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The Real Cool Killers

By Chester Himes
Series: Penguin Modern Classics
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3.86 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 2,573 ratings, 271 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In The Real Cool Killers by Chester Himes, a murder on 125th Street cascades into a frenetic investigation by detectives Coffin Ed Johnson and Gravedigger Jones. The Harlem-based story navigates through a dynamic and dangerous environment, revealing the complexities and tensions within its community. The narrative is packed with unexpected twists and vivid character portrayals, offering an intense and gritty depiction of crime and justice.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're drawn to hard-boiled detective tales set in the vibrant, gritty backdrop of 1950s Harlem. It's a gripping and fast-paced story with sharp dialogue and memorable characters, perfect for readers who appreciate a classic crime narrative with social commentary woven throughout.

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Many people had reasons for killing Galen, a big Greek with too much money and too great a liking for young black girls. But there are complications--like a drug addict, a disappearing suspect, and the fact that Coffin Ed's daughter is up to her neck in the whole explosive business.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

One of the towering figures of the black literary tradition. - Henry Louis Gates, Jr

The night's over for Ulysses Galen. It started going bad for the big Greek when a knife was drawn, then there was an axe, then he was being chased and shot at. Now Galen is lying dead in the middle of a Harlem street. But the night's just beginning for detectives Grave Digger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson. Because they have a smoking gun but it couldn't have killed Galen, and they had a suspect but a gang called the Real Cool Moslems took him. And as patrol cars and search teams descend on the neighbourhood, their case threatens to take a turn for the personal.

The Real Cool Killers is loaded with grizzly comedy and with all the raucous, threatening energy of the streets it's set on.

Series: Penguin Modern Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Real Cool Killers by Chester Himes has been praised for its brilliant and outrageous storytelling, combining elements of American crime fiction akin to Raymond Chandler but with a unique toughness and depth. Critics highlight Himes' ability to create a surreal, comic, and often grotesque portrayal of Harlem, infused with gems of descriptive writing and plots that verge on chaos. His novels are celebrated for their wit and the depiction of the human condition, marking him as an essential figure in crime literature and a testament to his skill and spirit.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241521113

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 March 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 11.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 147g

Pages: 192

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Best Sellers at Book Hero Chester Himes Fiction General Fiction In Stock Books In-Stock Fiction Books Literary Fiction New Release Fiction Penguin Books Penguin Classics Series: Penguin Modern Classics

About the Author

Chester Himes was born in Jefferson City, Missouri in 1909 and grew up in Cleveland. Aged 19 he was arrested for armed robbery and sentenced to 25 years in jail. In jail he began to write short stories, some of which were published in Esquire magazine. Upon release he took a variety of jobs, from working in a California shipyard to journalism to script-writing, while continuing to write fiction. He later moved to Paris where he was commissioned to write the first of his Harlem detective novels, A Rage in Harlem, which won the 1957 Grand Prix du Roman Policier. In 1969 Himes moved to Spain, where he died in 1984.

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