The Adventures of Max Latin

by Norbert Davis

extremely rare,very good condition

262 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Norbert Davis (1909–1949) was studying law at Stanford University when he began selling stories to pulp magazines, where he found enough success that he never bothered taking the bar exam. His best-known characters are Doan and Carstairs—a private eye team made up of a man and a thoroughly clever Great Dane.

Reviews

[Lisa Kucharski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up in addition to a Doan and Carstairs mystery at my library; just in case I wanted to see what else Davis wrote- and I’m glad I did.

Wow, this is probably one of the best short story collections by an author hands down. Consistent- high quality stories each focusing on different types of crimes. Also- when I’ve read a number of short story collections - there are some that are mysteries, but generally there are a bunch just where you read about a crime happening. This batch- it is all detecting. Max Latin gets a job, and he gets things figured out.

I am also sad to say, that this collection is all the Max Latin stories that Davis wrote. I love this character and it would have been amazing to see these as movies; exactly in the period they were written. If Davis had chosen to live- he might have seen that he wasn’t destined to be an “artist”. He was really destined to be a cult writer if he had lived and got connected with some great filmmakers.

These are hard-boiled but not of the Mickey Spillane variety. Max can shot and does, but he’s really smart and not mean spirited. There is a human touch and with characters that grow on you. The stories are unique and feel much bigger than the 50 pages they take up. You can see and feel the characters and places in these stories. Highly recommend if you like mysteries. Even you’re able to figure out the bad guy before the end- the ride is worth staying to the end.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max Latin, a shady wartime private investigator, works out of a restaurant, with all the employees willing to alibi him at need, and a love-hate relationship with the local homicide cop. These stories include a lot of shooting but not too much in the way of fighting, though Latin takes his share of abuse. As the cop knows, Latin isn't as crooked as his reputation, but he's still eager to make a buck. The stories are leavened with humor, and--though they're clearly period pieces--hold up better than many pulp collections because they're missing the dated slang. There's a really terrible introduction by John D. MacDonald.

[Michael P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of hugely enjoyable stories that cheat. Especially late in the book, Mr. Latin explains the mystery with knowledge he could not possibly have but the author gives him in order to end the story. Naughty, naughty.

[Chris Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

As good as it gets in the pulps,
Fun and humorous,
Great setting,
Solid writing.

Must have heavily influenced many writers in the ilk of Donald Westlake, Elmore and Parker with the slapstick PI and great supporting cast of memorable characters.