Got this today for cheap, pretty good and fun so far. It's

>>8335319
>>8335319
Absolutely, all of his Coffin Ed and Gravedigger books are awesome.

If you haven't already, you might try some Mickey Spillane. Not black, but the over-the-top violence and pacing of his books remind me of Himes.

None of the hard-boiled writers could write about violence as well as Himes though.

One of my favorite authors in James Crumley (who I would also recommend if you haven't read his books). Whenever there is a violent scene in one of his novels it feels like he is trying to channel Himes.

>>8336132
Thanks for the recs mate, much appreciated. I'm enjoying All Shot Up a lot, so I'll try and get a hold of his other stuff.

Have you read Derek Raymond, by the way? Not exactly hard-boiled, but his portrayal of violence is incredible

>>8336482
I don't think I've ever heard of him before, but He Died with His Eyes Open does sound familiar. Seems interesting, I'm definitely going to check him out-- Thanks

I hate Himes, but I always loved that the French people who bought his pulps thought he was describing NY as it really was.

>>8335319
I found Himes okay, but nothing special. I read a few by him, but didn't feel compelled to complete the whole series.

If you're looking to read more in the genre, Chandler and Hammett should be your next reads - their books have been the inspiration and model for most of the American mystery fiction that followed.

I second the James Crumley recommendation >>8336132, but I'd stress that his earlier (pre-90s) books are far better. I'd rank Spillane well below both Crumley and Himes. Fun reads, but instantly forgettable.

Others to try:
- Ross Macdonald. He started out as a Chandler imitator (many did) but then grew into his own style.
- Charles Willeford. Wrote paperback originals in the 50s, 60s and 70s, then the Hoke Moseley books (Miami Blues etc) in the 80s.