Re: RARA-AVIS: Two for the Money

From: Jeff Vorzimmer ( jvorzimmer@austin.rr.com)
Date: 24 Jul 2005


> It just doesn't sound like a discussion we ought to be having on RARA
AVIS.
> I have two Hard Case Crime editions in my massive TBR list, Al Guthrie's
> KISS HER GOODBYE and Stansberry's CONFESSION, and I was considering
> commenting on one or both of them here once I had finished them, since
RARA
> AVIS is the place for discussing HB/Noir fiction. Now I'm not so sure.

Brian,

I don't have a problem with Charles defending his publishing cred. He obviously feels secure in his decision to print Collins and I admire him for sticking his neck out in defending that decision. After all, his defense was a gamble. He couldn't know whether other list members were going to pounce on him saying they didn't like the book either or, equally likely, say they loved it or, the more likely scenario, the list would be split and a lively debate would ensue. It reminds me of the old adage, there's no such thing as
"bad" publicity.

But let me point out that I'm not the first to criticize the book on this list. Here is Doug Bassett with a little more diplomatic comment than mine:
> From: Doug Bassett ( dj_bassett@yahoo.com)
> Date: 27 Mar 2005

> I haven't posted in a good long while, but I'm not dead yet. :) What I've
been reading
.
.
.
> -- Max Allan Collins, TWO FOR THE ROAD. I've bought all the Hardcase crime
books, mainly
> because I think it's an important imprint that deserves support. This
reprint, though, while an
> attractive item, is not that good of a read (reprint of BAIT MONEY and
BLOOD MONEY), very
> basic thieves double-crossing other thieves schtik, very undistinguished.
I'm not a fan of
> Collins generally, though, you may want to adjust your dial upward for
that.

> Not that I'm blaming HardCase for reprinting them, I understand Collins's
draw as a name.

Jeff

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