James Garner in the consistently excellent Rockford TV series (out in complete DVD box set) was always getting screwed out of his money. You had to chuckle. His clients always seemed to turn into deadbeats who couldn't pony up his fee ($200/day plus expenses). Maybe his tough luck was part of the show's immense charm.

The matter of money is often overlooked in private eye novels. After all, PIs perform a valuable service in exchange for lucre. Sue Grafton includes the key scene where Kinsey Millhone gets the contract inked with the client before she begins any PI work. We're reminded how Kinsey is motivated as we are. She also likes to eat, too.

My PI guy Frank Johnson is always low on funds. He doesn't make the big bucks and tries to pinch his pennies. Money is a nagging concern while he works his different cases. Unlike Rockford, he does get paid, but the bills also keep coming in. Frank isn't living hand-to-mouth, but in this lean economy he's busting his hump to make it which reflects the life experience of too many Americans.

By Ed Lynskey
Twitter: @edlynskey
Author of Lake Charles
Top 100 Summer 2010 Reads
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