Influences: James M. Cain

James Mallahan Cain (1892-1977) hated labeling, but he is known as one of the creators of the hard-boiled school of crime fiction.  He spent a good part of his early life as a journalist before turning to novels and screenplays.

Unlike other hard-boiled writers, Cain never set out to write grim, or tough novels.  As he said, “I merely try to write as the character would write…”.  Cain inhabited his main characters to a stronger degree than his contemporaries.  He populated his novels and stor...