Created by by Ash Clifton A former University of Florida football star, an ex-cop and an ex-con (for a crime he didn't commit, and for which he was later exonerated —just like Rockford), NOLAND "NOLE" TWICE is now an amiable Central Florida private investigator. He views the cheesy, sleazy Orlando-Tampa corridor as his hunting ground; … Continue reading Noland “Nole” Twice
Tag: Edgar Finalist
Patrick Bird
Created by Alexis Stefanovich-Thomson Young private detective PATRICK BIRD wanders the rapidly changing streets of Toronto in the mid-sixties, back when it was only Canada's second largest city and sneeringly referred to as "Toronto the Good" (at least in sleazy, breezy Montréal). But the times they are a-changin', and Toronto is evolving, growing, and slowly … Continue reading Patrick Bird
Mira James
Created by Jess Loury This twelve-book series follows the romantic misadventures and investigations of Minnesota gal, sometime reporter and eventual private eye MIRA JAMES. Mira grew up in the Minnesota boonies of Paynesville but split as soon as she could for the bright lights of the Twin Cities and a BA in English. But for … Continue reading Mira James
Danny “Moony” Mora
Created by Manuel Ramos The violent and noirish Moony's Road To Hell (2002) by Manuel Ramos introduces Denver-based Chicano private detective DANNY "MOONY" MORA, who gets involved in the investigation of the murder of an INS agent, shot while drinking with the wife of a notorious local smuggler of illegal immigrants. Like Manuel Ramos' series character, … Continue reading Danny “Moony” Mora
Luis Montez
Created by Manuel Ramos Speaking of books set in Denver, don't miss Manuel Ramos' excellent books about LUIS MONTEZ, a well-meaning but burned out Chicano lawyer fighting a losing battle against middle age and crime and his ideals. He studied law during the Chicano Movement, and admires political activism, but is conscious of its excesses. … Continue reading Luis Montez
Conner Samson
Created by Victor Gischler Take Travis McGee, and add a generous pinch of Mike Hammer and give him Thomas Magnum's wardrobe and you have the beachcombing CONNER SAMSON. He makes his home in Pensacola, Florida, taking cases of murder and greed along the "Redneck Riviera." This detective shuns firearms, not because of any aversion to … Continue reading Conner Samson
Charlie “The Hook” Swift
Created by Victor Gischler CHARLIE "THE HOOK" SWIFT was one of the hard-boiled kinda guys in a promising new series of stories back when this site started. Written by one of fellow upstarts in those heady times, Victor Gischler's first story featuring Charlie, "Hitting Rufus," was selected by Otto Penzler for his Best American Mystery … Continue reading Charlie “The Hook” Swift
Scott Elliott
Created by Terence Faherty (1954 --) Another of the growing breed of retro eyes (see Toby Peters, Jack Levine, Brian Kane, Nate Heller, etc.), the adventures of Tinseltown gumshoes SCOTT ELLIOTT take him from Hollywood's so-called "Golden Age" of the 1940s right up to the late sixties. A former bit-player (a nice word for failed actor) … Continue reading Scott Elliott
Owen Keane
Created by Terence Faherty (1954--) A ruminative ex-seminarian (he flunked out) turned Boston private eye (of sorts), OWEN KEANE is hired to keep an eye on a friend who's wife has recently been killed in a car accident, in 1991's Deadstick, which was nominated for an Edgar. There have since been several subsequent adventures featuring Owen, … Continue reading Owen Keane
Pete Shay
Created by Peter McCurtin Pseudonyms include Jack Slade, Gene Curry (1929-1997) PETE SHAY is a New York City private eye who appeared in two 1979 gritty paperback originals from Belmont Tower—Minnesota Strip and Loanshark. Given the publisher, it’s no surprise that Shay is cut from very familiar cloth. Divorced, an ex-cop (ex-MP in his case), … Continue reading Pete Shay