Much as I like Ken Bruen, I would not take this list as gospel. I've found myself unable to read Jason Starr, for one, either alone or in collaboration with Bruen.
The problem with such lists is that the writer labels the novels as favorites, which means anything goes, but the web site he does the list for heads them "best," which is a wholly different animal.
I read lists like this for amusement and the occasional tip. K Bruen noted a couple of books that sound pretty good so I consider it a useful list. I should add here that I like J Starr's novels very much. But as Al Collins said "Favorites" is the wild west and "Best" isn't much less subjective even when done by a committee.
6 comments:
Some excellent books here and some that are going on my want list. Thanks for catching this, Bill.
Much as I like Ken Bruen, I would not take this list as gospel. I've found myself unable to read Jason Starr, for one, either alone or in collaboration with Bruen.
Jeff
I liked Ken's comment that lists are divisive. He knew he'd get some pushback.
The problem with such lists is that the writer labels the novels as favorites, which means anything goes, but the web site he does the list for heads them "best," which is a wholly different animal.
Any "best noir" list that doesn't include Black Wings Has My Angel or at least one Jim Thompson novel lacks all credibility IMHO.
I'm with Jeff re Jason Starr. I read a couple of his books and they were in terrible need of a strong editor.
I read lists like this for amusement and the occasional tip. K Bruen noted a couple of books that sound pretty good so I consider it a useful list. I should add here that I like J Starr's novels very much. But as Al Collins said "Favorites" is the wild west and "Best" isn't much less subjective even when done by a committee.
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