The Blind Rooster by Preston Lang.
This is truly outstanding noir!
I found Preston Lang's name in the Switchblade anthology I read recently (see my earlier review) and really liked his short story in there, so I went looking for one of his books. This is what I found initially, so I gave it a try. As a side note, this is one of the wonderful benefits of reading anthologies: you discover all these writers you might never otherwise find.
This was a really great noir tale, crisply written with sharp dialogue, heaps of twists and turns, and a very interesting cast of flawed characters. Those small town, small minded types who create such a rich tapestry in storytelling - they're all here! Just as they are in real life. As you know if you follow my blogs, I never, ever do spoilers. I simply say, my friends, read it and add to the repertoire of your criminal literary pleasure. If you love hard-boiled and noir, as I do, you will enjoy Lang's writing: It's a real treat in the gutter of life. Top effort, Mr Lang, I commend you.
And a postscript to the above - three of Mr Lang's books arrived here in Sydney today - two novels and a collection of short stories.
I am looking forward to the dark reads ahead!
Cheers,
ABP
This is truly outstanding noir!
I found Preston Lang's name in the Switchblade anthology I read recently (see my earlier review) and really liked his short story in there, so I went looking for one of his books. This is what I found initially, so I gave it a try. As a side note, this is one of the wonderful benefits of reading anthologies: you discover all these writers you might never otherwise find.
This was a really great noir tale, crisply written with sharp dialogue, heaps of twists and turns, and a very interesting cast of flawed characters. Those small town, small minded types who create such a rich tapestry in storytelling - they're all here! Just as they are in real life. As you know if you follow my blogs, I never, ever do spoilers. I simply say, my friends, read it and add to the repertoire of your criminal literary pleasure. If you love hard-boiled and noir, as I do, you will enjoy Lang's writing: It's a real treat in the gutter of life. Top effort, Mr Lang, I commend you.
And a postscript to the above - three of Mr Lang's books arrived here in Sydney today - two novels and a collection of short stories.
I am looking forward to the dark reads ahead!
Cheers,
ABP
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