For the most part, the Great Private Eyes of Literature haven’t fared too well on television. At least on this side of the pond.
Philip Marlowe, Mike Hammer, Spenser, and even Dashiell Hammett’s Continental Op have all been brought to the small screen, many of them more than once, but they have all disappointed in one way or another, and have all wandered off the path—too often the literary heft and appeal replaced with by-the numbers TV schtick and gimmickry. Although they all have their defenders, and some are even watchable (at least in selected episodes and limited doses), the sad truth is that some of our most beloved and iconic gumshoes have been diluted for television. Give me a true TV original like Jim Rockford or Peter Gunn, over Stacy Keach’s cheesy Mike Hammer, or Powers Boothe stiffly trying not to damage the shiny, period-perfect antiques in Philip Marlowe, Private Eye any time.
Denne historien er fra Holiday #162, 2019-utgaven av Mystery Scene.
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Denne historien er fra Holiday #162, 2019-utgaven av Mystery Scene.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
6 New Writers to Watch
Wiley Cash’s debut, A Land More Kind Than Home, about the bond between two brothers landed on the New York Times Best Sellers List and received the Crime Writers’ Association Debut of the Year.
ANN CLEEVES
British author Ann Cleeves has an affinity for remote areas and how these isolated regions affect her characters.
CARLENE O'CONNOR
“Anyone can play Snow White. It takes real talent to play the Wicked Witch.”
Mystery Scene MISCELLANY
FIRST USE OF FINGERPRINTS
PANIC ATTACK
The newest entry in my Pittsburgh set series of thrillers is called Panic Attack. It’s the sixth book featuring Daniel Rinaldi, a psychologist and trauma expert who consults with the Pittsburgh Police.
LAIDLAW'S LEGACY
During the pandemic, Ian Rankin stepped away from Rebus and into the shoes of friend and literary hero, the “Godfather of Tartan Noir” William McIlvanney.
HILARY DAVIDSON
Call it The Case of Life Imitating Art.
Thomas Walsh - The Unusual Suspect
Any paternity test on the sub-genre of police procedural will identify the DNA of Ed McBain and Lawrence Treat, as well as the 1948 movie The Naked City and the radio and TV series Dragnet…and of course Thomas Walsh.
S.A. COSBY
In Razorblade Tears, two aging men—one Black, one white, both with criminal pasts—join forces to seek revenge for the murders of their gay sons. The themes of fathers and sons and toxic masculinity will be familar to fans of Cosby’s 2020 breakout Blacktop Wasteland.
VIPER'S NEST OF LIES
A slip of the tongue is a dangerous thing. Not only does it expose indiscretions, it also can lead to murder. The latter especially applies to me.
