‘Elmore Leonard is the crime-writer’s crime-writer, king of all he surveys. For sharp plots and spot-on dialogue, he’s in a different league’ Ian Rankin

When Elmore Leonard died in 2013, he left behind a 60-year legacy of crime novels, many of which have become modern classics. He also left behind a treasure trove of unpublished early stories. Largely written during his years as a copywriter at a Detroit ad agency, these stories introduce us to unforgettable Leonard characters, some of whom star in his later works. Razor-sharp and effortlessly entertaining, this collection reveals a master who honed his craft from a young age, and reminds us why Leonard is so sorely missed.