I reviewed this thriller for CFL, and enjoyed it immensely. If you like fast-paced suspense, then this is a book you should pick up.
But don’t just take my word for it. Go read the review, then take my word for it.
Posts tagged currently reading
Internal Security by David Darracott is my latest review over at Crime Fiction Lover. If you happen to be jonesing for a left-leaning Ayn Rand, then Internal Security is the book for you. Lest readers think I’m being prejudicial or partisan, let me hasten to add that this is no more problematic than a (or the original) right-leaning Ayn Rand. Preachy novels are not my bag, but it’s a serviceable thriller nonetheless.
But don’t just take my word for it. Go read the review, then take my word for it.
Updating James Bond to the 1980s was probably a novel idea at the time. But now it doesn’t make so much sense. Like the more recent Carte Blanche, No Deals, Mr. Bond is a decent thriller. Jeffrey Deaver’s Bond will probably be much more dated in 25 years than Gardner’s Bond works are today. Still, I can’t bring myself to approve of updating the literary (hardboiled, Tory pulp hero) Bond to the “present day”—whenever that happens to be.
The semester is over, and I’m decompressing with Harry Harrison’s anarchically humorous sci-fi. Fans of pulp literature may recognize Harrison as the ghostwriter of Vendetta for the Saint, the first which series originator Leslie Charteris did not write himself.
But here Harrison in on his own terms, with his own hero. This is certainly not hardboiled, not by a long shot. But it’s solidly entertaining pulp. Harrison has a breezy, quick-witted style that makes Slippery Jim (a.k.a. The Stainless Steel Rat, a.k.a. James Bolivar DiGriz) a quickly endearing hero.
Robert B. Parker revitalized private eye fiction in the 1970s, and this new anthology pays tribute to the modern master of the genre. And what do you know, I was lucky enough to get a chance to review it for Crime Fiction Lover. The contributors in this book include new Spenser author Ace Atkins, Dennis Lehane, Lawrence Block, Ed Gorman and other crime fiction titans.
But don’t just take my word for it. Go read the review, then take my word for it.
It’s no secret that John D. MacDonald is one of my hardboiled favorites. Random House is reprinting his Travis McGee novels, and I thought I’d take the opportunity to talk about McGee’s (and MacDonald’s) place in hardboiled literature. So head on over to CFL for a “review” (such as it is) of The Deep Blue Good-by and a discussion of McGee—a beach bum and rather unqiue hardboiled hero.
Also, before you rush over to CFL, take a moment to admire the pulp art of Robert McGinnis, who illustrated a great many John D. MacDonald covers (both McGee books and standalones). McGinnis was every bit the master that MacDonald was, and the pairing is inspired. It’s like a pulpy seal of quality if I find an old paperback with John D. MacDonald’s name on it and cover art by Robert McGinnis.
But don’t just take my word for it. Go read the review, then take my word for it.
This slim volume was haunting, thought-provoking and brutal. It’s also my latest review on Crime Fiction Lover. Helmick skillfully serves up noir fatalism and stifling frustration on the Georgia blacktop. If Rod Serling were alive, he’d be jealous he didn’t think of this plot for The Twilight Zone.
But don’t just take my word for it. Go read the review, then take my word for it.
L.A.-based P.I. Shell Scott has a change of scenery when he goes to (the fictional) Verde Island. Instead of the usual assortment of syndicate tough guys, Scott must go up against a voodoo priest.
Ex-newspaperman Jacob Asch is Arthur Lyons’ contribution to hardboiled PI fiction. Asch seems a bit more deductive than other private detectives, but otherwise par for the course. Still, not a bad read if you like private eyes.
Dead Ringer was published in 1977, but this fairly common edition is from 1983. The reprints published by Holt, Rinehart and Winston certainly reflected the 1980s in their cover design. I have other Asch novels from the same series of reprints, so you may see other garish covers in the months to come—consider yourself warned.
Boxing fans may be interested to know that Asch dedicated Dead Ringer to Ken Norton.
As promised, my review of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl is now posted over at Crime Fiction Lover. Gone Girl has certainly been a runaway success—but is it any good? Check out my review and find out why I think it’s a pretty darn good thriller. If any of you have read it, I am (as always) curious to hear your reactions.
But don’t just take my word for it. Go read the review, then take my word for it.
