New Hope for the Dead
No Exit Press Pbk £4.99
Charles Willeford was the genuine article. Crime writing does not come better than this. But Willeford's books are a beacon within the wider writing community, because they are peopled by characters who live and breath, and who are instantly recognised as representatives of humanity. There are those among the hard boiled schools of crime fiction who would actually be put off by a statement that includes the word humanity. It makes them uncomfortable, gives them the feeling that the book might be boring. But there's never any fear of that when Willeford puts pen to paper. You can be certain that the result will be gritty and hard hitting, and that it will be a whole lot funnier than the clap.
If you like Elmore Leonard or James Lee Burke you will love Willeford. If you can, start with Miami Blues. But any of the Hoke Moseley stories will set you on a course which will only end when you've read them all.
The master himself is dead now, but he loved irony, and would have appreciated the letter from the publisher which accompanied the review copy. There is a note at the bottom of the page, inviting reviewers of New Hope For The Dead to interview the author.
(John Baker)
