Charles Willeford Book order

A fast-paced, twisty thriller about an art heist that spins out of control with murderous results... Now a major film starring Elizabeth Debicki, Claes Bang, Donald Sutherland and Mick Jagger 'No one writes a better crime novel than Charles Willeford' Elmore Leonard 'Stunning' NEW YORKER Art critic James Figueras is a psychotic, an amoral unrepentant killer. Out to make a lasting name for himself, he seeks out the greatest painter in the world, now a hermit in the Florida swamplands. Figueras is after more than the man, however - he wants the work, and something more ... something more horrible than can be imagined. Crossing the art world with the underworld, THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY ranges from the upbeat Florida sunshine to an art collector who doesn't care how his art is collected, even if it involves murder.

'No one writes a better crime novel than Charles Willeford' Elmore Leonard

Art student Ralph Tone is working in Miami as a bellboy. He meets Hollywood hopeful Maria Duigan and falls head over heels for the ambitious beauty. As Ralph fuels his obsession by booze, pills, and lack of sleep, they both quickly become entangled with sleazy pornographer Donald McKay. Charles Willeford's MADE IN MIAMI was originally released to the unsuspecting masses in 1958 under the title LUST IS A WOMAN by a publisher incapable of spelling the author's name correctly on the cover. Written in white heat by "the unlikely father of Miami crime fiction" (Atlantic Monthly) to match the requirements of the market, the book remains a textbook example of lurid 1950s pulp fiction. It was also a springboard to the author's later masterpieces MIAMI BLUES and SIDESWIPE.

Set against the backdrop of Miami's vibrant yet dangerous atmosphere, this story follows four ordinary men residing in a singles apartment complex. As they navigate life, they quickly discover that the city's allure comes with various challenges and dangers, revealing the darker side of their seemingly mundane lives. The narrative intertwines friendship, survival, and the unique heat of Miami, showcasing the complexities of urban living.

The story follows Miami Homicide Detective Hoke Moseley as he navigates a series of unexpected challenges, starting with an unusual order to grow his beard. Confronted by the presence of a man he once convicted living nearby and juggling family dynamics, Hoke's situation worsens when he's assigned an undercover mission without his usual tools. Posing as a drifter, he attempts to infiltrate a farm linked to the murder of migrant workers, only to find that his job prospects are far from what he anticipated.

"She was leaning against the door. Her smile was a sickly twisted grimace; the sort a prisoner gives a judge when he's asked if he has anything to say before he's sentenced." Russell Haxby is a ruthless used car salesman obsessed with manipulating and cavorting with married women. In this classic of hard-boiled fiction, Charles Willeford crafts a wry, sardonic tale of hypocrisy, intrigue and lust set in San Francisco in the early fifties. In High Priest of California every sentence masks innuendo, every detail hides a clue, and every used car sale is as outrageous as every seduction. First published 1953.

Detective Hoke Moseley faces a chilling mystery after a violent encounter leaves him hospitalized and without his gun, badge, and dentures. As he reflects on a decade of cases, he struggles to identify who might want him harmed. The investigation leads him to a series of puzzling clues linked to a dimwitted hooker, her ex-con boyfriend, and the unusual murder of a Hare Krishna pimp. The narrative weaves together themes of revenge and the complexities of crime, as Moseley pieces together the motives behind his brutal attack.

This collection features a blend of short stories, vignettes, and autobiographical sketches, showcasing the absurdities of 20th-century life through Charles Willeford's signature wry humor and unexpected violence. With themes ranging from a malicious grandmother to insightful commentary on reality television, the narratives offer a captivating mosaic that both entertains and surprises. Willeford's unique storytelling style promises to engage readers with its rich, unpredictable content.

The story revolves around Sam Springer, a Miami novelist, and his captivating muse, Merita, who embodies an exotic beauty that transcends mere fantasy. Their relationship explores themes of love and desire, contrasting Sam's artistic perceptions with Merita's tangible existence. The vivid imagery of their connection highlights the complexities of attraction and the nuances of race and identity, setting the stage for an intriguing narrative filled with emotional depth and cultural exploration.

A nervous breakdown, two daughters and a pregnant unmarried partner tell Hoke Moseley that it's time to simplify his crazy life. Moving out to Miami to manage a small hotel seems a good idea - until psycho career criminal, Troy Louden, happens along with his makeshift gang and Hoke is dragged back to the job he thought he had left behind for ever. 'No one writes a better crime novel than Charles Willeford' - Elmore Leonard