This collection of three novels presents Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones, Harlem's toughest pair of cops. Renowned for their meanness and ...
read full description
reviews
Jul 27, 2011
I had to give up halfway through A Rage in Harlem. I couldn't understand why his books are remembered. As crime writing it was far inferior to the likes of Chandler, Hammett, James Ellroy or Jim Thompson. As gritty, authentic writing about African-American street life it is far inferior to Iceberg Slim. I just couldn't be arsed to keep reading the stupid, implausible plot and shitty prose. In the introduction by Melvin Van Peebles Himes doesn't seem to take himself too seriously as a writer, wri
More...
Jan 26, 2011
Mely
rated it: 
The first two books feature at least three scenes so far of black people rooking white authorities by acting crazy, because white folks will believe anything, or at least they'll believe anything that involves black people acting insane, stupid, or violent. I suspect that this is Himes revealing the truth behind the pyrotechnic, absurdist violence of his mysteries to an audience completely incapable of getting the joke, or even that a joke is being told. I wouldn't, in other words, take this as
More...
Apr 01, 2010
Alice
rated it: 
Unputdownable - incredible pace, crackling dialogue, sparing yet vivid language. My only complaint is that the detective duo, Grave Digger and Coffin Ed, are little more than ciphers next to the colourful cast of murderers, robbers and whores, and it's hard to feel much for them.
Nov 25, 2011
Nov 03, 2011
Sep 19, 2011
Aug 17, 2011
Aug 05, 2011
Jul 14, 2011
Mar 15, 2011
Feb 28, 2011
Feb 17, 2011
Dec 13, 2010
Sep 29, 2010
Sep 26, 2010
Sep 22, 2010
Aug 28, 2010
