I’ve always been a sucker for PI novels so I immediately ordered this one and shoved it on top of a fairly substantial TBR pile when it arrived. I’ve finished the first one and am in the middle of the second. Good, quick reads, I add my own recommendation to Bill’s. Bill noted the gay bashing in the book and it did stand out. Though not PC these days, I wouldn’t change a word of the book(as one publisher is doing with a new edition of Huckleberry Finn; ugh).
If you like PI novels, give this one a try. Think of it as a period piece, giving us a look into the world of the beatnik. The only thing I have to compare is Maynard G. Krebs from Dobie Gillis and the Bob Denver role is not likely even close to the real thing. Chin whiskers and an aversion to work is not much characterization.
Glad you enjoyed these. I’m always worried that people will hate the books I like.
I’ve ordered it and expect it in a few days. How soon I’ll read it I’m not sure, since I’m trying to read a science fiction book or two for a reading challenge, but it won’t take too long until I crack it, I should think.
I have to admit the title intrigues me.
It certainly was an odd push me/pull you…”demimondial” types wrote this kind of book to express themselves as much as they could and still make a living, and others wrote this kind of book to reinforce prejudices or at least exploit them…
I ordered this book, too, even though I might have the two original books somewhere in my basement library.
Maynard G. Krebs, P.I., sounds good enough. This sounds better.
I looked up Markson and didn’t realize he was an editor of crime fiction at Dell Books at one time. I also didn’t realize he’d died just last year at the age of 82. He’ll be missed.