Back in the 1980s, Loren D. Estleman wrote some wonderful mystery novels and a bunch of first-rate short stories. Many of these books and stories involved Estleman’s private detective, Amos Walker. Amos Walker reminds me of Philip Marlowe in Detroit without many of Raymond Chandler’s prose flourishes. The stories in General Murders (1988) draw Walker into several murder investigations. Amos Walk’s specialty is finding people. That skill comes in handy in many of these stories. Most of the plots of the stories in General Murders center around human weakness. The stories are clever and well-written. If you’re looking for private detective stories with actual sleuthing, pick up a copy of General Murders. GRADE: A-
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Greektown
Robber’s Roost
Dead Soldier
Eight Mile and Dequindre
I’m in the Book
Bodyguards Shoot Second
The Prettiest Dead Girl in Detroit
Blond and Blue
Bloody July
I have his collected Amos Walker stories which contains a lot more. Also like his newer Valentino series which revolves around Hollywood.
Steve, I’ve enjoyed Estleman’s work for decades. I have some of his Valentino books but haven’t found time to read them yet.
I really need to read more of his work – sounds like a great way in, thanks George.
Sergio, Estleman’s mysteries from the 1980s were very good. And they’re very inexpensive on the Internet.
Good choice. I read this one in 1990. Twenty years later I read AMOS WALKER: THE COMPLETE STORY COLLECTION. I haven’t read all of the Walker novels – only half a dozen, I believe – but I’ve also read a number of Estleman’s other books, including the fun PEEPER and the Valentino and Four Horsemen short stories.
He’s always worth reading and his short stories are among the best reading in the field.
Jeff, I totally agree with your assessment of Loren Estleman. He’s the consummate pro. I’ll have to look around and see if I have AMOS WALKER: THE COMPLETE STORY COLLECTION. If not, I’ll have to track down a copy.
Not too much OT:
This reminded me again that there are so many stories about PIs in the USA – while in Europe they are far and between.
Generally I’d say that in reality we don’t have many PIs over here – how is the real situation/number of them in the USA?
i remember the first PI novels I read – the authors were Mickey Spillane of course and …….
Carter Brown (remember those lurid pictures of half naked women?)
PS:
I also read somewhere that this rise of the number of PIs and the general use of weapons was a kind of consequence of WW2 and the Korean war – many men returned from those wars being accustomed to using a weapon and having problems to reintegrate in society again. But of course I don’t know if that’s just a hypothesis or a proven thing …
Wolfe, I live down the street from a couple that work as PI’s. I’m not sure whether it’s all computer stuff now, but I know they did do some stakeouts some time ago.
I know at some point, the US had a reputation for lawlessness (wild west, gangster era), and with the NRA seeming to own congress and thwart gun restrictions, I”m guessing all the mass shootings aren’t going to stop.
There is a company with commercials on tv to learn to be a pi and stop cyber crime, which is I guess the new big crime.
Of course, Carter Brown (Alan Yates) was Australian (born in England), though a lot of his books were set in the States. I think there were a lot more PI novels in the 1980s than there are today. Maybe it’s just because I don’t read that many these days, but I’m pretty sure there aren’t as many being published these days.
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Jeff, I think the McGinnis covers on the “carter brown” books sold a lot of those paperbacks!
Wolf, from 1950 to 1990, Private Eye fiction was a popular genre in the U.S. Dozens of writers made a living writing private eye novels and short stories. But I saw the P.I. genre weakening in the 1980s. I made my opinion known at a private eye fan convention, EYECON, in the 1990s. My opinion wasn’t welcomed, but it proved to be true.
Yes, those lurid covers on the carter Brown novels were something!
Though of course I only bought those books because
a) I wanted to learn English and
b) they were cheap – even in Germany …
Wolf, Art Scott has a complete collection of those Robert McGinnis “carter brown” covers.
I know of one Norwegian writer of PI novels. Gunnar Staalesen, but can’t think of any others.
ps I don’t remember reading much Estleman, but know he had a following, though didn’t seem to hit the big time like Crais, etc
Maggie, both Loren Estleman and Bill Pronzini should have had larger audiences. They are superb craftsmen. But the reading tastes of the Public changed and that affected sales.
Estleman is one of those writers whose work I love but have not followed for years, George. Shame on me. (as I hang my head down in shame as abjectly as possible)
Jerry, that’s why I choose books like GENERAL MURDERS by the excellent Estleman. It reminds us of the great writing that’s waiting for us.
I haven’t read any, though I am familiar with the name. So I’ll find a copy of this to read.
…and so I did, a used paperback for cheap. If I like it, I may buy that complete collection.
Rick, I think I have that complete story collection somewhere but I haven’t found it yet.
George, I have read only a Western by Loren D. Estleman and I really liked his writing style. I found it so effortless; a gift, no doubt.
Prashant, Estleman’s writing in his private eye novels is as effortless and smooth as his Western writing. I highly recommend Estleman’s books.