Paperback Confidential: Crime Writers of the Paperback Era
Even crime-fiction fans who consider themselves well versed in the paperback-original mysteries of the 1940s and ’50s, the era of Hammett, Chandler, Goodis, Woolrich, Thompson, et al, will find plenty of new information in this endlessly fascinating compendium. Each entry includes biographical data, a synopsis of the author’s career, a bibliography of his or her writings, and even a few read-alike suggestions. Although many of the titles listed are out of print, plenty of them are available from used-book dealers. Fans will want to keep this one at the ready when they visit their favorite paperback outlets. --Bill Ott