Transworld to reissue Crumley's cult crime classic

Transworld is to republish 1970s crime classic The Last Good Kiss by the late James Crumley, with a new introduction by Ian Rankin.

Frankie Gray, senior commissioning editor at Transworld, acquired British Commonwealth rights from Cathryn Summerhayes at WME.

Gray said: "We’re hugely privileged to be playing a part in bringing this iconic crime novel to the wider audience that it so richly deserves. The Last Good Kiss is truly a seminal work, capturing a particular moment in American history and crime writing, and showcasing a master storyteller at his finest. Crumley’s distinctive, laconic style – complete with dark humour and pitch-perfect dialogue – inspired some of the giants of today’s crime-writing landscape. It is, in every sense of the word, a classic."

First published in 1978, The Last Good Kiss introduces readers to C. W. Sughrue, Vietnam veteran and private investigator, who is on the hunt for missing persons.

It will feature as Waterstones Thriller Book of the Month for April.

Joseph Knobbs, crime buyer for Waterstones, said: "The book that made me fall in love with crime fiction, it’s a giddy thrill to bring it to a new audience."

James Crumley was born in Three Rivers, Texas, and spent most of his childhood in South Texas. He died in 2008.

The Last Good Kiss will be published by Black Swan on general release 21st April 2016, priced £8.99.