Review
This unique and well-edited book deserves a place on the reference shelf of any library where Spillane's writings are either read or studied.Library Journal
Book Description
At one time, Mickey Spillane had authored seven of the top ten bestsellers in history, and may have been the most widely read author in the world. Spillane masterful storytelling grabs his readers with his first paragraph and leads them spellbound toward his climax. Along with Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Ross Macdonald, he remains one of America's greatest mystery writers. This book is a convenient guide to his works.
A Mickey Spillane Companion FROM THE PUBLISHER
"At one time, Mickey Spillane had authored 7 of the top 10 bestsellers in history, and may have been the most widely read author in the world. Spillane's masterful storytelling grabs his readers with his first paragraph and leads them spellbound toward his climax. Along with Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Ross Macdonald, he remains one of America's greatest mystery writers. This book is a convenient guide to his works." An opening chronology lists the chief events in his life and career. The bulk of the volume presents several hundred alphabetically arranged entries on his writings. Lengthier entries summarize the plots of his works, including I, the Jury; My Gun Is Quick; Vengeance Is Mine!; and The Long Wait. Shorter entries identify his numerous characters, including his particularly memorable detective, Mike Hammer. Select entries list works for further reading, and the volume concludes with a brief bibliography.
SYNOPSIS
Hundreds of A-Z entries detail the plots and characters of one of America's greatest mystery writers.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Pittsburgh and editor of some dozen Greenwood companions, dictionaries, and encyclopedias-most of which treat mystery writers-Gale is well prepared to defend Spillane, one of the best-selling authors of all time, against any detractors. Acknowledging in his introduction that Spillane is held in low esteem by academics, he counters that Spillane has outsold Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Ross Macdonald combined. He therefore aims his book at those whose "lust for gore" has kept Spillane such a popular author. This alphabetically arranged work has hundreds of entries that summarize the plots and describe the characters that appear in Spillane's 24 novels and 19 short stories. Some of the longer entries include bibliographies, which are for the most part references to articles on the mystery/crime genre. This unique and well-edited book deserves a place on the reference shelf of any library where Spillane's writings are either read or studied. [Spillane, who has been publishing since 1947, will release yet another thriller this December; see Prepub Alert, LJ 8/03.-Ed.]-Peter Dollard, Alma Coll. Lib., MI Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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