10 rillington place (1971)

 

Directed by Richard Fleischer known for his great crime movie Armored Car Robbery, this is solid movie portraying notorious serial killer John Christie played by Richard Atenborough. Good supporting roles by John Hurt and Judy Geeson.

The Big Sleep (1978)

Much better movie than one with Humphrey Boggart, all due to good old Robert Mitchum. Beautifully shot in England with all those countryside and luxurious mansions.

Tomorrow never comes (1978)

 

Interesting crime movie with great performance by Oliver Reed, it tells a story of young man jealous of night club stripper who found another man, big shot criminal who owns half of the city. He takes her hostage and Oliver Reed must solve tough situation.

Spasmo (1974)

 

Quite possibly worst movie I have ever seen in my life. Directed by famous Umberto Lenzi, story revolves about two brothers, one sane and another mad. There are some women dolls involved too and music by Ennio Morricone is quite good.

La Morte Cammina Con In Tacchi Alti (1971)

 

Bit vulgar giallo thriller about stripper and mysterious killer who wants her diamonds. But very fashionable and sexy. As scared stripper runs away from Italy with her new lover to London she comes into his big house where he is blackmailed by his jealous wife. There comes into play Scotland Yard police. Lot of other stupid things occur, but it's funny how they rip off british mystery movies.

Il Profumo Della Signora In Nero (1974)

Very good giallo film full of interesting sequences, dream-like scenes and dark eroticism. Young blonde is wondering what happened to her mother.  As she unravels mystery, it turns out she killed her mother as a kid while she was raped by some man . Then she got truckload of hallucinations in which her buried trauma arise. There are also some niggers involved but it's ok considering movie dreamlike quality. Good photography and atmosphere.

 

La Morte Negli Occhi Del Gatto (1973)

 

This is fine example of so called 'giallo' genre of italian thriller and horror movies which were made during the 70's. Origin of the term giallo refers to old paperback crime novels from America and England translated to Italian. Most of these movies are pure trash however, but are pleasant to watch because of so many eye candies. 

This one mixed quite a lot of stuff, isolated castle, family secrets, erotica, and all other stuff. Interesting to say is that leading actress is Jane Birkin, wife of famous musician Serge Gainsbourg who also has a small role. Doris Kunstmann also gives good performance as promiscuous sister.

Max Payne

 

Legendary shooter game developed by some studio, it draws inspiration from pulp novels and comic books. Interesting gameplay and good music make this game very enjoyable, and especially with that slow-mo addition probably borrowed from hong kong action movies. Truly a work of art.

Second part is not too great, but what is there to wonder? Usually sequels are worse than original games.

Diablo

Back in the day young kids jerked their mind playing this game over and over. And rightfully so because it is superb game, not bothering with stupid shit like story, character development and all that crap, although there is some story behind all those killing. Instead you venture into dungeons consisting of 9 levels, slowly approaching to the core of hell and encountering tougher and tougher enemies, like giant centipedes and scary looking knights with big swords. Drenched in gothic atmosphere with soundscapes from hell, this game will keep you awake at lonely nights. Also it's not very long so you can finish it in one week.

Second part Diablo 2 is huge trash, but considering what Blizzard made afterwards it is no wonder.

Revenant

Maybe the best hack and slash game of all time, you come into the world as Revenant, powerful warrior with tainted blood. Then you go on some quests killing respawning monsters. Under all that killing there is actually very sad and tragic story. Gameplay is very good, because beside using swords and axes you can learn fighting skills so it resembles those old fighting games like streets of rage. Art direction is excellent and really this game looks beautiful. Only thing is absence of music but that could be some bug as I read on forums. 

Torrente 2 : Mission at Marbella

Santiago Segura created this crime comedy series of movies and first one was decent, but with every subsequent installment it gets worse and worse. However as always there are some funny moments with this kind of movies so it's not to bad if you spend hour and a half watching it.

New Kids Turbo (2010)

Very funny movie originated from tv show about unemployed dutch assholes listening to gabber music and drinking beer. Very good acting and lots of surreal gags make this movie quite enjoyable. There is also sequel New Kids Nitro which is also good.

Lady of The Night

She didn't know how much time she spend sleeping under a starry sky, but she sure knew that she was awake and feeling thirsty and hungry. She got up and started walking down the street. She needed more money, and also she needed a shower. She ended up in street where all the prostitutes were hanging out. Lot of cars were passing by, and lot of prostitutes were standing on sidewalk. Whores, like she was. Finally some car pulled over by her. Maria opened the door and entered in car. Some old ugly fatso was driving the car. He had big beard and mustaches.

"You're so pretty, little one, come give me a blowjob", he said to her.

"Give me money first. 10 euros."

"10 euros for blowjob? That's a lot of money, and you smell bad."

"I'm the best cocksucker out there, let me show you..."

Fat pervert got a hard on, and he let Maria to suck his dick. She stripped his pantaloons and pants and started sucking his dick.

"You're so good, little one...", he said while she drained his dick. He quickly came in her mouth and Maria got up on seat.

"You're good, baby", he said to her and paid her 15 euros.

"Here you go, you earned little extra cash."

Maria went out of the car. Other prostitutes looked her with envy. They were old and ugly, and she was young and beautiful. She entered in underground hall, stuffed money in her tie jeans, and lit cigarrette. Rain began falling.

City began waking up, street lights were fading and sunlight appeared on the street. Trash men were picking up trash from the street, men and women were going to work, and Maria went to eat something. While she ate pizza she thinked for herself.

"My pussy is worth more than 15 euros. I'm better than all those prostitutes. I should earn more."

And so, step by step, Maria was advancing in her prostitute career. She sucked half town, got a word in the streets as good whore, and she rent apartment in suburb. She put advertisement in local advertisement papers, bought some fancy clothes, and soon money came down in her hands. She was no ordinary prostitute now. She went at other people houses, truckdrivers, middle-aged people with shitty jobs, old people. She befriended with some girls, also prostitutes, in her place. She drunk beer with them in park behind buildings. They were pretty loud in those late hours and neighbors were complaining.

"Shut the fuck up, whores!", some neighbor shouted at them.

"Go fuck yourself", replied Maria and continued drinking.

In november she prospered because she got a call from some guy who won the lottery. Lazarus was his name. Lazarus didn't fuck nothing for ten years straight, so he was pretty horny and in dire need of pussy. Every day she went to him and Lazarus fucked her in pussy, ass and mouth. As time went by they got somehow close to each other, so she told him her story, how she became whore. Her mother died in traffic accident when she was ten years old. She continued to live with her father who was a drunk. He molested her until police arrested him. So she went to live with foster parents. They molested her too so she ran away and began living on the street.

Lazarus was watching her with some kind of sorrow as she told him her story. But his dick grew hard again.

"Sad story, Maria. Ugh, I got a hard on. Suck my dick again."

Days went by, and Maria didn't have clients beside Lazarus. That fellow behaved like he was in prison for his entire life. In her free time Maria watched movies and went to nightclubs.

She was standing at the entrance of Lazarus apartment. He always leaved door unlocked in their meetings, so she went in. She heard some strange sounds in living room. She was walking down the hallway until she came in living room, and there she saw Lazarus hanging from the ceiling. Maria screamed in horror and momentarily leaved apartment. She was running down the street until she came in some park. She sat on a bench and lit cigarette. Maybe I should have called the police, she thought. Maybe I should close the door. Maybe police will arrest me for whoring myself. My fingerprints were all over the apartment.

Days went by and there was no trace of police. She read about Lazarus suicide in newspapers. There wasn't much words about motif. Soon Maria forgot about Lazarus, her attention moved to other people dicks. In some unnamed apartment, some old man was fucking her in pussy, second man in ass, and third man was fucking her mouth. They came in her mouth, pussy and ass, and after sex she was sniffing cocaine from the table. She leaved them and began walking down the street. Her mobile phone was ringing. It was some unknown number. She answered the call, but in beginning there was just static, and after some time man voice. It was Lazarus voice.

"Why didn't you came, Maria?"

"Is this some kind of joke?", she replied and turned off phone. She came to her apartment. It can't be him, I must have hallucinated, she thought. She looked through the window. Some guys were hanging out outside, standing by some car.

Tomorrow someone was banging on her door. If this is again that bitch from the third floor I will fuck her in the ass, she thought. She looked through the hole. At the entrance some shady guy was standing dressed in gray jacket, surrounded with two policemen. I'm done, they will arest me, she thought. She opened the door.

"Good day", she said to them.

"Good day, lady. I am detective Suckinsky, and these are my partners, policeman George and policeman Nicholas. Could we come in to ask you some questions?"

"Yes, you can. What is it about?"

Detective Suckinsky was examining her apartment while smiling viciously. He sat on a chair and lit cigarette.

"It's about your former friend, deceased Lazarus. You knew him, didn't you?"

"Yes, I have. I am terribly sorry for what happened to him."

"You see, Maria, we have suspicions that he was entangled in satanic cult, and that he killed himself because of that."

"My god, detective Suckinsky, I didn't even doubt. He was behaving so normally. Those are some grave matters."

"Yes. Well, we came to warn you. These people are very dangerous. They act from shadow, and their victims are outcasts. Like you."

"What do you mean?"

"We know that you're a slut. Now, before we leave, maybe you could do us some favor, in exchange for freedom.", said Suckinsky and pulled out his dick. Maria kneeled before his legs and started sucking his dick. It was very big, so she had trouble swallowing him whole.

"Yeah, slut, suck my big dick", said Suckinsky while she sucked his dick. Policeman George and Nicholas also pulled out their dicks. Finally Suckinsky came in her mouth with a lot of thick hot cum. He pulled her by the hair and didn't let go until she swallowed his cum. He got up and made way for policeman George who had even bigger dick than Suckinsky, so she had to suck him too.

"Lousy cops...always want blowjob, but without payment...", she thought for herself while she sucked. When George came, he made way for Nicholas. Fortunately, he had small dick, so it was easy for her to finish him off. Finally they leaved and Maria went to bathroom to wash up her mouth. When she finished she sat on chair and turned air conditioning, and lit cigarette. She poured some whiskey, too.

But then again someone knocked on her door. This time it was some old gentleman in nice suit.

"Hello, Maria. I'm sorry that I break in your apartment in this way, but I am Lazarus older brother. My name is Michael. It was said to me that you hanged out with Lazarus before he killed himself, so I would want to talk with you."

"How do you know about me?"

"Detective Suckinsky told me. You know, I have been in Caiman Islands for last year, and I didn't talk much with Lazarus. I feel pity for that, especially now that he's dead. We were never in good relations."

"Here, take a seat.", said Maria.

"Thank you, Maria." Michael pulled his left hand and she saw strange black necklase in shape of snake.

"Do you like it? I bought it in Caiman Islands, weird people there. You see, Maria, Lazarus has always been a lowlife. He won that lottery so he went mad. That's why he killed himself, I'm sure. On the other hand, I have always stood firmly on the ground, I made all with my own hands."

"Detective Suckinsky says that Lazarus was involved in satanic cult."

"Those are bullshit, don't listen to detective Suckinsky. Hear me, Maria, now that I came back, in next two week I intend to organize big party, lot of young men and women in my mansion. If you are interested, you can join in. Here is my visit card. See you, Maria."

Michael leaved and she closed door behind him. She took visit card he leaved. In red words on black background it was written:

"Michael Runowitz, businessman"

Did this man invited me to orgies?she thought.

She was standing before beautiful mansion of Michael Runowitz, businessman. She accepted his invitation. Amount of money that was promised to her was too big to pass on. However, with every step she made to mansion, she felt like some parts of her soul were fading away. Two young men in black suits opened the door for her.

"You arrived, Maria. Step in the hall, party will begin shortly."

A bunch of men and women watched her as she was closing in to them. They all wore black suits and black dresses, and they were wearing some strange masks on their faces. In the center there was a huge sculpture made from gold. Upper part of sculpture was in shape of beautiful woman with six hands that were wielding swords, all decorated with diamonds and emeralds. Lower part was in shape of giant anaconda. Maria was watching strange sculpture with disgust. From the crowd appeared Michael and he moved to Maria.

"Ah, Maria, you arrived. I see that you're shaken. Don't worry, it will all be over in few minutes."

Men and women started touching Maria and undressing her. They were sucking her and kissing her whole body. She felt their slimy touch and horrid breath on herself. Girls were licking her pussy and boys were fucking her. She was overwhelmed by their bodies, like in snake nest. In time chaos erupted, everyone was fucking everyone, and Michael was standing before strange sculpture and murmuring some strange words.

"In nomine spiritus sanctus de los Yhunomei", he murmured.

Maria attempted to break away from entanglement of bodies, hands and legs but with no success. Like she was swimming in slimy sea, she made her way through pussies, dicks and tits. But she noticed something strange. They all began changing in strange ways. Their skin became softer, dicks were bigger, their body transforming in most hideous ways. What is happening here, Maria asked. She recalled words of detective Suckinsky.

"We have suspicions that he was entangled in satanic cult..."

Trying to break free from this madness, in sea of entangled faces she recognized one. Lazarus! He who killed himself, now was orgying in this hell. His eyes were burning with hellfire, and his tounge was all over their bodies. Maria bite one dick and somehow managed to break free. She ran away down the hallway.

"Boys, after her. Ritual will not be completed without her!", shouted Michael in madness. Maria was running as far as she could, condemning herself because of her greed. She stumbled across some guy and fell to the ground. It was detective Suckinsky. He was holding gun in his hand.

"Maria! Are you allright? I came back in time. I knew that Michael has some connection to these happenings. I found papers in Lazarus apartment..."

"Wait...how do I know that it is you? Maybe you are one of them...snake man!"

"We don't have time for arguing now, Maria. You have to trust me. Come on.", he said and carried her away through the hallway. He shot two or three snakemen that appeared, then he turned left in another hallway, holding Maria's hand. At the end of dark hallway there was some strange light that blinded Maria and detective Suckinsky. Light was gone, and before them was hideous monster, much like that strange sculpture. With furious speed it approached them, with beautiful smile on face, it waved with six swords. Suckinsky fired couple of times at it, but with no success.

"Run away, Maria!"

Maria ran away in another hallway, leaving Suckinsky alone with monster. He didn't have a chance with demon. In a matter of seconds monster chopped detective with six swords, and in the end embraced him with it's tail, crushing his bones and rendering him unconscious.

Maria was running but she knew that there was no exit. She was surrounded with snakemens. Michael appeared, holding candle in his hand.

"You can't run away, Maria. You know that. Why don't you join us, you'll become accepted in our community. You will not have to suck dicks in order to survive."

From dark came Lazarus, with smile on his face he watched Maria.

"And Lazarus, in beginning he opposed, but eventually he accepted. He threw his worthless life and became on of usss".

Maria stood by the wall. She didn't know what to do.

...

In the end, I accepted. It wasn't like I had some choice. I didn't have no one in the world, and these people will stay with me forever. I became one of them, I threw away my false life, and embraced their secret knowledge. Soon I will start searching for other people that will become part of our community. Part of our dear Yhunomei. From dark altar I look upon our members, and bow down to our master. Soon this world will become ours.

The Offence (1972)

 

The Offence is one of better Sydney Lumet films, otherwise overrated director. Based on play its story revolves around maniac who killed some kid in school. Movie is bit boring with all the talking considering it's adapted from a play. As main protagonist played by Sean Connery catch child molester he begins to interrogate him and quickly lose his temper. Obviously he has problems of his own, or some subconscious thing that drives him to torture him to that extent that criminal dies of his wounds. All in all good movie.

The Barbara Vine Mysteries

Like most british tv shows this one is pretty good. Adaptation of various novels by Barbara Vine, it consists of several episodes of evenly strenght.

Best ones are :

Gallowglass

Dark adapted eye

Fatal Inversion

Double

Fallen Curtain

Master of the Moor

Thirteen steps down

The Bear (1988)

Very good movie by famous director Jean-Jaques Annaud, it tells story about bounty hunters, murdering psychopaths who goes on a bear killing trip. After some struggle big bear protecting his little teddy kills one of them. Other hunter is now faced against big bear without rifle, but bear leave him alive, which once again proves that bears are much better persons than humans, and that is why they hibernate during winter.

With minimal dialogue and plenty action this is enjoyable movie well deserved for its praise.

The Reckoning (2002)

The Reckoning, movie set in medieval times, is very interesting. Of course it is when you have such actors as Willem Dafoe, Gina McKee, Paul Bettany, Brian Cox and Vincent Cassel.

When young monk played by Paul Bettany makes cardinal sin by copulating with a nun he gets expelled from monastery. Travelling through wasted landscapes of war torn country he encounters musical troupe or some kind of bandits. Together now they come to some village ruled by mysterious man.

Strange things are happening there as children of the village are disappearing one by one.

After some investigation troupe come to the conclusion that village ruler Vincent Cassel is killing those boys. After some struggle they manage to overcome him and soon leave village like all other vagabonds.

Vincent Cassel gives strong performance as ruthless village ruler possibly inspired by mythical figure Gilles de Rais, alleged child molester.

Lost Son (1999)

Decent crime flick starring Daniel Auteuil, Nastassja Kinski and Ciaran Hinds. Daniel Auteuil now private investigator gets hired to find a missing boy. As he delves deeper into the case he goes down a spiral of hideous smut. Of course movie itself doesn't have nothing in common with real thing, but at least it's pleasant to watch. And sadly there is some truth to it. Lot of poor children are unhappy and are willing to find a new home. Ending is especially stupid, after main protagonist crack that ring, hoping that another one will not come up soon.  But good cinematography, some tense scenes and good score by Goran Bregovic makes this movie worth your lousy time.

Richard Stark's Parker

Darwyn Cooke made very good work translating crime novels of Donald E. Westlake into comic books. Again it is story of ruthless criminal Parker attacking criminal organization known as 'The Outfit' and performing complicated bank robberies, frauds and other interesting criminal activities.

Since Darwyn Cooke is such master artist, it is no wonder that artwork is so brilliant and glossy, mixing blue colors with white and black, occasionally putting bolts of gold here and there.

Criminal Vol. 4 : Bad Night

Long running series of crime comics by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips are well respected among comic book fanatics. This installment is particularly interesting as it tells a story of illustrator suffering from insomnia. As story unravels, dark secrets come into play, and it becomes obvious to the readers what happened to that man. Soon as he stumbles upon hot girl with her boyfriend, he slowly regain memory of what happened to him, and why that filthy cop is still chasing him so many years after his wife's accident and his time spent in mental institution. As it turns out, that same woman who came to his house to request from him to forge her boyfriend fake police ID was that same nurse in hospital who laughed at him while he was dozed out of his mind on heavy medication while in spare time working as strip dancer in some gritty club.

James M. Cain - Double Indemnity

 

James M. Cain worked lot of time as a journalist until he wrote groundbreaking noir novel Double Indemnity. Drawing inspiration from real life cases he was researching in his papers he compiled thrilling story of love, betrayal and corruption. Thus he started new genre of crime fiction, so called 'roman noir' where bad guys aren't always punished and nothing is black and white. Unlike so many modern novels stretching over four hundred pages this one has only hundred and twenty, so it's a quick read, but not in a 'page turner' sense. Each chapter has to be read carefully. Of course many of you have already seen movie adaptation by Billy Wilder but it is different story when you read this book, and ending is quite different.

Fredric Brown - Screaming Mimi

Fredric Brown was much better known as author of Science Fiction novels and stories, but he also wrote crime fiction, and a good one. He was somewhat tedious man who didn't like writing at all. 

In this novel we follow journalist interested in serial killings of prostitutes. As he become fascinated by the case he turns into investigator himself. Some bizarre things happen afterwards and all in all this is well above average crime novel with lot of artistic touch.

Jacques Tardi - Like A Sniper Lining Up His Shot

 Jacques Tardi, famous comic book artist, made several comic books and declined prize by the french arts institute. In this comic book which is adaptation of obscure french crime writer we follow adventures of hitman. Nice clean artwork with sharp lines and interesting story.

John Fowles - The Collector

Thrilling novel by respected author, it revolves around young man who wins at lottery. Not knowing what to do, and obsessed over some girl, he decides to kidnap her. Many issues arise during imprisonment. One thing that is weird is that sick boy didn't even rape her.

This novel inspired some psychopaths to commit serious crimes against humanity, but that is another story.

James L. Thane - No Place to Die

One of million new crime novels, this one is not too bad, and it reads quickly. Careless man got wrongly accused for murdering prostitute who gave him blowjob in his car. As he came back from prison, he decided to kidnap attorney girl who defended him back when crime happened and take his revenge. 

John D. MacDonald - A Purple Place For Dying

You may remember movie Cape Fear with Robert de Niro and that lolita. Well, that is movie based on novel by this author. Wrote bunch of books this guy. But his main protagonist is bum Travis McGee who lives carefree life swimming and smoking until someone hires him to do job for him. In this particular novel he travels with some girl to an empty cabin in the woods only for her to be shot to death. After that Travis McGee begins to unravel mystery surrounding that town in which he was brought in by request of now dead girl.

Margaret Millar - Beast in View

 

Margaret Millar was not only Ross MacDonald's wife, but also good crime fiction author on her own. Her deep psychological insights granted her the title of master crime writer. In this particular novel psychotic woman goes on a rampage killing several people because of her childhood trauma.

Dan J. Marlowe - Operation Deathmaker

Dan J. Marlowe is interesting figure in world of crime fiction. After decades of working odd jobs and writing for television, at his forties he decided to write his own novels. So he created his anti-hero, criminal by the name of Drake. He was initially filthy thug until he got caught by police and ended up with screwed face. After escape from prison he is now nobody, person with many names and lots of connections. He teamed up with his criminal girl Hazel and together they went from adventure to adventure. Later novels turned him into some kind of James Bond figure.

Interesting to say, Dan J. Marlowe contacted convicted bank robber and regularly wrote letters to him in order to enhance his body of work. He also suffered amnesia later on, so he forgot all things he wrote. 

This particular novel is good of its kind, telling a story about kidnapping Hazel's friend by unknown thugs.

Edmund Crispin - Frequent Hearses

Edmund Crispin was quite popular writer of classic detective fiction during those strange times when bunch of idle-minded people didn't have anything to do but write about most disgusting way people could die. There is some interesting article about that phenomenon by some journalist. 

Composer of music, Edmund Crispin wrote quite a bunch of these mysteries back in the day featuring oxford don Gervase Fen, amateur sleuth. In this particular novel he investigates death of Gloria, up and coming movie star. Of all traditional sleuths Gervase Fen is best, and Crispin prose is very well balanced with humor and suspense, which is best seen in his novel Moving Toyshop.

James Swain - Grift Sense

Interesting novel by poker enthusiast and ex-magician, it literary brings you to filthy world of casinos centered around Las Vegas and mastermind criminal who decides to rip casinos of all their money. As casino owner is worried he hires ex-cop familiar with gambling. Question is who is robber here. 

Nonetheless, enjoyable modern crime novel.

Thomas Harris - Red Dragon

Thomas Harris worked some time as a police reporter and journalist until he began to write big novels. His famous character Hannibal, psychiatrist who loves to kill his patients and eat them became legendary figure.

This novel is first and best in the series successfully combining horror and crime elements, although with not much literary style.

There is also good film adaptation by Michael Mann starring William Petersen, Tom Noonan and Brian Cox. Soundtrack is also very good.

William Bayer - Switch

This is good old school police procedural novel. Story revolves around unknown murderer who killed two women : one is a prostitute and another is decent student girl. However murderer cut of their heads and placed them in opposite way, to confuse police department when they found prostitute with severed head of decent student girl and decent student girl with head of a prostitute. 

There is also interesting subplot about suicide of retired cop and her daughter who comes in contact with chief investigator Jarek.

All in all good crime novel.

Yo Asesino

Yo Asesino is very good comic book by spanish artist Antonio Altarriba. Interesting story about serial killer is very well drawn by excellent artist Keko. Much of the comic is unclear, and could be interpreted as murder as a work of art.

George V. Higgins - Cogan's Trade

George V. Higgins was some douchebag of a lawyer but he wrote couple of good crime novels.

Cogan's Trade is one of them in which foolish young thug makes a mistake that costs him life taken by hired killer. Another one is Friends of Eddie Coyle which was filmed with Robert Michum. 

However lousy serbian book companies translated only this novel.

Ross MacDonald - Galton Case

Ross Macdonald was probably last of the classic hardboiled crime writers together with Hammett and Chandler. All of his novels are same and are revolving around search for some girl who escaped somewhere. That is very interesting if you know that his own daughter suffered through tragic incident.

Protagonist of his novels Lew Archer is good man, somewhat depressed but with a touch of brutality that helps him to solve mysteries.

This novel is good entrance into the world of weird Lew Archer.

Ross Macdonald had wife who was also crime fiction writer and her novels are good, but not so much as his.

Recently lousy serbian book publisher published one of MacDonald's novels. Little too late, but whatever.

Truman Capote - In Cold Blood

Truman Capote was famous writer of the so called southern gothic genre. He was also homosexual and heavy drinker. But he wrote one good novel which isn't even a novel, but nonfiction book depicting murder of whole family by two criminals. Although it depicts real events, his literary genius managed to transform it into work of art, so it reads like a proper novel, unlike so many trash today that poses as true crime.

Patricia Highsmith - Cry of The Owl

 

Patricia Highsmith was famous for her novels featuring unstable characters, sociopaths and the like.

This particular novel is good example of her work.

She was also terrible woman and heavy drinker and Alfred Hitchcock made her novel into famous movie.

Torpedo

Torpedo is good gangster comic book created by Alex Toth. However he didn't like gruesome violence so he was replaced by Jordi Bernet, very good spanish artist. He and Enrique Sanchez Abuli continued story which may be best described as black humor gangster melodrama filled with sex and violence perfectly suited for teenagers.

Donald E. Westlake - 361

Donald E. Westlake was famous crime writer who flourished during the 70's with his unapologetic crime novels full of tough guys. Usually they are centered on one thug who wants to take down criminal organization known as the 'The Outfit'. Such is the case in this novel, too.

Jose Munoz & Carlos Sampayo - Joe's Bar

 

These two argentinian artists made quite a bit of interesting crime comic books. High on LSD and in the spirit of the time, they embraced hippie culture.

One of their known work is Joe's Bar, comic book composed of several short stories all connected with each other. Jose Munoz artwork is incredibly artistic and in the same time sharp as good pencil.

Joseph Hansen - Fadeout

Joseph Hansen began his career writing private eye detective novels with gay protagonist. It soon turned to whole set of novels with gay private detective, insurance investigator.

This is his first novel and is very interesting with stylish prose full of beautiful sentences.

Ruth Rendell - Judgement in Stone

 

Ruth Rendell is one of the finest practitioners of crime fiction in its modern state, and is obviously full of hatred towards women. This novel really proves that, by telling a story about illiterate servant girl who comes to big house full of respectable people only to kill them all in the end. As always her prose is stylish and elegant and displays various shades of grey in people.

Elmore Leonard - Unknown Man No. 89

 

Elmore Leonard first began his career writing westerns but he quickly turned to crime fiction and became very good writer in this field with sharp dialogues and gritty realism. Most of his novels are centered around Detroit, city full of niggers.

This one is his early work and is pretty good one, telling a story about judicial errand boy who meets alcoholic prostitute and tries to save her while he get offered curious job by mysterious figure.

Ed McBain - Con Man

Ed McBain is famous for his novels depicting day to day activities of police precinct 87th and officers who work there. This particular part of the series is quite good, focusing on criminal who chops girls after he befriended them and took their money.

McBain also wrote bunch of pornography novels, and is also famous as man who wrote screenplay for movie 'Birds' by Alfred Hitchcock. Good fellow, good writer.