'Sallis creates vivid images in very few words and his taut, pared-down prose is distinctive and powerful. The result is a small masterpiece.' - Susanna Yager, Sunday Telegraph 'Sallis's lean mystery and flat-voiced prose are refreshing, even startling. A lovely piece of work.' - Paul Skenasy, Washington Post Books World - Best Books of 2005 'a minor masterpiece... minimalist, stylish, and all the more evocative for it. Essential noir existentialism.' - Maxim Jakubowski, The Guardian 'James Sallis has written a perfect piece of noir fiction.' - Marilyn Stasio, New York Times 'The novel is a terrific ride, and true to form, Sallis leaves us with an enigmatic teaser of an ending.' - Scott M Morris, Los Angeles Times 'Imagine the black heart of Jim Thompson beating in the poetic chest of James Sallis and you'll have some idea of the beauty, sadness and power of Drive' - Dick Adler, Chicago Tribune 'a compact, beautifully written little noir gem...' - Seattle Times

James Sallis is a renowned poet, critic, essayist, editor, translator, musicologist, biographer and novelist, author of Salt River, Cripple Creek, Cypress Grove, Drive and a series of books set in New Orleans featuring private detective Lew Griffin. He lives in Arizona with his wife Karyn.