The world of crime/ noir/ thriller books is, understandably, dominated by a few best-selling authors. You know, the ones whose covers stare out at you in every airport, promising distraction from the horrors of flying (unless you’re in First).
But there are also authors whose work is less well-known, and one of the reasons for this blog is to give you a nudge towards some writers whose work you might have overlooked.
Some of them have faded into obscurity, some are at the start of their career. But they’re all worth checking out.
I thought we’d start with Kinky Friedman, novelist and singer with The Texas Jewboys. The name of his band tells you pretty much what to expect: Kinky is happy to offend anyone, and his books are a welter of politically incorrect (and very funny) assaults on sensitivities.
His books feature a version of himself as a private investigator living in New York’s Greenwich Village, surrounded by a motley crew of dubious associates and a disdainful cat (is there any other sort?).
The books don’t take themselves too seriously, being mainly a vehicle for Kinky’s wisecracks, a cynical view of the world and a love of turning the genre’s clichés upside down.
But they’re also a love story of sorts to the New York that isn’t owned by Donald Trump, internet billionaires and media stars, the New York of local bars, mom and pop stores and people struggling just to get by.
May I suggest it’s time you got Kinky?
Recommended: ‘Greenwich Killing Time’ and ‘Elvis, Jesus and Coca-Cola’
Typical quote: “The only thing wrong with Southern Baptists was they didn’t hold them underwater long enough.”
