens his shot at a new life.
Collins’ themes of redemption, aging, and morality shine through Nolan’s constant struggle to escape his past. The series’ Midwest settings—Iowa, Illinois, and beyond—ground the stories in a tangible, working-class reality, while the dynamic between the grizzled Nolan and the idealistic Jon adds humor and heart. Collins’ lean prose and knack for zany yet believable capers make each book a page-turner, balancing tension with moments of wry wit.
Why Nolan Resonates
The Nolan series stands out in crime fiction for its focus on the criminal’s perspective, a bold choice in the 1970s when cop and detective stories dominated. Fans praise its relatable portrayal of aging and the universal quest for a second chance, wrapped in thrilling heist plots. Though less mainstream than Collins’ Road to Perdition, the series has a cult following, with Hard Case Crime’s reprints introducing Nolan to new readers. Its influence lingers in modern antihero stories, proving that even flawed characters can steal our hearts.
- First Book: Bait Money (1973)
- Total Books: 8
- Latest Release: Skim Deep (2020)
- Genre: Hard-boiled crime fiction
Ready to meet a thief with a heart? Grab Bait Money and step into Nolan’s high-stakes world of crime and redemption!