My thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for an advance copy of this biography about an author who transcended genres, a man who created characters that lived, talked and felt more alive than the people sitting next to one in a coffee shop, an author's whose work, and writing tips will still be talked about as long as people read and create.

I remember having a Mystery Book Club edition of Glitz, with the name Elmore Leonard on the cover bigger than the title. I do think the first book I read was Unknown Man#89, a Dell paperback in green with a group of doctors looking down, from a corpse's point of view. I'm sure that is the first one I read, the vague horror, the faint science fiction title. This was so different from the Sherlock Holmes books I was reading. This was gritty, hard, and so much more speaking than I was used to in a book. I found some more, and was hooked. I don't think I am exaggerating in saying that Elmore Leonard was one of my favorite writers. Whose books have been translated into films, a few of them Out of Sight and Jacke Brown in my top ten, and a few of them well Burt Reynolds was ok. Leonard changed the way crime was looked at, reviewed, and even written. Leonard's tips on writing, don't start with weather, cut out adverbs, have become commandments to many writers. This success wasn't overnight, but over a long period of time, or learning, failing, slipping, climbing, and trying new things. All this is documented in this magisterial biography. Cooler Than Cool: The Life and Work of Elmore Leonard by C. M. Kushins looks at the life and career of the man nicknamed Dutch, who loved to read, loved to write, and changed an entire genre, with books that will stand the test of time.

Elmore Leonard was born in New Orleans in 1925. Leonard's parents moved a lot from job to job, until finally Leonard's father landed a job with Chevrolet and they moved to Detroit, the place that Leonard called home, and set many of his early works in. Leonard was a lover of books and dreamed of being a writer like his hero Ernest Hemingway. Leonard broke down stories, getting to what worked, what didn't and why. Leonard also loved to tell stories, one's he would use to get along with people, adding to his popularity. After the Second World War, where Leonard served in the Seebees, building and maintaining airfields in the South Pacific, Leonard went to college, married and was hired to work advertising, something Leonard did to support his growing family. However writing was still something he wanted to follow. Leonard would arise at 5am work until he had two pages done, go to church, than work, come home read to his kids, and do a little editing. These stories were Westerns and within a short time he was placing them in magazines, but the field was dying. Crime or regular fiction was where the money was. Even screenwriting, which Leonard took too. Leonard however kept writing, and soon he found his own style, and a literary career was born.

I could go on, but I will let the book tell the story. This is a fantastic work, one that looks at Leonard's life warts and all. Kushins has really done a lot of research talking to friends, family, researching old interviews and really getting into the mind of the writer. Kushins looks at everything written and even non-published. detailing stories, plots, where characters came from, revisions, changes and more. One sees the slow pace that Leonard's career had, and how Leonard worked on and shaped his craft.

One of the best books I have read about a writer, and one of the most comprehensive. There is really a lot here, especially for writers who wonder about their own work. Reading this gives one hope. Writing two-hours a day, working full-time, playing with his children, and always thinking. Yes Leonard had some luck, but that luck was hard earned and for every success, there was a project that went bad, especially in Hollywood. I can't recommend this book enough, for fans, for future writers and for those struggling to find their style.

“Cooler Than Cool” truly lives up to its name – it’s an amazingly well-researched and utterly gripping read that will delight both dedicated Elmore Leonard fans and those just discovering his work. In this, his third biography, C.M. Kushins delivers a comprehensive and compelling portrait of the man behind the stories and the unforgettable characters.
Kushins masterfully works chronologically through Leonard’s life, seamlessly weaving together biographical details, insightful analysis of his writing, and a vivid sense of the cultural moments that shaped him. We gain a fascinating understanding not only of Leonard’s artistic development, but also of the man himself – his passions, his quirks, and his dedication to the craft. This isn’t just a story of a writer “putting in the work,” it’s a compelling look at a life lived fully.
Beyond the literary insights, “Cooler Than Cool” also offers a fascinating and often revealing glimpse into the publishing industry and the often-turbulent world of Hollywood adaptations. This broad appeal makes it a book that will suit a variety of interests. This story also has a touching and deeply personal connection to be discovered in the afterward, offering insight in to the passion with which the book is written. Ultimately, Kushins brings Elmore Leonard to life as a vibrant, complex individual who embraced life to the fullest, right up until his final days. A highly recommended read for anyone interested in American literature, crime fiction, or the creative process itself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for a digital advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.