We had a very high-profile review of THE BIG BANG in a hip spot – the A/V Club, which is part of the Onion.
The review (a B-) is very favorable till the critic does a kind of politically correct left turn at the end. But I’m glad to get it, and the review’s been picked up all over the place. You’ll also note a lively discussion in the comments, and I get in the act, but not in a very argumentative way.
After all these years, there are Spillane haters out there. I admit it’s sometimes been shocking to me, but Mickey always inspired emotional responses, due to the emotion he packed into his work. Interestingly, I have been viciously attacked by both Spillane fans and haters, although a relative handful in both cases.
I’ve always been fairly outspoken, and my son Nate keeps me on a short leash (or tries to) because I have a tendency to respond when somebody disses me on line (or anywhere). The Collins Family Motto is: RUIN MY DAY, I RUIN YOURS.
Democracy is at its messiest on the internet – social discourse had seldom been subjected to ruder behavior. Check out the A/V Club review above for some examples.
Here’s a great BIG BANG review from Vince Keenan. He “gets” it.
And a short but sweet BIG BANG review from Sons of Spade.
Here’s another nice BIG BANG mention.
We got a lot of great attention thanks to the Rap Sheet and Jeff Pierce. The giveaway contest of four copies of BIG BANG and four of THE LITTLE DEATH is over, and I’ll be sending the signed copies out this week. You had to name your four favorite private eye novels to enter, and I’m pleased that both my name and Mickey’s turned up on a lot of lists.
My top four were: THE MALTESE FALCON; FAREWELL, MY LOVELY; ONE LONELY NIGHT; and THE GOLDEN SPIDERS.
We were happy to help the Rap Sheet celebrate its fourth birthday.
I have finished my draft of the second Harrow novel, but am doing extensive tweaks and tightening this week.
And next weekend I go to Chicago with my actor pal Mike Cornelison to record ENCORE FOR MURDER with Stacy Keach as Mike Hammer (and Mike C. as Pat Chambers). I’ll report back next time!
M.A.C.