Just finished reading Howie Carr’s “The Killers.” Not sure why I even started it. The title put me off, but since I was out of books again…and “The Killer’s” was staring at me…I started in. What I found was a typical mafia style story set in Boston with characters saying things like “youse guys.” (In all fairness to Carr, it was tongue-in-cheek in those parts in the story.)
What intrigued me was the story telling style. The lead characters are a hard boiled detective and an underworld boss. (So what’s new?) But the detective, an Irish American…also a cliche…tells part of the story in the first person, and shares alternating chapters with a Boston underworld boss, aka “Bench,” who tells his part of the story also in the first person. In the beginning, I had some trouble figuring out which was which, but once I zeroed in on the characters, I became intrigued enough to see what was coming next.
I admit to a twinge of jealousy, not because of the story line. Mickey Spillane got there first. But because I didn’t think of this approach to telling a story. Like most writer’s I’m stuck in the traditional third party, omniscient style of story telling. Now, about this short story I’m working on. I wonder if…
Rod
On a different subject: Loved Bitter’s Run. I’m sorry I missed the freebie, but it was worth every penny in high entertainment. I can’t wait for the sequel.
Thank you. I’m working on another Bud Blair book, but the sequel to Bitter’s Run is coming after I finish this one. I’ll be sure and keep you on my mailing list.
Rod