Step into the smoky, glamorous world of Richard Browning, where the gritty streets of 1940s Sydney collide with the dazzling lights of Hollywood! Penned by Australian crime fiction legend Peter Corris, the Richard Browning series follows a roguish private investigator whose questionable morals and high-flying connections lead to thrilling escapades across two continents. With eight novels brimming with crime, charisma, and historical flair, this series is a hidden gem for fans of hard-boiled detective stories with a cinematic twist.
Richard Browning, a six-foot Australian with a knack for trouble, navigates a world of shady deals, dangerous dames, and real-life figures like Errol Flynn and Raymond Chandler. If you’re craving a blend of noir mystery and silver-screen swagger, Browning’s adventures are your ticket to a wild ride.
How Richard Browning Began
Peter Corris, often hailed as the 'Godfather of Australian crime fiction,' introduced Richard Browning in 1987 with Box Office Browning. Inspired by the likes of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, Corris wanted to craft a distinctly Australian hero who could hold his own in the glitzy yet gritty world of 1940s Hollywood. The series, framed as Browning’s 'memoirs' discovered on cassette tapes, was a nod to George Macdonald Fraser’s Flashman Papers, blending fictional exploits with historical footnotes for authenticity. Corris’s background as a historian and journalist lent the series its rich, lived-in feel.
The Heart of Richard Browning
The series kicks off with Box Office Browning (1987), where Browning, a former horseman and film industry hopeful, stumbles into a life of crime and con artistry after World War I derails his Hollywood dreams. In Beverly Hills Browning (1987), he dives deeper into Tinseltown’s underbelly, rubbing shoulders with stars and mobsters alike. Browning P.I. (1992) sees him in 1944 Los Angeles, teaming up with a fellow detective to find a missing screenwriter, Hart Sallust, in a case tangled with Chinese underworld figures. Finally, Browning Without a Cause (1995) wraps up the series with Browning facing off against old friend Peter Finch and a heartbroken Vivien Leigh.
Themes of ambition, betrayal, and redemption run through the series, wrapped in Corris’s witty, fast-paced prose. The 1940s setting, split between Sydney’s mean streets and Hollywood’s gilded chaos, grounds the stories in a vivid historical context. Browning’s morally ambiguous nature—part hero, part scoundrel—makes him a compelling anti-hero, while cameos from historical figures add a layer of playful authenticity. Fans of noir will love the series’ blend of hard-boiled detective work and cinematic escapism.
Why Richard Browning Resonates
Though less famous than Corris’s Cliff Hardy series, Richard Browning carved a niche in Australian crime fiction by blending local flavor with Hollywood’s allure. Its mix of historical detail and pulpy adventure influenced later Aussie crime writers, proving that Australian settings could rival American noir. For readers, the series remains a nostalgic trip to a bygone era, with Browning’s roguish charm keeping fans hooked. Its cult status among crime fiction buffs speaks to its enduring appeal.
- Publication Years: 1987–1995
- Number of Books: 8
- Genre: Crime Fiction, Historical Noir
- Setting: 1940s Sydney and Hollywood
Grab Box Office Browning and dive into Richard Browning’s thrilling world of crime and charisma!