Not With a Whimper
Page 19
I loved reading Not With a Whimper because it’s written in a laconic Chandleresque style with a world-weary humour that anyone who knew my father will recognise. The dialogue is so tight, it’s positively clenched. I never realised my father was such a powerful author. His protagonist is an appealing blend: a middle-aged chap with a rock solid integrity that makes him utterly compelling. He smokes too much. He drinks too much. He cares too much. I loved my father dearly, but he had his demons. It was so autobiographical that it was at times positively eerie to read and edit. Strangest of all, I even appear myself, in the guise of his 17-year-old daughter who worries too much and works too hard (!).
My father’s study was packed with books – mostly thrillers. Raymond Chandler and Damon Runyon figured heavily, but he enjoyed adventures by the likes of John Buchan and Rider Haggard. I raided his shelves often, and these authors are still among my favourites. His other passions, apart from golf, of course, were film noir and spy movies. No wonder the book reads like a screen-play. It’s only recently that I’ve realised how much his tastes influenced me, as a reader and a writer.
At first, my father combined a full-time job with writing, but in the mid-1970s, he opted for early retirement. He typed out his resignation, then dithered. We went for a walk to talk it through. In the end, I had to post the letter for him – for luck. Well, he didn’t get any books published in his lifetime, but we got there in the end.
To conclude, I’d like to reiterate my thanks to Laurence and Stephanie of Crooked Cat Publishing who took on this project – and for reversing the rights back to me after our initial contract ended. Although I seem to have landed the rather prestigious title of ‘editor’, the real work was done by the deft hand of Simon Marshall-Jones, for which I am deeply grateful. Thanks must go to my husband, Robert Deeth, whose technical expertise enabled me convert the original manuscript. He’s the world’s best listener, too. Cheers, Rob. The Prosecco’s on me.
Finally, I am indebted to my wonderful stepmother Maggie for entrusting me with such a precious heirloom.
Pamela Kelt
July 2019