Re: RARA-AVIS: K.C Constantine

Etienne Borgers (etienne@singnet.com.sg)
Fri, 3 Apr 1998 00:34:52 +0800 (SGT) >> <<..because I was also going to post a question along the lines of who
>> is K.C Constantine? - the name being a pseudonym.>>
>>
>> Nobody knows. Some people thought that Constantine was James Crumley
>> (there *are* quite a few similarities, especially in dialogue), but
>> there is no truth to it. I have heard speculation on Constantine's
>> "true" identity ranging widely, to the point of considering John Updike
>> as a suspect. But nothing has ever been substantiated.
>
>Unless he's mistaken, Hubin revealed Constantine's identity in _Crime
>fiction II_ years ago. His real name is Carl Kosak, and he was born
>about 1934. Why can't we accept this as fact? Why does Constantine have
>to be somebody famous in disguise?
>--
>James Stephenson

I'm late for this thread...

I remember that during a visit in Europe, few years ago, Crumley indicated
Konstantine as one of the mystery authors he appreciates.
So I suspect that Crumley must have pointed to Konstantine as a writer of
quality rather often, previously.
This could maybe explain why some were thinking Konstantine's novels were in
fact written by Crumley.

I've translations of Konstantine's books that still carry the unsolved
"disguise" about the author on their jackets.
Also: who is Carl Kosak? Anybody heard of him somewhere else than in the
'Crime Fiction' reference?

E.Borgers
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/6384
Hard-Boiled Mysteries

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