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From the Archives: Hard-Boiled Writers Spillane and Block.

Detective writer Mickey Spillane. One of the world's most popular writers of the hard-boiled private investigator genre. His most famous character is Mike Hammer. In 1989, Spillane wrote his first Mike Hammer story in 19 years. Spillane's latest book is called "Big Kill." Last year his book "My Gun is Quick" (Chivers North America), first published in 1950, was reprinted. (REBROADCAST FROM 11/22/89)

Veteran crime novelist Lawrence Block. He's written ten novels staring Manhattan private eye Matt Scudder. His latest is called "The Devil Knows Your Dead" (William Morrow). (REBROADCAST FROM 3/17/92)

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Other segments from the episode on November 12, 1993

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, November 12, 1993: Interviews with Mickey Spillane and Lawrence Block; Interviews with Walter Mosley and Sue Grafton; Review of the film "Carlito's Way."
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17:09

From the Archives: Hard-Boiled Writers Mosley and Grafton.

Writer Walter Mosley His first book, "Devil In A Blue Dress," (Norton) is a hard-boiled detective story starring a black gumshoe up against white prejudice. Mosley's mysteries are loosely based on stories his father told him about black culture the 1940's. His latest book is called "A Red Death" (Thorndike). (REBROADCAST FROM 6/8/90)

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05:26

Spillane's Mark on Detective Fiction

How can a nice girl fall for a trench-coated tough guy who treats women like dirt and ridicules book-reading sissies? Our book critic tries to fathom the appeal of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer.

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22:16

Mystery Novelist Mickey Spillane.

Detective writer Mickey Spillane One of the world's most popular writers of the hardboiled private investigator genre. His most famous character is Mike Hammer. Spillane has just written his first Mike Hammer story in 19 years.

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