tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28690185.post3938696649000443331..comments2024-03-23T11:25:07.693-07:00Comments on MOVIES MADE ME: Writing Los AngelesJoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02536096683421557320noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28690185.post-89835829159969992342011-12-19T08:53:49.198-08:002011-12-19T08:53:49.198-08:00I've definitely heard of those tours, and I ho...I've definitely heard of those tours, and I hope to one day do all of them (and maybe bring my kids with me). I've done some touring of L.A. on my own through the years based upon the works I've read (I don't live far from where the Black Dahlia's body was found, in fact) so the experience would be right up my alley.<br /><br />Robert Crais' best book, I believe, is his 'L.A. Requiem' novel (the 8th book in the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike series). But, I don't recommend it as a place to start. Read the series from the beginning with 1987's 'The Monkey's Raincoat'. You'll see his growth as a writer and with the characters. That way, when you reach LAR, what he does there will really hit home (plus, he blows the doors off of the P.I. genre with that novel).<br /><br />Thanks, Joe.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28690185.post-12905556206346301012011-12-19T08:25:31.130-08:002011-12-19T08:25:31.130-08:00Thanks, Michael. Mosley and Ellroy were included ...Thanks, Michael. Mosley and Ellroy were included in the anthology. I've read a couple of the Easy Rawlins novels and really enjoyed them. For some reason, I haven't had much luck getting into Ellroy. (And I say that with some embarrassment.) I started with "White Jazz," which probably wasn't the best place to start. I will try again. Robert Crais is a new name for me... I'll check him out too.<br /><br />On a random note, I wonder if you've taken any of the Esotouric bus tours? I know they have several literary "crime tours" of L.A. - revolving around Chandler, Cain, Ellroy and the Black Dahlia.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02536096683421557320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28690185.post-11322532954276807552011-12-19T07:56:04.819-08:002011-12-19T07:56:04.819-08:00Absolutely splendid look at the work and this city...Absolutely splendid look at the work and this city, Joe. This place is always in a state of incomplete renewal, and personally, I think crime writers take the most clear-eyed views toward the city of my birth. Raymond Chandler certainly, but James Ellroy and Walter Mosley later gave us outlooks authors like Chandler couldn't explore during their time. And the number of L.A. crime writers only seems to grow, almost as much as the perspectives change toward the City of Angels. Easily, my favorite of the recent crop remains Robert Crais, specifically for his outsider standpoint (he's originally from Louisiana) that remains shrewd to the city he distinctly loves. Wonderful bit of writing, my friend. Thanks.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.com