Pulp Fiction discussion

Also known as Florida Noir

I've been reading The New Yorker's latest magazine and found an interesting article called IN THE BACK CABANA The rise and rise of Florida crime fiction by Adam Gopnik and thought we needed a topic to talk about this genre.

I've can only think of one novel I've read that fits this genre; The Deep Blue Good-By by John D. MacDonald

Lots of Gil Brewer, Harry Whittington, Day Keene from the old days, including much of John D. MacDonald's novels. Elmore Leonard has South Florida for many settings. South Florida is home to a lot of good crime fiction. Vicki Hendricks also comes to mind.

Michael wrote: "Also known as Florida Noir

I've been reading The New Yorker's latest magazine and found an interesting article called IN THE BACK CABANA The rise and rise of Florida crime fiction by Adam Gopnik ..."

You've read "Bodies are Where You Find Them" and the Mike Shayne mysteries take place in Miami.

This is true, I'm sure I've read a few

The Hoke Moseley books by Willeford. The Doc Ford books by James Hall.

reminding people that this thread is still here

Here's an interesting article about noir titles set in the Sunshine State:

http://www.salon.com/2013/07/26/give_...

You might find a few titles to add to your "want" lists.

Paul Levine, of Lassiter fame and Steve Solomon (Solomon vs Lord) series interviewed the in his words "mistress of noir" Vicki Hendricks.

It was great to hear her describe in her own words what she considers noir.

The entire interviews is 38" and really interesting for noir and hard-boiled...I had to tell them both how much I enjoy(ed) their great writing...both.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/authorso...

Several of Elmore Leonard noir, hardboiled detective books like original Raylan Givens book are set in Miami.

He is easily the best i have read in that setting.

Mohammed wrote: "Several of Elmore Leonard noir, hardboiled detective books like original Raylan Givens book are set in Miami.

He is easily the best i have read in that setting."

Thanks, Mohammed. I'll look because I have a lot...20 maybe, of Leonard's on my shelf and need to get to them.

I read a Miami based mystery "Bloody Secrets" by Carolina Garcia-Aguilera. She is a Cuban American former private investigator who started writing a series of novels about what I take to be is her alter ego.

Her attempt at "local color"--describing the local Florida people and personalities--didn't even come close to Elmore Leonard or Carl Hiaasen. If you are going to write about Florida, either learn from Leonard and Hiaasen or construct your book around something else. Those 2 have really set the standard high.

Potentially of interest here, I saw the 80s film adaptation of Ross MacDonald's Blue City which is a Florida noir not adapted from a Lew Archer book. The film definitely had some good moments thanks to Walter Hill's script but is not one I'd recommend. However the book sounds like a post-WWII update of The Red Harvest concept set in small town Florida and could be good for all you Florida noir lovers. Especially you Cathy.

Tfitoby wrote: "Potentially of interest here, I saw the 80s film adaptation of Ross MacDonald's Blue City which is a Florida noir not adapted from a Lew Archer book. The film definitely had some good..."

Thanks, Tfitoby. What a great memory you have, noir with a Florida setting is just down my alley. Thanks for the 'heads up.'