I knew David Dodge wrote TO CATCH A THIEF but had read little else by him. Thanks to the fine folks at Hard Case Crime, I can now add THE LAST MATCH to my list. I do a fair amount of traveling and the protagonist’s wandering spirit--Monaco, Brazil, Tangier, Peru, etc--spoke to me as a fellow gypsy of sorts. Though, I'll stick to the on-the-level profession of writing and not turn to crime as Dodge’s character does. Two lines:
They wanted the cutter and its load, not prisoners or corpses they would have to account for. But they kept machine-guns chattering at us, and I could feel the cigarette cartons at my back jerk, flinch and wince, or thought I could, as the slugs went into them.
What great prose! And there’s also a really touching afterward from David Dodge’s daughter which led me to a website where I gathered a few more titles to be added to my collection in the near future. A really engaging writer and rip-roaring story.
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My two lines (plus a bonus line) are from “The Sins of Maynard Shipley.” The rough draft came together in less than a day which was a welcomed first for me.
It’s two o’clock in the afternoon and I’m pushing the book cart from one geriatric’s room to the next. Chekhov, Hemingway, Joyce? I mean, for the love of Pete, half of them can’t remember they’ve shit their pants and I’m offering them Ulysses.
I'm a natural stickler when it comes to my yarns so who knows when it will see the light of day as I polish, re-polish and then triple shine. Until then, check out more TwoFers at Women of Mystery.
13 comments:
David, let's just say I'm glad I wasn't drinking anything because, if I had, I'd have spewed liquid all over my monitor. Your twofer is a riot!
As for Dodge, I've read HCC's other offering, Plunder of the Sun and absolutely loved it. I've got The Last Match and I'm planning on reading it this summer (it looks like a summer book). Dodge's description of the cigarette and bullet minuet is great!
I'm glad it brought a snort and chuckle. It'a a black comedy of sorts.
Dodge will be a perfect summer read and I haven't read PLUNDER yet but its been ordered.
David. Your 2S is great. I'm with Scott. It's got me hooked already.
David, these are great. Your lines are hilarious.
It reminds me all too much of my father's situation.
I like your twofer. Very dry and understated but hilarious.
Paul, Glad you like the mini excerpt.
Crystal, Gracias.
Patti, My mom and her dread of nursing homes is where the idea originated.
Charles, Hopefully the rest delivers as well. Thanks.
David, love the dry humour...and best served on the sly.
Lovely juxtapositioning. I got a kick out of it.
That made me chuckle. When is is coming out?
Your 2 sentence Tuesday is a fun meme.
Oh, I never knew of anything else of his besides To Catch a Thief. Thanks for the link. And, I think, from your lines, you must have quite the sense of humor!
Thanks Barbara. I'm no good at outright comedy but a little dark offering I can swing.
Leah, Much thanks.
RReynolds, Probably around 2015.
Sarah, Gracias amiga!
Barrie, Theres another offering from Hard Case Crime and Dodge called Plunder of the Sun (see Scott's comment) that I will purchase next. And the humor is the responsibilty of my dad.
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