Melville House Books

Edward Bunker, who turned his life around after publishing a novel while in prison, then went on to write more successful books and act in movies such as Reservoir Dogs once he got out, has died in Burbank, California at age 71. According to an Agence France Presse wire story, Bunker was a diabetic who died from “complications arising from surgery to improve circulation in his legs.” As the story notes, his “hard-boiled and unapologetic crime novels were informed by his personal experiences in a society of criminals in general and by his time in the penal system in particular.” Among his books were The Animal Factory, Little Boy Blue, and Dog Eat Dog. He also appeared in the films The Running Man and Tango and Cash. He was “Mr. Blue” in Reservoir Dogs.

Dennis Johnson is the founder of MobyLives, and the co-founder and co-publisher of Melville House.