Created by Max Byrd (1942--) "I wanted to be nineteen again and be the grandson of Philip Marlowe." — Haller confesses, in California Thriller Rough-and-tumble San Francisco gumshoe MIKE HALLER appeared in three very fine paperback originals from Bantam in the early eighties that — despite some particularly dubious covers in the US (not pictured) … Continue reading Mike Haller
Tag: Ex-reporter
R.J. Decker
Created by Carl Hiaasen(1953—) An ex-con and former news photographer, disillusioned and burned-out R.J. DECKER is a rookie private eye out for what he can get, be it a big juicy case or a roll in the hay with his ex-wife, in Carl Hiaasen's 1988 gonzo noir novel, Double Whammy. He's living in a trailer … Continue reading R.J. Decker
Billie Walker
Created by Tara Moss A new series, well-received, following the adventures of feisty Australian war-time reporter (and later private detective) BILLIE WALKER who returns home to Sydney after the war, mourning the disappearance and possible death of her husband Jack Rake somewhere in Europe. Turfed out of her job now that "the men are back,” she … Continue reading Billie Walker
Howie Rook
Created by Stuart Palmer Pseudonyms include Jay Stewart (1905-68) A tongue-in-cheek spin on the hard-boiled detective genre (Mike Grost dubbed him "the least hard-boiled of all private eyes"), HOWIE ROOK is a former Los Angeles newshawk turned P.I., about as hard-boiled as a bowl of soup. He's an odd duck, who views women with disdain, … Continue reading Howie Rook
Bragg
Created by Jack Lynch (1930-2008) A Korean War vet and ex-reporter turned San Francisco gumshoe, and very much cast in the Hammett mold, PETER BRAGG appeared in a string of equally tough paperback originals, starting with Bragg's Hunch (1981), an impressive debut. But the second book in the series, 1982's The Missing and the Dead, … Continue reading Bragg
Benjamin Justice
Created by John Morgan Wilson Former prize-winning reporter BENJAMIN JUSTICE used to cover the LA crime beat, but now he scrambles for a living, writing press releases and the like -- and even stooping to a civil service job -- while drinking too much and contemplating the loss of his reputation, his job, and his … Continue reading Benjamin Justice
Rush Henry
Created by Joe Barry Pseudonym of Joe Barry Lake Other pseudonyms include Donnell Carey (1909-61) Hard-boiled, hard-drinking RUSH HENRY slugged his way through five rough, tough books in the 1940s, first as an undercover op for Army Intelligence, and later as a P.I. earning fifty dollars a day, plus expenses -- or whatever he can … Continue reading Rush Henry
Jacob Asch
Created by Arthur Lyons (1946-2008) JACOB ASCH was a glib, cynical, half-Jewish reporter for the L.A. Chronicle until he got sent to jail for refusing to reveal a source. He did six months on a contempt of court beef, and when he was sprung, the glamour of journalism, for some reason, had lost its appeal … Continue reading Jacob Asch