Elmore Leonard
Biography
Elmore Leonard was an American author known for his prolific writing career that included over 45 novels and numerous short stories. Born on October 11, 1925 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Leonard's work often focused on crime and suspenseful narratives that captivated readers around the world. One of his most popular series was the Chili Palmer novels, which began with the critically acclaimed book "Get Shorty." This series followed the adventures of Chili Palmer, a smooth-talking loan shark turned Hollywood producer, as he navigates the ins and outs of the entertainment industry. Leonard's writing style was characterized by sharp dialogue, dynamic characters, and intricate plots that kept readers on the edge of their seats. His work was praised for its realism, wit, and keen observation of human behavior. Throughout his career, Elmore Leonard received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to literature, including the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America. He passed away on August 20, 2013, leaving behind a rich legacy of storytelling that continues to inspire readers and writers alike.
Standalone Novels
Individual novels by Elmore Leonard not part of a series
- 52 Pick-Up
- 52 Pickup
- Bandits
- Be Cool
- Bounty Hunter's
- Cat Chaser
- City Primeval
- City Primeval Co
- City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit
- Cuba Libre
- Cuba Libre.
- Elmore Leonard's Bandits
- Elmore Leonard's Double Dutch Treat: Three Novels, Moonshine War, Gold Coast, City Primevil
- Elmore Leonard's Dutch Treat: Three Novels, the Hunted, Swag, Mr. Majestyk
- Elmore Leonard, The Kid and The Big Hunt : Unabridged Stories from The Tonto Woman and Other Western Stories
- Escape from Five Shadows
- Forty Lashes Less One
- Freaky Deaky
- Get Shorty
- Glitz
- Glitz:
- Gold Coast
- Gunsights
- Heidengeld.
- Hombre
- Jackie Brown
- Killshot
- Labrava
- Last Stand at Saber River
- Maximum Bob
- Mr. Majestyk
- Mr. Paradise LP
- Mr. Paradise:
- Out of Sight
- Pagan Babies
- Pronto
- Riding the Rap
- Rum Punch
- Schnappt Chili.
- Split Images
- Stick
- Swag
- Switch
- The Big Bounce
- The Bounty Hunters
- The Hunted
- The Law at Randado
- The Moonshine War
- The Switch
- The Tonto Woman and Other Western Stories
- Three Complete Novels: Labrava, Cat Chaser, Split Images
- Tishomingo Blues
- Tishomingo Blues:
- Touch
- Valdez Is Coming
- When the Women Come Out to Dance : Stories
Unknown Man
Books in the Unknown Man series by Elmore Leonard
- Unknown Man #89
Classic Series
The series that started it all
- Get Shorty
- Be Cool
Recent Series
Latest works by the author
- Chili Palmer's Hollywood
Reading Order
Complete reading order for Elmore Leonard's books
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre does Elmore Leonard primarily write in?
Elmore Leonard primarily writes in the crime fiction genre.
Which popular book series did Elmore Leonard create?
Elmore Leonard created the Chili Palmer series.
What is the first Chili Palmer book?
The first Chili Palmer book is 'Get Shorty'.
Are Elmore Leonard's books known for their sharp dialogue?
Yes, Elmore Leonard's books are known for their sharp dialogue.
Have any of Elmore Leonard's books been adapted into movies?
Yes, several of Elmore Leonard's books have been adapted into movies, including 'Get Shorty' and 'Rum Punch' (adapted as 'Jackie Brown').