Ron Clinton's notable Tweet brags...

[RonClinton]

My Fine/Fine 1st ed. of Stephen King’s THE STAND in aftermarket slipcase:

https://twitter.com/ron_clinton/stat...202718208?s=21

[RonClinton]

Simon Clark’s debut release:

https://twitter.com/ron_clinton/stat...926811654?s=21

[RonClinton]

Sounds intriguing, Theli. I’ll temper the hype, then, but keep it on my to-get list.

[Theli]

Hype often seems to feed on prior hype, whether the initial hype was based on truth or not...everyone's looking to find the next GONE GIRL, etc., publishers and readers alike. Look at the hype surrounding WOMAN IN THE WINDOW, its flaws and plagristic tendencies (and author history) ignored in favor of the hype that smart marketing and subsequent word-of-mouth buzz generated. Until the truth* came out and folks started taking a second look at it and/or backtracking on their prior positive spin.

* https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2...-of-deceptions
https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/2/4...yorker-profile
https://bookstr.com/article/first-de...llory-scandal/




But that's just the high end of the scale...? I think you meant from Josh Malerman to Cormac McCarthy...now that's a scale I can understand!

It's far from a perfect book, but Chalk Man was an enjoyable book. Don't buy into the hype, it's not the be all and end all of crime fiction, nor is it the new It, but the comparisons are apt. Of the books I've read I think the most comparable novel would probably be Dennis Lehane's Mystic River.

[mhatchett]

It says you like the Butcher's Boy LOl!! I read the first three Izzi Books, The take 87, Bad Guys 88, and The Booster 89, one right after the other. He was on a run and than things slowed down.

[RonClinton]

I think Eugene Izzi's The Take, 1987 is probably my favorite "Modern" Heist/Caper novel. Unfortunately, he's slipping into obscurity after his odd death in 1996, discovered hanging 14 stories out of an office building.

Yeah, his passing was an odd one. I’ve read (and enjoyed) THE TAKE, but I’ve read little else of his, maybe just one or two others back in the day.

Heist crime thrillers are my favorite niche in crime fiction, followed closely by professional hitmen novels. No idea what that says about me.

[mhatchett]

I think Eugene Izzi's The Take, 1987 is probably my favorite "Modern" Heist/Caper novel. Unfortunately, he's slipping into obscurity after his odd death in 1996, discovered hanging 14 stories out of an office building.

[RonClinton]

If you like crime fiction -- especially heist-driven crime fiction -- to my mind there's nothing better than Richard Stark's / Donald Westlake's Parker series:

https://twitter.com/ron_clinton/stat...43669560594432

[RonClinton]

But I have to wonder, WHY is everyone else so in love with the book? Seems no end to the raves and hype.

Hype often seems to feed on prior hype, whether the initial hype was based on truth or not...everyone's looking to find the next GONE GIRL, etc., publishers and readers alike. Look at the hype surrounding WOMAN IN THE WINDOW, its flaws and plagristic tendencies (and author history) ignored in favor of the hype that smart marketing and subsequent word-of-mouth buzz generated. Until the truth* came out and folks started taking a second look at it and/or backtracking on their prior positive spin.

* https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2...-of-deceptions
https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/2/4...yorker-profile
https://bookstr.com/article/first-de...llory-scandal/

I'll happily add my two cents to the conversation. I'll rate it on a scale from Bentley Little to Cormac McCarthy. Just so there's no confusion.

But that's just the high end of the scale...? I think you meant from Josh Malerman to Cormac McCarthy...now that's a scale I can understand!

[jeffingoff]

Okay, you asked for it...read at your excitement's peril...here are a couple ones that represent the scathing ones I've read:

https://openlettersreview.com/open-l...n-by-c-j-tudor

https://www.independent.ie/entertain...-36480000.html

...and a number of 'meh' reviews, like:

https://crimefictionlover.com/2018/01/the-chalk-man/

But to be fair, there are a good number of positive reviews, too, so hard to call this one. Maybe the negative reviewers are too critical? The positive reviewers too forgiving?



True dat. It's a fine line I have to walk with you.

Thanks for sharing these links! I don't know what author would please that first reviewer. Seems like Steve has high to perfectionist standards. Maybe I'll read the book and say the same thing, though. Because I get it. I felt exactly the same way about Haven by Tom Deady. I hated that book because it was so clunky and ham-fisted. ANYONE WANT TO BUY A SIGNED COPY? I'll throw in a reading copy as well!

The second review is more damning, I think.

But I have to wonder, WHY is everyone else so in love with the book? Seems no end to the raves and hype.

I'll happily add my two cents to the conversation. I'll rate it on a scale from Bentley Little to Cormac McCarthy. Just so there's no confusion.

[RonClinton]

I haven't seen too much negative and what I did see amounted to "if I wanted a Stephen King book, I would read a Stephen King book!" Which isn't entirely negative.

Okay, you asked for it...read at your excitement's peril...here are a couple ones that represent the scathing ones I've read:

https://openlettersreview.com/open-l...n-by-c-j-tudor

https://www.independent.ie/entertain...-36480000.html

...and a number of 'meh' reviews, like:

https://crimefictionlover.com/2018/01/the-chalk-man/

But to be fair, there are a good number of positive reviews, too, so hard to call this one. Maybe the negative reviewers are too critical? The positive reviewers too forgiving?

But aren't you a little worried about a review from me? If I love it, that should count as a negative for you.

True dat. It's a fine line I have to walk with you.

[jeffingoff]

Hope you enjoy PINES as much as I did, Jeff, and if you do, set aside $20 or $30 for the other two tpb installments of the trilogy, 'cause you're going to need them asap.

Let me know what you think about CHALK MAN once you have a chance to read it. I've been eyeing that Sub Press edition...I like the art and design and love coming-of-age horror/suspense tales. A few bad reviews have scared me off its trail a bit, so am holding off until I get that spark of excitement back that I had when I first heard Bill @ SubPress speak of it. A positive review from you would help ignite that spark.

Bills' FROTHING praise is what got me on the hook for two books from a completely unknown author. I haven't seen too much negative and what I did see amounted to "if I wanted a Stephen King book, I would read a Stephen King book!" Which isn't entirely negative.

But aren't you a little worried about a review from me? If I love it, that should count as a negative for you.

I'm going to read CELLARS next and find out why it sold out so quickly (much faster than the two previous Vintage Horror series installments) and then it's all CHALK MAN!

[RonClinton]

Hope you enjoy PINES as much as I did, Jeff, and if you do, set aside $20 or $30 for the other two tpb installments of the trilogy, 'cause you're going to need them asap.

Let me know what you think about CHALK MAN once you have a chance to read it. I've been eyeing that Sub Press edition...I like the art and design and love coming-of-age horror/suspense tales. A few bad reviews have scared me off its trail a bit, so am holding off until I get that spark of excitement back that I had when I first heard Bill @ SubPress speak of it. A positive review from you would help ignite that spark.

[jeffingoff]

I’d recommend the Wayward Pines trilogy, DARK MATTER, and RUN, and in that order.

A friend of mine just lent me PINES to read. I'm eager to get into it. Right after CELLARS and THE CHALK MAN.

[RonClinton]

I have had Dark Matter in my hands multiple times but have not pulled the trigger. I will probably start with that since it seems to be drawn to me.

A fine place to start, and a good representation of his voice and vibe...if you don’t like that one, you likely won’t enjoy his others.