Max Allan Collins This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Chicago Confidential | The Winston Salem Journal - Journal Now

   www.journalnow.com/wsj/enterta - [Cached]

   Published on: 8/24/2002   Last Visited: 8/24/2002

   By Max Allan Collins. New American Library. 284 pages. $22.95.
   
   The private eye leans over his desk, eyeing the blonde as she walks through his door, detailing a first-person inner monologue with a flurry of metaphors. Under the desk is the gin and in his shoulder holster, the Colt .45, and despite the fact that his razor-sharp mind can figure out any mystery, double cross, or conspiracy, his own life is a mess.
   
   Nearly every American is as familiar with the stereotypical private-eye story as with the mechanics of a summer movie blockbuster, but for some reason the notions of pulp and noir have largely faded from our culture's collective interest. Now, the private-eye story is something that is mocked or parodied for its predictability, triteness and old-fashioned simplicity.
   
   Perhaps then, the greatest relief of Chicago Confidential is its warm, open embrace of the schmaltz associated with its genre. Max Collins does not focus his efforts on challenging the stereotype or updating the characters and views to be more mainstream. Instead, he focuses on writing an entertaining piece of clever, exciting historical fiction.
   
   ...
   Regardless of one's knowledge of the era, or, for that matter of Collins' 13 previous Nathan Heller novels, Chicago Confidential can be read and understood on its own.
   
   ...
   Collins embellishes the narration with conversational monologues, well-detailed descriptions, suspenseful recounts, and yes, plenty of clever, witty metaphors that are likely to tug the reader's lips into a crooked grin.
   
   While the style, format and general plot structure are as standard as in any private-eye tale, Chicago Confidential's focus on history's mysteries and clever, smart entertainment should keep it away from the trashy-fiction bins at the grocery store.