First of all, thank you, Juha, for publishing the following
two books:
Two-Way Split by Allan Guthrie -- let me just add my
endorsement of this book. Looking forward to your next, Al.
Early next year from Hard Case, right?
Texas Wind by James Reasoner -- I've been looking for this
book for close to two decades. You'd think that after all of
that time my expectations would be so high that the book
couldn't possibly live up to them. Wrong. It's the best PI
novel I've read in some time. Good plot, great character.
Sorry there aren't more books featuring Cody. It really
reminded me that nothing hits me like a good PI novel,
definitely my sub-genre of choice.
French Key by Frank Gruber -- I always wonder when reading
older books if certain somewhat transparent plot points were
as obvious back then or I have just seen them used too often
since. For instance, there's a minor bit here about getting
back a rare coin slipped into a coin slot that was used on
last week's episode of Monk. Still, Gruber largely lives up
to his goal of mixing the plotting of Gardner with the humor
of Latimer, especially the latter. Johnny Fletcher and Sam
Cragg are great characters. I often found myself laughing out
loud. I've often stated how much I like con job novels. This
is not one of those, but Fletcher is definitely a scam
artist. Much of the humor comes from his ability to talk
himself out of trouble. I will definitely be reading more
books in this series.
Pulp Jungle by Frank Gruber -- this is where I read Gruber's
intention for French Key. It also contains his formulas for
writing mysteries and westerns. Best of all, it tells of
Gruber's breaking into and later thriving in the pulp market,
with numerous stories about fellow practioners. I meant to
read this a chapter or two at a time between other books.
However, it has such a conversational tone that I just kept
reading. I agree with Richard Moore that it was probably
dictated, but that just adds to the feeling that you are
sitting across the table from Gruber as he regales you with
stories of the old days.
Mark
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