Pulp Fiction discussion

Alans - `361`s terrific, as are `Somebody owes me money !`and `Lemons never lie` (albeit writing as Richard Stark). I managed to get the first title at face value.

This week I began reading Roseanna by Maj Sjöwall. Her writing style is extremely dry even when compared to the closest inspiration source Georges Simenon, but I like the degree of detail she goes into with depicting the nuts-and-bolts of police investigation.

I'm attacking a load of "Dan Turner" stories by Robert Leslie Bellem found splattered around the 'net. Quick reads. Plenty of action and mild sexual content. Striking and often hilarious use of slang. I'm digging them.

I can't believe I never read this before—currently reading The Bad Seed by William March, the classic psychological thriller from the early fifties about a child serial killer.

Steve wrote: "I can't believe I never read this before—currently reading The Bad Seed by William March, the classic psychological thriller from the early fifties about a child serial killer.

[book..."

Wow...good one! Really gets into the psychological angle too.

I'm right now reading Maigret and the Hundred Gibbets by Georges Simenon. Just like the previous Maigret novel I read, it shows a fine sense of milieu both in the sense of sociological realism and overall cultural atmosphere. This one takes place on the border between France and Germany, using the cultural clash as a major theme, so the latter aspect really shines here.

I also like how intuitive and emotionally rich the psychological analysis Maigret reasons by is, less overtly mathematical than a detective like Sherlock Holmes and neither having the cynicism of Dashiell Hammett's Continental Op either. Very "continental European" in that respect.

Franky wrote: "Steve wrote: "I can't believe I never read this before—currently reading The Bad Seed by William March, the classic psychological thriller from the early fifties about a child serial ..."

Loved the book. Ended up having to write a review:

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

Brian wrote: "Alans - `361`s terrific, as are `Somebody owes me money !`and `Lemons never lie` (albeit writing as Richard Stark). I managed to get the first title at face value."

Loved the 'Parker' series by Richard Stark (Esp. 'The Hunter' & 'Slayground') & the 'Dortmunder' series by Donald E. Westlake. Hard to believe they were one & the same people.

Bar `the hunter`, I liked what I read of the Parker series. The male on female violence in that was too much for me.
I checked out some Dortmunder excerpts, but didn`t dig them.

Brian wrote: "Bar `the hunter`, I liked what I read of the Parker series. The male on female violence in that was too much for me.
I checked out some Dortmunder excerpts, but didn`t dig them."

Each to their own Brian. Reading & our enjoyment of the same, is very subjective.

Re: "Male on female violence": Personally i don't like this either, but i think it's important to view that violence against women in context. In the Hunter, 2 women died, if my memory serves, one (Parker's wife), by her own hand. The 2nd (the hairdresser) had an affliction that affected her breathing, so when Parker gagged her, she died as a result of being gagged & breathing complications. I'm not defending the Parker character, but i have to say, he was an equal opportunity bastard, meting out violence to men & women alike. He was clearly a sociopath, with no empathy for others. He didn't enjoy killing, rather his killing was 'expedient'. If someone stood between him & his objective, he 'removed' them.
In one of the Parker novels (i don't recall which),Parker explains his attitude towards killing. "Sometimes killing is the only alternative. But i (Parker), would prefer not to kill. A body is difficult to dispose of, draws the attention of police & they (the victims) are likely to be missed, raising questions & for that reason, draws attention where one would prefer none." (I'm paraphrasing from memory,but that's the gist).
Read almost any other novel in the Crime/thriller genera & there seems to me to be a sameness & homogenization of heroes & villains & characters generally.
Personally,it's not necessary for me to like the characters in a novel Or their deeds. In fact,as long as the story is engaging & holds my attention, the unlike-ability of the story's protagonists adds a piquancy missing in so many other thriller/crime novels.
Have you read any of the Jim Thompson novels Brian? Or Raymond Chandler? Just to name two authors where the attitude toward women & often casual racism is deplorable by today's standards, but the quality of writing is such one can overlook these things.

I'm right now halfways through The High Window by Raymond Chandler. Great sense of sociological milieu as usual for the author, and for the first time one of his novels I've read feels like a "page turner" in how the plot is constructed. It's traditionally been the weak spot of his writing.

Paul wrote: "Brian wrote: "Bar `the hunter`, I liked what I read of the Parker series. The male on female violence in that was too much for me.
I checked out some Dortmunder excerpts, but didn`t dig them."

Eac..."

`Each to their own`, indeed, Paul.
Personally the topic I covered, above, racism - `casual` included - and similar "isms" turn my stomach.
Brian.

Simon wrote: "I'm right now halfways through The High Window by Raymond Chandler. Great sense of sociological milieu as usual for the author, and for the first time one of his novels I'..."

One of the few Chandler novels i haven't read Simon. I have a copy, so will get around to it eventually. Love Chandler.

Simon wrote: "I'm right now halfways through The High Window by Raymond Chandler. Great sense of sociological milieu as usual for the author, and for the first time one of his novels I'..."
They made a flick of the short story on which The High Window was based. George Montgomery, best known for cowboy parts and his marriage to TV songstress Dinah Shore, was the star. I have to say that he made a better Marlowe than Bogart in many respects -- he was younger, a little more dapper (anybody beside me notice Bogey's whip narrow saggy belt in The Big Sleep? I can't keep my eyes off the damned thing when I watch the movie!), a bit edgier. Chandler cannibalized his short pulp stuff for some of his novels and The Brasher Doubloon is one he used as grist for the mill. He did the same thing with Farewell, My Lovely, which was kludged together from three Chandler shorts. Of course, Dick Powell, the star of Murder My Sweet (the name was changed because it sounded like a musical and Powell, a song and dance man, was trying to avoid being type cast because he could carry a tune) was also an excellent Marlowe, as was Robert Montgomery, who starred in The Lady in the Lake, but is only seen in reflections (the camera's point of view offers the first person narration that Chandler usually drew from Marlowe, himself...)

Almost finished with The Last Good Kiss (1978) by James Crumley. Hardboiled crime out West from an underrated author, a writer's writer. Good stuff.

I`ve been hearing good things about this for a while now. Must check it out. Thanks, Steve.

Brian wrote: "I`ve been hearing good things about this for a while now. Must check it out. Thanks, Steve."

Hey, you're welcome, Brian. I hope you enjoy it. I'm guessing you will.

Just started reading . My first by Billingham. Looks promising.

My Xmas reading includes;







& which i have wanted to read for sometime.

Paul wrote: "My Xmas reading includes; ..."

Let me know what you think of this; I've been wanting to check it out.

Myself, currently reading ,
just finished and .

Forbidden wrote: "Paul wrote: "My Xmas reading includes; ..."

Let me know what you think of this; I've been wanting to check it out.

Myself, currently reading [bookcover:Go..."

Will do.

Just obtained a bunch of noir novels by
Dorothy B. Hughes. Haven't read any of her books, but they look really good.

& , written in the 1940's are two that immediately appeal.

Terrific covers too.

She gets under the skin of the readers as she gets under the surface of what the characters think and say. Your assessments of the characters change. Her style is quiet, insidious. And she wrote at a time when a writer was left alone to work out a story without the saleable cliches that a publisher thinks attract a certain "niche" reader.

Am picking up today from my local library. Have wanted to read it for ages & have just received notification it is ready to be picked up.

Just finished The Last Good Kiss, by James Crumley. It was fantastic. I really enjoy Mr. Crumley's style of prose. It is hard to pull off the decorated phrases he uses without sounding like a high schooler. The story was rich with extra concepts and twists without ever getting so off track that the reader is questioning where it is all going.

I just started The Moving Target, by Ross MacDonald. I like Ross MacDonald, but the few of his books I have read have not really grabbed me yet. I have high hopes for The Moving Target. I'll let you all know how it goes...

Sawyer wrote: "Just finished The Last Good Kiss, by James Crumley. It was fantastic. I really enjoy Mr. Crumley's style of prose. It is hard to pull of the decorated phrases he uses without sounding like a hig..."

Just got a copy of The Last Good Kiss Sawyer. I'm looking forward to reading it. Reviews i've read about it have been glowing!

Called into my local Hospice shop this morning to donate several books & thought i may as well have a quick look-see. Wasn't expecting to find anything, as they seem to have mostly 'popular-but-boring' books. But then i spotted & . $6 for the both of them. I didn't realize 'Sleepers' was made into a film, starring Brad Pitt
Minnie Driver
Robert De Niro
Kevin Bacon
Dustin Hoffman, among other well known actors.

Both books & movie look really good. Clearly i will have to call into the Hospice shop more often.

Paul wrote: "Am picking up today from my local library. Have wanted to read it for ages & have just received notification it is ready to be picked up."

It is an excellent read and as perceptive about this enigmatic truth-teller as is possible in a biography.
--Jay

Lauren wrote: "I am currently reading / re-reading the novels of Raymond Chandler. Absolutely brilliant. Fantastic dialogue. Philip Marlowe is one of the best fictional characters ever created and I fall in lo..."

It really is that good, isn't it. You instantly picture the setting in your head, and it's just so captivating. I love how Philip changes from novel to novel, and by the end it feels like you've known him for years

I read a couple of Chandler's books when i was in my early 20's & decided a year or so ago, i would get the whole series & slow-ly make my way through them from beginning to end. I read 'Farewell, My Lovely' a couple of months ago, having read 'The Big Sleep' before that. I must say, what a difference 30 odd years make in the reading experience, particularly in this case. I liked Raymond Chandler in my 20's. I love RC in my 50's.

I've gotten interested in Martyn Halm's novels about a female assassin Katla Sieltjes. I reviewed the first one https://ocotilloarts.com/blog/?p=3312 Katla makes other assassins look incompetent.

Just started reading .

Wow... 10 pages in & it's utterly gripping. May have to read something else in tandem with this to allow me to catch my breath.

Charles, I read your review and found it very interesting, certainly the book seems very different. Shall probably have to order online.

I am about 2/3 of the way through The Accident by Linwood Barclay. This is the 4th book of his that I've read and it does not disappoint. I call this type of book "a neighborhood thriller." Set in suburbia, it puts regular folks in mortal danger. He's really good.

When I finish, I'm moving on two other books in the same vein:
You're Next by Gregg Hurwitz
Just One Look by Harlan Coben

Just finished The Accident by Linwood Barclay. This was a 4-star page turner. A true thriller in every sense of the word with a great plot twist at the end. My New Years resolution is to READ MORE LINWOOD BARCLAY.

I've just started James Ellroy, American Tabloid. Pretty good so far!

I just read A Gun for Sale by Graham Greene. I don't know how Greene does it, he's more than amazing.

Prasidh wrote: "I've just started James Ellroy, American Tabloid. Pretty good so far!"

The Underworld Trilogy, starting with American Tabloid is great reading, as is the LA Quartet. Ellroy is one of my favorite authors.

Flash Beagle wrote: "I just read A Gun for Sale by Graham Greene. I don't know how Greene does it, he's more than amazing."

I have that as an eBook FB. Must check it out.

I just finished I Stooged to Conquer: The Autobiography of the Leader of the Three Stooges by Moe Howard. (Yes, THAT Moe!) It's a 3-star firsthand account of the act throughout the 20th century. It's not a work of literature, but of interest to anyone (like myself) is a fan of the trio and wants to know a little of what went on behind-the-scenes of their wild and wacky short films.

Mike - That sounds great ! Thanks for the tip ;-O

A review by a friend made me realize that there were some books by Donald Hamilton (Matt Helm) that I couldn't remember & hadn't rated here on GR. I found that I didn't have a couple too, so I bought them & am now reading them.

Date with Darkness was his first published book & I didn't have it. Some parts seemed vaguely familiar. While it was a credible first effort, I only gave it 3 stars.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm getting into Blue Heaven by C.J. Box. It's been a great read so far.

Synopsis: A twelve-year-old girl and her younger brother go on the run in the woods of North Idaho, pursued by four men they have just watched commit murder---four men who know exactly who William and Annie are, and who know exactly where their desperate mother is waiting for news of her children’s fate. Retired cops from Los Angeles, the killers easily persuade the inexperienced sheriff to let them lead the search for the missing children.

I just finished The Steel Mirror by Donald Hamilton. It's only his second published novel, but was really good. I gave it 4 stars. My review is here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Now I'm on to Hamilton's third, Murder Twice Told, 2 novellas ("The Black Cross" and "Deadfall") in one book.

I managed to find and buy a copy of Night and the City so I might get going with it soon. I loved the film.

Just started reading; , my first by this author.

Today; ; ; ; & . Not familiar with this author, but they caught my eye, or rather "Noir, with a Havana flavor" caught my eye. They look good.

Just finished Hercule Poirot's Christmas.

Franky wrote: "I managed to find and buy a copy of Night and the City so I might get going with it soon. I loved the film."

I acquired that movie the other day too Franky. Gene Tierney was gorgeous, er, i mean great, in Laura too. Haven't watched it yet, but i'd love to read the book. Only available in hardback, i believe. Let us know what you think. Looks good.

Phil wrote: "Just finished Hercule Poirot's Christmas."

Dude, no offense, but that's hardly 'Pulp' or even 'Hard-boiled'. Just old.

Read this a while ago. Here's my review;

4 Stars

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

Mike wrote: "I'm getting into Blue Heaven by C.J. Box. It's been a great read so far.

Synopsis: A twelve-year-old girl and her younger brother go..."

Finished the book tonight and LOVED it!!!