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Amos Walker
Amos Walker: The Complete Story Collection
Thirty years ago Loren D. Estleman introduced the world to his Detroit detective Amos Walker. In celebration of this anniversary, Estleman has collected every previously published Walker short story in this massive volume, including a brand-new story never before published!
An authority on both criminal history and the American West, Loren D. Estleman has been called the most critically acclaimed author of his generation. He has been nominated for the National Book Award and the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Award.
An authority on both criminal history and the American West, Loren D. Estleman has been called the most critically acclaimed author of his generation. He has been nominated for the National Book Award and the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Award.
646 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2010
63 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Loren D. Estleman
314 books279 followersLoren D. Estleman is an American writer of detective and Western fiction. He writes with a manual typewriter.
Estleman is most famous for his novels about P.I. Amos Walker. Other series characters include Old West marshal Page Murdock and hitman Peter Macklin. He has also written a series of novels about the history of crime in Detroit (also the setting of his Walker books.) His non-series works include Bloody Season, a fictional recreation of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, and several novels and stories featuring Sherlock Holmes.
Series:
* Amos Walker Mystery
* Valentino Mystery
* Detroit Crime Mystery
* Peter Macklin Mystery
* Page Murdock Mystery
Estleman is most famous for his novels about P.I. Amos Walker. Other series characters include Old West marshal Page Murdock and hitman Peter Macklin. He has also written a series of novels about the history of crime in Detroit (also the setting of his Walker books.) His non-series works include Bloody Season, a fictional recreation of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, and several novels and stories featuring Sherlock Holmes.
Series:
* Amos Walker Mystery
* Valentino Mystery
* Detroit Crime Mystery
* Peter Macklin Mystery
* Page Murdock Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 29, 2017
I'm a sucker for P.I. mysteries.
This set of short stories does not disapoint.
I had not read any of the Amos Walker novels, so I figured the short stories would be a good introduction.
The book is huge. Over 600 pages. 32 short stories.
All of them are good.
My personal favorites were Dead Soldier,
Needle, The Man Who Loved Noir...
Highly recommended if you like P.I. fiction.
This set of short stories does not disapoint.
I had not read any of the Amos Walker novels, so I figured the short stories would be a good introduction.
The book is huge. Over 600 pages. 32 short stories.
All of them are good.
My personal favorites were Dead Soldier,
Needle, The Man Who Loved Noir...
Highly recommended if you like P.I. fiction.
May 4, 2012
Too much of a good thing..
Yeah, these are all good, not a bad one in the bunch. Problem is the bunch is too big, like thirty plus stories. After a while the plot lines tend to merge and it starts feeling like one big story that just went on too long. Know what I mean. It's kinda like the Viagra warning thing.
Is it fair to criticize something for being too much of a good thing? I don't know, life's tough, this guy knows it, and he tells it ..like maybe thirty something times.
But, it's all good. And yeah, I mean it.
Yeah, these are all good, not a bad one in the bunch. Problem is the bunch is too big, like thirty plus stories. After a while the plot lines tend to merge and it starts feeling like one big story that just went on too long. Know what I mean. It's kinda like the Viagra warning thing.
Is it fair to criticize something for being too much of a good thing? I don't know, life's tough, this guy knows it, and he tells it ..like maybe thirty something times.
But, it's all good. And yeah, I mean it.
January 14, 2018
Loren D. Estelman has been a prolific writer during his 35+ year career, cranking out over two novels a year, almost all of them very good. Given that attention to his longer works, he hasn't written that many short stories, but the quality of those stories is just as high. Readers are therefore in for a treat in Amos Walker: The Complete Story Collection, a 600-page tome that includes all 32 of the Walker stories Estelman had written up until the collection's publication date in 2011.
For those unfamiliar with the character, Amos Walker is an old-school hardboiled PI working out of Detroit. He always seems to be one step away from the poor house, but enough cases come his way to keep the lights on in his one-man practice. He's got a very quick wit, a hard head, and next to no social life. He mostly does missing person and insurance company work, but a surprising number of his jobs start out rather innocuous and wind up with him stumbling across one or more bodies after a few pages.
Most of the stories in this book are marvels of efficient writing. In about 20 pages, Walker takes on a case, investigates, and catches the bad guys. Obviously, in that short a space, there's little room for character development, or, indeed, for extraneous characters at all. As a result, readers can generally figure out the villains in each story right along with Walker, although Estelman offers a reasonably detailed explanation of what happened every time. There isn’t much sex or romance in these stories, but Walker manages to engage in a considerable amount of fisticuffs and gunplay. In many of the stories, Walker has the police conveniently stationed outside as he provokes a killer into incriminating himself or herself.
Despite the relatively short length of these stories, Estelman includes a good number of pointed quips by Walker at the expense of someone who generally deserves it, and the author manages to evoke a feel for the Detroit area that's largely cumulative. Each individual story only has a handful of really descriptive sentences, but add them up over the course of 30 stories and 30 years, and readers will have a real sense of the locale. Walker also ages over the course of the stories (and the state of technology improves as well, with computers and cell phones making appearances in later stories), so readers will get to know the character.
Unfortunately, while putting all those stories (which were actually published originally at about a one-a-year pace) back to back, the formulaic nature of Estelman’s writing becomes noticeable. The storylines themselves are quite unusual and individual; in fact, I had the impression that many of these started out as ideas for Walker novels that Estelman abandoned but didn’t want to ignore completely. While the storylines are original, however, the stories often progress in a similar fashion, so that readers who go through several at a time will begin experiencing a sense of déjà vu.
For that reason, the stories that go outside the box are the best. These include “Needle,” about a neighbor of Walker’s who is a Holocaust survivor who defends himself from an apparent attack by a neo-Nazi young man. “The Man Who Loved Noir,” an aptly named tale about a missing husband Walker’s trying to find who is a film noir buff who has gone a bit overboard, and “Rumble Strip,” in which Walker’s late night stop at an out-of-the-way diner finds him taken hostage by a couple of would-be hitmen.
These three aforementioned stories are among the most memorable in the collection, but none of the works are bad (several won or were nominated for Edgar or Shamus awards). And you would be hard pressed to find as many examples of fine, literate mystery writing in this short a space. Much as you might be tempted to binge read, however, I would suggest doling the stories out over a period of time so there’s no feeling that they are at all mechanical. But, binge read or savor, Amos Walker: The Complete Story Collection is a gem for mystery or detective buffs.
For those unfamiliar with the character, Amos Walker is an old-school hardboiled PI working out of Detroit. He always seems to be one step away from the poor house, but enough cases come his way to keep the lights on in his one-man practice. He's got a very quick wit, a hard head, and next to no social life. He mostly does missing person and insurance company work, but a surprising number of his jobs start out rather innocuous and wind up with him stumbling across one or more bodies after a few pages.
Most of the stories in this book are marvels of efficient writing. In about 20 pages, Walker takes on a case, investigates, and catches the bad guys. Obviously, in that short a space, there's little room for character development, or, indeed, for extraneous characters at all. As a result, readers can generally figure out the villains in each story right along with Walker, although Estelman offers a reasonably detailed explanation of what happened every time. There isn’t much sex or romance in these stories, but Walker manages to engage in a considerable amount of fisticuffs and gunplay. In many of the stories, Walker has the police conveniently stationed outside as he provokes a killer into incriminating himself or herself.
Despite the relatively short length of these stories, Estelman includes a good number of pointed quips by Walker at the expense of someone who generally deserves it, and the author manages to evoke a feel for the Detroit area that's largely cumulative. Each individual story only has a handful of really descriptive sentences, but add them up over the course of 30 stories and 30 years, and readers will have a real sense of the locale. Walker also ages over the course of the stories (and the state of technology improves as well, with computers and cell phones making appearances in later stories), so readers will get to know the character.
Unfortunately, while putting all those stories (which were actually published originally at about a one-a-year pace) back to back, the formulaic nature of Estelman’s writing becomes noticeable. The storylines themselves are quite unusual and individual; in fact, I had the impression that many of these started out as ideas for Walker novels that Estelman abandoned but didn’t want to ignore completely. While the storylines are original, however, the stories often progress in a similar fashion, so that readers who go through several at a time will begin experiencing a sense of déjà vu.
For that reason, the stories that go outside the box are the best. These include “Needle,” about a neighbor of Walker’s who is a Holocaust survivor who defends himself from an apparent attack by a neo-Nazi young man. “The Man Who Loved Noir,” an aptly named tale about a missing husband Walker’s trying to find who is a film noir buff who has gone a bit overboard, and “Rumble Strip,” in which Walker’s late night stop at an out-of-the-way diner finds him taken hostage by a couple of would-be hitmen.
These three aforementioned stories are among the most memorable in the collection, but none of the works are bad (several won or were nominated for Edgar or Shamus awards). And you would be hard pressed to find as many examples of fine, literate mystery writing in this short a space. Much as you might be tempted to binge read, however, I would suggest doling the stories out over a period of time so there’s no feeling that they are at all mechanical. But, binge read or savor, Amos Walker: The Complete Story Collection is a gem for mystery or detective buffs.
September 10, 2020
I've read all of the Walker novels and so I read this collection of short stories too. Apparently there was a time when he was in a dispute with publishers and had to pause writing Walker novels and this is a collection of stories that appeared in magazines during that period.
I didn't find them as good as the novels. They are not from the puzzle school of mysteries. Most are the kind where the detective spots a clue that is hidden from the reader until the final pages. There are a lot of stories here and I found them very similar. I'm glad I read them for completeness of the Walker works, but if you haven't read the novels, you might want to skip these too.
I didn't find them as good as the novels. They are not from the puzzle school of mysteries. Most are the kind where the detective spots a clue that is hidden from the reader until the final pages. There are a lot of stories here and I found them very similar. I'm glad I read them for completeness of the Walker works, but if you haven't read the novels, you might want to skip these too.
August 1, 2019
This was really interesting.
A compilation of all the Amos Walker short stories ever written, in chronological order. You can tell much more quickly both how the character grows and how the author grows.
There is the early fascination with gorgeous redheads - one prominently placed in every early story, and Walker's facing up to the fact that he's a bit of a softie in a hard-boiled world, and most interestingly the author's moving into (especially considering it is Detroit) noting *everyone's* colour and not just leaving white as the default.
It was a fascinating progression.
A compilation of all the Amos Walker short stories ever written, in chronological order. You can tell much more quickly both how the character grows and how the author grows.
There is the early fascination with gorgeous redheads - one prominently placed in every early story, and Walker's facing up to the fact that he's a bit of a softie in a hard-boiled world, and most interestingly the author's moving into (especially considering it is Detroit) noting *everyone's* colour and not just leaving white as the default.
It was a fascinating progression.
May 22, 2022
This book sat on my local Chapter's bookstore's shelf for years. I would pick it up every time I went in and wonder why nobody had snagged it up long before. I finally bit the bullet and bought it myself and wondered why the hell I hadn't picked it up myself before then. Estleman is a writer borne of the Chandler school of hard-boiled fiction. He is a master at the long novel and the short story and I'm happy to have this anthology in my collection.
October 15, 2022
Great read
Got this book on a whim. The character buildup is very nice, the stories are fast paced and there is some good old fashioned detective work. Overall a great read for fans of sleuth novels.
Got this book on a whim. The character buildup is very nice, the stories are fast paced and there is some good old fashioned detective work. Overall a great read for fans of sleuth novels.
March 25, 2020
A solid collection of stories; enjoyable if you like this sort of thing and I do.
September 9, 2021
Snark against the darkness
I was looking for another good ascerbic P.I. now that Spenser's not Spenser anymore. This collection of short stories hooked me; on to the novels!
I was looking for another good ascerbic P.I. now that Spenser's not Spenser anymore. This collection of short stories hooked me; on to the novels!
March 10, 2017
Really s good as you would think
If you are a fan of Amos Walker, just buy this. It is worth the money for sure. Enjoy it!
If you are a fan of Amos Walker, just buy this. It is worth the money for sure. Enjoy it!
February 8, 2025
classic gumshoe
These stories are as addictive as potato chips. Estleman is a master, maybe the last of the Hammet/Chandler school of detective fiction.
These stories are as addictive as potato chips. Estleman is a master, maybe the last of the Hammet/Chandler school of detective fiction.
May 1, 2014
The best PI voice since Chandler's Mallory/Marlowe!
...and you get 30 solid introductions to him, from approx age 32 in 1982, Detroit PI Amos Walker ages slowly but surely throughout this book. Then you realize there are 22+ solid novels from 1980's "Motor City blues" to a book to be published in June 2014. Same great voice throughout, same amazing use of his beloved ,decrepit Detroit as the 2nd character. Mr. Gentleman also writes Westerns, with even more sales success I've heard, and some interesting historical fiction, also about Detroit, but has dabbled in Sherlock pastiche, and some non-fiction. I can only speak of this Amos Walker series. Share it has the typical ploys of him getting beaten nearly to death and then climbing out of the hospital bed the next day almost okay, to quickly self-medicate with Scotch ,then loyally report to his client. But this is not cliché filled like Mike Hammer (except Spillane kinda created the cliches, but) nor is it reassuringly softened down like Robert B Parker's knight-like Spencer. There is no steady lady, either a tough Velda or an Id-mirroring Susan Silverman. Amos does not even have a pet, or anything worth stealing or threatening, except his obstinate hard-earned self. These books are dark, realistic (to a point) & readable as hell. They need to be on every PI-/crime reader's bucket list. They are Damn Good. They say Robert B Parker, since he did his doctorate on Chandler is the inheritor of the genre, but if you read Poodle Springs, in the other Chambler attempt he made... Well there's just no New Chandler. ( &hey I like Spencer just as much as the next guy there pretty darn good too). But I would say Amos Walker is the Marlowe of the second half of the 20th century, hands down. Think that's extravagant ? Well this short story collection is Amazon Prime. Borrow it for free and see if you don't jump right into the novels. I'm on Poisoned Blonde, #15, & I ain't slowin' down ...just like Amos in his souped-up 1970 Cutless with the 1975 Caddy engine. Vroom!
...and you get 30 solid introductions to him, from approx age 32 in 1982, Detroit PI Amos Walker ages slowly but surely throughout this book. Then you realize there are 22+ solid novels from 1980's "Motor City blues" to a book to be published in June 2014. Same great voice throughout, same amazing use of his beloved ,decrepit Detroit as the 2nd character. Mr. Gentleman also writes Westerns, with even more sales success I've heard, and some interesting historical fiction, also about Detroit, but has dabbled in Sherlock pastiche, and some non-fiction. I can only speak of this Amos Walker series. Share it has the typical ploys of him getting beaten nearly to death and then climbing out of the hospital bed the next day almost okay, to quickly self-medicate with Scotch ,then loyally report to his client. But this is not cliché filled like Mike Hammer (except Spillane kinda created the cliches, but) nor is it reassuringly softened down like Robert B Parker's knight-like Spencer. There is no steady lady, either a tough Velda or an Id-mirroring Susan Silverman. Amos does not even have a pet, or anything worth stealing or threatening, except his obstinate hard-earned self. These books are dark, realistic (to a point) & readable as hell. They need to be on every PI-/crime reader's bucket list. They are Damn Good. They say Robert B Parker, since he did his doctorate on Chandler is the inheritor of the genre, but if you read Poodle Springs, in the other Chambler attempt he made... Well there's just no New Chandler. ( &hey I like Spencer just as much as the next guy there pretty darn good too). But I would say Amos Walker is the Marlowe of the second half of the 20th century, hands down. Think that's extravagant ? Well this short story collection is Amazon Prime. Borrow it for free and see if you don't jump right into the novels. I'm on Poisoned Blonde, #15, & I ain't slowin' down ...just like Amos in his souped-up 1970 Cutless with the 1975 Caddy engine. Vroom!
September 2, 2015
Reviewed for Library Journal:
Starred Review
Detroit's most famous gumshoe, Amos Walker, is back in this mammoth collection of short stories. The omnibus contains 32 tales, including the previously unpublished "Sometimes a Hyena," and flawlessly showcases Estleman's distinct and penetrating style. With the release of Motor City Blue in 1980, Estleman was one of the first mystery writers to set a detective series in Detroit. For the past three decades, his gumshoe has tirelessly championed its denizens against the crime and corruption that can often define Motown. The collection begins with a wonderful introduction by Estleman tracing the history of the series and the endurance of his protagonist. The stories, much like the city in which they are set, are gritty and tough, and yet there is always a sliver of optimism to be found. Standouts include "Kill the Cat," "Anniversary Waltz," and "Cigarette Stop."
Verdict: Estleman's writing is noir fiction at its best with a distinct sense of place that few can rival. Fans of the hard-boiled detective genre and regional mysteries will rejoice in this collection.
Starred Review
Detroit's most famous gumshoe, Amos Walker, is back in this mammoth collection of short stories. The omnibus contains 32 tales, including the previously unpublished "Sometimes a Hyena," and flawlessly showcases Estleman's distinct and penetrating style. With the release of Motor City Blue in 1980, Estleman was one of the first mystery writers to set a detective series in Detroit. For the past three decades, his gumshoe has tirelessly championed its denizens against the crime and corruption that can often define Motown. The collection begins with a wonderful introduction by Estleman tracing the history of the series and the endurance of his protagonist. The stories, much like the city in which they are set, are gritty and tough, and yet there is always a sliver of optimism to be found. Standouts include "Kill the Cat," "Anniversary Waltz," and "Cigarette Stop."
Verdict: Estleman's writing is noir fiction at its best with a distinct sense of place that few can rival. Fans of the hard-boiled detective genre and regional mysteries will rejoice in this collection.
August 7, 2016
The Amos Walker short stories are L.D. Estleman at his best.
I read the stories 2 or 3 a day to make them last - not wanting to rush through the collection. One story (I can't remember which one) had one of the best opening paragraphs I've ever had the pleasure of reading. It was highly visual and ended with a nude woman walking into his office. Picture if you would, this jaded P.I. sitting at his desk, calmly talking to a woman without a stitch of clothing about an investigation she wanted done. There was no sex here, just sheer lunacy of the situation.
If you've never read any of the Amos Walker stories, here's your chance. And, be looking for the one described above. It's a hoot.
Highly recommend.
I read the stories 2 or 3 a day to make them last - not wanting to rush through the collection. One story (I can't remember which one) had one of the best opening paragraphs I've ever had the pleasure of reading. It was highly visual and ended with a nude woman walking into his office. Picture if you would, this jaded P.I. sitting at his desk, calmly talking to a woman without a stitch of clothing about an investigation she wanted done. There was no sex here, just sheer lunacy of the situation.
If you've never read any of the Amos Walker stories, here's your chance. And, be looking for the one described above. It's a hoot.
Highly recommend.
October 8, 2024
(This ebook was one of the worst-proofread I've ever encountered: "m" for "rn"; hyphens inside words that don't hyphenate; missing punctuation; paragraphs attached to the paragraph above them. I've had this copy a while; I hope later editions have been edited.)
I enjoy most noir and most short stories. These are interesting, but sometimes have a rather bland conclusion. The best part, though, is that Estleman places Walker in a very specific environment. You watch Detroit and the world change over the course of two decades. We have the beginnings of computers; we have the VCR goldrush; we have 9/11. As in a lot of noir, the landscape is a character. Don't know if I'll try any of the novels.
I enjoy most noir and most short stories. These are interesting, but sometimes have a rather bland conclusion. The best part, though, is that Estleman places Walker in a very specific environment. You watch Detroit and the world change over the course of two decades. We have the beginnings of computers; we have the VCR goldrush; we have 9/11. As in a lot of noir, the landscape is a character. Don't know if I'll try any of the novels.
August 1, 2014
A real blast. If you're not familiar with Estleman's Walker novels, these stories are a great introduction. And if you've read the novels, don't miss these stories. Estleman and Walker at their best- finding truth the old fashioned way-intuition, a smidgeon of cynicism, questions, questions, and more questions, and a surprisingly well-received directness sharp as gin breath. Perfect little pictures framed with sadness and hung in the hard-boiled museum. P.S. Read Estleman's Detroit novels.
July 23, 2016
This book was free when I downloaded it to my Nook, and I enjoyed reading a new-to me author in a genre I enjoyed.
Thirty-two stories are gathered in a collection to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of Amos Walker, a private detective based in Detroit and who works all over the state of Michigan.
I recommend it to all readers who enjoy detective noir.
Thirty-two stories are gathered in a collection to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of Amos Walker, a private detective based in Detroit and who works all over the state of Michigan.
I recommend it to all readers who enjoy detective noir.
April 6, 2012
Have been a fan of author Loren Estleman for years and especially his detectiveAmos Walker. This a collection of Walker short stories.
Dialog - top rate. Character development - even though the stories were only a few pages long - great. Description of locations - you could smell the street and hear the sounds. Wished there were 20 more stories.
Dialog - top rate. Character development - even though the stories were only a few pages long - great. Description of locations - you could smell the street and hear the sounds. Wished there were 20 more stories.
June 18, 2022
++++I liked this short story collection very much. Walker is brash, humorous, persistent and bends the rules on occasion. And he operates alone, getting assistance from his friends in other professions, such as Barry Stackpole at the Detroit News and Captain/Inspector Alderdyce of the Detroit PD.++++
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2010
Amos Walker is an old-school PI who has survived with his cynicism/idealism intact.
It's great to have all the stories (33) collected in one place. These span from '82 to '10. The writing is spare but packs a punch.
If you know and love the novels then you'll appreciate this story collection.
It's great to have all the stories (33) collected in one place. These span from '82 to '10. The writing is spare but packs a punch.
If you know and love the novels then you'll appreciate this story collection.
May 17, 2012
Hard-boiled mysteries set in Detroit and published over the course of 20 years, from the mid-80s up until fairly recently. Good stuff. Really good stuff. I may have to look up Amos' novels. I do like Estleman, always have.
May 11, 2014
This is a collection of over 30 short stories featuring Amos Walker, a PI in Detroit. Walker is an old-style detective, similar to the detectives in the 30's, but these take place from the 80's on. Enjoyed them.
January 5, 2016
Good collection of short stories
About. 40 Amos Walker stories, spreads over about 34 to 30 years. The. Stories are a little uneven in quality, but are indicative of the high quality of Estlemam'£
About. 40 Amos Walker stories, spreads over about 34 to 30 years. The. Stories are a little uneven in quality, but are indicative of the high quality of Estlemam'£
August 18, 2011
Good Walker stories, but very long.
February 22, 2012
I like that this is a collection of short stories. It's has interesting little mysteries that are a quick read and you can come back to without feeling like you've missed or forgotten anything.
March 26, 2012
Good hardboiled short stories
Read
September 22, 2012Enjoying these but not in the mood for the gritty mysteries right now. Putting it aside for awhile but not deleting it.
August 30, 2012
All of these great stories about Amos Walker in one book. I thoroughly the entire book. There wasn't a poor story in it.
October 7, 2015
Relaxing reading, makes you think about humanity, mortality and humor... funny how murder can be a subject for amusement...
Nice descriptive writing, in a wry, dark and humorous style.
Nice descriptive writing, in a wry, dark and humorous style.
February 2, 2013
While not a short story fan, I've read all of the Walker mysteries. The author as usual is his wonderful descriptive self. The stories are unequal but worth reading. A good read although a bit long.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews