Wednesday, July 06, 2011

What is Roger Smith reading?

Today's featured contributor at Writers Read: Roger Smith, author of Mixed Blood, Wake Up Dead, and Dust Devils.

His entry begins:
I bought a Kindle recently and it inspired me to download and reread – for the umpteenth time – one of my favorite books, The Hunter by Richard Stark (a pseudonym of Donald E. Westlake). This tight piece of gutter existentialism, lean as a Brazilian supermodel, follows Parker (no first name, no morals, precious little backstory) an ex-con out of prison and out for revenge.

I first consumed this book as an impressionable early-teen (I still have the dog-eared little paperback, its spine broken, the silver cover sporting a bullet hole and the one-liner: a novel of violence) and have to lay the blame for becoming a crime writer squarely at Mr Stark’s door. He showed me that...[read on]
Among the early praise for Dust Devils:
"Topping my list of favorite crime thrillers of all time. Both a very sad political history of South Africa and an absolutely breathtaking and riveting blood-soaked thriller. A must read for anyone who has even the slightest interest in crime fiction, South African history, or damn fine writing."
--Dave Zeltserman, author of Killer and The Caretaker of Lorne Field

“Roger Smith is the master of the coolly-described nightmare.”
--Der Spiegel

“As much unabashed fun as I can remember having had reading a crime novel.”
--Peter Rozovsky

“An amped-up, page-turning noir sure to leave the reader blistered
and bruised with satisfaction.”
--Frank Bill

“Noir at its most brutal and honest. Not so much about the dark and the shadows as it is about the stark light of the noonday sun.”
--Anthony Neil Smith, author of Hogdoggin’ and Yellow Medicine
Watch the Dust Devils trailer, and learn more about the book and author at Roger Smith's website.

Read about Roger Smith's top 10 crime novels.

The Page 69 Test: Mixed Blood.

The Page 69 Test: Wake Up Dead.

Writers Read: Roger Smith.

--Marshal Zeringue