<<No need for false modesty or even covering your
tracks, Mario. Daly's
Hidden Hand is a gem. A diamond on black velvet. Here, we
have the
seminal book of the hardboiled age, the missing link between
the hero
adventurer and our most cherished private eyes. To call
Daly's work
cliched is a function of hindsight in which stature is lost
through an
ensuing 70 years of imitation. So, stand tall and be proud,
Mario.>>
You once again overwhelm me with your unreasonably generous
and most
certainly undeserved praise. It's that Old Benevolence waking
up in you
once again. The cliches in question were mine, not Daly's,
though Our
Carroll John had a fluent command of the form in its prole
variety - the
only honest variety. His dialogue rings true, which may be a
clew to his
popularity in his days of glory at the Black Mask.
<<And now, although I've certainly had too much coffee,
it must be time
for another cup.>>
Mind that harboiled coffee must always be served in tokenware
cups.
Best,
MT
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