Welcome and Introductions

[Melki, Femme fatale]

Welcome to the group, Louis. You can tell us about your books in the Writer's/Blogger's Corner.

[Brad]

Hi everyone,

I decided a few months ago to get to know the Detective genre, and have been trying to figure out what to read with limited time. Particularly in the vast catalogues of early pulp noir. I am going through the American Library's Noir boxset right now (particularly liked "They Shoot Horses, Don't They") and am a fan of Jim Thompson. Looking for suggestions of other things I shouldn't miss. The earlier the better.

[Evangeline]

Hello everybody!

I am a reasonably big fan of noir and pulp fiction - I collect Andrew Vachss, Richard Stark, and Lawrence Block in particular - and I have now started writing my own take on noir fiction as well.

I promise not to spam endlessly about my own stuff and hope to learn and share nicely here.

Cheers

Evangeline

[Still]

Brad wrote: "Hi everyone,

I decided a few months ago to get to know the Detective genre, and have been trying to figure out what to read with limited time. Particularly in the vast catalogues of early pulp noi..."

Have you happened to read Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett yet?
I love all of the Continental Op collections but this lone Op novel is unforgettable.

You simply can't go through this world without reading every short story or novella in Raymond Chandler: Collected Stories (Everyman's Library).

I'd swear on a flaming sacrificial pyre before a spear-wielding, frenzied tribe of Amazonian types that every novel by Chandler is worth the investment but the comprehensive Everyman's Libary anthology is an item worth its weight in maximum cool.

[Margaret]

Mantan wrote: "Brad wrote: "Hi everyone,

I decided a few months ago to get to know the Detective genre, and have been trying to figure out what to read with limited time. Particularly in the vast catalogues of e..."

Brad, I agree with Mantan. Early pulp/noir, you CANNOT go wrong bedding down a while with Hammett and Chandler. Any and all can come afterward.

[Jvandersteen]

Hi all! I've been lurking for a long time, time to introduce myself now... I'm Jochem Vandersteen and love all hardboiled stuff from Vachss to Parker and blog about PI fiction at http://sonsofspade.blogspot.com . You MIGHT also know my Noah Milano stories. I live in the Netherlands but always read (and write) english.

[Melki, Femme fatale]

Welcome, Jvandersteen! Glad you decided to emerge from the shadows and join us.

[Nicky]

Hi Everyone,
I started out with Nancy Drew, graduated to Agatha Christie on to Chandler and Hammett before I got to my teens (what was my mother thinking?) and I've probably read just about every kind of crime genre you can think of at least once. I fell in love with the 20's, 30's and 40's pulps from the pulp magazines when I started researching my grandfather's work for a bio. I know a lot of the guys and a few dames who write about the pulps and there are some really terrific reprints that not many people know about. I'd love to share some of my favorites and some of the people who know the histories of the writers. I think it is one of the most unique American art forms and deserves the same standing as jazz! I'm looking forward to this group.

[Jeff]

I just signed on with your group, and am fresh on a tear of going through Gil Brewer novels. I have read Fade-Out, but probably close to when it was written.

[Still]

Nicky wrote: "Hi Everyone,
I started out with Nancy Drew, graduated to Agatha Christie on to Chandler and Hammett before I got to my teens (what was my mother thinking?) and I've probably read just about every k..."


Your grandfather wrote for the pulps?
Would you mind sharing with us his name as well as the names of a few of his author friends?
I'm a pulp fiend.

[Nicky]

Mantan wrote: "Nicky wrote: "Hi Everyone,
I started out with Nancy Drew, graduated to Agatha Christie on to Chandler and Hammett before I got to my teens (what was my mother thinking?) and I've probably read just..."

My grandfather was Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson and he wrote for Adventure, Argosy, Thrilling, Popular and Short Stories to name a few from 1926-1956. He also started DC Comics. You can google him and he has an author's page here on Goodreads. Unfortunately since Goodreads only does books, none of his pulps are up. There are well over 170.
I'll put some links in to some publishers who do really nice reprints of many of the best known names in pulps tomorrow if that's okay with the admin. Thanks, Nicky

[Still]

Fascinating!
I'll check the Google entry as well as the Goodreads page.
Possibly he's appeared in some of the compilations and anthologies from old Pulp mags like PULP, and ...ooops.
I only awakened moments ago. My memory slip is showing.
I'll try to check some other anthologies of Pulp magazine stories I have later today.

It's great to have you here!

[Melki, Femme fatale]

Howdy yourself, Robin. Welcome to the group.

[Will]

Hi guys! Just discovered the group as in the last few years I've just been reading more and more hardboiled crime novels. Started in the early '90s with Ellroy and those Black Lizard Thompson reprints, then Chandler and Cain, then discovered James Lee Burke, & now I'm reading - and collecting - MacDonalds John D. and Ross, Leonard, Willeford, Westlake/Stark, Crumley, Valin, Block, et al. I'm enjoying it more than ever! Figured I needed to find more of the over-looked detective/pulp classics from the '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s. Yeah, as if I *need* more paperbacks...

[Cathy]

Will wrote: "Hi guys! Just discovered the group as in the last few years I've just been reading more and more hardboiled crime novels. Started in the early '90s with Ellroy and those Black Lizard Thompson repri..."

Will:

I feel your pain, discovering more pulp writers.

Fortunately, I've read at least one of every writer you mentioned and John D. MacDonald, third time around for Travis McGee series this year.

Great group here; everyone so helpful and forthcoming with their new (old) "discoveries." (Oh, I'm missing a Crumley read and just looked for him just today at library. Nope.)

Cheers.

[Lisa]

I'm thrilled to have found this blog! My father (who, as I found out years after his death, was in Counter Intelligence in WW2) was a rabid mystery fan. He bought me my first Nancy Drew. I just got into Noir after finding a Black Lizard edition of Jim Thompson's " A Hell of a Woman". I look forward to following your reviews And suggestions.

[Cathy]

Lisa wrote: "I'm thrilled to have found this blog! My father (who, as I found out years after his death, was in Counter Intelligence in WW2) was a rabid mystery fan. He bought me my first Nancy Drew. I just got..."

Lisa...I love Black Lizard. I have about four of them, anthologies.

There's one series (not Lizard) which is great and I need to get back into. The book I have is Miami Noir. There's a NY Noir, Brooklyn Noir, LA Noir and many more. I had read something of each of the contributing writers in the one I have, Miami.

The "toughest" noir female writer I know is Vicki Hendricks. Be sure to read some of reviews before reading her though because she's a bit on the sex side of noir. I've read two and need to get back to reading more. Great writer and I lean more towards the writing of men in the noir genre.

Great thread here with many suggestions for reading! Glad you found it, too, and welcome "home."

And what a great Dad your father was. So glad you have fond memories. What a story, too. Counter Intel! Fortunately, I, too, have fond memories of my Dad.

[Simon]

Black Lizard's name reminds me of the punk band The Jesus Lizard. Incidentally, the entire vibe of that band (as well as some of their lyrics) is very Jim Thompson-esque.

[Cathy]

Cool info, Simon. I love GR...someone can always add some new and interesting information. Thanks.

[Mark]

Hi folks. Long time lurker, first time poster. Big fan of pulp and noir and very pleased to have found some like-minded souls. My first exposure to pulp was most likely through James Elroy, but I've traveled far and wide since then and have worked on broadening my taste - a particular fondness is for British pulp from the 402 and 50s, with Hank Jansen up near the top of the list.

Looking forward to meeting you all.

[Mohammed]

Mark wrote: "Hi folks. Long time lurker, first time poster. Big fan of pulp and noir and very pleased to have found some like-minded souls. My first exposure to pulp was most likely through James Elroy, but I'v..."

Welcome Mark, glad to have you here.

British pulp from 40s,50s i dont know anything about. I know only british crime,noir post 1960s. Hopeas to learn good authors,books from your posts like this Hank Jensen.

[Mark]

Hank was the king of the pulps from that time - it's worth doing a Google search just to dig out the covers, which were amazing...

[Cathy]

Mark wrote: "Hank was the king of the pulps from that time - it's worth doing a Google search just to dig out the covers, which were amazing..."

Hi Hank:

Liked your comment long time lurker! Pretty funny.

Like Mohammed, I'm not familiar with that era of Brit pulp but will check them out. I'm a big fan of the pulp covers you described!

And yes, you're among friends...like minded friends!

[Daniel]

Hey all. Pretty cool place you guys have here.

Big fan of noir, the pulps, and classic crime novels.

I have several pulps in their original releases, and yes, the covers were awesome! It's good to see Hard Case Crime carrying on that tradition.

Cheers.

[Cathy]

Daniel wrote: "Hey all. Pretty cool place you guys have here.

Big fan of noir, the pulps, and classic crime novels.

I have several pulps in their original releases, and yes, the covers were awesome! It's good..."

Daniel:

I'm envious of anyone who has pulp originals. Green with envy.

Here's a site I've been on a number of times; pulp covers for all genres. Nice site for "the enlightened" per Margaret's message above #352.

The Pulp Gallery My favorite? The Black Mask covers but I like that era.

[Daniel]

Cathy wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Hey all. Pretty cool place you guys have here.

Big fan of noir, the pulps, and classic crime novels.

I have several pulps in their original releases, and yes, the covers were awe..."

Cathy, Maybe I can share a few pictures.
:)

[Cathy]

Daniel wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Hey all. Pretty cool place you guys have here.

Big fan of noir, the pulps, and classic crime novels.

I have several pulps in their original releases, and yes, the c..."

Share away.

I have The Black Lizard Big Book of Black Mask Stories. I'm not messing with that woman, machine gun and .45, I think, and she's is not a happy camper.

Here we go...looks like she's gunning for a guy, so I'm safe. This might be one more popular covers because I've seen it so many times.

[Cathy]

Hello Folks:

Not sure where this would get the largest exposure but will post in a couple of places on this thread.

Mysteriouspress.com has launched, not sure, but they have many ebooks available in our favorite genre. Haven't had time to look it over completely, so there may be hardbacks and/or paperbacks.

Here's the link: Mysterious Press Dot Com

[George]

Hi--I'm George Sheridan, author of "Covenant" and the YA crime thriller "The Monster's Cradle," both out through Xynobooks.

I still have a day job as a property manager, but I hope someday to be able to subsist on my writing alone. We'll see.

Big crimefic nut, and I think I've listed some of my favorite authors elsewhere in this group, so I won't repeat that. I'm glad to be here.

[R.]

Beat it punk!

And with that three word sentence the fight began.

How do. I am R Felini. Fresh meat to group. Crazy reader, soon to be infamous writer of words (my book is Chicago Style) and ex-boxer. What else? You tell me punk!

Just kidding I know the genre.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18...

[Stephen]

Ten-A-Week Steale is FREE. Today. Get it. Why wouldn't you?

“Silent-era Hollywood is enticingly reconstructed” – True Classics

“A fantastic work in the tradition of the old pulp/noir masters” –All Pulp

“Has the zest of a 20s flapper pic, dialogue with a 30s snap and an aura of 40s noir doom” – Classic Movie Blog

“A full-throated nostalgia piece. Stephen Jared brings his setting to life with aplomb” – Crime Fiction Lover

tp://www.amazon.com/Ten-Week-Steale-Stephe...

[Michael]

Hello. My name is Michael Stephenson. I am an author and I enjoy all genres of books but I have a special fondness for Horror. As far as crime and mystery novels go, Steven James would have to be one of my favorite authors. I loved the book Pawn and have read all the books in the series outside of Opening Moves.

[Quyen]

Hi I'm Quyen and thought this was a good place to find recommendations for books since my friends aren't into reading books.

[Cathy]

Will wrote: "Hi guys! Just discovered the group as in the last few years I've just been reading more and more hardboiled crime novels. Started in the early '90s with Ellroy and those Black Lizard Thompson repri..."

Hi Will...you have my bookshelf covered with your list of authors. We have great taste in reading material.

[Ty]

Quyen wrote: "Hi I'm Quyen and thought this was a good place to find recommendations for books since my friends aren't into reading books."

Welcome aboard, Quyen! If there's one thing that people love doing around here, besides reading, it's recommending books to others. I'm sure we can help you find many good things to read.

[Quyen]

Thanks Ty I'm looking forward to it :)

[John]

Hi everyone,

I'm assuming we all recognise The Power of the Dog as the greatest crime book of the last 20 years.

Hope you're all well.

[David]

Never heard of it.

[David]

Dark Blonde has received 28,047 FREE downloads on Amazon (through a Bookbub promotion) since yesterday; other books in the series have also experienced paid sales. FYI.

[Gregor]

Just joined the group. Hello, everyone. I've always liked hard-boiled detective and noir stories. I especially like them when they're mixed with other genres. For example, Altered Carbon, Grudge Punk, Gun, with Occasional Music, The Western Lands...

Joe R. Lansdale also writes some stuff that fits nicely into the noir side of things.

Of course, I like Chandler and Spillane, too. I hope there are others in the group who like their pulp/crime mixed with other genres. I'd like to get some recommendations.

[a_reader]

Gregor wrote: "Just joined the group. Hello, everyone. I've always liked hard-boiled detective and noir stories. I especially like them when they're mixed with other genres. For example, Altered Carbon, Grudge Pu..."

Hi Gregor - you may want to check out Shovel Ready: A Novel. It is a mix of Crime and Sci Fi. A hit man in post-apocalyptic New York where the wealthy are able to plug into a virtual world. I just started it this week and it is interesting thus far.

[David]

Hey Gregor--you might like the Mike Angel Mystery Series, since it mixes historical fiction, seduction, and a bit of the paranormal in the hardboiled PI sub-genre. Yeah, it's lame to promote here so I won't give you the link, Bub.

[Gregor]

Thanks, MSJ and David. I'll check 'em out.

[Доротея]

Hey all!

Let me introduce myself. I'm Dorothea from Athens, a passionate lover of old noir (Marlowe and what not) yet I aim to expand my bookshelves with modern day literature. Any suggestions, welcome. Nice to meet you.

See you soon!

Dorothea

[Paul]

Hi folks. Just joined this group a few days ago. Just what i was looking for. I read lots of different genres, but Pulp, Hard Case Crime & Noir are my 1st love. Favorite authors;
Dennis Lehane
Jim Thompson
Richard Stark
James Ellroy
Elmore Leonard
Raymond Chandler
Dashiell Hammett
Plus many more... & counting!

[Melki, Femme fatale]

Welcome, Paul.
All of those authors are favorites of many group members, so I think you may have found a place where you belong.

[Paul]

Melki wrote: "Welcome, Paul.
All of those authors are favorites of many group members, so I think you may have found a place where you belong."

Thank you Melki. I think so too.

[Carolina]

Hello, my name is Carrie, I live in São Paulo, Brazil. I am a fan of the Noir Aesthetic both in films and literature, and I hope to have some hints here. PLeased to meet you all

[Jim]

Welcome, Carolina!

[Still]

Carolina wrote: "Hello, my name is Carrie, I live in São Paulo, Brazil. I am a fan of the Noir Aesthetic both in films and literature, and I hope to have some hints here. PLeased to meet you all"


Welcome to the group, Carolina!
I hope you have as much fun here as I have.

I'm a huge fan of noir (lit & film) and have found some great authors I would otherwise never heard of had it not been for the very knowledgeable people here.