Ross Thomas is one of my favorites. He had an inexhaustible
ability to create interesting characters. In fact, in some
novels I think this got in his way, as so much care was
lavished on them and on the situation setup
(which he also did wonderfully) that the resolution was
sometimes hurried and sloppy.
CHINAMAN'S CHANCE is to me the one that he nailed. It is a
personal favorite. THE EIGHTH DWARF is another, although it
is one where the ending is flawed. MISSIONARY STEW,
SEERSUCKER WHIPSAW, and THE SINGAPORE WINK are wonderfully
entertaining. Thomas has given me so much enjoyment.
There are some that frustrate me like THE MONEY HARVEST,
which is destroyed by the plotting and dependence on
coincidence. Yet even this one contains some good stuff
including one great, great character.
I am also a sucker for Thomas because I know some of his
worlds so well. Like Thomas, I have worked political
campaigns and public relations in the US and internationally.
While my work has never been a cover for other activities
(always rumored about Thomas), I have worked side-by-side
with people who I strongly suspected got a "second check."
When I read him, I feel like I am with an old friend.
He also knew Washington very well, and it was where I worked
for 18 years. I noted the vague discriptions he gave for the
location of Mac's Place and it was clearly very near my old
office in Washington. I used to walk the few blocks where it
had to be and check out the restaurants trying to find the
model.
Oh, what entertainment Thomas has given me! The only time I
saw him was at a Bouchercon where I think Bill Crider
interviewed him. Any stories from that Bill?
Richard Moore
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