R.I.P. Mickey

Mickey Spillane died on 7/17/06 at the age of 88. He will be mourned by mystery and noir fans worldwide, including me.

Spillane is best known for creating Mike Hammer, Private Eye. Hammer was as tough as they come; he led with his fists and refused to lay down for anyone. He has been immortalized in a little over a dozen novels since his debut in 1946, when I, the Jury was published, as well as on the big screen, the radio and three classic TV series. He has been portrayed by Armand Assante, Darren McGavin, Ralph Meeker, and most famously by Stacy Keach; he was even portrayed by Spillane himself in 1963's The Girl Hunters.

Spillane inspired many great mystery writers; among them Donald E. Westlake, Lawrence Block, and Max Allan Collins (Road to Perdition). He preferred to consider himself a writer rather than an author; for him, the difference was that "writers sell what they write." He sold a lot of books.

As my own special tribute, this week's Book of the Week column will focus on Mickey Spillane; some of his best-known work and his writing style. It's safe to say that the genre of noir film and fiction as we know it would not exist without three men: Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, and Mickey Spillane. Now the last of the great noir icons has passed away.

Sadly, there will be no more tales of Mike Hammer and Velda.

Rest in Peace, Mickey.