Line #1 Creator/MichaelSlade


1	[[quoteright:231:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/michael_slade.png]]
2	Michael Slade is the [[PenName pseudonym]] of author Jay Clarke (born 1947) and his collaborators. Clarke is a criminal lawyer based in Vancouver, who specializes in criminal insanity. Under the Michael Slade name, Clarke and his co-authors have released a number of horror crime novels.
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4	!! Novels by Slade include:
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6	* ''Literature/{{Ghoul}}''
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8	!! Some tropes associated with Slade's work include:
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10	* AlwaysGetsHisMan: Interestingly, the idea that a Mountie does this is what sparked Clarke's interest in writing about the Mounties. The central killer may or may not be captured at the end of each story.
11	%% * AxCrazy: Of course.
12	%% * BadassBookworm: [=DeClerq=].
13	* BadassCrew: Special X is made up of elite, highly specialized members.
14	%% * BrotherSisterIncest: Rika and Saxon Hyde.
15	* CanadianWestern: While Slade novels are generally categorized as crime and horror, many of the elements can also be considered CanadianWestern.
16	* CowboysAndIndians: The Battle of Rorke's Drift is described in ''Evil Eye''. In this case, it's actually Redcoats and Zulus, a battle that captured the author's imagination as a lad.
17	* DarkAndTroubledPast: Most of the characters, but particularly Zinc Chandler, Robert [=DeClerq=], and other members of Special X.
18	* DevelopmentHell: ''Headhunter'' was optioned in 2008, but has yet to see even a script.
19	* DistractedByTheSexy: Becomes a ChekhovsGun in ''Ghoul.'' The perpetrator of a murder leaves the scene, but she's noticed because of her fantastic cleavage... Except she's not who they think.
20	* TheDungAges: Discussed in ''Ghoul.'' Made particularly Squicky with mention of Richard the Raker, a 14th century sanitation worker who drowned in the sewage in London's streets.
21	* FreudianExcuse: ''Ghoul'' in particular came about during a time when crimes were believed to be a result of a person being subjected to years of horrendous [[RapeLeadsToInsanity abuse]]. Although still relevant, some of the psychology from TheEighties seems dated now.
22	* HuntingTheMostDangerousGame: A deadly game of Hangman and a "murder mystery" game gone sour.
23	* UsefulNotes/JackTheRipper: One of the recurring characters is a Ripper wannabe.
24	* MarketBasedTitle: After the novel was released in Britain, North American publishers discovered Joyce Carol Oates had released a novel entitled ''Zombie,'' so the title was changed to ''Evil Eye.''
25	* TheMentallyDisturbed: Many of the killers, to [[InsaneEqualsViolent extreme degrees]]. The psychology used in the book is better presented than in most fiction, as criminal insanity is the author's specialty.
26	* PoliceProcedural: Many of Slade's novels revolve around Special X, a (fictional) international division of Canada's Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
27	* SerialKiller: Almost every novel has one (or more) at the centre of the plot, along with ShoutOut s to many RealLife serial killers such as Ted Bundy, Ed Gein, and Richard Ramirez. In fact, the end notes to ''Ghoul'' provide a handy list of notable serial killers. And if you were wondering, a couple of the books include a handy check list for serial killer behaviour.
28	* ShownTheirWork: The novels are meticulously researched and very unique in that they include a bibliography.
29	* TheVamp: Rika Hyde from ''Ghoul'' is a perfect example of the trope.

Context Creator / MichaelSlade