Michael Slade
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael Slade is the pen name of Canadian novelist Jay Clarke, a lawyer who has participated in more than 100 criminal cases and who specializes in criminal insanity. Before Clarke entered law school, his undergraduate studies focused on history.[1] Clarke’s writing stems from his experience as practicing lawyer and historian, as well as his extensive world travel. He works closely with police officers to ensure that his novels incorporate state-of-the-art police techniques.[2] Writing as a team with a handful of other authors, Clarke has published a series of police procedurals about the fictional Special External Section (Special X) of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. His novels describe Special X protagonists as they track down fugitives, typically deranged murderers. Four other authors have contributed under the name Michael Slade: John Banks, Lee Clarke, Rebecca Clarke, and Richard Covell. Despite the collaborative nature of the books, Jay Clarke is the predominant voice in their writing. Currently, Jay and his daughter Rebecca write under the Slade name.
Slade's novel Ghoul is on the Horror Writers Association's recommended reading list.[1] His work is published by Penguin.
Fans of the series are referred to as Sladists, a play on the word sadist.
According to a recent report[2] on horror movie website Arrow in the Head, Headhunter has been optioned for a movie by Brightlight Pictures, set to be written by Wil Zmak and directed by Patrick Lussier.
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[edit] Writing Style
Slade writes novels on three concentric levels. At the center of each story is a whodunit or howdunit. Around that is psychological horror, through which Slade ventures into the supernatural without leaving the real world. Police procedure is the outer level.[3] Many of his plots are tied to historical events in the Pacific Northwest and include substantial lessons in geography or history. Slade puts a great deal of research into his writing, and each novel includes a bibliography.
Some critics have noted that Slade writes extremely graphic scenes, many involving gory descriptions of violence. In an interview with a fellow author, Slade remarked "You must always remember that Slade is a criminal lawyer who specializes in murder cases involving insanity. So what most people call 'extreme violence' is merely reality to him.[3]"
[edit] Special X Series
As of 2006, Slade has written twelve novels in the Special X series.
- Headhunter (1984)
- Ghoul (1987)
- Cutthroat (1992)
- Ripper (1994)
- Zombie (1996), aka Evil Eye
- Shrink (1998), aka Primal Scream
- Burnt Bones (1999)
- Hangman (2000)
- Death's Door (2001)
- Bed of Nails (2003)
- Swastika (2005)
- Kamikaze (2006)
