Crime Wave

James Ellroy

James Ellroy was born in Los Angeles in 1948. His L.A. Quartet novels—The Black Dahlia, The Big Nowhere, L.A. Confidential, and White Jazz—were international best sellers. His novel American Tabloid was Time magazine’s Best Book (fiction) of 1995; his memoir, My Dark Places, was a Time Best Book of the Year and a New York Times Notable Book for 1996. His novel The Cold Six Thousand was a New York Times Notable Book and a Los Angeles Times Best Book for 2001. Ellroy lives in Los Angeles.

Ellroy is known for a "telegraphic" writing style, which omits words other writers would consider necessary, and often features sentence fragments. His books are noted for their dark humor and depiction of American authoritarianism. Other hallmarks of his work include dense plotting and a relentlessly pessimistic worldview. Ellroy has been called the "Demon Dog of American crime fiction."

What genres does James Ellroy write in?

He is best known for crime fiction and noir, often blending historical crime and thriller elements; he has also written a personal true crime memoir.

What is his writing style like?

Ellroy uses a telegraphic, clipped style with sentence fragments, dense plotting, dark humor and a strongly pessimistic worldview, often exploring American authoritarianism.

Where is a good place to start reading his work?

For his signature Los Angeles crime fiction start with The Black Dahlia or L.A. Confidential from the L.A. Quartet. For a highly praised standalone try American Tabloid. For nonfiction read his memoir My Dark Places.

Are any of his books part of a series and what is the reading order?

The L.A. Quartet in recommended order is The Black Dahlia, The Big Nowhere, L.A. Confidential, White Jazz. The Lloyd Hopkins books appear together as Blood on the Moon, Because the Night, Suicide Hill. Other major titles like American Tabloid, The Cold Six Thousand and Blood's A Rover are treated as separate long-form works.

What notable awards or recognition has he received?

American Tabloid was named Time magazine's Best Book (fiction) for 1995. My Dark Places was a Time Best Book of the Year and a New York Times Notable Book in 1996. The Cold Six Thousand was a New York Times Notable Book and a Los Angeles Times Best Book in 2001; the L.A. Quartet novels were international bestsellers.