I've pretty much given up on trying new mystery writers, because I always wind up disappointed. There are three writers who I love -- Ross MacDonald, Raymond Chandler, and James Elroy. Everyone else I've tried is a distant fourth.

I read about James Crumley's recent passing and decided to try The Last Good Kiss, and I'm glad I did. While not in MacDonald, Chandler, and Elroy's league, Crumley comes as close as anyone I've read. He's an exceptionally skilled writer, who draws his heavily flawed characters. In structure and tone, The Last Good Kiss reminded me of Chandler's The Long Goodbye or an early Lew Archer novel. (Don't expect the dense plotting of the later Archer novels or of Elroy's LA quartet. In fact, the central mystery seems to lie in the background much of the time.)

I had just a couple quibbles. The inclusion of a violent pornography ring seemed like a forced way to inject some "drama" into the story. The Lew Archer novels quickly evolved beyond such plot devices, and were stronger for it. And I didn't always buy (or understand) the motivations of the characters. Sometimes it seemed that they did what they did simply because they lived in a noir world.

But, still, a great read and worthy of five stars.

I've pretty much given up on trying new mystery writers, because I always wind up disappointed. There are three writers who I love -- Ross MacDonald, Raymond Chandler, and James Elroy. Everyone else I've tried is a distant fourth.

I read about James Crumley's recent passing and decided to try The Last Good Kiss, and I'm glad I did. While not quite in MacDonald, Chandler, and Elroy's league, Crumley comes as close as anyone I've read. He's an exceptionally skilled writer, who draws his heavily flawed characters as well as Elroy. In structure and tone, The Last Good Kiss reminded me of Chandler's The Long Goodbye or an early Lew Archer novel. (Don't expect the dense plotting of the later Archer novels or of Elroy's LA quartet.)

I had just a couple quibbles. The inclusion of a violent pornography ring seemed like a forced way to inject some "drama" into the story. The Lew Archer novels quickly evolved beyond such plot devices, and were stronger for it. And I didn't always buy (or understand) the motivations of the characters. Sometimes it seemed that they did what they did simply because they lived in a noir world.

But, still, a great read and worthy of five stars.

I ordered "The Last Good Kiss" on 9/20/08. The author had recently died. It was indicated to be in stock when I ordered. It is now 10/24/08. I do not have the book yet! You know what I think of the servioce.

I just finished John Gierach's marvelous book, "Fool's Paradise". He devotes one chapter to books he brings with him when going on a long-distance fishing trip---books that can help fill the time when stuck in the airport or at a motel when the weather precludes going outside. He mentioned reading books by James Crumley---an author I had not previously known. So, I grabbed this book, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The book has that hard-boiled, Raymmond Chandler tenor about it---alot of cursing and "tough talk", but the story was surprisingly (to me) and interestingly involved. It was a good read that kept me turning the pages at a rapid rate. I'll certainly pick up some more of Crumley's stuff. One note: Until I bought the book, I didn't realize that it was written in the late 70's, and you pick up on that as you proceed. But, I didn't find it distracting.

This is the heir of Raymond Chandler? Please. The book goes like this: Hillbilly PI is sent out to find a bearded, macho writer (a Hemingway stand-in). He finds him drinking beer with a bulldog (the novel's single instance of invention). The two of them then decide to quest after a girl ten years gone. On the way, they drink (wow!) and do drugs (while drinking? cutting edge!) and admire the thighs of blue-collar women. This book completely lacks the romance, humor, and stylistic brilliance of Chandler, as well as the narrative rewards of lesser hardboiled novels. Skip it.