the man who killed his brother
Some of you more hardcore fantasy dorks may be familiar with Stephen Donaldson's "Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever" series. It is good, even great, in a tortorous sort of way.

What you may not know (or, at least, I didn't) is that Donaldson wrote a series of Detective novels under a pseudonym, starting with "The Man Who Killed His Brother". Much like his fantasy work, it is very good in certain ways, but drags in some others.

The thing that I think attracts me to this book, which I am now halfway through, is that I have considered writing a private-dick story myself. If I were to write such a book, and do it very well, this would be it. It pays tribute to Spillane, but maintains an identity very much its own. The book has character; I don't think Donaldson is a fantastic storyteller, but he is a fantastic writer, if you understand the differance in what I mean.

The lead character, a disgraced alcoholic ex-PI, is exactly the sort of character I would create, as is his tough-girl partner. The turns of phrase mirror some of the more creative ones I have used on this stupid webpage. The book isn't perfect, as I said, it isn't for everyone. But the areas it drags are the same areas I drag, the little things it does well are the same things I try to do well. It's like reading a book by a smarter, more talented me.  ¶ 3:57 AM