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Books matching: hard boiled detective style

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  1. #1

    Angel's Inferno - Falling Angel by William Hjortsberg
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    The sequel to the acclaimed 'Falling Angel', 'Angel's Inferno' by William Hjortsberg delves into the character of Harry Angel Johnny Favorite, exploring his descent into darkness and self-discovery. The book is a blend of hard-boiled detective style and quasi-historical elements, set against the backdrop of Europe where Angel's journey takes a dark turn. With unanswered questions from the first novel resolved and a gripping narrative that unfolds with unexpected twists, the story of Angel's Inferno is a complex and intriguing exploration of identity and morality.


    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Falling Angel )

  2. #2

    The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain
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    A drifter named Frank becomes entangled in a stormy affair with a married woman named Cora, leading them to plot a murder. The narrative unfolds in a hard-boiled detective style without the mystery element, focusing on the characters' hardened nature and their willingness to do anything to fulfill their desires. The story is set in a depression-era America, showcasing dark and violent themes with spare descriptions and authentic dialogues.

    The plot revolves around obsession, passion, murder, and violence set in a prosaic roadside gas station cafe. The characters, Frank and Cora, are portrayed as morally revolting yet compelling, leading to a shocking and abrupt conclusion akin to a hangman's noose. The book is described as a classic piece of noir fiction, exploring the dark tragedy of the human heart with a narrative that unfolds with a feeling of inevitability and moral logic.

    They threw me off the hay truck about noon. I had swung on the night before, down at the border, and as soon as I got up there under the canvas, I went to sleep. I needed plenty of that, after three w...

  3. #3
    I, the Jury
    Book 1 in the series:Mike Hammer

    I, the Jury - Mike Hammer by Mickey Spillane
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    'I, the Jury' by Mickey Spillane follows the hard-hitting private investigator, Mike Hammer, on a mission to avenge his friend's murder. Set in New York City in the late 1940s, the book is filled with fast-paced action, two-dimensional characters, and an abundance of stereotypes. The writing style is characterized by hard-boiled dialogue, misogyny, racism, and violence, reflecting the era in which it was written.

    I shook the rain from my hat and walked into the room. Nobody said a word. They stepped back politely and I could feel their eyes on me. Pat Chambers was standing by the door to the bedroom trying to...

  4. #4

    Poodle Springs - Philip Marlowe by Raymond Chandler, Robert B. Parker
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    'Poodle Springs' by Raymond Chandler and Robert B. Parker is a posthumous collaboration where Parker completes Chandler's unfinished work. The story follows iconic detective Philip Marlowe as he navigates a new chapter in his life, newly married to Linda, an heiress from Poodle Springs. Marlowe finds himself entangled in a complex plot involving two murders, showcasing Chandler's signature hard-boiled detective style. The novel explores themes of wealth, class divide, and the complexities of relationships, all set against the backdrop of a thinly veiled Palm Springs in the late 1950s.


    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Philip Marlowe )

  5. #5
    The Dead Never Forget
    by: 
    Book 1 in the series:Bragg

    The Dead Never Forget - Bragg by Jack Lynch
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    'The Dead Never Forget' by Jack Lynch is a hard-boiled detective novel featuring Peter Bragg, a former cop, reporter, and bartender turned private investigator. Bragg is hired to investigate threats against a former crime boss and uncover the connection to his past criminal activities in a corrupt town called Sand Valley. As Bragg delves deeper into the case, he becomes embroiled in a war between rival crime factions, leading to a series of violent confrontations and dangerous situations. The plot is filled with twists and turns, buried secrets, and complex character interactions, set against a backdrop of 80s-style crime drama.


  6. #6

    The Ghost and Mrs. McClure - Haunted Bookshop Mystery by Alice Kimberly (Cleo Coyle)
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    'The Ghost and Mrs. McClure' follows Penelope Thorton McClure, a widow who moves back to a small town to help her Aunt Sadie run a local bookshop. The bookstore is struggling, and Penelope decides to bring in authors for book readings to attract business. The first author, Timothy Brennan, dies mysteriously during an event, leading Penelope to team up with the ghost of a 1940s hard-boiled P.I., Jack Shepard, who was killed in the same building where the bookstore now stands. Together, they work to solve the murder and save the bookstore from financial ruin.

    The story seamlessly weaves between the 1940s hard-boiled detective style and contemporary cozy mystery elements. Jack Shepard's spirit helps Penelope uncover clues and solve the crime by drawing parallels to cases he worked on in the past. combines detailed storytelling with a touch of danger, making it a unique and engaging read that keeps readers guessing until the end.

    In life, Jack’s blood had pulsed to the rhythm of the city’s streets. The smoky dice joints and swingin’ suds clubs, the back alleys, panel pads, and flophouses. The grifters and grinders, Joe-belows ...

  7. #7

    The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon
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    In the book "The Yiddish Policemen's Union" by Michael Chabon, readers are taken on a journey through an alternate history where Jews settled in Alaska after the failure of Israel in 1948. The story follows Detective Meyer Landsman as he investigates a murder in Sitka, Alaska, uncovering a complex web of government conspiracy, personal tales of loss, and the use of chess as a metaphor throughout the narrative. Chabon's writing style is described as rich with metaphor, featuring frequent use of Yiddish words, and showcasing a unique blend of noir elements and hard-boiled detective fiction.

    The novel delves into themes of religion, chess, and the diverse population within the Jewish district of Sitka, Alaska. Chabon's intricate plot intertwines murder mystery elements with a deep exploration of character motivations, government intrigue, and the complexities of a society on the brink of change. The book is praised for its detailed world-building, engaging writing style, and the way it seamlessly blends elements of speculative fiction, detective fiction, and alternate history.

    Nine months Landsman's been flopping at the Hotel Zamenhof without any of his fellow residents managing to get themselves murdered. Now somebody has put a bullet in the brain of the occupant of 208, a...

  8. #8

    Double Indemnity by James M. Cain
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    In 'Double Indemnity', insurance salesman Walter Huff becomes entangled with the femme fatale Phyllis Nirdlinger, leading to a plot to murder her husband for the insurance money. The story unfolds with intricate murder plots, double crosses, and a dark, twisted tale of crime set in 1930s Los Angeles. Written in a hard-boiled style, the book delves into themes of murder, betrayal, revenge, and questions about human nature, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

    I drove out to Glendale to put three new truck drivers on a brewery company bond, and then I remembered this renewal over in Hollywoodland. I decided to run over there. That was how I came to this Hou...

  9. #9

    Gomorrah by Roberto Saviano
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    Gomorrah by Roberto Saviano is a non-fiction book that delves into the world of the Camorra, the Italian mafia centered in Naples. The author provides an insider's view of the monstrous system, detailing the criminal activities of the Camorra both in Naples and around the world. Through vivid details and examples, Saviano exposes the sheer power and violence of the Naples crime syndicate, showcasing how it has infiltrated various legitimate sectors like construction, waste management, and the garment industry. The book is described as a deep inquiry into one of the most hideous criminal organizations in the world, shedding light on the far-reaching consequences of the Camorra's control over Southern Italy.

    The writing style of Gomorrah is raw, cynical, and at times poetic, offering a terrifying description of organized crime in modern-day Italy. Saviano's narrative meanders through different stories and time periods, providing an emotional and personal account of someone who has experienced the violence firsthand. The book is praised for its intelligence, heart, and the author's courage in exposing the realities of the Camorra, showcasing how organized crime has blended into legal capitalism and highlighting the author's dedication to uncovering the truth despite the risks involved.

    The container swayed as the crane hoisted it onto the ship. The spreader, which hooks the container to the crane, was unable to control its movement, so it seemed to float in the air. The hatches, whi...

  10. #10
    The Long Fall
    Book 1 in the series:Leonid McGill

    The Long Fall - Leonid McGill by Walter Mosley
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    'The Long Fall' in the Leonid McGill series by Walter Mosley introduces us to the reformed crook, Leonid McGill, an African American private investigator working in New York. McGill is a former boxer, former criminal, and hopeless romantic living in a marriage where his wife is consistently unfaithful. The plot revolves around McGill being hired to discover the identity of four young men, leading him into a complex web of mystery and danger. The writing style is reminiscent of classic noir crime novels, with a focus on McGill's moral dilemmas and the murky demi world he navigates.


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