Created by John Triptych Although primarily a sci-fi writer, John Triptych has written and published two books (so far) about TOMMY "DAPPER" LUOO, a Chinese-American private eye in 1940-50s Los Angeles, and he intends to keep going. As the author says, "If you like hard-boiled detective fiction with equal helpings of James Ellroy, Walter Mosley, Raymond Chandler, Ross Macdonald, … Continue reading Tommy “Dapper” Luoo
Tag: Historical 1950s
Mitch Roberts
Created by Gaylord Dold (1947-2018) Brooding MITCH ROBERTS is the hero of one of the best--and most criminally overlooked--private eye series of the 1980's. The first six books in the series were all paperback originals, the first put out by Avon, the next five by Ivy Books, that seemed to have vanished with barely a trace. … Continue reading Mitch Roberts
The Twenty-Year Death Trilogy
Created by Ariel S. Winter "I had on my good suit, a navy blue so deep it looked black, with a pressed white shirt, a red-and-blue-striped tie, a red handkerchief, and freshly polished loafers. I'd had a shower and a shave." -- Dennis Foster calls on his client, in The Falling Star "Yeah, I'd always … Continue reading The Twenty-Year Death Trilogy
Byrd (Hawaiian Dick)
Created by B. Clay Moore & Steven Griffin "Thank God the Tiki Bar's still open Thank God the Tiki lights still shine Thank God the Tiki Bar's still open Come on in and open up your mind..." --John Hiatt If Raymond Chandler had worn a few more Hawaiian shirts and learned how to chill, maybe … Continue reading Byrd (Hawaiian Dick)
Jack Levine
Created by Andrew Bergman(1945--) "Private dicks aren't known for being great abstract thinkers, Miss Lane, but we can get around town without a map."-- Jack tries to reassure a client in The Big Kiss-Off of 1944 One of the first, and still one of the very best retro eyes, alongside Nate Heller and Toby … Continue reading Jack Levine
Freddy Otash
Created by James Ellroy "Ellroy’s a dipshit. I knew him in my waning months alive. I’ve been granted tell-all telepathy. I will know that cocksucker cold." -- Freddie nails Ellroy to the wall, in "Shakedown" According to Wikipedia, FREDDIE OTASH was "a Los Angeles police officer, private investigator, author, and a WWII Marine veteran, who became known … Continue reading Freddy Otash
Sam Cairo
Created by Gary Phillips and Manoel Magalhães Los Angeles' South Central district, 1958, and private eye SAM CAIRO is on the case, in a digital comic available exclusively on Aces Weekly, a British web site. And that's about all I know, so far. BUT... It's scripted by Gary Phillips, a man who knows a thing or … Continue reading Sam Cairo
Jimmy (The Poet and the Private Eye)
Created by Rob Gittins In Rob Gittins 2014 imaginative novel, The Poet and the Private Eye, it's New York City, 1953, and JIMMY, a rough-around-the-edges private eye, is hired by Con, the attorney for a big, weekly national magazine (Time, anyone?) to do a "simple tail job," which consists of digging up whatever he can … Continue reading Jimmy (The Poet and the Private Eye)
Frank Grissel
Created by Andersen Gabrych Art by Brad Rader "Whatever you want. You can find it here. Or die looking for it." -- Frank welcomes readers to San Francisco in the intro Few noir novels, let alone graphic novels, wander into the murky areas of sexual desire, never mind homosexual desire, as well or as audaciously … Continue reading Frank Grissel
Billy Bob Holland & The Holland Family Saga
Created by James Lee Burke Writer James Lee Burke, best known for Cajun almost-P.I. Dave Robicheaux has another crack with Deaf Smith, Texas attorney BILLY BOB HOLLAND. Like his more famous creation, Billy Bob is a troubled gent, haunted by the violence of his ancestors (a few of whom have starred in books of their … Continue reading Billy Bob Holland & The Holland Family Saga