This is the US first edition, though the first British edition used the same cover. My British editor - who had been Raymond Chandler's editor in the UK - hated Leroy Powder. Happily quite a few other people enjoyed reading about him.

This is the most recent paperback edition of HARD LINE in English.

But over the years there have been many editions of HARD LINE. This is the most recent in Japan - where it was awarded the Maltese Falson Society's falcon.

This is the US first edition. I have some copies of this, if you're interested...

NIGHT COVER, HARD LINE and LATE PAYMENTS - the Leroy Powder novels

Altogether there are three Leroy Powder novels: NIGHT COVER, HARD LINE and LATE PAYMENTS. Powder does also feature strongly in UNDERDOG, and occasionally in the last five Albert Samson novels and the Adele Buffington novel.

There are two short stories featuring him. “Late Shift,” is included in the RELUCTANT DETECTIVE collection and "911" appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. There is at least one more story on the cards.

Powder is not, by and large, a nice fella. Ironically, a real Indianapolis policeman once claimed that I based Powder on him in a story in the “Indianapolis Star.” Pity I’d never met the guy.

But some people like Powder – he was my mother’s favorite character of mine. A reviewer in “The New Yorker” said of NIGHT COVER, “In the several days during which Mr. Lewin allows us to share his long waking hours, Leroy Powder becomes exhilaratingly alive.” That’s good, right?

And HARD LINE won Japan's Maltese Falcon Society's award for "Best foreign novel" in 1987. The falcon I received is pictured on my home page.

SELECTED WORKS
Click on the title for more information.

A - Short Stories on offer
SHORT STORIES ON OFFER - direct from the author...
These include packs of stories with some of my series characters - Leroy Powder, the Lunghi family, and Rover. Some stories are set in Indianapolis and others in England. One includes an unpublished story and another pack is of basketball stories that aren't mysteries. Click on the blue section above for more information.
B - Albert Samson Novels
EYE OPENER and the earlier Albert Samson novels - ASK THE RIGHT QUESTION, THE WAY WE DIE NOW, THE ENEMIES WITHIN, THE SILENT SALESMAN, MISSING WOMAN, OUT OF SEASON, CALLED BY A PANTHER
Samson, an Indianapolis PI, was one of the first regional detectives. Click on the titles for more information.
C - Short story collection
THE RELUCTANT DETECTIVE and Other Stories
Stories written over a period of twenty years or so, along with an introduction - by me - about writing stories and an extensive bibliography of my crime writing. Click on the blue title for more information.
D - Leroy Powder Novels
NIGHT COVER, HARD LINE, LATE PAYMENTS
The three Lt Leroy Powder novels. Click on the blue titles for more information.
E - The Lunghi family private detective novels
FAMILY BUSINESS and FAMILY PLANNING
Three generations of an Italian family run a private detective agency in Bath, England. Ever seen a detective agency run as a family business? I don't think so. Click on the titles for more information.
F - other Indianapolis novels
UNDERDOG, AND BABY WILL FALL/CHILD PROOF and OUTSIDE IN
A homeless "entrepreneur" in Indianapolis gets more than he bargains for when he sees an opportunity in UNDERDOG. Albert Samson's woman friend gets a book of her own in AND BABY WILL FALL. A mystery writer finds himself compelled to participate in a real life mystery in OUTSIDE IN. Click on the titles for more information.
G - a historical mystery
CUTTING LOOSE
A young woman pursues her best friend's killer in 19th Century US and England. Click on the title for more information.
H - stories told by Rover
ROVER'S TALES and TELLING TAILS
Rover, a stray dog, describes his live as a crusader on behalf of downtrodden dogs. Click on the titles for more information.
I - novelization of a film script and non-fiction book
THE NEXT MAN and HOW TO BEAT COLLEGE TESTS
Sean Connery starred in the movie THE NEXT MAN and I wrote the book while it was being filmed. HOW TO BEAT COLLEGE TESTS was my first book. Click on the titles for more information.
J - with WANTED FOR MURDER my colleagues and I produced this CD
TAKE-OUTS
Songs, stories and discussion featuring Michael Z. Lewin, Liza Cody and Peter Lovesey. Click on the title for more information.

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