Saturday, July 13, 2013
The Fame Thief -- Timothy Hallinan
In this case, Irwin Dressler a Hollywood mobster from way back (he's 93) wants Bender to look into something that happened in the 1950's. The career of an up-and-coming actress was destroyed, and Dressler wants to know why. As you might expect, Bender learns quickly the past is never really past, and people start to get killed.
It's a tangled case, and Bender, with the help of his computer-talented teenage daughter, even has to delve into the proceedings of the Kefauver hearings for clues.
Hallinan knows Hollywood and Los Angeles. There's a fine feel for both the old days and the present in this book, along with some great characters and plenty of snappy patter. There's violence and action and sentiment and good writing. There's also a pretty big woo-woo factor. Don't let that put you off. It works just fine in the context of the old-time Hollywood story.
If you haven't read the previous Junior Bender books, that's okay. You don't have to have read them to catch on to what's happening here. But after you read this one, you'll probably want to go back for the other two. It's just that good.
Charles Pope, R. I. P.
VVN Music: Charles Pope, co-founder of The Tams, died on Friday morning at his home in Atlanta at the age of 76. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's, a battle that had been documented on the reality series Tiny and Toya and T.I. and Toya: The Family Hustle on BET.
First It Was the Thin Mints Melee . . .
seattlepi.com: Seattle police say they arrested a man who crashed an 8-year-old child's party, ate several pieces of pizza and took two balloon animals.
Who edited Shakespeare?
he Guardian: Much nonsense is talked about Shakespeare not writing his plays, but more interesting questions remain: who edited the First Folio? And were substantial changes made?
Friday, July 12, 2013
Criminal Geniuses of the Day
Fetish model indicted in Pasco sex party slaying: Court documents describe text messages sent that evening between Logue and her boyfriend, 27-year-old Jason Richard Andrews, plotting an attack on Abrahamsen.
Hat tip to Lawrence Person.
Hat tip to Lawrence Person.
Robert J. Randisi Interview
Robert J. Randisi has been writing and publishing ever since I've known him, and that's been quite a while. He's published so many books that I've lost count. (I'll bet he hasn't, though.) John Wisniewski conducted this interview with him, and I'm pleased to be able to present it on my blog. So let's get right to the questions.
I have long been an admirer of the Rat Pack's talents, most notably Dino and Sammy. And I love Las Vegas. I was watching Ocean's 11 for the umpteenth time one day and it just came to me. A lot of things could have been going on in Vegas in between the times the Rat Pack members were on stage at the Sands, and filming the movie. Why not a mystery? And using song titles as titles--with a word or two changed--was a natural. With Dean my favorite it just seemed right to start with EVERYBODY KILLS SOMEBODY SOME TIME.
2) Can we look back at your beginnings-when did you begin writing, and of what genre were your stories?
I started writing when I was 15. I chose mystery as my genre because that was what I was reading and watching on TV at the time. But it was when I went to the movies and saw HARPER, starring Paul Newman (based on a Ross Macdonald novel) that I decided I wanted to write Private Eye fiction, and wanted to do it for a living by the time I turned 30. And that's what I did. While Westerns became a large part of my output later, my heart has always been with the mystery--specifically, with the private eye.
3) What genre is your favorite?
Oops, I think I answered that above. My favorite genre, to write, read, and watch on TV and in the movies, is the private eye genre. Unlike other genres--such as the police procedural, as depicted these days by Law & Order, CSI and NCIS clones--the private eye genre depends heavily on the main character. While a lot of other genres are about the procedure, or the milieu, the P.I. genre is about people. My Rat Pack books are written in the style of P.I. novels, but I am getting back into the private eye genre whole hog with my new book THE HONKY TONK BIG HOSS BOOGIE (August 2013).
4) You have written many novels. How do you manage to be so prolific?
Your question of how I have been so prolific requires a two part answer. In the beginning it was not a matter of choice. I discovered early on that I had an ability to write--and type--very quickly. I believe this was a result of NOT ever outlining. I sit and write everything down as it comes to me, not according to any preset outline. I move through my stories WITH my characters, discovering what will happen next with them. I don't outline, and rarely rewrite. Often, I don't even go back and reread what In wrote the day before. This has been how I have always worked. (It's a little different with mysteries than westerns when you have to go back and sometimes plant clues).
For the second part, it eventually became a necessity for me to write quickly. In the 80's, when I started out, I was able to sell multiple series, including The Gunsmith western series, which I had to produce at the rate of a book a month. Add in the other western series, and the mysteries, and I had to write anywhere from 16 to 24 books a year. In 1984 I wrote 27 books in 12 months. You see? I HAD to be prolific in order to meet deadlines. But it wasn't as much of a choice as it sounds because I was normally a fast writer.
5) How do you create characters like detective Nick Delvecchio?
How I created characters like Nick Delvecchio is not an easy question to answer. Often the type of books I write--usually a series--depend on the reader either identifying with or simply liking the main character. That means he has to BE likable, or BE interesting. The process is different for every character. "Miles Jacoby" is not like me; the character developed over the course of the 6 books. "Nick Delvecchio," however, is a lot like me--drawing heavily on my Italian family background--and sprang to life almost wholly formed in the first book. Other characters, like Eddie G. from the Rat Pack books, appears in modern times as well as the 60's. In each era he has to be subtly different. Western characters--like the Gunsmith, or Lancaster--are a product of their historic surroundings. Others--like Bat Masterson in Westerns, or the Rat Pack in the Rat Pack mysteries--are real, and so I must adhere to their personalities as closely as I can, while putting them through some fictional paces. My new character, Auggie Velez, is a combination of being like me, and NOTHING like me. It's a juggling act. Writers are often not the most interesting people in the world, so our characters cannot be WHOLLY like us. Even I don't want to read about ME.
6) Why do you choose to use pseudonyms?
The question of pseudonyms is very easy to answer. In the 80's, when I started, publishers liked to think that you were only writing for THEM. But if I wanted to make a living as a writer, I needed more work than one publisher could give me. So when I created a new series, I also had to create new pseudonym. At one time I was writing four different western series under four different names, while writing mysteries under my real name. It was necessary in order to make enough money to make a living, because I was NOT making Stephen King type advances.
7) You founded Private Eyes of America and Mystery Scene magazine.
I founded PWA in 1981 to try to see that the private eye story was recognized as a genre all its own, and not as a sub-genre of the mystery. Also because, at the time, P.I. books were not being recognized by MWA when it came to the Edgar Award. I was corresponding with many of my fellow P.I. writers, and decided to ask them to send me a quarter each for postage so I could do a newsletter. That eventually worked its way into being an organization, with many of the top P.I. writers as charter members, i.e., Sue Grafton, Sara Paretsky, Max Allan Collins, Stuart Kaminsky, Lawrence Block, Michael Collins, John Lutz, Linda Barnes, Marcia Muller and many more. Bill Pronzini served as our first President, and I was V.P. I also created the Shamus Award, so that P.I. books and stories would have an award of their own. That was over 30 years ago, and the Shamus is a much respected award.
I co-founded Mystery Scene Magazine with my good friend and colleague Ed Gorman. Back in '84 we were talking on the phone and one of us said somebody should create a magazine for the mystery genre. The other one said, "Why don't we do it?" And we did. I gave up my interest after 7 years, Ed stayed at the helm much longer than that. It is now in the competent hands of others, and continues to grow.
8) You also co-founded The American Crime Writers League. Could you tell us about this? Are you looked upon as an elder-statesman for young and up and coming crime and mystery writers?
Yes, I also co-founded with Ed Gorman the American Crime Writers League. I think we both felt the need for another organization, one that was about the members, and not about awards. We asked Charlotte McLeod to be out first President. Ed and I eventually bowed out, but I believe we are both back in as members, these days. The ACWL still has no award, but does what it can to help its members. I think the Mystery Writers of America, The Private Eye Writers of America and The American Crime Writers League all have their place in the genre. Many authors belong to all three.
It's very difficult for someone to say how others look upon them. An elder-statesman? Maybe. I try to do what I can to assist other writers, especially the up and comers. We at PWA joined with St. Martin's Press back in 1986 to run a First Private Eye Novel Contest, where the winner receive a $10,000 advance and is published in America and the U.K. Other contests have since copied our formula. And I believe St. Martins now calls them "competitions" rather than "contests." That contest continue to this day, and has launched the career of writers like Les Roberts, Gar Anthony Haywood, Karen Kijewski, Steve Hamilton and Michael Koryta. Also, over the years, we've had many anthologies published, creating a market for our authors to write short fiction. I hope I'm looked upon as someone who does what he can for the genre, and for writers, in general. But I really think you'd have to ask others that question. I believe my contribution to the genre has been equal parts organizer and author.
9) Could you tell us about your written screenplays?
I've written one screenplay. Sandy Hackett, the son of legendary comic Buddy Hackett, optioned my first Rat Pack book a few years back--EVERYBODY KILLS SOMEBODY SOME TIME--and hired me to write the screenplay. It was a great experience. I wrote it in three weeks. I was satisfied with it when I finished, and Sandy liked it. It's still in his possession.
I do plan to write others based upon my own books, like THE HAM REPORTER, which is about Bat Masterson when he was a sports writer in NY in 1911. He and a young Damon Runyon solve a mystery. There are other of my mysteries, and my westerns, I'd like to do. For instance, the "Gil & Claire Hunt" series, which I wrote with my partner and fiancé, Christine Matthews, is a perfect vehicle for a husband and wife Hollywood team. But I believe my Rat Packs books probably offer the best opportunity for Hollywood to come knocking. I believe they could succeed where shows like VEGAS, THE PLAYBOY CLUB and PAN AM have failed to capitalize on the 60's. The music of the Rat Pack would have to play a big part.
Who Said It?
Nostalgia Is Not What It Used To Be: Who said it? Yogi Berra? Simone Signoret? Peter De Vries? Tommy Handley & Ronald Frankau? Anonymous?
Forgotten Books: A Cupful of Space -- Mildred Clingerman
Notice the line under the book's title. It's quite misleading, since few of the stories are actually science-fiction. They're horror and fantasy, mainly, though a couple of them do have science-fictional elements. This isn't the place to get into a discussion of what SF is, but I'll just mention that in the '50s when I was reading this stuff by the boatload, I made no distinction. It was all science-fiction to me, no matter what it really might have been.
"First Lesson" is from Collier's, and it's one of those "did it happen or didn't it?" Stories that kind of wants to have it both ways. Not bad, but not the best in the collection. That honor might go to "The Wild Wood," which is definitely creepy and not as dated as "First Lesson." It's more horror than anything. "Letters from Laura," told in epistolary form, is about a trip to Crete. Not a trip you'd want to take. "The Word" is a short-short that you'll catch onto immediately, but it's kind of cute. "The Gay Deceiver" is pure horror. "Stair Trick" is about doorways to another dimension, so that would be science-fiction, I suppose. Not that it matters. No matter what you call them, all the stories are well written worth looking at even after all these years.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Charles Foley, R. I. P.
NY Daily News: The Minnesota man whose Twister game launched decades of awkward social interactions at parties has died. He was 82.
Charles “Chuck” Foley died July 1 at a care facility in the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park. His son, Mark Foley, said Thursday that his father had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Charles “Chuck” Foley died July 1 at a care facility in the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park. His son, Mark Foley, said Thursday that his father had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Lewis Lymon, R. I. P.
Lewis Lymon of the Teenchords: Lewis Lymon, the brother of Frankie Lymon of the Teenagers, died on Tuesday at his Las Vegas home. He was 69.
Lewis and Frankie were part of a musical family from Harlem that grew up in the world of gospel. Their father, Howard, was part of the Harlemaires and both boys, along with brother Howard, Jr., were part of Harlamaires Juniors.
Lewis and Frankie were part of a musical family from Harlem that grew up in the world of gospel. Their father, Howard, was part of the Harlemaires and both boys, along with brother Howard, Jr., were part of Harlamaires Juniors.
Boston Strangler Update
TBO.com: Investigators helped by advances in DNA technology finally have forensic evidence linking longtime suspect Albert DeSalvo to the last of the 1960s slayings attributed to the Boston Strangler, leading many of the case's players to hope that it can finally be put to rest.
What's in a name?
What's in a name? More than you think, experts say: As Prince William and wife Catherine mull over names for their royal offspring, they would do well to heed mounting evidence that a name can influence everything from your school grades and career choice to who you marry and where you live.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Before Rancho Diablo There Was . . .
Shooter hadn't agreed with the proposed action, but it hit even closer to home than he realized when a friend of his got caught up in the middle of it. Moon Bear was accused of killing an Army transport crew and of taking rifles.
After helping the Army find Moon Bear, Shooter learned that his friend was looking for his son, who was following Calling Owl, a renegade leader conducting raids on helpless settlers. Shooter and George had no choice but to free Moon Bear and take up the hunt. But with the US Army on their heels and riding into the teeth of dangerous renegades, Tennessee seemed more crowded than ever.
Madness Made Them Great
Slate Magazine: Thomas Jefferson, Steve Jobs, Estee Lauder, and Charles Lindbergh suffered from the same mental illness.
Gator Update (I'm Gonna Kick that Log Edition)
Alligator bites teen on the head at Florida park: Andrew Hudson of Winter Springs was swimming Monday with friends in the Little Big Econ State Forest when he kicked what he thought was a log in the water.
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
Last Day Free for Kindle!
But things have never gone easy for Terry Quinn. As he starts training for the biggest fight of his career, a crew of Tammany thugs and fix-it men tell him to throw the fight or face dire consequences. Even before he has a chance to consider their offer, those dire consequences come home to roost when one of his long time corner men turns up dead.
The identity of the killer isn't in question. The only question is what is Terry Quinn going to do about it.
Archaeology Update
New sphinx of Egyptian king Mycerinus unearthed in Israel puzzles archaeologists: "It is also the only sphinx of this particular king known, not even in Egypt was a sphinx of that particular king found."
Joe Conley, R. I. P.
The Hollywood Reporter: Joe Conley, who played general store proprietor Ike Godsey on the beloved CBS family drama The Waltons, has died, his co-star Mary Beth McDonough reported Monday on her Facebook page. He was 85.
PimPage: An Occasional Feature in Which I Call Attention to Books of Interest
Amazon.com: Bad Religion (Nick Kepler) (Volume 4) (9781490478623): Jim Winter: Books: Nick Kepler returns as he and his partner Elaine investigate a local pastor who might be skimming the collection plate. When one of Kepler's ops is killed after learning all is not what it seems, he and Elaine find themselves plunged into a whirlwind of shady real estate deals, religious politics, and kidnapping.
Shocking News
CSMonitor.com: One of nature's greatest marvels has been found to have another advantage: a negative electrical charge, which can snap up positively charged insects.
What Is Nostalgia Good For?
What Is Nostalgia Good For? Quite a Bit, Research Shows: Nostalgia has been shown to counteract loneliness, boredom and anxiety. It makes people more generous to strangers and more tolerant of outsiders. Couples feel closer and look happier when they’re sharing nostalgic memories. On cold days, or in cold rooms, people use nostalgia to literally feel warmer.
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Overlooked Movies -- Seven Days in May
Probably very few people reading this remember General Edwin Walker, that is unless you've been reading some of the JFK assassination novels that have come out recently. Walker was an ultra-conservative general who ran for governor of Texas at about the time this book came out and who was later arrested for his involvement in rioting at the University of Mississippi when a black student tried to enroll. Someone tried to assassinate Walker after that, and that's where he comes into the Kennedy novels, as some believe Lee Harvey Oswald was involved.
So here's the "what if": What if a general like Walker decided that it was time to get rid of the president? This is an SF novel in a way, since the setting was in the 1970s, about ten years after the publication of the novel and the appearance of the movie. The general (Burt Lancaster) is opposed to the president's signing a nuclear disarmament treaty with the Soviet Union, and in seven days the general's troops will stage the coup. A Marine colonel (Kirk Douglas) finds out about this and tells the president. The rest of the movie is a race against time to get the evidence needed to stop the plot.
Lots of good performances here, especially Douglas and Lancaster. Edmond O'Brien as a heavy-drinking senator get the Oscar nomination, though.
Monday, July 08, 2013
First It Was the Thin Mints Melee . . .
Woman stabbed on Midtown subway platform: A staring match turned into a violent cat fight between three women during rush hour on a Midtown No. 6 train this morning, cops said.
Once Again Texas Leads the Way
Houston - News: The study found that more guns were reported lost or stolen in Texas than in any other state in the country, to the tune of 18,874, or about 10 percent of the guns reported lost or stolen for the entire country.
Daddy Longlegs Update
chicagotribune.com: Scientists have discovered that what they thought was a single species of daddy longlegs is actually three, according to a new study.
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Disneyland Voce 1955
Disneyland Voce 1955 - YouTube:
As if I didn't know it already, I really did grow up in a different world. These scenes from Disneyland will give you an idea of what it was like in the old days. No crowds. And notice how the people are dressed for their day in an amusement park. Men in suits. Women in dresses and hats. It's world that's a long time gone.
Link via Boing Boing.
As if I didn't know it already, I really did grow up in a different world. These scenes from Disneyland will give you an idea of what it was like in the old days. No crowds. And notice how the people are dressed for their day in an amusement park. Men in suits. Women in dresses and hats. It's world that's a long time gone.
Link via Boing Boing.
First It Was the Thin Mints Melee . . .
. . . and now it's the baptism party fight.
Man arrested after baptism party fight that left one dead of a gunshot wound, three injured
Man arrested after baptism party fight that left one dead of a gunshot wound, three injured
New Poem at The 5-2
The 5-2 | Crime Poetry Weekly, Gerald So, Editor: Alison Morse
ON THE FIRST HOT NIGHT IN MAY
Sunday, July 07, 2013
First It Was the Thin Mints Melee . . . .
StamfordAdvocate: WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) -- A Waterbury man has been arrested after he was accused of pointing a gun at neighbors who turned down his request for food at a July 4 barbecue.
Where Exactly Is the Middle of Nowhere?
Where Exactly Is the Middle of Nowhere?
Click on #3 and you'll find one of my old haunts, where I lived and taught for 12 years.
Click on #3 and you'll find one of my old haunts, where I lived and taught for 12 years.
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