Hard as Nails is a 2003 novel by American writer Dan Simmons.

The novel begins shortly after a near-death experience when Kurtz was shot in the head.

As the pain begins to subside, he remembers details from the shooting, including that he was not alone when it happened: his parole officer had been at his side.

Meanwhile, crime is ramping up, and soon, Kurtz finds himself in a remote mountainous region with numerous criminals hunting him down for his past wrongs, though he finds himself wondering whether the criminals were after him or his parole officer.

Kirkus Reviews referred to the novel as a "page turner",[2] while Publishers Weekly called it a "disappointing mishmash" with "a climax that's well-nigh incomprehensible".