Thanks for your mention of our Mort Kunstler art book and my interview with him -- which eventually led to the book. Wyatt Doyle and I were working with Mort, his daughter Jane, and his archivist Linda Swanson on a second book featuring his men's adventure magazine art when he passed. I'm hoping we can still get it published later this year. Mort was both a great artist and a great human being. I miss being able to talk with him.
Yes re: dearth of Queensland crime novels, my suspicion has always been a mix of Sydney/Melbourne publishing bias (UQP only interested in more literary fare), combined with Queensland’s own imposter syndrome, as well as lack of support for critical skill development in much of the arts (something I’ve certainly seen in theatre up here, and to some extent film). Also Queensland’s historical ‘whiteness’ (on so many levels) hasn’t lent itself to the most interesting of locales (compared to the variety of Disher Wyatt or Corris Hardy settings, for example). Let’s be honest, how many books could you set in the Valley or the Esplanade before people became bored?
Interesting thoughts. Definitely think that Sydney/Melbourne publishing bias is at play. And, yes, UQP is absolutely no use for genre. But to answer your question about how much crime fiction you could set in Queensland before you became bored, my view is a lot. So much terrible and nefarious shit has taken place up north that never finds its way into our crime fiction. I would much rather read about this than about what is happening on the Mornington Peninsula (where many of Disher's novels are challis and Destry books are set - with respect to Disher, much of whose work I like, a massive yawn), or some fiction small town in rural Victoria.
I myself recently reread Stark COMEBACK and BACKFLASH. This is a minority opinion, but I think the later Parker books (after the hiatus) are the best of the set. Thanks for the post.
I really enjoyed the Bernie Gunther series - thanks for the other recommendations :-)
Did you read it on my recommendation? If so, thanks and my pleasure.
No, I read his books years ago and recommended them to anyone who'd listen :-)
Thanks for your mention of our Mort Kunstler art book and my interview with him -- which eventually led to the book. Wyatt Doyle and I were working with Mort, his daughter Jane, and his archivist Linda Swanson on a second book featuring his men's adventure magazine art when he passed. I'm hoping we can still get it published later this year. Mort was both a great artist and a great human being. I miss being able to talk with him.
My pleasure, Bob. Good luck landing that second Kunstler book.
thanks for the Iain Ryan recommendation
Yes re: dearth of Queensland crime novels, my suspicion has always been a mix of Sydney/Melbourne publishing bias (UQP only interested in more literary fare), combined with Queensland’s own imposter syndrome, as well as lack of support for critical skill development in much of the arts (something I’ve certainly seen in theatre up here, and to some extent film). Also Queensland’s historical ‘whiteness’ (on so many levels) hasn’t lent itself to the most interesting of locales (compared to the variety of Disher Wyatt or Corris Hardy settings, for example). Let’s be honest, how many books could you set in the Valley or the Esplanade before people became bored?
Interesting thoughts. Definitely think that Sydney/Melbourne publishing bias is at play. And, yes, UQP is absolutely no use for genre. But to answer your question about how much crime fiction you could set in Queensland before you became bored, my view is a lot. So much terrible and nefarious shit has taken place up north that never finds its way into our crime fiction. I would much rather read about this than about what is happening on the Mornington Peninsula (where many of Disher's novels are challis and Destry books are set - with respect to Disher, much of whose work I like, a massive yawn), or some fiction small town in rural Victoria.
I myself recently reread Stark COMEBACK and BACKFLASH. This is a minority opinion, but I think the later Parker books (after the hiatus) are the best of the set. Thanks for the post.
No worries, Ethan. I am certainly coming around to the view that the later Parker books are as good as the first tranche of the series.