Charles Willeford Books In Order

Publication Order of Hoke Moseley Books

Publication Order of Canongate Crime Classics Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of Plays

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Akashic Noir Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Whenever you mention the name Charles Willeford, then you have a myriad number of books behind this great name. He was one of the most famous novelists and in his writing career, he wrote so many books that are still available locally and online. Charles Willeford was born on 2nd January 1919 in Little Rock, Arkansas. After about 69 years, he passed away. This was on 27th March 1988 and was buried at the Arlington Cemetery. Besides being a writer, Charles was also a professor, radio presenter, horse trainer, magazine editor, boxer, and the master sergeant of the U.S Air force and U.S army.

He wrote fiction, autobiography, literary criticism, and poetry novels. When Charles was about three years, his father passed away from tuberculosis in 1922. In 1927, the mother also passed away after they moved to Los Angeles. The mother also died from Tuberculosis just like the father. This made her move to stay with his grandmother on the streets of Figueroa just near the Exposition Park. Charles signed up with the National Guard of California in March 1935. After a few months in this, he was one of those enlisted in the Regular US. Army. He got married in 1942 to Lara Bell Fridley. This was just before being stationed at the Fort Benning in Georgia. In 1949, they divorced and later got married to Mary Jo Norton in a few months after the divorce.

Charles Willeford worked for the US Air Force until 195, when he decided to quit the job. After this, he held different professional jobs like being a radio presenter, actor, boxer, and a horse trainer. While in France, he studies painting before moving back to the United States. While in the US, he decided to join the “Palm Beach Junior College”, where he graduated with an associate degree. He later attained a bachelor’s degree in English Literature in 1962 from the University of Miami. From the same university, he attained the Master’s degree in English Literature in 1964. He was the Miami Herald’s Book reviewer while studying. Besides this, he also worked as an associate editor. Through 1967, after receiving his M.A, he taught at the University of Miami as a professor. He also taught as an associate professor in the College of Miami-Dade Community. He taught Philosophy and English.

His writing career began back in 1953. This was when he was in Birmingham, Alabama. He entitled the novel as “High Priest Of California”. In 1954, he wrote his second novel which was known as “Pick Up”. Besides these two books, he was able to write different books and series like the Hoke Moseley, that had about four books. You can find all hos books online or locally and you will definitely enjoy reading these smart novels.

High Priest Of California

This is the pioneer book that was written by Charles Willeford. It was written in 1953 and first published on 11th October 1987. It has about 124 pages. The protagonist character in the novel is known as Rusell Haxby, who is a used-car salesman. He is a dangerous man who always knows how to find whatever he needs. He is nicknamed as “Scumbag Extraordinaire”. While at the club one evening, he met a beautiful woman and he wants to get her in the sack. After getting to know each other, he realizes that the woman she met at the club is already married, though her husband is elderly. Despite knowing that she is married, Russell is ready to fight for the love he has for the woman. This is the reason he tries to get rid of the elderly husband.

Besides trying to get rid of the elderly husband, he is also known for several misconducts in his life. He is someone who always uses force to get what he needs in life. Did Russell finally got away with all his mistakes? To find more about this novel, you can get started with the book today and you will find it very amazing.

Pick Up

This is the second book by Charles Willeford that was written in 1954. This mystery novel has about 191 pages and had its first publication in 1955. The main character in the novel is known as Helen Meredith , who is a beautiful, and sensuous drinker. At only 33, Hellen drinks heavily and her life seems to be very miserable. While out to drink, she is spotted by Harry, who seems not to relish the idea of getting drunk. The two can form are of the same type and this makes them very good couple, with the only problem being uncontrolled drinking. It didn’t take long before Harry and Hellen started falling in love for one another. In the process of dating, they grew to love each other dearly and this made them become one another’s best friends. They are always out of work and with their families, they had severed ties. This is something that applies to their friends too. It, therefore, implies that they have no close friends as they spend most of their time drinking.

Harry is a man who can be described as decent, but lack is never on his side. This is because he always tries out several things without getting success. Most of the people that Harry meets always treats him very well, but he fails to appreciate their effort to help him. At one given time, he is working to earn some cash, but he never works for long enough. In order to find more cash, Harry involves himself in odds jobs.

At the end of the novel, there is a twist which brings about the mystery in the novel. You find that despite being known to love the bottles, at one given moment he denied not to drink. To confirm to people that he doesn’t drink, he suffered no side-effect after being forced to stop drinking by his condition.

This is just but a small summary of the novel. To read the entire book, you need to find a copy of the novel and you will find more about the miserable life of Harry and Hellen. Get a copy today and you will really love this mystery book.