The gruff private eye who investigated crimes with a world-weary cynicism had his start with author Dashiell Hammett amidst the throes of Prohibition when organized crime ran amok. Paperbook books began to be widely available in the decade after, and the two combined for masterpieces of vintage kitsch like the above (actual) novel by Fredric Brown, who also wrote horror, science fiction and fantasy. The sultry brunette is clearly based on 1940s actress Veronica Lake and if you look closely, her shoulders are way too broad to be a woman’s. There’s also no way that red-gloved hand could belong to her, either, in the position the arm is in. But who cares? The whole is pure magic.
Looking for an imaginary detective novel to use in your work? Or perhaps gain inspiration from? A bunch of randomgenned titles below.
Hardboiled Detective Novels
| The Waitress in the Cement Mixer
Death at the Luau Larceny in Hell Naked Came the Radical Uptown Call Girl… she was pure sadism in go-go-boots! The Blonde in the Bathroom Mirror The Hairdresser of Muscle Beach Boxing Club Temptress The Claw Machine Murders The Case of the Hamburger Killer Diary of a Part-time Forger The Case of the Hungry Fireplace The Cinnamon Stick Killing The Ferrari Murders Brutal Ransom Unlucky Reahead Red Hot Emeralds Murder in the Cat’s Eye Kidnapping of an Escort Death by Doberman Blackmail at the Bikini Plant The Gangster’s Moll Beside Me Main Street Loser The Tea-Time Murder Farewell, But Don’t Tell Anyone |
