Books matching: hardboiled prose
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- #1
Save:The Cold Six Thousand, the second book in the Underworld USA series by James Ellroy, delves into the dark, amoral underbelly of America, portraying gratuitous violence, corruption, and conspiracy theories. The novel intricately weaves together historical events such as the turmoil following JFK's assassination, the Vietnam War, and the rise and fall of Martin Luther King, all while showcasing morally repugnant characters that readers end up caring about. Ellroy's unique writing style, with clipped sentences and a rhythm akin to poetry, propels the plot forward at a relentless pace, creating a complex and enthralling narrative that covers crime fiction, conspiracy theories, and American history.
“Let’s try nigger lover. Let’s try you chauffeur Sonny Liston around when he comes to Vegas, ’cause the PD’s afraid he’ll get himself in trouble with liquor and white women, and you like him, but you ...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Underworld USA ) - #2
Save:'In a Lonely Place' by Dorothy B. Hughes is a classic noir psychological thriller set in post-war Los Angeles, narrated from the point of view of a serial killer named Dix Steele. The story follows Dix, a disturbed and misogynistic man, as he navigates his relationships with his old army friend turned detective, Brub Nicolai, Brub's wife Sylvia, and his new girlfriend Laurel. As the city is terrorized by a serial killer, the reader is taken on a suspenseful journey through Dix's twisted mind and dark actions, all while experiencing the vividly described Los Angeles setting of the 1940s.
The book is praised for its gripping plot, expertly crafted characters, and the unique perspective of being told from the killer's point of view. Dorothy B. Hughes' writing style is commended for its terse and hardboiled prose, effectively portraying Dix's psychological state, toxic masculinity, and the postwar male loneliness and rage prevalent throughout the narrative.
It was good standing there on the promontory overlooking the evening sea, the fog lilting itself like gauzy veils to touch his face. There was something in it akin to flying; the sense of being lifted... - #3
Save:In 'Red Harvest' by Dashiell Hammett, the Continental Op is summoned to Personville, a town overrun by corruption and violence. Upon arrival, he finds his client murdered and embarks on a mission to clean up the town by manipulating the various criminal factions to turn against each other. The narrative is fast-paced, filled with brutal action, double-crosses, and a high body count, all set in a gritty and corrupt environment. The writing style is hard-boiled and direct, with sharp language and a focus on the relentless pursuit of justice amidst a morally bankrupt society.
I first heard Personville called Poisonville by a red-haired mucker named Hickey Dewey in the Big Ship in Butte. He also called his shirt a shoit. I didn’t think anything of what he had done to the ci... - #4
Save:Finch by Jeff VanderMeer is a dark and complex novel set in the city of Ambergris, a century after the events in the previous books of the series. The story follows John Finch, an Ambergrisian detective, as he investigates a strange double murder that leads him into increasingly dangerous and mysterious situations involving the fungal overlords who now control the city. The book combines elements of detective fiction, sci-fi, and fantasy, showcasing VanderMeer's skill at universe building and intricate storytelling. The writing style is described as direct and to the point, emulating the hardboiled genre, keeping the story moving at a strong pace while exploring the mysteries of the city and its inhabitants.
A sudden flash of his partner Wyte, telling him he was compromised, him replying, "I don't have an opinion on that." Written on a wall at a crime scene: Everyone's a collaborator. Everyone's a rebel. ...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Ambergris ) - #5
Save:'The Cage' by Kenzo Kitakata is a noir crime novel set in 80s Japan, revolving around Kazuya Takino, a former yakuza gangster turned supermarket owner. The story delves into Takino's mundane life, which is disrupted when he gets entangled in a web of crime involving dead rats in his freezers, a gang demanding his store, and helping an old friend with dangerous escape plans. As the narrative unfolds, readers are taken on a journey through the complexities of Tokyo's underworld, with rich insights into life and crime in the city. The writing style is described as hardboiled, reminiscent of Dashiell Hammett, with a slow start that gradually builds tension leading to a satisfying conclusion.
- #6
Save:In "The Body Scout," Lincoln Michel presents a near future New York City where corporations control professional baseball, games are played in massive stadiums, and the world is plagued by pandemics, wealth inequality, and climate change. The story follows an investigation by an adopted brother into the mysterious death of a ball player, leading him through the ruins of New York City filled with dystopic elements like smog, underground tenements, and ocean walls. The book marries the tropes of cyberpunk and noir, reinventing familiar themes with a science fiction twist, creating a fast-paced and entertaining read that explores new ideas and fresh concepts.
When I couldn’t fall asleep, I counted the parts of the body. I used the outdated numbers. What they’d taught me back in school when only the ultrarich upgraded. Two hundred and six bones. Seventy-eig... - #7
Save:'Falling Angel' by William Hjortsberg is a noir mystery novel set in 1950s New York City, following private detective Harry Angel as he is hired to search for a missing pop singer. The story unfolds with elements of horror, voodoo, and black magic, leading to a chilling and suspenseful plot that keeps readers engaged until the unexpected twist at the end.
The book combines the genres of hard-boiled detective fiction and horror, creating a unique blend of supernatural elements within a gritty noir setting. The narrative is filled with intricate details of mid-20th century New York City, vividly bringing the bustling streets, seedy haunts, and mysterious characters to life as Harry Angel delves deeper into the dark and sinister world surrounding the missing singer.
It was Friday the thirteenth and yesterday’s snowstorm lingered in the streets like a leftover curse. The slush outside was ankle-deep. Across Seventh Avenue a treadmill parade of lightbulb headlines ... - #8
Save:Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler is the second book in the Philip Marlowe series, featuring the hardboiled detective Philip Marlowe. The plot revolves around Marlowe's task of tracking down Moose Malloy, a man who has recently killed a black nightclub owner. The story is described as intricate, with red herrings scattered throughout, leading to a cat and mouse game. The writing style is praised for its noir elements, sparse yet descriptive language, and the portrayal of a classic detective story set in 1940s Los Angeles.
IT WAS ONE OF THE MIXED BLOCKS over on Central Avenue, the blocks that are not yet all Negro. I had just come out of a three-chair barber shop where an agency thought a relief barber named Dimitrios A...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Philip Marlowe ) - #9
Save:In "The Long Goodbye," private detective Philip Marlowe gets entangled in a mystery involving a friend accused of murder and suicide. The plot twists and turns as Marlowe navigates through conflicts, deceit, and corruption in California's upper class society, all while maintaining his tough exterior and showcasing his softer side through chess and poetry. The writing style is described as hard-boiled and descriptive, with a mix of world-weary insights, tender moments, and atmospheric scenes that keep readers engaged till the surprising end.
The first time I laid eyes on Terry Lennox he was drunk in a Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith outside the terrace of The Dancers. The parking lot attendant had brought the car out and he was still holding th...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Philip Marlowe ) 'The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth' by Roger Zelazny is a collection of science fiction novellas, novelettes, and shorter stories written in the 1960s. The stories within the book explore various themes such as reality-altering powers, mysterious captors, strange worlds, complex characters, and emotion. Zelazny's writing style is described as imaginative, genre-busting, impish, mysterious, evocative, and inspiring. The stories range from poetic and multilayered to comical and ironic, with some being haunting and others being downright human.
The author's storytelling is praised for its originality, unique treatment of science fiction and fantasy ideas, wide range of sources, intelligence, stylistic diversity, interesting character creation, and emotional evocation. features stories set on alternate retro SF versions of Venus and Mars, portraying these worlds in a more Earth-like manner. Zelazny's writing is noted for its ability to draw readers in with its intelligent prose, witty hardboiled thriller-type writing, and poetic, lyrical material, creating a lasting impact on the reader's mind.
I'm a baitman. No one is born a baitman, except in a French novel where everyone is. (In fact, I think that's the title, We are All Bait. Pfft! ) How I got that way is barely worth the telling and has...
