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
Jacqui Murray says
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.
Rod Collins says
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
spider says
Jacqui,
I feel so bad to just find your message. I can’t even blame it on Covid. Just didn’t realize there were so many comments elsewhere than on page one of the blog. Read you submarine books. Nice job.
Hope you can forgive me for being so damned tardy. Nothing to say for sure.
Best,
Rod