The real Horace, plus a question for readers
I'm a McCoy fan now, with They Shoot Horses, Don't They? and Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye shooting to the top of my TBR pile.
A posting on the Rara-Avis discussion board says that "the Frost series notwithstanding, many regard a non-series story entitled "The Mopper-Up" to be McCoy's best BLACK MASK submission." I like the story for its convincing description of an oil boom town; for its telescoping that town's history into a wonderfully short space (I wonder if Scott Phillips likes McCoy) ; for its no-nonsense hero who, despite being a Good Man, is given a strong hint of menace; for its knowing depiction of fear and uncertainty; and for lines like these:
"When he came back downstairs the lower floor was emptied. Employees had deserted Patton in his hour of need and he stood alone and captured by a taxi driver."Since a comment above mentions Black Mask, today's question for you, readers is: Who is your favorite 1920s, '30s, '40s, or '50s hard-boiled crime writer not named Dashiell Hammett or Raymond Chandler?
© Peter Rozovsky 2013
Labels: hard-boiled, Horace McCoy, Scott Phillips
posted by Peter Rozovsky at 6:22 PM
10 Comments:
My favorite hardboiled crime writer is Bill Pronzini, but since he's from a later vintage, I'll settle for French author Martin Méroy.
Without hesitation, Frederick Nebel.
TC, I had not heart of Martin Méroy. His books were published between some nice-looking covers; thanks.
I shall try to find more Frederick Nebel. I have liked the stories of his that I've read in collections and anthologies. He was prolific, too.
Gypsy Rose Lee is tops with me...I loved "Mother Finds a Body" and "G-string Murders"
I had not heard of Mother Finds a Body, but The G-string Murders is mentioned with a good deal more respect than a celebrity crime novel would receive. Thanks for an intriguing and unexpected nomination. I may look for the books.
I'm way behind on blog reading, so I didn't know you had already posted about McCoy when I mentioned him. I'm having trouble finding a decent bibliography online -- something comprehensive and in order. Have you come across one?
And to answer your question, right now I would say McCoy. I've been raving about him the last few days to anyone who'll listen.
You may guess from my comment elsewhere that I'm on a McCoy kick myself: the story "The Moppers-Up," Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye, and, waiting in the wings, They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Kelly, this biographical article might point you in some useful bibliographic directions. A Black Mask index, currently out of print, I think, but available used, could help, as well.
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