Pulp Fiction discussion

I've got a couple of really good books on the go at the moment in THE CHIEU HOI SALOON by Michael Harris (think Goodis) and THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF BEST CRIME COMICS (a must for fans of Spillane, Max Allan Collins etc.) - very noir.

I recently finished a decent PI arc of BOLERO by Joanie McDonell which is well worth a look: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Col wrote: "Tfitoby wrote: "Col wrote: "Tfitoby wrote: "Col wrote: "Halfway through The Draining Lake

Top read so far"

Not tried that author, I hear they're at the top of the pile of modern Scandinavian crim..."

I'm not sure crime factory post from Australia would take that long Col. Just keep in mind that it's quite graphic and violent if you do order it.

Mohammed wrote: "Mankell has been living in Mozambique for decades. He has his own wing in the local African library here in Town!"

Interesting, factoid, it's a wing that he paid for? You write that as if you are in Mozambique, are you no longer in Sweden Mohammed or have i misunderstood?

Tfitoby wrote: "Col wrote: "Tfitoby wrote: "Col wrote: "Tfitoby wrote: "Col wrote: "Halfway through The Draining Lake

Top read so far"

Not tried that author, I hear they're at the top of the pile of modern Scand..."

graphic and violent.........now I'll definitely have to order it!

Just starting In a Lonely Place.

(Hope this doesn't double post, I swear I just posted this a minute ago.)

Tfitoby wrote: "Mohammed wrote: "Mankell has been living in Mozambique for decades. He has his own wing in the local African library here in Town!"

Interesting, factoid, it's a wing that he paid for? You write th..."

No im in my hometown in Sweden still called Uppsala. Since he is Swedish author known for living in Africa there is African studies institute here in town whose library has a wing named after him. He didnt pay for, its an honor for an acclaimed author in his own land.

I just finished "Hit Me" by Lawrence Block. This is the fifth book in the series about stamp collecting assassin, John Keller. I have loved all five of these books. Long live Keller!

Mohammed wrote: "Tfitoby wrote: "Mohammed wrote: "Mankell has been living in Mozambique for decades. He has his own wing in the local African library here in Town!"

Interesting, factoid, it's a wing that he paid f..."

Oh cool. It just read the other way in my head for some reason!

Tfitoby wrote: "Mohammed wrote: "Tfitoby wrote: "Mohammed wrote: "Mankell has been living in Mozambique for decades. He has his own wing in the local African library here in Town!"

Interesting, factoid, it's a wi..."

It felt weird to me since i thought i have no connection to Mozambique. I have no interest in living Africa ever again if i cant live in my homeland Somalia. Its just painful reminder that i cant go back home. Im studying Arabic right now both language,history,literature so only part of Africa im interested in right now is North Africa because that culture,language.


Just read a great Morocco author for my Uni book club/Literature Circle.

I'm about to start reading James Ellroy's "Clandestine" soon. I know it's not his most famous, but I prefer starting with a stand-alone rather than one that's the first entry in a series.

I finished Who Was That Lady. It was the biography of Craig Rice. Good bio of her life and the pulp fiction era. I'll be reading her book The Big Midget Murders. She was on the cover of Time magazine for it. It defined her as the Queen of Screwball Comedies. Maybe this could be considered for a group reading. $3.99 on Kindle.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Big-Midget-...

I'm reading The Iron Will of Shoeshine Cats by Hesh Kestin - about the Jewish mafia, enjoying it.

A Sealed Fate

James Hadley Chase - yes, ages since I read one of his; thanks for the reminder guys.

Just finished reading A Sealed Fate which is a really tense character driven psychological thriller. Very original in terms of style and conception and so I never knew where it was going, which was a pleasure. What I enjoyed about it was the fact that the novel did not centre around cops, detectives, PI's, forensic doctors etc. It's about a singer who stumbles onto a mystery and becomes trapped in downward spiral of vice after unwisely accepting the proposal of a Sheikh she meets while working in Dubai. A very atmospheric book with characters that are unusual literary figures yet remarkably relatable.

This is a thriller with plenty more going on for those of you who enjoy a mystery and some suspense, but want to really meet the characters, shout at them, warn them, feel their frustration and fear and in total: take something lasting from the book.

More than a fairground joyride this one - stays with you and engages all the emotions, the senses and the soul.

About two-thirds of the way through The Girl Who Played with Fire

Liking it so far

Flash Beagle wrote: "I'm reading The Iron Will of Shoeshine Cats by Hesh Kestin - about the Jewish mafia, enjoying it."

Retraction! Started out good but ended up nothing but the world according to Hesh Kestin, transparent, narcissistic, a guy in love with his own philosophy. Good grief.

Just starting The Friends of Eddie Coyle.

Flash Beagle wrote: "Flash Beagle wrote: "I'm reading The Iron Will of Shoeshine Cats by Hesh Kestin - about the Jewish mafia, enjoying it."

Retraction! Started out good but ended up nothing but the world according t..."

Good retraction there Flash. What's next?

Ctgt wrote: "Just starting The Friends of Eddie Coyle."

I hope you love it as much as I did. Don't forget there's a great movie adaptation that won't disappoint.

If comic books in the genre count, then I guess I should mention that last night I started the fifth volume of "100 Bullets". I'm not really sure if the author will pull off as complicated a long-term storyline as he's operating with at this point in a satisfying way. At the very least, though, it's still rather interesting and I really like the arty style.

Tfitoby wrote: "Ctgt wrote: "Just starting The Friends of Eddie Coyle."

I hope you love it as much as I did. Don't forget there's a great movie adaptation that won't disappoint."

About halfway through and it's really picking up. I have to say it certainly started........differently. The first few chapters were pure dialogue, very little in the way of physical setting, just a couple of guys talking. Honestly it took a bit for me to get into the flow but now it's really cookin'.

Ctgt wrote: "Tfitoby wrote: "Ctgt wrote: "Just starting The Friends of Eddie Coyle."

I hope you love it as much as I did. Don't forget there's a great movie adaptation that won't disappoint."

About halfway th..."

They say that's what Higgins was best at, dialogue, now you're adapted to the style I can't imagine you not thoroughly enjoying it.

Simon wrote: "If comic books in the genre count, then I guess I should mention that last night I started the fifth volume of "100 Bullets". I'm not really sure if the author will pull off as complicated a long-t..."

I keep hearing about 100 bullets, I should read some of that at least.

Man you guys got me fired up.

Just pulled out 100 Bullets, Vol. 1: First Shot, Last Call

Scalped, Vol. 1: Indian Country

and Criminal, Vol. 1: Coward

"100 Bullets" doesn't really get that good until volumes 1-2, but since it's a long complex storyline weaving together apparently unrelated plots and characters together you need to read it from the start to really "get".

Begun vol. 6 yesterday, by the way.

Tfitoby wrote: "Flash Beagle wrote: "Flash Beagle wrote: "I'm reading The Iron Will of Shoeshine Cats by Hesh Kestin - about the Jewish mafia, enjoying it."

Retraction! Started out good but ended up nothing but ..."

Reading L.A. Requiem by Robert Crais - great book - my wonderful LA!

Just finished Crais - Lullaby Town, now on The Rageby Gene Kerrigan

Starting Tobacco-Stained Mountain Goat

7 trade paperbacks through "100 Bullets" now. At this point it just keeps getting better and better with each new story arc introduced, Azzarello really has a way of weaving many unrelated storylines together without making it seem forced.

Ctgt wrote: "Starting Tobacco-Stained Mountain Goat"

Ooo is this paperback or are you ereading?

Simon wrote: "7 trade paperbacks through "100 Bullets" now. At this point it just keeps getting better and better with each new story arc introduced, Azzarello really has a way of weaving many unrelated storylin..."

Perhaps I should check if my library service has all of them before starting Simon, sounds like I'll be pretty mad if it only has the first 4 for example.

Just finished The Guards by Ken Bruen.

Now into The Body Lovers by Mickey Spillane.

Didn't know Ken Buren was in this category. I'm planning to read Once Were Cops. Never read his books before.

Bruen writes noir crime fiction heavily influenced by James Cain, Hammett etc.

Recommended reading.

Yeah, Tfitoby, "100 Bullets" doesn't just only get really good until vol. 2 but it doesn't get really great until vol. 5.

James wrote: "Just finished The Guards by Ken Bruen.

Now into The Body Lovers by Mickey Spillane."

James wrote: "Just finished The Guards by Ken Bruen.

Now into The Body Lovers by Mickey Spillane."

Your first Jack Taylor or Ken Bruen read?

Hi Mohammed,

First Bruen or Taylor?

About the eighth I think. I read most the Taylor's and American Skin. Favourite has been 'The Devil' - Love the way Bruen toys with the supernatural. My favourite writer this year and last.

Tfitoby wrote: "Ctgt wrote: "Starting Tobacco-Stained Mountain Goat"

Ooo is this paperback or are you ereading?"

Kindle. I'm about a third of the way through and I think you would like this Tfitoby. Lot's of classic film references....The Third Man....the main character loves George Sanders...

It has a bit of a Blade Runner vibe going on.

James wrote: "Hi Mohammed,

First Bruen or Taylor?

About the eighth I think. I read most the Taylor's and American Skin. Favourite has been 'The Devil' - Love the way Bruen toys with the supernatural. My favour..."

Ah it was a re-read i thought it was your first Ken Bruen. I have read 14,15 Ken Bruen and 9 Taylor and 5,6 other stand alone. Favourite so far is Headstone and The Dramatist. The Devil was great and creepy villain, the supernatural.

Ctgt wrote: "Tfitoby wrote: "Ctgt wrote: "Starting Tobacco-Stained Mountain Goat"

Ooo is this paperback or are you ereading?"

Kindle. I'm about a third of the way through and I think you would like this Tfito..."

I have a real interest in this one but I am under the impression that I'd need to get an ereader first. I look forward to your review.

Tfitoby wrote: "Ctgt wrote: "Tfitoby wrote: "Ctgt wrote: "Starting Tobacco-Stained Mountain Goat"

Ooo is this paperback or are you ereading?"

Kindle. I'm about a third of the way through and I think you would li..."

Do you guys in Australia have full access to Amazon? I don't mean to sound like a jerk, I just hear some stories from folks in other countries having issues with Amazon.

Amazon has a paperback available. Plus, I don't think you need a Kindle to read the Amazon stuff, whenever I buy a title(and generally I buy from the website not with my Kindle) it always asks if I want start reading on the pc. You can read the title through Amazon's cloud feature. Not really trying to pimp for Amazon, just wanted to let you know there are alternatives.

Ctgt wrote: "Tfitoby wrote: "Ctgt wrote: "Tfitoby wrote: "Ctgt wrote: "Starting Tobacco-Stained Mountain Goat"

Ooo is this paperback or are you ereading?"

Kindle. I'm about a third of the way through and I th..."


Actually I have no idea. I hate Amazon and I dislike ereaders. If I can buy a paperback direct from a publisher then that is my preference. Although if its just a createspace item I generally pass.

Alberto wrote: "I'm reading The Hot Rock, the first Dortmunder novel, and I'm finishing the Noir City Annual 2011, a collection of articles essays and interviews selected from the Noir City magazine published by t..."

I heard that was turned in to a Robert Redford movie. I can't seem to track a copy down at the moment. Have you seen it?

Approximately 60 pages into James Ellroy's Clandestine, it is indeed rather sleazy if not downright "trashy" but the characterization and prose is superb.

Alberto wrote: "I'm reading The Hot Rock, the first Dortmunder novel, and I'm finishing the Noir City Annual 2011, a collection of articles essays and interviews selected from the Noir City magazine published by t..."

So what do you think so far? Does the Westlake comic caper work for you? I have read the first 5 books and enjoy Dortmunder and his crew alot.

Currently reading:



And I am absolutely loving it.

Alberto wrote: "Mohammed wrote: "So what do you think so far? Does the Westlake comic caper work for you? I have read the first 5 books and enjoy Dortmunder and his crew alot."

I had read Why Me? in the Dartmunde..."

Yeah i have read the history behind Dortmunder. You must read Jimmy The Kid book, where they read a heist book with a guy called Parker and Dortmunder use the heist idea from Parker. Hilarious stuff.

Dortmunder stuff is even more wacky than other comic titles i have read. So many love able losers.

I read Hot Rock last year,or late 2011 - hmmm...... didn't crack myself up laughing, was okay.

Just started Bait Money - I'll see if I enjoy it more than the other guys who commented on it.

Hands up who's read the Joseph Hansen series of hardboiled novels featuring insurance investigator Dave Brandstetter?

Chances are there aren't many of you, I just read my first one and it's all very exciting to come and tell people to investigate them.

First novel is Fadeout and is very much in the style of Ross MacDonald, fast paced, short spare sentences, interesting investigation, strong protagonist.

It seems a crime that this series isn't as well known as it should be.

Tfitoby wrote: "Hands up who's read the Joseph Hansen series of hardboiled novels featuring insurance investigator Dave Brandstetter?

Chances are there aren't many of you, I just read my first one and it's all ve..."

Not me - another one to check out, cheers for the heads-up

Just finished Lee a collection of short stories featuring iconic hardboiled actor Lee Marvin. It's new from Crime Factory who just released the excellent Fierce Bitches last month too. They're on a roll.