Ink-Stained Wretch

'The Lowdown' and Crime Fiction's Conservatism

Jim Thompson would probably approve of Sterlin Harjo making him a dark saint.

18 hrs ago • 

Nick Kolakowski

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'The Running Man' and 21st Century Nihilism

Richard Bachman's two most famous novels predicted our current moment. Yay.

Nov 4 • 

Nick Kolakowski

14

6

October 2025

RIGHTEOUS TRASH is out!

The third book in the Boise Noir Trilogy is rampaging in the wilderness.

Oct 24 • 

Nick Kolakowski

14

5

László Krasznahorkai: Literary Lunatic Gets His Due

Could be an acquired taste, though.

Oct 14 • 

Nick Kolakowski

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September 2025

'24' and the All-American Memory Hole

We don't like to admit things to ourselves.

Sep 27 • 

Nick Kolakowski

5

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'Righteous Trash' Pre-Order and First Chapter!

We're going back to Idaho's gritty underside.

Sep 11 • 

Nick Kolakowski

7

1

'Play Dirty' and the Wahlberg-ization of Classic Pulp Heroes

Somebody stop him before he does this again.

Sep 1 • 

Nick Kolakowski

12

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August 2025

'The Brutalist' and the Case for Optimism

The theatrical experience isn't dead. It's just... reverting.

Aug 18 • 

Nick Kolakowski

7

5

'She Rides Shotgun' and the Making of Legends

How the West was lost and where it got us.

Aug 5 • 

Nick Kolakowski

18

5

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July 2025

You Re-Read 'The Hunter' at Your Own Risk

Was the original Parker novel actually that good?

Jul 24 • 

Nick Kolakowski

10

4

One Year in the Life of Marilyn

Sometimes you just need to let fate take the wheel.

Jul 10 • 

Nick Kolakowski

5

4

June 2025

Anthony Bourdain: Loving the Ugly Bits

He's refusing to go away. And that's a good thing.

Jun 25 • 

Nick Kolakowski

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