James Ellroy

I love James Elroy, His autobiography 'My Dark Places' is well worth checking out as well. He called me Hepcat once.

I love him too - but given a difficult choice I think I'd go for Elmore Leonard ( a New orleans boy so hope he's OK) over Ellroy.

I met Ellroy at a book signing in Amsterdam a few years ago. We had a long talk because no one else was interested in his books in Dutch on a Sunday LOL. I wrote a review of American Tabloid which is in my review section. I alsked him which of his books was his favorite. He immediately tapped furiously on My Dark Places, saying : "This one! I'ts all about my life!" No ego there. I guess I had a strange look on my face because he then said: "and of the novels, this one" and tapped furously on American Tabloid. I've read most of his stuff and I'd agree. American Tabloid is the best. I'm now working my way through the complete works of Jim Thompson, a big fav of Ralph's I know. I've already read quite a few, but I recently received anothe 10, so I've almost got a complete collection. The styles are different, cut there are similarities--mostly in the sense that there are few, if any, sympathetic characters in either Ellroy or Thompson. BTW, in talking with Ellroy, I learned we lived about a mile from each other for several years. Of course, he was not so well known at that time.

"black dahlia" is still my fave the cold 6000 is by my loo, it is a bit of a struggle to be honest....as is reading the cold 6000 kaboom..............tish