FFB-SIDESWIPE, Charles Willeford

 SIDESWIPE, Charles Willeford 

Following MIAMI BLUES and NEW HOPE FOR THE DEAD, Miami homicide detective Hoke Moseley abandons his pregnant partner and housemate, Ellita Sanchez, and his two daughters to manage his father's apartment complex in Riviera Beach, Florida. 
When the book begins he cannot even get himself out of bed. 

Stanley Sinliewicz, a Ford retiree spending a night in jail, does a favor for a killer named Louden, which results in his release from jail. The two then embark on an odyssey which can only lead to disaster.
Hoke soon finds the simple life is easier to envision than envelop. Coping with a job offer from the local police, a string of local burglaries, and a daughter with an eating disorder puts him back on the path home. Playing the disinterested father can only go so far. 
Like others in the series, SIDESWIPE is packed with action and humor. Elmore Leonard says no one writes a better crime novel than Willeford. Who am I to argue with that? Walter Mosley claims he reads Willeford for a break for the monotony of endless grimness. There is a real art to telling a hard-boiled crime story with this much humor. 

SSW-"August Heat"by William F. Harvey

 https://americanliterature.com/author/w-f-harvey/short-story/august-heat

A man, looking for something to sketch, finds a man in a courtroom on trial for murder who is grossly overweight and sketches him.  Later he runs across the same man making a headstone. The headstone has the artist's name on it and today's date. The two men go inside to try and avoid both of their fates. A very short and subtle story about fate

Happy Labor Day

 

Detroit has always celebrated Labor Day probably more than most of the country because of the auto industry and the associated workers unions. There are marches and bridge crossings and a lot of people standing around with petitions of some sort.  Here are some of these year's activities.

 Top Labor Day Events

Detroit Jazz Festival: Held at Hart Plaza and Wayne State University, this is the world's largest free jazz festival, running through the final day on Monday with special performances like Coltrane 100. 
Arts, Beats & Eats: Located in downtown Royal Oak, this massive festival features over 200 musical acts, local art, and dozens of food vendors through Monday. 
Hamtramck Labor Day Festival: Features live music, carnival rides, a parade, and the traditional pseudo-canoeing/yacht race. 
Labor Day Union March: Traditional march stepping through Corktown on Monday morning, followed by community showcases. 
Michigan State Fair: Hosted in Novi at the Vibe Credit Union Showplace with carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, and monster trucks through Monday.

 Does Labor Day get as much attention where you are?  

FFB: BLACKBURN, Bradley Denton

 (from the archives-reviewed by Bill Crider)

Forgotten Books: Blackburn -- Bradley Denton

While I'm calling this a forgotten book, I doubt that anyone who's read it has forgotten it.  Can it really have been 20 years since it was published?  Wow, that's scary.  Seems like only a couple of weeks ago.

Jimmy Blackburn is a killer.  He kills only people who, in his judgment, deserve to die, like oil-change scam artists, crooked encyclopedia salesmen, people who kill dogs. He doesn't stay in one place very long, as you can imagine.  As he travels,  he occasionally manages to fit in somewhere, but not for long.  Somebody always needs to be killed.

Blackburn winds up where any killer might, and I won't go into that.  The circumstance of just how he gets there are complicated, and the ending even offers a hint that Blackburn might have found what he was looking for on his travels.  Some of Blackburn's early life is brought out in flashbacks to his childhood.  Denton's not saying the character's upbringing made him a killer.  He's just showing the casual cruelty and inhumanity that can be found anywhere, including a small town in Kansas.  Sometimes our end is our beginning, maybe.

Bradley Denton tells his story in straightforward prose, unadorned by any frills.  It's a very effective method.  Oh, and I should mention that as grim as the subject matter is, and as terrible some of the events are, parts of this book are hilarious.  You'll laugh even if you don't think you should.  Trust me.  

There are several other stories about Blackburn.  "Blackburn's Lady" is one of them.  You can read it here. "Blackburn Bakes Cookies" is another.  It's here.  And "Blackburn and the Blade" can be found here.  All are recommended.

Short Story Wednesday. "I Stand Here Ironing" Tillie Olson

 from TELL ME A RIDDLE

A mother of six thinks about all of the mistake she made with her first child. And also the poverty that necessitated her placement in various places so the mother could work. And the bad advice that was given in child rearing at the time (1930s), how she let her cry so she wouldn't be spoiled. How she didn't know how to stop the jealousy between her and her younger, prettier sister.   

 

Tillie Olson was highly thought of forty years ago. I wonder if anyone remembers her now. 

 

George Kelley 

Jerry House 

Monday, Monday

 

I am not all that familiar with the work of Anna Magnani. She never stopped talking in this film (BELLISSIMA). Nor did the other characters. I took out my hearing aids. The ultimate stage mother although Mama Rosa was worse.

Also watched Volver with Penelope Cruz. 

On TV, Furious, Adults, A Brilliant Career, Ted Lasso, Trying.

Still reading JOHN OF JOHN, which I loved. 

Started PT but so far I still feel unbalanced. 

Saw a terrific singer at my Senior Center. 

And you?