Heat 2 by Michael Mann & Meg Gardiner

Author: Michael Mann & Meg Gardiner

Title: Heat 2

Publisher: Harper Collins 

Published: 2022

Pages: 480

Genre: Crime Thriller

     This new story leads up to the events of the film and then moves beyond it, featuring new characters on both sides of the law, new high-line heists, and breathtakingly cinematic action sequences. Ranging from the streets of L.A. to the inner sancta of rival Taiwanese crime syndicates in Paraguay to a massive drug cartel money-laundering operation just over the border in Mexico, Heat 2 illuminates the dangerous workings of international crime organizations and the agents who pursue them as it provides a full-blooded portrait of the men and women who inhabit both worlds. Operatic in scope, Heat 2 is engrossing, moving, and tragic—a masterpiece of crime fiction from one of the most innovative and influential filmmakers in American cinema.

     Away from books one of my other great loves is cinema. It has been a constant companion for most of my life. In hard times and bad the silver screen has always been there for me. And whilst I struggle to narrow down a list of favorite films as much as my favorite books, it is constantly changing. What I would say is that Heat will regularly sit there if anyone asks me for recommendations. It is by far one of the most stylish and slick crime films that Hollywood has ever produced. But then this is what I have come to expect from Michael Mann. So when it was announced that a new book, set within the universe created in the film I was obviously very excited to be able to get my hand on a copy and see what it was all about. There is always of course the slight worry that you will be let down. How can any form of follow-up compete with something you hold so dear?

     When you first jump into Heat 2 instead of picking up where the events of the film left off. What we get is a quick recap of the events of the films. A nearly three-hour film recounted at breakneck speed. I suppose had you never seen the film it hits all the high notes and saves having to constantly make references back throughout the book to catch you up. Once we are into the new tales it becomes so very easy to get lost in these worlds the two authors have created. Somehow they have managed to capture the big brooding and moody world Mann created on the screen into the written word. I can see this very vivid and violent world skip off the pages and into my mind. Whilst the original film is contained within the city limits of L.A. Here we get to see a much more expanded sandbox for them to play in. Split between serval time periods we not only get to see what happened to those who made it out of the film alive. We also get to see some of the backstories of the main players in the film.

     Those moments when we are shot back into the past for me were some of the most captivating. Seeing how the leads of the films came to be who they were for me only adds to the films. whereas in the film  Vincent Hanna seems at times like a bombastic ego-driven cop who only cares about the chase. Here we get to see much more of his heart. Something that he clearly tried to build a wall around to protect himself. We get to see the young detective who is desperate to find justice for these victims. As for  McCauley and Chris what we are treated to is a greater understanding of the bonds that hold them together. We get to understand why these two will fight to protect each other at all costs. What I found interesting is seeing how the world had broken each of these men in its own way. None of them it would seem should have ended up where they did but once they had placed a foot on their joining paths there was sadly no turning back.

     As for the chapters that deal with what comes after the film these for me felt like they made sense within the world that had already been set up within the film. quite often a follow-up book feels like an attempt to cash in a make a few bucks. But I suppose here the book came a fair few years after the film. so what you have to do is come out of the stall at full tilt and bring your A games. It was amazing to see what happened to Chris Shiherlis after he slips out of the film. I think it only adds to the film. And to get much more of the story between him and Charlene for me was a real treat. They, I think give the most conflict between the payoff and the life when it comes to crime. And this book will really make you feel for them. This was never going to be one of those books that go's all Disney at the last moment. Even in their tail, it feels like long dark nights drenched in bright rain-soaked neon lights. 

     This is one of those tales that seem to walk the line between the real world of crime and that big-screen spectacular. A thing that the authors most definitely brought from the film. I'm glad to say that as of finishing this novel I was more than delighted by what had come to be delivered. This is a crime novel that keeps its slick and brooding tone from the movie and expands the sandbox. Even when flicking between time periods what we get is a fast-paced thriller that is sure to suck you in. But there is also a great deal of heart here. All the more so from Chirs who struggles to come to terms with his actions and what that means for him and his family. Obviously having read all this you will be aware that I am more than happy to recommend you too give it a go. And if you haven't seen the film yet I can highly suggest that too.