Al said: I'm by no means an expert, Mike. But from what I
have read, it seems Brewers novels fall loosely into two
categories: those primarily influenced by Hammett and those
primarily influenced by Cain. Of the former, A KILLER IS
LOOSE - widely regarded as Brewer's best - is excellent. But
if you want to read something that makes Brewer different
from the majority of the GM stable, try 13 FRENCH STREET.
Others to look out for: THREE-WAY SPLIT and THE RED SCARF. As
for ones to skip? Gil Brewer? Skip? Fffff.... I suppose
you'll be wanting to skip some David Goodis and Day Keene as
well? And I thought you navy guys had stamina....
THE HUNGRY ONE is the only moderate disappointment I've had
from Brewer, but there are a lot I haven't read.
*********** Thanks for the suggestions. I believe that 13
FRENCH STREET and RED SCARF are in print. I'll put that on my
list. That darned A KILLER IS LOOSE is evidently a
collector's item, be- cause it lists high dollar on
Abebooks.
As far as skipping certain ones, I've read the Rabe and
Thomp- son essays in MURDER OFF THE RACK, and it's comments
on some of them being VERY bad has made me leery. I'm a
really big fan of Hemingway, but I've never made it thru
ACROSS THE RIVER AND INTO THE TREES, and I ain't losing no
sleep over it, either. ;-) This is kind of off-topic, but are
there any diseases you can pick up from reading bad
books?
miker
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