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75th out of 80 books
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1 voter
The Twenty-Year Death (Hard Case Crime)
THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BOOK LIKE
THE TWENTY-YEAR DEATH
A breathtaking first novel written in the form of three separate crime novels, each set in a different decade and penned in the style of a different giant of the mystery genre.
1931—
The body found in the gutter in France led the police inspector to the dead man’s beautiful daughter—and to her hot-tempered American hu...more
THE TWENTY-YEAR DEATH
A breathtaking first novel written in the form of three separate crime novels, each set in a different decade and penned in the style of a different giant of the mystery genre.
1931—
The body found in the gutter in France led the police inspector to the dead man’s beautiful daughter—and to her hot-tempered American hu...more
Hardcover, 670 pages
Published
August 7th 2012
by Hard Case Crime
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Also posted on Shelf-Inflicted
Note: This is a long review because there are essentially three books within that need reviewing. So give me a break; I did my damnedest at making this interesting.
Reading this book feels like your experiencing a milestone in crime history first hand. Which is a pretty lofty claim, but you tell me about any other crime or mystery novel that’s this ambitious? Ariel S. Winter decided not to just write a novel, but to structure it as three different novels with each o...more
Note: This is a long review because there are essentially three books within that need reviewing. So give me a break; I did my damnedest at making this interesting.
Reading this book feels like your experiencing a milestone in crime history first hand. Which is a pretty lofty claim, but you tell me about any other crime or mystery novel that’s this ambitious? Ariel S. Winter decided not to just write a novel, but to structure it as three different novels with each o...more
THE TWENTY YEAR DEATH comprises three novels, the first of which, 'Malniveau Prison' is a police procedural with a hint of the hardboiled. The second, 'Falling Star' is a formulaic, by-the-numbers hardboiled PI set amongst the glitz and glamour of the movie biz tainted with blood and lies. Rounding out the trio is 'Police A At Funeral' - an ode to noir which highlights the struggle of a fractured man with everything to gain and nothing to loose. The concept is refreshing and the execution exempl...more
Sep 04, 2012
Shellie (Layers of Thought)
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
crime fiction readers
Recommended to Shellie (Layers of Thought) by:
Titan Books
Original review by John posted at Layers of Thought.
A unique three-in-one pulp fiction crime saga.
About: This is three separate murder mystery stories in one book - each story set ten years apart; each featuring the same two characters, which binds the stories together; with each story written in a different style, mimicking three classic crime writers (Georges Simenon, Raymond Chandler and Jim Thompson).
Clotilde Rosenkratz seemed to be destined for success and for a time was on the verge of bec...more
A unique three-in-one pulp fiction crime saga.
About: This is three separate murder mystery stories in one book - each story set ten years apart; each featuring the same two characters, which binds the stories together; with each story written in a different style, mimicking three classic crime writers (Georges Simenon, Raymond Chandler and Jim Thompson).
Clotilde Rosenkratz seemed to be destined for success and for a time was on the verge of bec...more
This book is three novels in one. Yep, three. Three separate stories, spanning three decades, tied together by one character that is a minor player in novels one and two, and the center stage performer in the final novel.
Oh, there is one other thing; each novel is written in a different style: the first one is an homage to Georges Simenon, the second one to Raymond Chandler, and the final one to Jim Thompson.
An ambitious project to say the least. And Winter does a pretty good job of capturing...more
Oh, there is one other thing; each novel is written in a different style: the first one is an homage to Georges Simenon, the second one to Raymond Chandler, and the final one to Jim Thompson.
An ambitious project to say the least. And Winter does a pretty good job of capturing...more
In general, I love the Hard Case Crime books (Except for Stephen King's "I shouldn't have to write an ending" addition, but I can hardly blame them for publishing it).
But this ambitious book, while encompassing a great deal of the types of fiction they publish, is technically interesting but falls flat in the telling.
This is going to be a bit of a long review, so hold on to your hats, folks. In my defense, this is three novels bundled as one.
Let’s start off with some basics in case this is, f...more
But this ambitious book, while encompassing a great deal of the types of fiction they publish, is technically interesting but falls flat in the telling.
This is going to be a bit of a long review, so hold on to your hats, folks. In my defense, this is three novels bundled as one.
Let’s start off with some basics in case this is, f...more
This is brilliant--the hapless descent of one hard-boiled and cracked American in the form of three procedural novels. In book one, Shem Rozenkrantz, living in 1931 France with his young wife and writing pulp novels, gets caught up in a small-town prison break investigated by a very tired police inspector a la George Simeon ("To have a Rue Victor Hugo had apparently been deemed necessary, but that the town had settled on this back alley for the designation was small town politics in its most ess...more
Let me start off by saying that if you haven’t heard of Hard Case Crime by now, you need to be shot. Well, maybe not shot. That might be a tad harsh. Maimed, then? Bludgeoned about the head and shoulders? Slapped with a catfish? Yeah, that’s about right. When I’m king of the world, all justice will be dispensed via catfish, so we’ll go with that one.
Hard Case Crime is a line of books, formerly of Random House, now of Titan Books, that specializes in reprints of classic crime novels, new novels b...more
Hard Case Crime is a line of books, formerly of Random House, now of Titan Books, that specializes in reprints of classic crime novels, new novels b...more
I was surprised to see such a hefty tome from Hard Case Crime, until I realized this novel was three books in one. Each of the three parts is a story unto itself, with a common thread between them. Each part of the story is also written in a different style, paying homage to a noteworthy pulp writer of yore.
Part One begins in a small town in France, where a body is found in a rain storm. The chief inspector happens to be in town to pay a visit to an inmate at nearby Malvineau Prison, and gets pu...more
Part One begins in a small town in France, where a body is found in a rain storm. The chief inspector happens to be in town to pay a visit to an inmate at nearby Malvineau Prison, and gets pu...more
I’ve read trilogies that had five books (Douglas Adams) but I’ve never heard of a debut novel that was, in fact, three complete novels. To be fair, Ariel Winter did – well write isn’t completely correct – publish a picture book. For children. And he has written short stories. For Elle, The Urbanite and McSweeney’s.
Hardly the background you’d expect for a crime novelist, though in his former life as a book seller, he no doubt read some crime fiction. But to decide to write your debut novel, that...more
Hardly the background you’d expect for a crime novelist, though in his former life as a book seller, he no doubt read some crime fiction. But to decide to write your debut novel, that...more
Ever since THE TWENTY YEAR DEATH was announced, I've eagerly awaited a chance to read it. The idea of a crime novel(actually three crime novels) spanning twenty years and written in the style of a novelist prominent during the period of that novel struck me as a unique idea. The overall story is of an author in which tragedy strikes all those around him.
MALNIVEAU PRISON has a French inspector come to a small town in 1931, one with a prison, to visit a criminal he put away years ago and gets caug...more
MALNIVEAU PRISON has a French inspector come to a small town in 1931, one with a prison, to visit a criminal he put away years ago and gets caug...more
Aug 23, 2012
Monique Snyman
added it
In the first segment of The Twenty Year Death by Ariel S. Winter, called “Malniveau Prison” starts off with the discovery of a corpse that’s found in a gutter in France in 1931. The Chief Inspector, Pelleter is led to Clotilde-ma-Fleur Rosencrantz – the dead man’s daughter - and her hot-tempered American husband, who is a successful writer. The second segment of the novel, ”Falling Star” plays off in Los Angeles, 1941. Los Angeles private investigator, Dennis Foster is hired to keep an eye on th...more
So good!
I was intrigued by concept of an author writing three loosely connected novellas over the course of one novel, imiatating the tone and style of a different crime novelist in each novella. After whipping through each "story" I can say that the mystery in each case definately takes a back seat to just enjoying the ride. Within each short novella Winters subtly but immediately builds seperate but overlapping worlds with the protaginist in each story coloring the dynamics between the establi...more
I was intrigued by concept of an author writing three loosely connected novellas over the course of one novel, imiatating the tone and style of a different crime novelist in each novella. After whipping through each "story" I can say that the mystery in each case definately takes a back seat to just enjoying the ride. Within each short novella Winters subtly but immediately builds seperate but overlapping worlds with the protaginist in each story coloring the dynamics between the establi...more
It's a great idea - Have three separate novels in three consecutive decades in the style of three different crime novelists with characters that are in all three. And the idea works, to a degree.
The first two novels are fantastic in their own right. The 30's tale of murder and corruption in France and the 40's Chandler-esque detective yarn in Hollywood really work well. They feature great protagonists and unpredictable twists that are a hell of a lot of fun for classic pulp fans. The third novel...more
The first two novels are fantastic in their own right. The 30's tale of murder and corruption in France and the 40's Chandler-esque detective yarn in Hollywood really work well. They feature great protagonists and unpredictable twists that are a hell of a lot of fun for classic pulp fans. The third novel...more
Original Post: http://thefoundingfields.com/2012/08/....
“An original, if flawed, entertaining peice of noir fiction with a fantastic premise.“ ~The Founding Fields
I haven’t read a noir crime novel before, and this is probably my most under-read genre, apart from paranormal romance (But there’s a reason for that), and if it wasn’t for the wonderful opportunity from Titan Books to read this novel, I probably would have continued without reading any noir crime novels. However, that opportunity came...more
“An original, if flawed, entertaining peice of noir fiction with a fantastic premise.“ ~The Founding Fields
I haven’t read a noir crime novel before, and this is probably my most under-read genre, apart from paranormal romance (But there’s a reason for that), and if it wasn’t for the wonderful opportunity from Titan Books to read this novel, I probably would have continued without reading any noir crime novels. However, that opportunity came...more
Disclosure: I was sent a free copy of this book by winning it from a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. My opinions about the book are my own.
First of all, I want to mention that I really like the design of the book and its resemblance to an authentic 1950's pulp mystery novel. Everything from the cover, to the choice of fonts, to the publishing logo on the inner pages brought back nostalgia of the many mystery novels I consumed back when I was a teenager, and I enjoyed reliving the experience.
I wa...more
First of all, I want to mention that I really like the design of the book and its resemblance to an authentic 1950's pulp mystery novel. Everything from the cover, to the choice of fonts, to the publishing logo on the inner pages brought back nostalgia of the many mystery novels I consumed back when I was a teenager, and I enjoyed reliving the experience.
I wa...more
My full review at Literary Inklings
The Twenty-Year Death offers a lot to take in, and all of it is fast-paced entertainment with hairpin-turn mystery and iconic period style. I was intrigued enough by the individual stories of the book, all of which are standalone novels, but as the book progressed I was continually fascinated by the way they all tied together, through the characters as well as various themes. The mystery genre itself becomes a centric point, and in the end The Twenty-Year Death...more
The Twenty-Year Death offers a lot to take in, and all of it is fast-paced entertainment with hairpin-turn mystery and iconic period style. I was intrigued enough by the individual stories of the book, all of which are standalone novels, but as the book progressed I was continually fascinated by the way they all tied together, through the characters as well as various themes. The mystery genre itself becomes a centric point, and in the end The Twenty-Year Death...more
The Twenty Year Death is a marvel in terms of style and storytelling... it falls short of greatness and that is only disappointing because it has the scale and ambition to be a seminal contribution to the mystery genre. Winter's ability to emulate and riff on the style of three great noir authors -- Simenon, Chandler and Thompson -- is breathtaking. The second part of this three-part sequence of mystery novellas is based on the Philip Marlowe series and it is really stunning how well he captures...more
An interesting experiment. All three novels are well told and Winter does an admirable job of aping the styles of Simenon, Chandler and Thompson.
As an experiment, the book is an interesting beast. However one can't help but think the tale could just as easily have been told in a single, original voice rather than versions of past greats. The styles, ultimately, become a mere gimmick. Sure, Winter is to be lauded for pulling it off but one can't escape the question: Why bother?
The book is a good...more
As an experiment, the book is an interesting beast. However one can't help but think the tale could just as easily have been told in a single, original voice rather than versions of past greats. The styles, ultimately, become a mere gimmick. Sure, Winter is to be lauded for pulling it off but one can't escape the question: Why bother?
The book is a good...more
(Originally posted on Amazon UK by me)
The first thing to say about this book is that it is not one book, but three! All written in a different style.
The first story, Maliniveau Prison follows a police detective trying to solve a murder in a small town in France.
The second, The Falling Star, follows a private detective who has been hired as protection for a movie star.
The third, Police At The Funeral, is about a man who goes to hear the reading of his ex-wife's will and accidentally kills his son...more
The first thing to say about this book is that it is not one book, but three! All written in a different style.
The first story, Maliniveau Prison follows a police detective trying to solve a murder in a small town in France.
The second, The Falling Star, follows a private detective who has been hired as protection for a movie star.
The third, Police At The Funeral, is about a man who goes to hear the reading of his ex-wife's will and accidentally kills his son...more
The whole premise of this book was the writer combining three tribute stories to great crime writers into one tale about a married couple that spans twenty years. All three were good in their own ways (the third one, a tribute to Jim Thompson, was the best) but I felt like the running thread was kind of too gimmicky. For instance, the wife character is underdeveloped and only brought along when the plot needs to be advanced. Her whole relationship with her husband was unlikely at best and, at wo...more
Wow, I mean really wow. This was a fantastic read, actually this was three fantastic reads. What I found most amazing was what you have here is three separate novels that could have been written by three separate but all very talented authors. I love a good piece of noir so as you can imagine I was very excited to be chosen as first reads winner. I took a great deal longer to read this than my average because I really was enjoying every single nuance.
The first part was my favorite and I think t...more
The first part was my favorite and I think t...more
I'm sure most people are aware of the premise--three different novels, written in the style of three different pulp-writers. Each takes place ten years after the next, and characters who are relatively minor in the first two novels take center stage in the final one.
The three novels, separately, were very enjoyable. (I especially enjoyed the Raymond Chandler-inspired story). But there didn't seem to be a lot of connection between the three books. Yes, they involved the same characters, but there...more
The three novels, separately, were very enjoyable. (I especially enjoyed the Raymond Chandler-inspired story). But there didn't seem to be a lot of connection between the three books. Yes, they involved the same characters, but there...more
Ariel S. Winter in his new book, “The Twenty-Year Death” published by Titan Books gives us a mystery that takes twenty years and three detectives to figure out.
From the back cover: THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BOOK LIKE
THE TWENTY-YEAR DEATH
A breathtaking first novel written in the form of three separate crime novels, each set in a different decade and penned in the style of a different giant of the mystery genre.
1931—The body found in the gutter in France led the police inspector to the dead man’s beaut...more
From the back cover: THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BOOK LIKE
THE TWENTY-YEAR DEATH
A breathtaking first novel written in the form of three separate crime novels, each set in a different decade and penned in the style of a different giant of the mystery genre.
1931—The body found in the gutter in France led the police inspector to the dead man’s beaut...more
Stab, stab, beat to death. This is not three separate novels, as billed. Neither is it "a tour de force." One character, oh wait two, appear in all three stories. They are not interesting or likable. I suppose I enjoyed the first installment most. I thought those unanswered questions would be explained later, but the unanswered question gap only grew and grew until the stink ending. Maybe I'm being overly harsh because I just read and loved Elmore Leonard's hilarious and well plotted Up In Honey...more
An original and impressive accomplishment, this novel tells the story of an American writer and his young, French wife over a period of twenty years, 1931-1951, but told in the form of three complete novels written in the style of some of the most iconic crime writers of all time.
"Malvineau Prison" (1931) is written in the style of George Simenon, "The Falling Star" (1941) in the style of Raymond Chandler, and, finally, "Police at the Funeral" (1951) in the style of Jim Thompson.
Innovative and s...more
"Malvineau Prison" (1931) is written in the style of George Simenon, "The Falling Star" (1941) in the style of Raymond Chandler, and, finally, "Police at the Funeral" (1951) in the style of Jim Thompson.
Innovative and s...more
The book is composed of three novels each in the style of another noir author- George Simenon,Raymond Chandler and Jim Thompson. The trilogy follows the stories of the same characters for twenty years. The Simenon and Chandler segments are readable but mere echos of the atmosphere and use of language of the originals. The Thompson segment is both more problematic and powerful. It is tough sledding to read but great to remember reading. On the whole this is an interesting experiment which yields...more
This novel is as much an homage to three different authors, as it is to a genre of books. The volume is composed of a character arc split into three distinct stories with separate title pages and logo-marked endings.
I have not read any Georges Simenon, but could still sense the references from the first book/section. The shift to Chandler put me in more familiar territory (though my travels with Chandler are embarrassingly light). Beyond the direct reflection of Chandler, the middle section seem...more
I have not read any Georges Simenon, but could still sense the references from the first book/section. The shift to Chandler put me in more familiar territory (though my travels with Chandler are embarrassingly light). Beyond the direct reflection of Chandler, the middle section seem...more
Yes, a clever premise: a three novella pastiche of three different writers famous in their decade, Georges Simenon, Raymond Chandler, and Jim Thompson. To be honest, I skimmed the last one, but then I find Jim Thompson too dark too. The imitation was well done, except for a few out-of-period clunkers (automatic coffee makers in the 1940s?), but why read an imitation? Yes, why did I read it? Gulled by good reviews. I've read all three in the original and I recommend you stick to the real thing.
****I recieved this book from the Goodreads giveaways*****
I was intriqued when I read the description of this book and wanted to see how the author was going to set it all up. Three books written in different styles that were connected through a 20 year period? Sounds pretty cool.
I liked the writing in all three of the individual story and I though she captured the style of them really well. I wasn't completly sold on the storyline and kept wishing for something a little more exciting to happen...more
I was intriqued when I read the description of this book and wanted to see how the author was going to set it all up. Three books written in different styles that were connected through a 20 year period? Sounds pretty cool.
I liked the writing in all three of the individual story and I though she captured the style of them really well. I wasn't completly sold on the storyline and kept wishing for something a little more exciting to happen...more
Novel received courtesy of Goodreads.com giveaway
I've never read a mystery novel like this! The novel is split into three separate sections, each taking place 10 years apart. Each section was written as a copy of a famous crime writer's style. Although I'm unfamiliar with the crime writers that Mr. Winter is echoing, I enjoyed the premise and styles of the novel. The character, Shem Rosencrantz, is introduced in the first section of the novel and by the end, he becomes the main character. His wi...more
I've never read a mystery novel like this! The novel is split into three separate sections, each taking place 10 years apart. Each section was written as a copy of a famous crime writer's style. Although I'm unfamiliar with the crime writers that Mr. Winter is echoing, I enjoyed the premise and styles of the novel. The character, Shem Rosencrantz, is introduced in the first section of the novel and by the end, he becomes the main character. His wi...more
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Ariel S. Winter is the author of the forthcoming picture book One of a Kind (June 2012) illustrated by David Hitch, and the forthcoming novel The Twenty-Year Death (August 2012).
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Dec 04, 2012 05:52pm
Dec 04, 2012 06:07pm