Picture a Portland-born historian turned gritty storyteller, spinning tales of 1960s crime with a noir flair—meet David H. Fears! This American author swapped scholarly tomes for hard-boiled mysteries, captivating readers with his Mike Angel series. With a knack for blending historical accuracy and pulp-style thrills, Fears brings the transformative 1960s to life in a way that’s as seductive as it is suspenseful.
The Making of David H. Fears
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, David H. Fears was a curious kid, nicknamed 'professor' for his thick glasses and love of learning. His passion for Mark Twain sparked in 1971 when he learned the literary giant had visited his hometown in 1895. This discovery fueled a decades-long academic journey, culminating in his monumental four-volume work, Mark Twain Day by Day. But Fears wasn’t just a scholar; his childhood love for detective stories, inspired by Raymond Chandler and Mickey Spillane, set the stage for a surprising pivot to fiction in his fifties.
Before embracing novels, Fears juggled diverse careers in real estate, computers, and teaching writing at colleges like DeVry University. His eclectic experiences—coupled with a master’s degree in education and composition—shaped his disciplined yet creative approach to storytelling. The 1960s, an era he lived through, became his muse, offering a backdrop of social upheaval and gritty crime perfect for his mysteries.
David H. Fears’s Unforgettable Stories
Fears’s Mike Angel Mysteries series, spanning 20 novels, is his crowning achievement in fiction. The series follows Mike Angel, a 30-year-old Korean War veteran turned private investigator, navigating a seedy 1960s underworld of mobsters, corruption, and femme fatales. Titles like Dark Quarry (2011), the series opener, introduce Mike’s impulsive charm as he helps a beauty dispose of a body, only to tangle with the infamous Purple Gang. Dark Blonde (2011), a fan favorite, dives into Chicago’s mob-infested streets, earning praise for its page-turning suspense despite early critiques of Fears’s 'telling' style.
Later works like Dark Arson (2016) and Dark Glory (2017), the series finale, showcase Fears’s growth, weaving complex plots with historical figures and real events. Set in Portland and beyond, these novels pulse with adult themes—sex, violence, and psychological depth—while staying true to the hard-boiled tradition. Fears’s meticulous research ensures historical accuracy, grounding his tales in the 1960s’ cultural shifts, from Vietnam War protests to mob influence. His love for Chandler’s moody prose shines through, though some note his dialogue occasionally echoes the 1930s more than the 1960s.
Beyond mysteries, Fears penned a romance-mystery series starting with Quentin & Mattie (2017), set in post-Pearl Harbor Portland, and wrote Self-Edit Your Novel, a guide for aspiring authors. His nearly 100 short stories, blending nostalgia and magical realism, reflect his versatile voice, though the Mike Angel series remains his legacy.
Why David H. Fears Matters
David H. Fears carved a niche in hard-boiled fiction by marrying historical precision with noir’s raw energy. His Mike Angel series captures the 1960s’ gritty essence, appealing to fans of classic detective tales and historical fiction alike. While not a household name, Fears’s dedication to craft—honed through years of study and teaching—earned him a loyal following. His shift from Twain scholarship to pulp mysteries showcases a fearless creative leap, inspiring late-blooming writers to chase their passions.
Fears’s work also preserves a slice of Portland’s past, embedding local history in his vivid settings. As a father, grandfather, and cat lover (a nod to Twain), his personal warmth infuses his stories, making them resonate with readers seeking both thrills and heart. His eBooks and audiobooks, like Dark Blonde, narrated by James Lewis, keep his stories accessible in the digital age.
- Born: Portland, Oregon
- Key Works: Dark Quarry, Dark Blonde, Dark Glory, Mark Twain Day by Day
- Fun Fact: Fears taught writing at three colleges and joined the Private Eye Writers of America.
Ready to step into the smoky, seductive 1960s? Snag Dark Quarry and dive into David H. Fears’s hard-boiled world!