Step into the gritty, neon-lit streets of Dallas, Texas, where Rafferty, a tough-as-nails private investigator, dishes out justice with a side of sarcasm! The Rafferty: Hardboiled PI series, crafted by W. Glenn Duncan, blends classic noir vibes with modern grit, captivating readers since its debut in 1987. With a rule for every situation and a moral code that bends but never breaks, Rafferty navigates a world where danger lurks around every corner, making him a standout in hardboiled detective fiction.
Whether you’re a fan of snappy dialogue, complex cases, or morally gray heroes, Rafferty’s adventures offer a thrilling ride through a Dallas that’s as vibrant as it is treacherous. Ready to meet the PI who’s equal parts Sam Spade and cowboy? Let’s dive in!
How Rafferty Began
W. Glenn Duncan, a former journalist and pilot, created Rafferty in the late 1980s, drawing inspiration from the hardboiled greats like Dashiell Hammett and Robert B. Parker. After living in various U.S. states, Duncan settled in Australia, where he penned the first six novels of the series from 1987 to 1990. His son, Bill Duncan, later revived the series in 2018, adding new tales to keep Rafferty’s legacy alive. The series’ Dallas setting, rooted in Duncan’s Texas upbringing, gives it an authentic edge, blending big-city glitz with dusty prairie danger.
The Heart of Rafferty
The Rafferty series kicks off with Rafferty’s Rules (1987), where our ex-cop hero is hired to track down outlaw bikers who kidnapped Vivian Mollison, a girl he saved years earlier. The stakes are high, and the action is relentless, with Rafferty’s wit cutting through the tension. Last Seen Alive (1987) sees him wrongly accused of murder in a small Texas town, unraveling a web of secrets with his trademark tenacity. Poor Dead Cricket (1988) tackles corporate cover-ups and a murdered woman, blending environmental themes with noir suspense. Finally, Fatal Sisters (1990), a Shamus Award winner, follows Rafferty as he searches for a missing husband, diving into a case packed with deception.
The series shines through its themes of justice, loyalty, and moral ambiguity. Rafferty’s rules—witty, often improvised sayings like “Smiting the wicked sounds biblical, but mostly it’s good clean fun”—define his approach, balancing humor with a relentless drive for truth. The Dallas setting, from bustling downtown to seedy backstreets, grounds the stories in a vivid, lived-in world. Duncan’s prose, sharp and cinematic, evokes the best of pulp thrillers, while Rafferty’s relationships with allies like Cowboy and Hilda Gardner add heart to the hardboiled chaos.
Why Rafferty Resonates
Rafferty’s appeal lies in its defiance of the overly polished PIs of the late ’80s. Critics, like those at Thrilling Detective, praise its fresh take on the genre, calling it “a blast of fresh air” amid “cookie-cutter” detectives. Fans love Rafferty’s sardonic humor and unflinching sense of right and wrong, drawing comparisons to Spenser and Mike Hammer. The series’ enduring fanbase, with over 300,000 readers worldwide, proves its timeless draw. Its influence extends to modern noir, inspiring writers to embrace unapologetic, flawed heroes in gritty settings.
- Publication Years: 1987–1990 (original), 2018–present (revival)
- Number of Books: 9
- Awards: Shamus Award for Fatal Sisters (1991)
- Setting: Dallas, Texas
Ready to join Rafferty on his next case? Grab Rafferty’s Rules and dive into a world of hardboiled thrills, where justice is never black-and-white!