Most people associate Margaret Millar with her more famous husband, Kenneth Millar (aka, Ross Macdonald). But Margaret Millar was a terrific writer. My favorite novel of her’s is How Like An Angel. Joe Quinn, private eye, has a gambling problem. He’s lost his job, his car, and his girlfriend. On his way back from Reno to California, Quinn meets Sister Blessing, part of a religious cult. Sister Blessing asks Quinn to locate a man who is supposedly dead. How Like An Angel explores communities who have withdrawn from society and the implications of a “counter-culture” movement. If you haven’t read Margaret Millar, you’re missing a great writer.
For other FORGOTTEN BOOKS, click below. I’ll post the SUMMING UP tomorrow. If I’ve inadvertently left you off the list, just send me a comment with your address and I’ll make it right.
Paul Bishop
David Cranmer
Bill Crider
Martin Edwards
Ed Gorman
Randy Johnson
Thomas Kaufman
Evan Lewis
Steve Lewis
Todd Mason
James Reasoner
Richard Robinson
Kerrie Smith
Excellent choice. A lot of people think Margaret was a better writer than her husband, though comparisons are odorous.
😉
Margaret and her husband wrote very different books as you know, Jeff. They were both great in their own ways. And worth reading and rereading.
I love her books and just finished Iron Gates. You left Ed Gorman off the list, I think. http://newimprovedgorman.blogspot.com
I will now leave you all alone.
I’ve added Ed Gorman to the links, Patti. Loved IRON GATES. It’s sad that most of Margaret Millar’s books are out-of-print.
What a power duo the Millars were. I’m working my way through the Ross M collection now.
Many critics suspect that Ross Macdonald was suffering from Alzheimer’s when he wrote the last few books, David.
I read this book a couple months ago and liked it a lot. I have read only one other MM book and it was years ago – can’t remember the title. This one felt like she was taking a page from her husband, with the detective story and the back history impacting the present. Quite good, though it was not hard to see the ending coming, and the last chapter was not the “knock-out punch” that the front cover blurb claims. Still, an entertaining read. I can see why she was quite a popular writer in her day.
Margaret Millar was surprisingly prolific, Frank. She wrote plenty of short stories and more than a few novels. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read of her work.
George, I’m not on the list.
You are now, Rick.
I’ve added How Like an Angel to my TBR list. I love Ross Macdonald and am looking forward to reading this book too. Thanks.
I’m fond of Ross Macdonald’s work, Joe. I didn’t know of his relationship to Margaret Millar for years. Sometimes I’m really oblivious!
I@m a big fan of Millar, and this book is one of her very best. Truly memorable.
You may be right about HOW LIKE AN ANGEL being Margaret Millar’s best book, Martin. It’s truly memorable, indeed!
I know nothing of Margaret, but I’ve read most of her hubby’s books. Did he have any hand in her fiction?
According to the biographies of Ross Macdonald I’ve read, Evan, Kenneth Millar and Margaret Millar were involved in each others work.
Evan–he helped her, and she him. As with most yoked writer duos, they were each other’s first readers.