Bob wrote:
> I've lurked for a while with pleasure, but this is
the first time I've
> posted. Several have mentioned that the PI needs to
catch up with the
> times, specifically technologically, but I'd say the
PI novel
> (certainly with Chandler, Hammett, etc., if less so
in the procedural)
> has always been about voice, and what is needed is
not references to
> Paypal, but an entertaining voice that clearly
exists in the world in
> which Paypal also exists. Once that voice is found,
the details tend
> to take care of themselves. Nail down a modern voice
as vivid and as
> funny as Marlowe's was, and I could listen to him
talk about his
> computer monitor all day long.
By George, I think he's got it. That's exactly how I
feel.
And I think most of the guys I mentioned in my last post have
that voice, or are rapidly developing it.
By the way, technology may change, but let's not pretend
computers are omnipotent-- or infallible. All the databases
in the world can't tell you where somebody is -- only where
they're supposed to be. And some sorts of cases -- runaways
and bodyguard work spring to mind immediately -- can't be
solved by computer work alone (if at all, in some
cases).
Eventually, someone has to push back the keyboard, get off
their ass and do the actual legwork.
And readers will follow them every step of the way, if the
voice is worth hearing.
Kevin Burton Smith AT LAST! The Thrilling Detective Web Site
Holiday 2006 Issue With Sarah Weinman, Mike MacLean, The
Cheap Thrill Awards and Detective Fork http://www.thrillingdetective.com
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : 22 Feb 2006 EST