Posts Tagged ‘Jack and Maggie Starr’

Complex Issues

Tuesday, June 26th, 2012

This will be a somewhat brief Update, as I am immersed in working on the new Mike Hammer, COMPLEX 90. It’s a particularly tricky book because it includes a sequence about Hammer in Russia (referred to and essentially outlined in Mickey’s unfinished manuscript) that I am trying to bring on stage. The book takes place in 1964 and is, in part, a sequel to THE GIRL HUNTERS.

I am pleased to report that MICKEY SPILLANE ON SCREEN by Jim Traylor and has received a glowing review from Rod Lott at the web’s premiere review site, Bookgasm. Check this one out.

I’ve been astonished at how much coverage Hard Case Crime’s announcement of the new Jack and Maggie Starr mystery, SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT, has been stirring up. It indicates the PR genius of editor/publisher Charles Ardai. The book doesn’t even come out till next February, and my JFK Heller novel comes out this Fall, and it hasn’t had a whisper of fuss…even if all it does is solve the JFK assassination. But I’m delighted by all this advance coverage of SEDUCTION. I won’t provide links to all of the nice write-ups the announcement has received – I’m getting great reviews for the idea of this book! – but here’s a typical one from that pro Mel Odom.

We continue to get terrific LADY, GO DIE! reviews, and this one is one of my favorites. The review is from a slightly feminist POV, and I love the way the reviewer – and a number of other women who have given this book good reviews – struggle with the females in the novel, grasping that Spillane wrote very strong women and yet having to deal with those women tending to follow Hammer’s lead…plus Hammer calling them “doll,” “kitten” and so on. A while back a reviewer said nobody uses such terms any more. Well, those books take place in the past. On the other hand, I call my astonishingly beautiful blonde wife – in her sixties and looking about thirty-five – “doll” and “babe” all the time. Sue me. Anyway, read this smart, fun review.

We’ll close with a rarity – a fan reviewer who loves one of my Batman stories. It’s called “Robber’s Roost,” is about the Penguin, and is a prose short story. Also, full disclosure: I don’t remember a thing about it.

M.A.C.

Coming Down The Pike

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

This will be another fairly short update, because I am coming down the pike on the new Jack and Maggie Starr mystery, SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT. I have about a week and maybe a day or two left, assuming all goes well.

I admit to it being a strange experience, because at Berkley Prime Crime, I had to keep myself somewhat in check where the ol’ sex and violence is concerned – the series was conceived to be my Rex Stout tribute, so that seemed in keeping, though Rex did more in the sex and violence department than many seem to notice or recall (or I should say Archie Goodwin did). But writing this for Hard Case, my concern is the opposite. Is it tough and sexy enough? Can I push the envelope a little, and do things Prime Crime would have bridled at, without violating the integrity of the series? We’ll see.

One fun thing: the Des Moines Register called me (well, a reporter did – the paper itself just never calls) and asked me to weigh in on a real-life Iowa mystery. Check it out.

Here’s a nice review of STOLEN AWAY. I love that Amazon making these books available again is stirring new interest in Nate Heller.

Here’s a rare negative review of THE CONSUMMATA. It’s from the very good site, The Violent World of Parker, and you may want to have a look. I responded to the review, and this began an exchange that you may find entertaining. I only respond to negative reviews when I think there’s something unfair or inaccurate in a review. I might note that I may be a rare example of somebody who adores both Richard Stark’s understated style and Mickey Spillane’s over-the-top one. I know I’m the only writer who had those two men as mentors. But I am never surprised when a Stark/Westlake fan does not care for Mickey. (In this case, to be fair, the reviewer liked THE DELTA FACTOR but not the sequel.)

Lynn Myers and I (mostly Lynn) have put together a new Paul Cain collection with a biographical sketch about this mysterious BLACK MASK writer. I haven’t seen the book yet (it’s a limited edition expensive number) but it’s starting to be reviewed, for example here.

And here are some nice comments (if you scroll down the list) on my CRIMINAL MINDS novel KILLER PROFILE. Matt Clemens co-wrote that one.

We had our first public Crusin’ performance with new bass player, Brian Van Winkle, at a fun club called Ducky’s Lagoon ourside Andalusia, Illinois. How well did we do? Immediately got two book-backs for March and May.

See you next week, and I hope to report that SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT has been completed.

M.A.C.

Raymond Burr Isn’t In It

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012
MM9

Nathan has a new book that’s just out from Viz, MM9 – his translation of Hiroshi Yamamoto’s fun novel about Godzilla-style monsters, which I really enjoyed.

Here’s the official description:

“Japan is beset by natural disasters all the time: typhoons, earthquakes, and…giant monster attacks. A special anti-monster unit called the Meteorological Agency Monsterological Measures Department (MMD) has been formed to deal with natural disasters of high “monster magnitude.” The work is challenging, the public is hostile, and the monsters are hungry, but the MMD crew has science, teamwork…and a legendary secret weapon on their side. Together, they can save Japan, and the universe!”

If you like Japanese monster movies, you do not want to miss this.

Here’s a really nice QUARRY’S EX review from Bookhound.

And check out this short but sweet KISS HER GOODBYE review.

Jon L. Breen is a reviewer who has always been kind to me, but really doesn’t care for Mickey Spillane much. But he’s very good to KISS HER GOODBYE in this multiple review article (looking at continuations of famous series) in the Weekly Standard.

Another piece that compares the graphic novel and film versions of ROAD TO PERDITION has popped up, favoring the former. I like the movie myself, but this writer does sort out the relative strengths and weaknesses of both. Worth taking a look.

Vince Keenan has done a nice piece on the posthumously published Don Westlake novel, THE COMEDY IS FINISHED. It talks about my role in bringing this excellent lost book to print, finally.

I am at the half-way mark of SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT. For those wondering, I’m deep in the bunker and often blow off phone calls and e-mails – Barb does all the driving when I’m in this much of a daze, much more in the world of the novel than the (so-called) real one.

But I will be emerging like a ground hog seeking his shadow this coming Saturday night (January 28) at Ducky’s Lagoon in Andalusia, Illinois (near the Quad Cities). It will mark the first public appearance of the band with new bass player Brian Van Winkle, guitarist Jim’s brother (we have played one private party with Brian). The performance will be dedicated to the memory of founding member, bassist Chuck Bunn.

M.A.C.

Short But Sweet

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

A brief update this week, as I am immersed in writing the new Hard Case Crime novel, which is also the new Jack and Maggie Starr mystery. I’m very pleased to be returning to this series after Berkley Prime Crime unceremoniously ended it after the second book, STRIP FOR MURDER. The title of the third Jack and Maggie is SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT (don’t I have a way with a phrase?) and it has to do with the comic-book controversy of the 1950s. Terry Beatty has already done much of the art for the novel (each chapter has an opening illo and there’s also an Ellery Queen-style “Challenge to the Reader”).

A very nice review of KISS HER GOODBYE appeared at Spinetingler – short but sweet (like this blog entry).

You might like to check out this review of the film version of ROAD TO PERDITION, as well.

See you next week.

M.A.C.