That's quite a nice list of books, David. Might I suggest Angels by Denis Johnson? Or his Jesus' Son (though it's not a crime novel)?
I'd also recommend one of Manhette's novels. Something by Reed Ferrel Coleman. And no Chandler or Hammett? What's up with that?
Mark
> To: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com
> From: davidcorbettauthor@gmail.com
> Date: Mon, 10 May 2010 15:11:45 +0000
> Subject: RARA-AVIS: Query for the Choir: Ed McBain, John D. MacDonald, Lawrence Block, Others
>
> I've been leading a reading group at my local indie books store for the past few years named "High Crimes," dedicated to reading crime fiction with literary merit or literary fiction that deals with crime. Wwe just read Tana French's IN THE WOODS for example, and are now reading Dan Fesperman's THE PRISONER OF GUANTANAMO, and have read everyone from Kate Atkinson to Charles Willeford to Richard Price to James Lee Burke etc. For a complete list, go here: http://www.davidcorbett.com/booklist.php
>
> Here's my question for the group: I now want to turn my attention to a few classic writers in the genre who are not just long-standing favorites but who have contributed particular books that rightly can be called masterpieces.
>
> I'm starting with McBain, MacDonald and Block for selfish reasons -- I am woefully under-read on each of them and would like to "catch up." I've provisionally picked the following three books, but I'd like input on choices members of the group might make.
>
> THE GREEN RIPPER, John D. MacDonald
> HARK!, by Ed McBain
> WHEN THE SACRED GINMILL CLOSES, Lawrence Block
>
> Thanks a million in advance,
> David Corbett
>
> Thought for the Day: What a friend we have in cheeses.
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