Aristotle Canasta

Created by MW Taylor “A private investigator’s main purpose is to discover kernels of truth hidden in the lies and deceits he encounters each day. He must feel proud of his profession but never privileged. No part of him can be soft yet he still must have compassion. There’s no pension, health plan or gold … Continue reading Aristotle Canasta

“One-Shot” Harry Ingram

Created by Gary Phillips It's Los Angeles in the early sixties, and the times are definitely a-changing, as uneasy questions about race, class, civil rights and some sort of conflict in Southeast Asia are starting to heat up. But all jazz-loving African-American Korean War vet and camera ace  "ONE-SHOT" HARRY INGRAM really wants is to sell … Continue reading “One-Shot” Harry Ingram

Doc Sportello (Inherent Vice)

Created by Thomas Pynchon “PIs are doomed, man, you could’ve seen it coming for years, in the movies, on the tube. Once there was all these great old PIs--Philip Marlowe, Sam Spade, the shamus of shamus Johnny Staccato, always smarter and more professional than the cops, always end up solving the crime while the cops … Continue reading Doc Sportello (Inherent Vice)

Vera Kelly

Created by Rosalie Knecht Her debut in 2018's genre-and-gender flipping Who is Vera Kelly?, a wonky mish-mash that hits the sweet spot somewhere between The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Bridget Jones' Diary, knocked a lot of critics and readers back on their heels. The titular heroine was, of course, VERA KELLY, a sassy young … Continue reading Vera Kelly

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 cracked open a new series 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 … Continue reading Billy Bob Holland & The Holland Family Saga