Advice on pulp crime authors to explore...

andy9279 · 09-13-2013, 09:34 PM

I've read a lot of works from Weird Tales, but now I'm looking for a place to begin reading the crime pulps. I recently finished Hammett's "Red Harvest" and Chandler's "The Big Sleep," but those are the two big names in crime I know.

I'm not opposed to reading more pulp novels, but I'd really like a place to start for stories. I know there's a lot on Munseys.com and Pulpgen, but I don't know where to start. I've also got collections of Chandler and Hammett stories, have downloaded all the samplers on here I could find, now I'd just like some direction...

Thanks,
Andy

GA Russell · 09-13-2013, 10:39 PM

Andy, welcome! I recommend that you start with...

The Black Lizard Big Book of Black Mask Stories
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Lizard-S...k+mask+stories

and

Hard-Boiled Detectives
http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Boiled-De...led+Detectives

These are anthologies of the two most respected crime pulp mags, Black Mask and Dime Detective.

I'm confident that you will find a number of authors whom you will want to read more of.

speakingtohe · 09-13-2013, 11:05 PM

I second GA Russell.

Also Black mask online has about 500 free pulps.

Helen

BelleZora · 09-13-2013, 11:13 PM

Exceptionally talented, but generally not well known, pulp writers are Charles Willeford and John McPartland. A good introduction to Willeford is Cockfighter, a ribald and violent novel set in the rural south. McPartland's Tokyo novels, set in post-war occupied Japan, are excellent.

Catlady · 09-13-2013, 11:28 PM

I really enjoyed the various Masters of Noir anthologies from Wonder Publishing. You might also check out the "megapack" collections from Wildside Press in the pulp fiction category; these are public domain collections but they only cost a buck and it's nice to have the stories in one place. Also, the MR library has a lot of pulp fiction anthologies.

andy9279 · 09-14-2013, 12:46 AM

Still would love more recommendations anyone has. Thanks for the advice everyone, there's a lot of free stuff out there, just don't know where to start.

sharphamster · 09-14-2013, 01:50 AM

Jim Thompson, if you haven't already - just tonight re-reading 'After Dark, My Sweet'.

Seconding the other suggestions already mentioned, along with David Goodis, Donald E. Westlake, Patricia Highsmith, Ed Lacy, Dorothy B. Hughes and John D MacDonald.

Hard Case Crime has old titles from the Pulp era, mixed in with modern takes also.

JeremyR · 09-14-2013, 02:13 AM

Cornell Woolrich is one of the greats

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornell_Woolrich

Personally, I'd say better than anyone except Hammett (and I'm a big Chandler, so I don't say that lightly).

ctol · 09-14-2013, 02:38 AM

http://www.munseys.com/detail/mode/cat/12/Pulp_Fiction

09-13-2013, 09:34 PM	#1
andy9279 Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2013 Device: none	Advice on pulp crime authors to explore... I've read a lot of works from Weird Tales, but now I'm looking for a place to begin reading the crime pulps. I recently finished Hammett's "Red Harvest" and Chandler's "The Big Sleep," but those are the two big names in crime I know. I'm not opposed to reading more pulp novels, but I'd really like a place to start for stories. I know there's a lot on Munseys.com and Pulpgen, but I don't know where to start. I've also got collections of Chandler and Hammett stories, have downloaded all the samplers on here I could find, now I'd just like some direction... Thanks, Andy

09-14-2013, 12:46 AM	#6
andy9279 Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2013 Device: none	Still would love more recommendations anyone has. Thanks for the advice everyone, there's a lot of free stuff out there, just don't know where to start. Last edited by andy9279; 09-14-2013 at 01:23 AM.

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09-13-2013, 10:39 PM	#2
GA Russell Montreal wins Grey Cup! Posts: 7,583 Karma: 31484197 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	Andy, welcome! I recommend that you start with... The Black Lizard Big Book of Black Mask Stories http://www.amazon.com/Black-Lizard-S...k+mask+stories and Hard-Boiled Detectives http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Boiled-De...led+Detectives These are anthologies of the two most respected crime pulp mags, Black Mask and Dime Detective. I'm confident that you will find a number of authors whom you will want to read more of.

09-13-2013, 11:05 PM	#3
speakingtohe Wizard Posts: 4,812 Karma: 26912940 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: sony PRS-T1 and T3, Kobo Mini and Aura HD, Tablet	I second GA Russell. Also Black mask online has about 500 free pulps. Helen

09-13-2013, 11:13 PM	#4
BelleZora Wizard Posts: 1,432 Karma: 25151986 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Seattle, US Device: Kindle Oasis 3, Kobo Libra 2	Exceptionally talented, but generally not well known, pulp writers are Charles Willeford and John McPartland. A good introduction to Willeford is Cockfighter, a ribald and violent novel set in the rural south. McPartland's Tokyo novels, set in post-war occupied Japan, are excellent.

09-13-2013, 11:28 PM	#5
Catlady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,345 Karma: 52398889 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite, AGPTek Bluetooth Clip	I really enjoyed the various Masters of Noir anthologies from Wonder Publishing. You might also check out the "megapack" collections from Wildside Press in the pulp fiction category; these are public domain collections but they only cost a buck and it's nice to have the stories in one place. Also, the MR library has a lot of pulp fiction anthologies.

09-14-2013, 01:50 AM	#7
sharphamster Anathema Device Posts: 283 Karma: 257456 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Sony T3/350, Kobo AuraH20/Mini, Axim X50v	Jim Thompson, if you haven't already - just tonight re-reading 'After Dark, My Sweet'. Seconding the other suggestions already mentioned, along with David Goodis, Donald E. Westlake, Patricia Highsmith, Ed Lacy, Dorothy B. Hughes and John D MacDonald. Hard Case Crime has old titles from the Pulp era, mixed in with modern takes also.

09-14-2013, 02:13 AM	#8
JeremyR Guru Posts: 973 Karma: 2458402 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: St. Louis Device: Kindle Keyboard, Nook HD+	Cornell Woolrich is one of the greats http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornell_Woolrich Personally, I'd say better than anyone except Hammett (and I'm a big Chandler, so I don't say that lightly).

09-14-2013, 02:38 AM	#9
ctol Groupie Posts: 152 Karma: 303523 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Arizona Device: Nook, Fire Tablet, Windows RT Tablet Windows Phone	http://www.munseys.com/detail/mode/cat/12/Pulp_Fiction

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