Pulp Fiction discussion

Hi guys,

I love hard-boiled detectives (though it's been a while since I read Chandler and Hammett). These days I usually prefer mine somewhat off the usual scene. I'd be very interested to hear about recommendations for other novels that have noir-type cynical detectives but are set in different points in history, or somewhere else entirely, than the traditional early-to-mid 20th century.

The reason I'm asking (and the reason I'm posting in the Author's Corner) is that I've recently wrote my own hard-boiled detective novel.... set in a fantasy, quasi-Roman world :-)

I sub-titled it "a story of togas, daggers and magic" as it has elements of each. I hope I managed to maintain the right atmosphere with the internal dialogue of the detective and his approach to life, broads and business - while still being true to the semi-historical magical setting.

My own inspirations are novelists like Lindsey Davis or Steven Saylor (for the Roman aspect) and Barry Hughart (for the fantasy part).

I'd love to hear if anyone in this group came across other such novels that are worth reading.

Thanks,
Assaph

(BTW, if anyone would like a review copy of my novel - Murder in-absentia - just send me a message. No strings attached).