On Mar 13, 2007, at 10:31 AM, JIM DOHERTY wrote:
> I'd say read 'em in order, but if you can't do
that
> conveniently, you won't be losing the thread of
the
> character in the same way you would if you read
the
> Scudders out of order. Start with the short
story
> collection THE NAME IS ARCHER (aka LEW ARCHER
-
> PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR), then go onto THE MOVING
TARGET.
But save THE BLUE HAMMER for last.
Even though it wasn't intended as the last novel, there's a
certain sense of closure to it, a certain feeling of sad,
dark rightness about it being the final published chapter of
Archer's life.
Macdonald actually left a slew of drafts and rough notes for
the actual final novel according to Macdonald biographer Tom
Nolan (are you here, Tom?). Supposedly it finally confronts
one of the pivotal events in the author's life (it concerns
his troubled daughter, arguably the basis for many of the
damaged children in the books), with Archer standing in for
Macdonald. Nolan, in an interview at January also speculated
that in it, Archer's Canadian roots would be revealed, and
that part of the story might take place in Winnipeg.
Rumours of this final Archer somehow being made public , in
some form, keep circulating. I'd love to read it.
But read 'em all. To paraphrase William Goldman, they are,
without doubt, "the finest series of detective novels ever
written by a Canadian/American."
Kevin Burton Smith The Thrilling Detective Web Site Holiday
Issue. With fiction from Bludis, Swierczynski, Rogers,
Koweski, Siverling and Zackel Plus the 2006 Cheap Thrill
Awards (last chance!) http://www.thrillingdetective.com
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