I have read several versions of the Akashic Books Noir series and I think that Manila Noir, edited by Jessica Hagedorn, is one of the better collectioI have read several versions of the Akashic Books Noir series and I think that Manila Noir, edited by Jessica Hagedorn, is one of the better collections that I have read to date (and ten years old and it still feels current). I think all of the stories did an excellent job of portraying places in Manila, as well as giving insight and character about the Filipino culture and the particular culture of the capital, Manila. I don't think there was a single story that I felt didn't hit the mark. However, there were a few standouts. For example, "A Human Right" by Rosario Cruz-Lucero (Intramuros), introduces the strong female avenger Isabel-apparently it was the author's only second published short story. Another standout for me was "The Professor's Wife" by Jose Dalisay (Diliman), which retells the story of a professor with a young wife recounted by his young assistant. "The Unintended" by Gina Apostol (Ali Mall, Cubao) is the story of a young filmmaker, who is a daughter of another filmmaker, during the 70's. Her father and mother got separated after the "Thrilla in Manila," the boxing match that made Muhammad Ali a superstar. Ali Mall, the setting of the story was named after him. There are some clever references to film and other cultural touchstones. Then there's the editor's contribution, "Old Money" by Jessica Hagedorn (Forbes Park), about a Filipino returnee who is greedy and entitled. But, as I said I enjoyed the atmosphere and characterizations found in all the stories-excellent background reading for a visit to Manila....more
A while back I found out the 1987 Kevin Costner film No Way Out was a remake of John Farrow's 1948 entertaining film noir, The Big Clock. Which in turA while back I found out the 1987 Kevin Costner film No Way Out was a remake of John Farrow's 1948 entertaining film noir, The Big Clock. Which in turn was an adaptation of Kenneth Fearing's novel of the same name. And, so that is how I came to read Fearing's novel. Fearing's novel has some great hardboiled dialogue such as the following:
"Me? Dangerous? Kittens a month old get belligerent when they see me coming. Open their eyes for the first time and sharpen up their claws, meowing in anticipation."
The film followed the plot of the book fairly closely where a magazine writer unknowingly becomes the subject of a murder investigation that he is assigned to solve. However, in the novel the point of view changes between characters throughout the novel. There is a subplot involving a painting as well that was retained in the film. All in all, it was a short, but entertaining read....more
Jim Thompson's Kill-Off is an atypical murder mystery in that each chapter is narrated by an unreliable character,s o it is increasing difficult to seJim Thompson's Kill-Off is an atypical murder mystery in that each chapter is narrated by an unreliable character,s o it is increasing difficult to see what the truth is. The story is set in Manduwac, a small seaside resort town not far form New York city and concerns the untimely demise of Luane Devore, a town drunk and gossip monger who had many enemies. We meet the cynical and sometimes psychotic and down right evil members of the community and see the world through their perspective throughout each chapter. Some of the more memorable characters are Rags McGuire a former celebrated jazz musician down on his luck, the plucky prostitute turned singer Danny Lee, and the psychotic Bobbie Ashton with mommy problems among the many colorful characters who inhabit the novel. Thompson gives them all legitimate voices that colored the charters of the novel. The story doesn't come together until the last chapter and the truth is revealed, but it was more interesting getting there than exposing the truth. The fascinating inhabit ants of Manduwac are the core of the novel....more
Another compelling story of a criminal psychopath from Jim Thompson. The twist here is that the psychopath was a sheriff, Nick Corey, who was sort ofAnother compelling story of a criminal psychopath from Jim Thompson. The twist here is that the psychopath was a sheriff, Nick Corey, who was sort of sleep walking through life and then deices arbitrarily that he needed to put some people in their place and get some things in order. There is lots of great dialogue and action throughout. I find Thompson's novels very entertaining indeed....more
Jim Thompson never lets me down. He creates vividly diabolical criminal characters who race to their fates in naturalistic fashion as they cannot escaJim Thompson never lets me down. He creates vividly diabolical criminal characters who race to their fates in naturalistic fashion as they cannot escape who they are. Grifters will grift and Roy and his amoral mother Lily are stuck in the world of deception. The straight world is strictly for suckers. Another entertaining tale of greed and corruption, love me some Jim thompson....more
I recently read Quentin Tarantino's Cinema Speculation and he devoted a chapter to Sam Peckinpah's adaptation of Jim Thompson's novel, The Getaway, viI recently read Quentin Tarantino's Cinema Speculation and he devoted a chapter to Sam Peckinpah's adaptation of Jim Thompson's novel, The Getaway, via Walter Hill's screenplay. The film was pretty entertaining, but Tarantino's criticism of the screenplay and casting inspired me to search out and read the original source. Thompson's prose is slick and his dialogue feels true to life i the context of the 50s in which the story is set. His characterizations are more memorable than those seen in the film as well. It's good to know there are several more Thompson books for me to savor in the future....more
I believe it took Peace 10 years to write this installment and it might be my favorite in the series. (Truth be told I read it over a longer period ofI believe it took Peace 10 years to write this installment and it might be my favorite in the series. (Truth be told I read it over a longer period of time than I usually do but I don't think that had anything to do with the prose or content). I was familiar with the the historical crime-as I was with the previous two novels. But that being said I am always impressed with the amount of research he does to make the novel as authentic as possible to the time period it takes place in. For me that is a major attraction to his novels, I find postwar Japan a fascinating period as it was a kind of rebirth in Japan-certainly one of the defining periods of the country's history. This novel seems more conventional stylistically, thus, easier to follow and the most accessible of the trilogy in my opinion. And I like the fact that he included a hybrid character based on Edward Seidensticker and Donald Richie as well as other foreign characters to give the outsider perspective on the event....more
Pagan Babies is Elmore Leonard's 2000 crime novel set mostly in Detroit. The novel begins in Rwanda and the protagonist is a priest named Terry Dunn.Pagan Babies is Elmore Leonard's 2000 crime novel set mostly in Detroit. The novel begins in Rwanda and the protagonist is a priest named Terry Dunn. It is a few years after the genocide of the Tutsis by the Hutus. Father Dunn lives in Rwanda with his girlfriend Chantelle. He is not above meting out some old testament justice. Even if that means killing the Hutu murderers who slaughtered his Tutsi congregation. After that act of retribution, Dunn heads for Detroit. He wants to raise money for 'Pagan Babies' — the children orphaned during the genocide in Detroit. Of course they come in contact with some bad elements and complications ensue. Typical Leonard with distinct, well-rounded characters and snappy realistic sounding dialogue.
Mr. Majestyk was written early in Elmore Leonard's novel writing career. It's a solid workmanlike job. I see that there was a movie made with CharlesMr. Majestyk was written early in Elmore Leonard's novel writing career. It's a solid workmanlike job. I see that there was a movie made with Charles Bronson in it from 1974. Leonard makes a big splash with this violent tale of personal justice and brutal vengeance. When a war veteran Arizona farmer loses everything, ruined by the local mob, he decides to fight back in this entertaining crime fiction thriller. It has his usual compact prose and lively dialogue....more
Stick by Elmore Leonard is more entertaining crime fiction from one of the genre's masters. Stick is the nickname for Earnest Stickley, who makes hisStick by Elmore Leonard is more entertaining crime fiction from one of the genre's masters. Stick is the nickname for Earnest Stickley, who makes his first appearance in the compelling earlier novel "Swag." In that story Stick is the sidekick, rather than the main protagonist. These novels aren't exactly sequels, but Swag is a nice set-up to introduce what Stick is all about. Leonard exhibits expert plotting, dialogue and impressive compact prose. One of the things that sets Leonard apart from other crime fiction authors is that he doesn't need a single character or an ensemble cast to power his stories. And his dialogue always shines as well....more
Killshot is another entertaining crime story from Elmore Leonard. Carmen Colson and her ironworker husband Wayne stumble onto an extortion scheme runKillshot is another entertaining crime story from Elmore Leonard. Carmen Colson and her ironworker husband Wayne stumble onto an extortion scheme run by Armand Degas, a half Ojibway Indian, half French Canadian hit man, and his recent partner Richie Nix, a talkative sociopath. The two killers set out to get rid of them. They hide out with Nix's girlfriend Donna, a former prison guard who believes that Elvis is alive. As usual, Leonard writes with a natural ear for dialogue and a specific sense of locale. The action moves from Toronto to Detroit and into Michigan and Ohio, telling the story mostly through the thoughts and dialogue of the characters....more
Metropolis is the 14th and final Bernie Gunther novel completed shortly before Philip Kerr died in 2018. This one is set in 1928 when Gunther was firsMetropolis is the 14th and final Bernie Gunther novel completed shortly before Philip Kerr died in 2018. This one is set in 1928 when Gunther was first promoted to the Berlin Homicide Division. Political, economic, and social turmoil were prominent in the background of that time period. Gunther is assigned to the case of a serial killer preying on sex workers, specifically women forced into sex work in order to pay bills or rent. And, another killer is targeting handicapped WWI veterans who became panhandlers. As the investigation proceeds, Gunther negotiates the insane Weimar world that was Germany at that time: formidable criminal organizations, widespread drug use, the decadent sexual revolution, the strum and drang between modernity and traditionalism, the rise of antisemitism and the Nazi Party. Gunther is strongly anti-Nazi, just a man trying to do his job as a police officer....more
Greeks Bearing Gifts is the 13th installment of the Bernie Gunther series by Philip Kerr. In 1957 in Munich Bernie Gunther finds himself working for aGreeks Bearing Gifts is the 13th installment of the Bernie Gunther series by Philip Kerr. In 1957 in Munich Bernie Gunther finds himself working for an insurance company. By the mid 1950's, Bernie Gunther is still on the run. He's working under the name "Christoph Ganz". Ganz finds himself involved in a dirty deal with a corrupt Munich policeman, who recognizes him from his past. To evade the cop, Ganz goes to work for an insurance company. His detective abilities are put to use as an insurance adjuster. The company sends him to Athens to investigate a sunk ship; the "Doris" and the claim made for the losses incurred. Another entertaining volume in the well-researched series....more
Prussian Blue is Philip Kerr's 12th Bernie Gunther murder mystery. This time the story is set in 1939, with framing scenes in 1956. In 1956 Bernie isPrussian Blue is Philip Kerr's 12th Bernie Gunther murder mystery. This time the story is set in 1939, with framing scenes in 1956. In 1956 Bernie is in The French Riviera. Bernie’s old nefarious adversary Erich Mielke, former deputy head of the East German Stasi, has turned up in Nice. Mielke is calling in an old debt. He wants Bernie to travel to London to poison a female agent they’ve both dealt with in the pass. However, Bernie isn't up to the task. In an attempt to evade his former Stasi handler—ex-Kripo colleague Friedrich Korsch—Bernie heads for the German border. He thinks back on the past during his flight. In 1939 in Obersalzberg, Germany, a low-level bureaucrat has been found dead at Hitler’s mountaintop retreat in Bavaria. Bernie and Korsch are given one week to find the killer before Hitler arrives to celebrate his fiftieth birthday. Bernie knows it would mean trouble if Hitler finds a murder has been committed on the terrace of his home. But Obersalzberg is also home to the elite Nazi community, so it will be more trouble for Bernie if his investigation uncovers that one of the party’s elites was responsible. Bernie needs to walk a fine line to solve the case as usual. ...more
The Lady from Zagreb is the tenth edition of the Bernard Gunther historical murder mysteries by Philip Kerr set in 1942-43 with framing scenes from 19The Lady from Zagreb is the tenth edition of the Bernard Gunther historical murder mysteries by Philip Kerr set in 1942-43 with framing scenes from 1956. This story take place in both Switzerland and Croatia. These two countries represent the two extremes of Nazi occupied Europe at the time. Switzerland, was surrounded by the Axis but was not part of it, and did business with the Nazis to keep them from invading. Croatia, had its own fascist dictator, and is opposite to Switzerland. Yugoslavia is backwards to start and the Nazi invasion carving it up produced some of Europe’s most savage killing. (A Nazi military liaison reported that the atrocities that the Croatian Ustashe were committing against Jews, Serbs and Gypsies was "sickening and barbaric," which, coming from a Nazi, is really quite profound.) In this story Joseph Goebbels (humanized by Kerr), chief propagandist for the Nazi Party, sends Bernie to find the father of his mistress the glamorous film star Dalia Dresner in order to get her back to Germany and back to filming propaganda films for him. Kerr does a great service in exposing what happened Croatia, since it resembles the present situation between Croats who are defensive about their nation’s past, and Serbs who were their primary victims. The troubling involvement of the Vatican Franciscan clergy in the killing alludes to one of the most disturbing issues regarding Vatican's conduct during the Holocaust. The central question is, did the Vatican condone the worst kind of killings carried out by its own clergy? It is yet another entertaining and enlightening novel from Kerr....more
I have often been curious about John Gregory Dunne since he was married to Joan Didion, one of my favorite authors who wrote several memoirs in whichI have often been curious about John Gregory Dunne since he was married to Joan Didion, one of my favorite authors who wrote several memoirs in which he appears, but up till this book I hadn't read anything by him. True Confession is fictional version of the famous 1947 Black Dahlia murder (I have already read James Ellroy's version of it.) In Dunne's version the story becomes the center of a storm between two brothers, Tom and Desmond Spellacy, who are the protagonists and reflective of Irish-Catholic life in postwar California at the time. The sensational murder investigation provides the background in which the fast changing loyalties of the two brothers are carried out. Their world consists of politically motivated favors and fixes, power and promises, in a world made up of priests and pimps, cops and contractors, boxers and jockeys and lesbian fight promoters and lawyers who know how to engineer a fix. This novel is about a crime that has no solution, only victims. Furthermore, the focus is essentially about the dysfunctional relationship between the Irish brothers, each who marked by the guilt and hostility that pits brother against brother. I'm a sucker for hard-boiled crime stories, so this was right up my alley....more
Savages by Don Winslow is another thrilling and fast paced crime story. I tend like the books that are more complex but this one was entertaining enouSavages by Don Winslow is another thrilling and fast paced crime story. I tend like the books that are more complex but this one was entertaining enough. Ben, Chon, and O are in their 20s and best friends living the dream in Southern California since they have accumulated a small fortune growing high grade marijuana. However, this comes to the attention of the Mexican Baja Cartel who demand a cut. Things go sideways when Ben and Chon refuse to give in and the cartel kidnaps O. From there there is a lot of action between the guys and the cartel. Some it is very hard to swallow....more
Lawrence Osborne is a writer whom I discovered through his nonfiction memoir of living in Bangkok, Bangkok Days from 2009. But he has also written somLawrence Osborne is a writer whom I discovered through his nonfiction memoir of living in Bangkok, Bangkok Days from 2009. But he has also written some interesting fictional novels as well. Hunters in the Dark is the story of a wandering English man who decides to go "missing" in Cambodia and stumbles into some trouble after meeting a suave worldly American. The trouble arrives in the guise of a woman, a bag of "jinxed" money, and a parcel of heroin. It's a compelling crime mystery....more
Prague Fatale is the eight installment in the Bernie Gunther series. This time the story is set in the fall of 1941 and spring of 1942. Gunther is relPrague Fatale is the eight installment in the Bernie Gunther series. This time the story is set in the fall of 1941 and spring of 1942. Gunther is reluctantly summoned to work for Reinhard Heydrich who has just been appointed to govern Czechoslovakia ( "Bohemia and Moravia" according to the Nazis). He suspects that there are attempts being made to assassinate him. Heydrich is known for his excessive cruelty and brutality, so he would be a likely target. As Gunther starts to investigate, one of Heydrich's adjutants is killed. What follows is a "closed room" murder mystery. As usual the setting and characterizations provide much to the overall mystery story....more
Field of Gray is the seventh Bernie Gunther mystery from Philip Kerr. In this one there is a time leap and we find Bernie in Cuba circa 1954 spying onField of Gray is the seventh Bernie Gunther mystery from Philip Kerr. In this one there is a time leap and we find Bernie in Cuba circa 1954 spying on the gangster Meyer Lansky for Cuban intelligence. It also serves as a look back at Bernie Gunther's war years in service to the Nazis, as a Soviet prisoner of war, and as a wanted war criminal on the lam. It has the usual well plotted mystery and detailed character descriptions that make Kerr's books so entertaining to read rife with period specific details to boot....more
Loading...
