RARA-AVIS: Zeltserman's In His Shadow

From: Robison Michael R CNIN ( Robison_M@crane.navy.mil)
Date: 24 Oct 2002


I'm writing this from memory so pardon me if I get something wrong. Anyway, Mario, besides the Nebel review I just mentioned in another post, has also done a great review of David Zeltserman's IN HIS SHADOW on Kevin's thrillingdetective site.

Mario's review was educational in another way for me. I never knew that neo-noir started with Willeford's WOMAN CHASER. I've got it on the shelf, but haven't read it. Pretty impressive for such a skinny little book to start a new genre.

WARNING: SLIGHT SPOILER FOR SOLOMON'S VINEYARD FOLLOWS

I had to laugh when I read the review, though. It's really hard to read the genre without dredging up other writers, and Mario recalls Chandler, Goodis (I think), and Jim Thompson when he's doing the review. I had to laugh because I had just finished Latimer's SOLOMON'S VINEYARD, and I found myself saying, "Hmm... violent sex. Hey! James Cain. Whoa! Violent sex after murder! More Cain! And wait a minute, the detective is playing the crooked cop against the criminals... RED HARVEST!" Hahaha. Gotta love it.

miker

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