As part of an ongoing series of blog posts, I’ve asked
rising star Eric Beetner to give us a personal look into what writers read and
what books influence their lives.
If you want pistol-whipping, boot-stomping, nasty noir, then
Eric Beetner is the guy for you—or his books anyway…Eric himself is wonderful
blend of kind and cool…He’s the quick-fisted presence behind two of the best
Fight Card novels (Split Decision / A Mouthful Of Blood) with his work
since exploding across the hardboiled mystery scene. Rumrunners, The Devil Doesn’t Want Me, and Stripper Pole At The End Of The World,
are just a few of the tough, noir influenced works Eric has published to
critical acclaim…
THE BOOK YOU LOVED AS A CHILD…
One I really remember is called The Great Cheese Conspiracy. It’s about a gang of mice who live in
an old movie house watching old gangster films and get inspired to rob the
cheese shop next door. I think it inspired my love of crime fiction at a young
age.
A BOOK YOU WOULD READ TO YOUR KIDS…
Another favorite from childhood I had the pleasure to read
to my girls is The Phantom Tollbooth.
My girls are reading on their own now so this is close to the last book they
let me read to them, but it is such an important book to me. I had to share it
with them.
I think the one that turned the tide and made me want to
commit to crime fiction was A Simple Plan
by Scott Smith. Before that I was more omnivorous as a reader, but that
solidified the types of stories I like best.
YOUR FAVORITE CLASSIC…
Oh, man, making me choose! I do my best to read the classics
of crime. I know I have a long way to go, but my favorite for now might be The Hot Spot by Charles Williams. It was
originally titled Hell Hath No Fury
when it came but the movie title is how it is republished today. But ask me
again in 5 minutes and I’ll switch to something else like The Kiss Off or The Big Steal
or Rendezvous In Black or Double Indemnity or…or…or…
THE CLASSIC YOU’VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO READ…
Maybe Crime and
Punishment? But to be honest I haven’t tried that hard. I know better than
to try some classic detective fiction like Agatha Christie because I know it’s
just not my thing.
I never pretend. I’ll cop to not reading something every
time. Talented Mr. Ripley is one I’ve
never read but probably should. I own it. Just never read it.
THE MOVIE ADAPTATION YOU’VE LOVED…
Back to A Simple Plan.
They really nailed it
THE BOOK YOU’D LIKE TO SEE AS A MOVIE…
Well, any of mine, of course. I’d like to see Gun Monkeys by Victor Gischler. With the
right cast, it could be a lot of fun.
THE IMAGINARY PLACE WHERE YOU COULD LIVE…
It’s far away enough to be imaginary and mythical in my
mind, but I’d love to have lived and worked in Hollywood in the 1940s. A great
time for film.
Hardboiled crime fiction
THE BOOK YOU’VE RETURNED TO AGAIN AND AGAIN…
I don’t re-read very much, but when I even think of it I
always want to start with Wild At Heart
by Barry Gifford.
Oh man, I’ll say the Amlingmeyer brothers from Steve
Hockensmith’s Holmes on the Range series. Or Hap and Leonard from Joe
Lansdale’s series. Both pairs get into a lot of trouble though so you’d have to
watch your back.
THE LAST NOVEL TO MAKE YOU LAUGH AND THE LAST TO MAKE YOU
CRY…
Martin Short’s autobiography I Must Say was fantastic. Do the audiobook to get the full effect.
In a way it had the funniest and some of the saddest parts of a book so you get
both in one volume.
WHAT YOU’RE READING NOW…
I just started Dodgers
by Bill Beverly and it’s off to a great start. I’m looking forward to digging
into the rest of it.
Eric’s latest book, When The Devil Comes To Call, continues
the adventures of aging hitman Lars and Shaine, the high spirited daughter of
one of Lar’s targets who has more mayhem in one fist than most men in their
entire bodies…
FOR MORE BOOKS BY ERIC BEETNER CLICK HERE
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