William Campbell Gault's Joe Puma novels are generally
tougher toned than the Brock the Rock Callahan novels. There
was something satisfyingly seedy about Puma. The moralizing
that Gault does in the Callahan novels was very similar to
the sort of thing John D. Macdonald took to new lengths with
McGee. The early Callahans (such as DAY OF THE RAM and THE
CONVERTIBLE HEARSE) are the best, although I enjoyed the
several of the comeback novels. THE CANA DIVERSION might be
the best of those.
As for Joe Puma, THE $100 GIRL is a good example of that
series. For some reason the mystery that I remember best was
a non-series novel SQUARE IN THE MIDDLE, wherein an average
guy strays from the straight and narrow one time and finds
himself wanted for murder. It's an old theme but Gault really
had me identifying with and sweating with his hero.
The last thing I read by Gault was his straight novel MAN
ALONE. Written when Gault was in his prime, it's a sharp look
at the games and politics Hollywood writers had to play in
the dying days of the studio system.
One novel to avoid is his last Callahan DEAD PIGEON. Gault
gradually lost his mental sharpness towards the end and this
novel (IMO) shows the impact of that. I detest this novel and
believe those who helped it achieve publication did him no
favor.
A disclaimer: I knew and loved Bill and find it impossible to
be objective. He was a cranky, fearless, lovable old bastard.
One of my favorite Bouchercon memories is of the panel where
Gault stung James Ellroy with a perfectly-timed quip that
brought down the house.
Richard Moore
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