Jonathan Latimer

Jonathan Latimer was an American crime writer active in the mid-20th century who bridged the worlds of hard-boiled detective fiction and Hollywood screenwriting. His career began as a Chicago crime reporter, where he gained firsthand exposure to notable gangsters including Al Capone, before transitioning to fiction writing in the 1930s. Latimer is particularly known for creating the private detective character William Crane, who appeared in five novels that uniquely combined elements of hard-boiled crime fiction with screwball comedy. His most notable works include "Murder in the Madhouse" (1935), "The Lady in the Morgue" (1936), and "Solomon's Vineyard" (1941). After serving in World War II, Latimer established himself as a successful Hollywood screenwriter, particularly through his collaboration with director John Farrow on ten films. His screenwriting credits include notable adaptations such as "The Glass Key" (1942) and "The Big Clock" (1948), contributing significantly to film noir of the period. The writer's background in journalism and his experiences in both Chicago's crime world and Hollywood's film industry heavily influenced his literary style, which became known for its blend of tough crime narratives and sophisticated humor. Latimer continued writing until his death in 1983, leaving a legacy that influenced both crime fiction and film noir genres.

Readers appreciate Latimer's blend of hardboiled detective fiction with dark humor and screwball comedy elements. His William Crane detective novels stand out for their irreverent tone and scenes of heavy drinking, unusual in 1930s mystery fiction. Readers highlight his tight plotting, snappy dialogue, and ability to maintain suspense while incorporating comedic touches. Several reviews note that "Lady in the Morgue" and "Red Gardenias" successfully balance noir elements with lighter moments. Common criticisms include dated racial and gender attitudes typical of the era, occasional pacing issues in the middle sections of novels, and plot resolutions that some find far-fetched. Goodreads ratings: Lady in the Morgue: 3.7/5 (89 ratings) Solomon's Vineyard: 3.8/5 (106 ratings) Black is the Fashion for Dying: 3.6/5 (45 ratings) Amazon ratings average 4.1/5 across his works, though with limited review counts (most titles under 20 reviews).

Headed for a Hearse (1935) A death row inmate hires detective Bill Crane to prove his innocence in a locked-room murder case with only five days remaining before execution.

The Lady in the Morgue (1936) Detective Bill Crane investigates the disappearance of a woman's body from a Chicago morgue while navigating a complex web of murder and mistaken identity.

Red Gardenias (1939) Bill Crane pursues leads in a murder case where the victim is found with red gardenias carefully arranged around his body.

Black Is the Fashion for Dying (1959) A Hollywood-set mystery following an investigation into the murder of a movie producer found dead in his swimming pool.

Murder in the Madhouse (1935) Detective Bill Crane goes undercover in an insane asylum to investigate a murder while dealing with eccentric patients and suspicious staff.

Solomon's Vineyard (1941) A private detective becomes entangled with a mysterious religious cult while investigating the disappearance of a wealthy man's daughter.

Raymond Chandler - He wrote hard-boiled detective fiction featuring private eye Philip Marlowe and worked as a Hollywood screenwriter. His background as a Los Angeles oil company executive gave him insight into California society that informed his crime fiction, similar to how Latimer's journalism background shaped his work.

Dashiell Hammett - His experience as a Pinkerton detective informed his realistic crime fiction featuring private investigator Sam Spade. His work combined criminal investigations with social commentary and influenced the noir genre that Latimer later contributed to.

Craig Rice - She wrote Chicago-based mystery novels that mixed hard-boiled elements with comedy in the 1940s and 1950s. Her protagonist John J. Malone investigated crimes with a mix of humor and detective work similar to Latimer's William Crane series.

Cornell Woolrich - He wrote psychological crime thrillers that were frequently adapted into films during the noir era of the 1940s. His work bridged pulp fiction and Hollywood like Latimer's, with both authors contributing significantly to film noir through novels and screenplays.

Kenneth Fearing - He wrote crime novels set in urban environments that explored media and political corruption in the 1940s. His novel "The Big Clock" was adapted into the film that Latimer later wrote the screenplay for, showing their shared interest in complex crime narratives.