My Ten Favorite Tough Guys

I came up with this list circa mid-90s to hand out at mystery-writing workshops and publicity gigs. I still love these guys. — BQB

 

1. Travis McGee in John D. MacDonald’s The Empty Copper Sea

2. Mike Hammer in Mickey Spillane’s I, the Jury

3. Dave Robicheaux in James Lee Burke’s A Morning for Flamingos

4. Lt. Joe Leaphorn in Tony Hillerman’s A Thief of Time

5. Sam Spade in Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon

6. Spenser in Robert B. Parker’s Playmates

7. Edward X. Delaney in Lawrence Sanders’ The First Deadly Sin

8. Steve Carella in the 8th Precinct of Ed McBain’s Ice

9. Philip Marlowe in Raymond Chandler’s Farewell My Lovely

10. Lew Archer in Ross MacDonald’s The Drowning Pool

 

 

Copyright 2008 © by Beth Quinn Barnard of text and photos. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited