Picture a hardboiled private eye cracking wise in the dusty streets of Dallas, spun from the mind of an American-turned-Australian storyteller—meet W. Glenn Duncan! Known for his Shamus Award-winning Rafferty P.I. mystery series, Duncan blended gritty crime tales with sharp humor, drawing from a life as colorful as his novels. From piloting planes to penning page-turners, his journey is a story worth uncovering.
Duncan’s knack for crafting unforgettable mysteries made him a beloved figure in the crime fiction world, with his Rafferty P.I. series still captivating readers long after his passing. Let’s dive into the life, works, and lasting legacy of this unique author.
The Making of W. Glenn Duncan
Born in the United States, W. Glenn Duncan lived a nomadic early life, calling Iowa, Ohio, Florida, Texas, and California home before settling in Australia with his wife and three children. Before he became a master of mystery, Duncan wore many hats: journalist, politician, and even professional pilot, soaring through the skies with the same boldness that later fueled his storytelling. His diverse experiences—from reporting hard-hitting news to navigating the open air—infused his writing with a rugged authenticity and a keen eye for human nature.
It wasn’t until later in life that Duncan turned to fiction, channeling his worldly adventures into the Rafferty P.I. series. Inspired by classic hardboiled detectives like Sam Spade and Mike Hammer, he carved out his own niche with a distinctly Texan flair, proving that a well-traveled life makes for a well-told tale.
W. Glenn Duncan’s Unforgettable Stories
Duncan’s Rafferty P.I. series, launched in 1987, follows the sardonic Dallas private investigator Rafferty, a former cop with a knack for trouble and a rule for everything—often hilariously summed up as “Rafferty’s Rules,” a nod to an Australian football term meaning “no rules at all.” The series kicked off with Rafferty’s Rules, where Rafferty takes on outlaw bikers to save a kidnapped girl, setting the tone for action-packed, witty mysteries.
The Shamus Award-winning Fatal Sisters (1990) stands out, with Rafferty untangling a murder tied to a mob-run whorehouse, all while protecting a client’s naive wife from harsh truths. Other gems include Last Seen Alive, where Rafferty hunts a killer hiding in plain sight, and Cannon’s Mouth, praised for its twisty plot and Rafferty’s signature one-liners. Duncan’s style—think Raymond Chandler meets Robert B. Parker—blends gritty action, sharp dialogue, and a touch of humor, making his books a hit with fans of Spenser or Jack Reacher.
Later in his career, Duncan partnered with his son, W. Glenn Duncan Jr. (writing as Bill Duncan), who continued the series after Duncan’s death in 2019. New titles like Wright & Wrong keep Rafferty’s legacy alive, tackling modern issues like gun violence with the same hardboiled charm.
Why W. Glenn Duncan Matters
W. Glenn Duncan brought a fresh voice to the private eye genre in the late 1980s, when formulaic detectives were flooding the market. His Rafferty wasn’t just another tough guy; he was a wise-cracking, morally driven hero whose Texas roots and Australian-inspired irreverence set him apart. With over 300,000 readers worldwide, the series has earned praise from critics and fans alike, with reviewers likening Duncan to legends like Elmore Leonard and Kinky Friedman.
Duncan’s legacy endures through his son’s continuation of the series and the timeless appeal of Rafferty’s adventures. His ability to weave his varied life—journalist, pilot, expatriate—into stories that resonate across continents makes him a standout in crime fiction. For readers craving authentic, thrilling mysteries, Duncan’s work remains a treasure trove.
- Born: United States, date unknown
- Key Works: Rafferty’s Rules, Fatal Sisters, Last Seen Alive, Cannon’s Mouth
- Awards: Shamus Award for Fatal Sisters (Best Paperback Original)
- Died: 2019, Australia
Snag Rafferty’s Rules or Fatal Sisters and dive into W. Glenn Duncan’s hardboiled world of wisecracks and justice!