The Nice Guys: The Official Movie Novelization Mass Market Paperback – May 10, 2016

OKay, I admit it, I am a Russell Crowe fan. But I really loved this character and his relationship with Holland. I basically bought the book to understand some plot twists and dialogue I was not getting from the film (which tells me the directing could be a tad improved). I read alot of mysteries, and was pleased with the complexity of plot, and defined characters. The humor was very welcome, and well within normal human interaction, not just heavy-handed Schwartenegger bon mots. The moments when Jake goes dark are moving, but the director seemed to run by them really fast, not enough time for the audience to process the depth of what is going on within Jackson's soul. Another reason I bought the book was to see what it said about Jackson describing his feelings about the crazed man in the diner. When he is describing it to Holland, his voice goes very low and you can miss what he's saying. A moving film. Memorable characters. Scary villains. Action sequences at end a bit drawn out and belabored. But a good read, and hopefully a sequel is planned.

I really enjoyed this quirky and nostalgic look at the 1970's through the eyes of three complex characters.When the book ended I wanted more so that is what I classify as a good book.

Quick, fun, highly entertaining

Faithful adaptation of a fun film. The author sticks to the story line, fully developing the likable characters and presenting the physical comedy in ways that are easy for readers to visualize. Some great lines, both in the script and not. Neo-noir, gritty, yet full of heart.

I love Hard Case Crime books and I love the whole Hard Case philosophy and the way the books look and the idea of this book-- a movie tie in /novelization based on a current movie which is a cool retro idea. Notwithstanding all that this book was not up to par with other Hard Case books. Liked it. Didn't love it.

I'll be honest, it's not an incredibly well written or anything, but as a partner to the movie? Amazing. It gives you some more insight into the characters, more story to play with, more things to think about, which I personally think makes watching the movie again (and again and again, if you're anything like me) more fun

Ardai's The Nice Guys is the novelized screenplay of the soon-to-be-released movie starring Gosling and Crowe as a mismatched pair of detectives in a dark noir over-the-top comedic adventure. This is not a traditional novel and it often feels visually as if you are watching a movie, not reading. The action is spelled out but perhaps the descriptions not as much. You can literally hear the narration, particularly in the beginning.You get an enforcer for hire, a down on his luck cynical slapstick private eye who muses that unlike in the movies he never gets drop dead gorgeous clients, a dead porn star, and a nefarious conspiracy. Set in Hollywood, it, of course, revolves around movies and ostentatious Hollywood parties.The start of the novelization builds up the cynical detective stuff and the parallel tough guy story. The dead porn star ("Misty Mountains"), rundown bars, and sleazy customers fill this part of the book. And, our private eye is Inspector Clouseau clumsy.It eventually devolves into action scenes with bullets flying, dead bodies turning up, car chases, and the like. Each sequence one upping the previous sequence.Some of the twists and turns are just over the top. If you are looking for a traditional private eye novel, this isn't exactly it. But if you want to feel as if you are watching a slapstick detective adventure, you may have found it.

The book follows the movie very closely. I enjoyed reading it and since I own the DVD, Nice Guys, I will keep the book and not pass it on.