Often more disturbing than entertaining, James Ellroy is an author who never shies away from the ugly or repellent. Eminent crime fiction scholar Peter Wolfe examines how Ellroy transcends the genres of pulp and neo-noir fiction to write stories that are both psychologically haunting and culturally relevant. Wolfe skillfully combines biography—including the unsolved murder of Ellroy's mother—with literary analysis to provide a fascinating and readable study of this popular author. The first in-depth companion to the work of James Ellroy, Like Hot Knives to the Brain will interest students of popular culture, mystery readers, and crime buffs everywhere.

"Deserving of the highest praise, this book will serve those interested in both critical biography and detective fiction. Summing Up: Essential. All collections; all levels." - CHOICE

"Wolfe (English, U. of Missouri-St. Louis) discusses the violent and often gruesome work of contemporary American novelist Ellroy. He fins in the novels a self-presence that stems from the author having internalized the elements comprising the work, and from having recorded them with such naked honesty. Among the topics are an all-star cast of ruffians, ghostly visitations, the art of attack, riding a nightmare with Crazy Loyd, and back-door justice on the killing fields in The L.A. Quartet." - Reference and Research Book News