Gilded Needles, Michael McDowell, 1980
My favorite quote: “You are falling into inanity,” said Judge Stallworth coldly. “I have told you, the lower classes do not take revenge upon the upper.” (P.S. – like hell, they don’t)
Notable characters: Black Lena Shanks; the family matriarch who heads a group of female criminals; Judge James Stallworth, her enemy; the twins, Ella and Rob, young expert pick-pockets
Most memorable scene: When the Stallworth family receives invitations to their own funerals
Greatest strengths: While McDowell is a master at placing the reader in any scene he chooses, his descriptions of New York’s poor area, known as the Black Triangle, and his analysis of life there in the 1880s, stand out singularly as some of the best stuff I’ve read. Like, ever
Standout achievements: More dark crime than horror, this book is not only beautifully written, but it brings into clear and terrifying focus the old adage that Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Seriously … Gird your loins, ya’ll
Fun Facts: Stephen King once described McDowell as “the finest writer of paperback originals in America today.” Not that I put a whole lot of stock into King’s recommendations at this point, but in this case, I agree
Other media: N/A
What it taught me: Nobody brings a scene to life like McDowell and every time I read him, I come away with a new perspective and a deeper understanding of how it’s done. There is simply no way I could narrow down a single lesson I learned from this book
How it inspired me: There’s a character in this book called Weeping Mary, who dresses in widow’s weeds and attends funerals where she pretends to be grief-stricken in order to pick the pockets of the mourners. It’s from her and Black Lena Shanks that my character, The Black Wasp (from the Vampires of Crimson Cove series) was born. Though nothing like either woman (aside from the black clothes) the Black Wasp undoubtedly made her way to me through these two shady ladies
Additional thoughts: I only wish this one had been longer …
Haunt me: alistaircross.com
Alistair Cross 