Pulp Fiction discussion

I'm reading The Ministry of Fear by Graham Greene; he's such an amazing writer.

Reading Sue Grafton's A is for Alibi

Just finished Grifter's Game and am starting In Cold Blood

David Corbett's Do They Know I'm Running?: A Novel

I've started on Grifter's Game and a Dick Francis mystery thriller set around the steeplechase racing world with an accountant as the hero : Risk

Algernon wrote: "I've started on Grifter's Game and a Dick Francis mystery thriller set around the steeplechase racing world with an accountant as the hero : Risk"

I started reading Francis a couple of months ago, his books are fairly solid thrillers, one going at them one a month, but not yet read Risk,

In case you haven't noticed, I've taken a break from Poe and have now begun reading Ranulph Fiennes' "The Feather Men". Either a shocking true story, or a work of spy fiction depending on whom you ask. The public library I found it at has it listed as fiction.

Evangeline wrote: "I have just begun re-reading Nick Tosches. Cut Numbers is first. Then Trinities. I remember them both very fondly so I hope I still feel the same way when I am done."

I read this maybe 15 years or so ago, really enjoyed it. Don't think I understood all the moves though.

Finished Grifter's Game last weekend, read a Clive Cussler book for a break in between and am now playing catch up on older group reads with The Sins of the Fathers

Started the Otto Penzler related Mysterious Press reissue of James Ross's evidently legendary novel originally published in 1940: THEY DON'T DANCE MUCH.

Foreword by Daniel Woodrell --> my primary reason for purchasing this.

Check out the community reviews of this book by other Goodreads members here:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...

here:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

and here:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Finished reading "The Feather Men". Pretty sure that a good deal of the events described are fictional.

Group read for July is FADEOUT by Joseph Hansen.

I decided to start on that this morning. Nothing can follow THEY DON'T DANCE MUCH which I finished last night so I decided to go ahead and re-read this 1st entry in the "David Brandstetter" series.

I recall really loving this series sometime back in the last century when I originally purchased & read them.
Up to page 26 right now and so far it's as good as I recalled it being.

I'm starting Fadeout now, too. Who knew insurance investigation could be so fascinating...and so potentially dangerous?

Melki wrote: "I'm starting Fadeout now, too. Who knew insurance investigation could be so fascinating...and so potentially dangerous?"

You've never heard episodes of the Old Time Radio series "YOURS TRULY, JOHNNY DOLLAR: "the transcribed adventures of the man with the action-packed expense account"?
The best episodes are the ones with Bob Bailey.

Also you might want to give Don Winslow's novel, CALIFORNIA FIRE AND LIFE, a shot.
I've not that big a fan of Winslow's SAVAGES or its "prequel" KINGS OF COOL but CF&L is one exciting read & a fast paced mystery-thriller.

Mantan wrote: "Melki wrote: "I'm starting Fadeout now, too. Who knew insurance investigation could be so fascinating...and so potentially dangerous?"

You've never heard episodes of the Old Time Radio series "YO..."

Johnny Dollar was awesome. The expenses are great. "Cab from the airport to the hotel: $1.27."

David wrote: "Mantan wrote: "Melki wrote: "I'm starting Fadeout now, too. Who knew insurance investigation could be so fascinating...and so potentially dangerous?"

You've never heard episodes of the Old Time R..."

Those always crack me up!
Really clever writing.

I finished with FADEOUT tonight and I just have to know if there is anyone in the group who saw the resolution coming.

I intuited a couple of things early on that Hansen obviously intended to be discovered by readers but as for the final reveal ...I was totally surprised.

Mantan wrote: "I finished with FADEOUT tonight and I just have to know if there is anyone in the group who saw the resolution coming.

I intuited a couple of things early on that Hansen obviously intended to be d..."

Glad you liked it mate, I'm holding back until next week before starting.

I second Mantan's praise of Don Winslow's California Fire & Life. Made me want to be an insurance investigator...

Currently reading some Hard Case Crime;
Grifter's Game by Lawrence Block (of course) and Joyland by Stephen King

I'm at a loss. Since James Ross' THEY DON'T DANCE MUCH nothing tastes the same. Even Hansen wasn't as enjoyable a read as it should have been.

Last day or so I've read a couple of short stories by Ernest Hemingway. Particularly enjoyed the story "Fifty Grand".

I found a Charlie Huston number I'd never read before.
SLEEPLESS.
Can you believe I missed this one?
I don't know how it happened.
Huston, Duane Swierzczynksi, Charlie Stella, Daniel Woodrell, and Megan Abbott are my 5 favorite contemporary hardboiled/noir authors.

So... I either read a collection of short stories edited by Duane Swierzczynksi (DAMN NEAR DEAD) or I opt for A HELL OF A WOMAN -An ANTHOLOGY OF FEMALE NOIR edited by Megan Abbott or go ahead and read SLEEPLESS.

Nothing but nothing aces THEY DON'T DANCE MUCH and nothing ever will.

Mantan: Currently reading River Girl by Charles Williams. Have you tried his books?

I also highly recommend Black Wings Has My Angel One is a Lonely Number / Black Wings Has My Angel by Elliott Chaze (Stark House Noir has this as one of their double decker volumes)

Mantan wrote: "I'm at a loss. Since James Ross' THEY DON'T DANCE MUCH nothing tastes the same. Even Hansen wasn't as enjoyable a read as it should have been.

Last day or so I've read a couple of short stories by..."

I have this one somewhere at home - I'm guessing I need to dig it out and read it soon.

Two on the go at the minute - Brian Garfield - Hopscotch, really excellent so far.
And I've just dipped my toes into Jake Hinkson's Hell On Church Street.

Trying to decide whether to start Fadeout early, read the second Martin Beck book (The Man Who Went Up in Smoke), Matthew Block #6 (When the Sacred Ginmill Closes), or start cleaning up my currently reading list by finishing Rain Gods. Ah, choices.

Guy wrote: "Mantan: Currently reading River Girl by Charles Williams. Have you tried his books?

I also highly recommend Black Wings Has My Angel One is a Lonely Number / Black Wings Has My Angel by Elliott Ch..."

Thanks, Guy. I'm a huge fan of Charles Williams.
I've read and loved several of his novels. Especially DIAMOND BIKINI and GO HOME STRANGER. Also own & read the Hard Case Crime edition of A TOUCH OF DEATH but can't remember a damned thing about it.

In my TBR pile is a paperback entitled CONFIDENTIALLY YOURS (which was turned into a Truffaut film that I've never seen and not to be confused with Helen R. Myers novel of the same title) and hardback editions of AGROUND, DEAD CALM, and MAN ON A LEASH.


By the way: In that last day I've been drawn into a compelling thriller by the brilliant Peter Rabe: THE BOX published as a two-fer by Stark House THE BOX + JOURNEY INTO TERROR ...this thing is turning into one of the most compelling thrillers I've read so far this year. Edge-of-your-seat stuff!

Thanks Mantan: I'm slowly working my way through Charles Williams. I'll check out the Rabe books. Stark House Rocks!

Guy wrote: "Thanks Mantan: I'm slowly working my way through Charles Williams. I'll check out the Rabe books. Stark House Rocks!"


By the way - has RIVER GIRL been reissued or are you reading the original paperback? I need to own this.

I bought an e-copy a few years ago on Amazon for 99c. It's since disappeared so I don't know what that was about. It has a few typos but not too bad. I also have an original copy. It's phenomenal BTW. Some consider it this author's best work. I haven't read them all so I can't say, but it is superb.

Mantan wrote: "Guy wrote: "Thanks Mantan: I'm slowly working my way through Charles Williams. I'll check out the Rabe books. Stark House Rocks!"


By the way - has RIVER GIRL been reissued or are you reading the ..."
You can get this on Munsey's site. Plus 1 other of his.
I do need to read more by Williams,

Just checked and I have the Munsey's edition.

Anyone who reads this won't be disappointed

Thank you for the tip, Guy & Col.
Just downloaded to Kindle the Munsey's edition.
They have several other Williams titles available as well.

I'd pay real money for Stark House quality reissues of these but "free-(down)loaders" can't be choosers.

If anyone wants some hard stuff with sex (a lot of that) mixed in, it's Getting Off.

By Lawrence Block, I picked up from library because the cover is so noir. Boy, oh boy, didn't know what I was getting into.

I think Block published it because "50 Shades..." did (is doing?) so well.

Finally got to start Fadeout. Really enjoying it so far.

Finished my first Duane Swierczynski book : Fun & Games , and liked it a lot. It was more action movie than noir, but I have no reason to complain, and I plan to check out more of his books.

Algernon wrote: "Finished my first Duane Swierczynski book : Fun & Games , and liked it a lot. It was more action movie than noir, but I have no reason to complain, and I plan to check out more of his books."

Algernon: I've heard his name before and I need to check him out myself.

Cathy wrote: "Algernon wrote: "Finished my first Duane Swierczynski book : Fun & Games , and liked it a lot. It was more action movie than noir, but I have no reason to complain, and I plan to check out more of ..."

Well worth a look, F+G was great I have the 2nd on the pile, the 3rd on the wishlist!

Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Algernon wrote: "Finished my first Duane Swierczynski book : Fun & Games , and liked it a lot. It was more action movie than noir, but I have no reason to complain, and I plan to chec..."

Man, I have a hard time letting you guys get the better of me by finding these good authors first. I need to step up my game or get the hell out! :-) Nevermind, I'm not getting out...I'm stepping up my game. Going to library today to get DS. He's at the top.

Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Algernon wrote: "Finished my first Duane Swierczynski book : Fun & Games , and liked it a lot. It was more action movie than noir, but I have no reason to complain, and I ..."

You beat me to Fingers Murphy - I haven't read him yet, but you're his best mate on his blog apparently!

Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Algernon wrote: "Finished my first Duane Swierczynski book : Fun & Games , and liked it a lot. It was more action movie than noir, but I have no reason to co..."

Does that make us even? I really loved ole Fingers. Been writing on D. R. Martin's blog on Travis McGee. Can't remember if you've read him.

Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Algernon wrote: "Finished my first Duane Swierczynski book : Fun & Games , and liked it a lot. It was more action movie than noir, but I have no ..."

DRM is on the pile - not got to it yet!

Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Algernon wrote: "Finished my first Duane Swierczynski book : Fun & Games , and liked it a lot. It was more action movie than noir, ..."

Sorry, Col, I meant Travis McGee series by John D. MacDonald.

I first heard about Swierczynski (I can spell it all right, I live next door to Poland) here on the Pulp group. So I'm glad to pay it forward now.

Algernon wrote: "Finished my first Duane Swierczynski book : Fun & Games , and liked it a lot. It was more action movie than noir, but I have no reason to complain, and I plan to check out more of his books."

I've read all three and really liked the first two. The last one has a sequence at the beginning that I found a little hard to deal with, in terms of suspension of disbelief. I still like his writing style I just had a hard time with this particular part of the story. I'll be interested to see if anyone else has the same issue.

Ctgt wrote: "Algernon wrote: "Finished my first Duane Swierczynski book : Fun & Games , and liked it a lot. It was more action movie than noir, but I have no reason to complain, and I plan to check out more of ..."

Ahhh, hate it when it happens but library closed until Monday. I'll be in suspense until then.

Thanks, Ctgt, for the "heads up"...since I haven't even started, hope I remember than when the time comes.

Cathy wrote: "Ctgt wrote: "Algernon wrote: "Finished my first Duane Swierczynski book : Fun & Games , and liked it a lot. It was more action movie than noir, but I have no reason to complain, and I plan to check..."

I still liked the series and the main character Charlie Hardie, it was just this part of the third book that bothered me. Enjoy!

Cathy wrote: "If anyone wants some hard stuff with sex (a lot of that) mixed in, it's Getting Off.

By Lawrence Block, I picked up from library because the cover is so noir. Boy, oh boy, didn't know what I was g..."

I came across that one in my local second hand bookstore recently. Yeah, liked the cover so I had to buy it :)

AndrewP wrote: "Cathy wrote: "If anyone wants some hard stuff with sex (a lot of that) mixed in, it's Getting Off.

By Lawrence Block, I picked up from library because the cover is so noir. Boy, oh boy, didn't kno..."

AndrewP: Be prepared like good Boy Scouts say!

If you want a good review, my friend Jeff Keeten wrote one. Getting Off

Not knowing he had read it, when I was at 100 pages I said to myself "I'm checking out what others say" since I was ready to put it down. Couldn't get a storyline out of it. Jeff's review convinced me to continue on and finishing up tonight. Pretty good read as it turns out. Just be prepared for a lot of sex and violence.

Cathy wrote: "AndrewP wrote: "Cathy wrote: "If anyone wants some hard stuff with sex (a lot of that) mixed in, it's Getting Off.

By Lawrence Block, I picked up from library because the cover is so noir. Boy, oh..."

Cathy I don't think Getting Off sex Content has anything to do with Shades, or any popular erotic fiction today. Block wrote like Westlake in the 50s,60s erotic novels under other names before they were famous crime authors.

I bought Getting off because Block is huge Fav author for me.

Mohammed wrote: "Cathy wrote: "AndrewP wrote: "Cathy wrote: "If anyone wants some hard stuff with sex (a lot of that) mixed in, it's Getting Off.

By Lawrence Block, I picked up from library because the cover is so..."

Mohammed: Yeah, great point and I think you're right recalling that LB wrote those other erotic novels what....50 years ago or so. Damn, that's a while ago.

He had his "freebie" Wed (I think it's Wed) and I downloaded about five of those early ones. I was surprised until I read more of his bio. Writers then wrote anything that sold, I guess, right?

Wondering though would those books be found in bookstores then?