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Elmore Leonard, crime novelist, dies aged 87 Elmore Leonard, crime novelist, dies aged 87
(35 minutes later)
US crime writer Elmore Leonard, author of such books as Get Shorty, Maximum Bob and Out of Sight, has died at the age of 87 after suffering a stroke.US crime writer Elmore Leonard, author of such books as Get Shorty, Maximum Bob and Out of Sight, has died at the age of 87 after suffering a stroke.
A statement on his official website said he had died on Tuesday morning "surrounded by his loving family".A statement on his official website said he had died on Tuesday morning "surrounded by his loving family".
The author of 45 novels, Leonard had been in the process of writing his 46th.The author of 45 novels, Leonard had been in the process of writing his 46th.
Born in New Orleans in 1925, he started out writing western stories before turning to crime fiction in the 1960s.Born in New Orleans in 1925, he started out writing western stories before turning to crime fiction in the 1960s.
Renowned for his terse, no-nonsense style and sparse use of dialogue, his works inspired numerous screen adaptations.Renowned for his terse, no-nonsense style and sparse use of dialogue, his works inspired numerous screen adaptations.
Hombre, 3.10 to Yuma, Get Shorty and Rum Punch were among those filmed, the latter by Quentin Tarantino under the title Jackie Brown.Hombre, 3.10 to Yuma, Get Shorty and Rum Punch were among those filmed, the latter by Quentin Tarantino under the title Jackie Brown.
One of his more heroic characters, US Marshal Raylan Givens, inspired the TV series Justified, while his 1978 novel The Switch was filmed this year as Life of Crime.One of his more heroic characters, US Marshal Raylan Givens, inspired the TV series Justified, while his 1978 novel The Switch was filmed this year as Life of Crime.
Yet Leonard was not always impressed by how his books were adapted, being particularly dismayed by the two films made of his 1969 novel The Big Bounce.Yet Leonard was not always impressed by how his books were adapted, being particularly dismayed by the two films made of his 1969 novel The Big Bounce.
"I wanted to see my books made into good movies, but for some reason they'd just be lame," he once said."I wanted to see my books made into good movies, but for some reason they'd just be lame," he once said.
"At first that sort of thing frustrated me, but I've since learnt to live with it.""At first that sort of thing frustrated me, but I've since learnt to live with it."
His 10 Rules of Writing, published in 2001, contained such salutary admonishments as "never open a book with weather" and "keep your exclamation points under control".His 10 Rules of Writing, published in 2001, contained such salutary admonishments as "never open a book with weather" and "keep your exclamation points under control".
"I always start with the characters," he revealed in 2004. "I get to page 300 and I start thinking about the ending.""I always start with the characters," he revealed in 2004. "I get to page 300 and I start thinking about the ending."
The same year he wrote A Coyote's In the House, a book for children about a coyote who befriends some canine performers in Hollywood.The same year he wrote A Coyote's In the House, a book for children about a coyote who befriends some canine performers in Hollywood.
His many accolades included the F Scott Fitzgerald award in 2008, the PEN USA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009 and a further lifetime achievement prize, which he received at last year's National Book Awards. His many accolades included the F Scott Fitzgerald award in 2008 and the PEN USA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.
Leonard suffered a stroke earlier this month in Detroit and had been in hospital. According to the Detroit News, the author died at his home in the city's Bloomfield Village suburb. He received a further lifetime achievement prize last year, presented at America's National Book Awards.
He is survived by five children, 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, having divorced his third wife Christine last year. Leonard suffered a stroke earlier this month in Detroit and had been in hospital. He died at his home in the city's Bloomfield Village suburb.
He is survived by five children, all from his first marriage, as well as 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He and his third wife Christine divorced last year.
British journalist and author Tony Parsons was among the first to pay tribute, remembering Leonard on Twitter as a "great writer" whose books would "never die".