Kinky Friedman is an American novelist, humorist, and musician best known for his satirical mystery series featuring a fictionalized version of himself as the protagonist. His works, including titles like "Greenwich Killing Time" and "Armadillos and Old Lace," blend crime fiction with sharp wit, earning comparisons to literary satirists like Mark Twain and Will Rogers. Friedman's novels primarily fall within the mystery and thriller genres, often infused with autobiographical elements and political commentary. Beyond fiction, he has authored memoirs and contributed columns to "Texas Monthly".
Born in Chicago in 1944, Friedman grew up on a Texas ranch, where he developed early passions for music and chess. After studying psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, he served in the Peace Corps, teaching in Malaysia. His eclectic career also includes a 2006 independent run for Texas governor, during which he secured 12.6% of the vote. Friedman resides in Kerrville, Texas, where he operates the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch, a sanctuary for stray and aging animals. His enduring legacy spans literature, music, and activism, marked by his distinctive voice and irreverent humor.
Kinky Friedman Books
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Greenwich Killing Time
1986
2
A Case of Lone Star
1987
3
When the Cat's Away
1988
4
Frequent Flyer
1989
5
Musical Chairs
1991
6
Elvis, Jesus and Coca Cola
1993
7
Armadillos & Old Lace
1994
8
God Bless John Wayne
1995
9
The Love Song of J. Edgar Hoover
1996
10
Roadkill
1998
11
Blast from the Past
1998
12
Spanking Watson
1999
13
The Mile High Club
2000
14
Curse of the Missing Puppet Head
2001
15
Steppin' on a Rainbow
2001
16
Meanwhile Back at the Ranch
2002
17
Kill Two Birds & Get Stoned
2003
18
The Prisoner of Vandam Street
2004
19
Ten Little New Yorkers
2005
20
The Christmas Pig
2006
Standalone Novels
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Curse of the Missing Puppet Head
2001
2
Ten Little New Yorkers
2005
Non-Fiction Books
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
The Great Psychedelic Armadillo Picnic
1996
2
Kinky Friedman's Guide to Texas Etiquette
2001
3
'Scuse Me While I Whip This Out
2004
4
Texas Hold 'Em
2005
5
Cowboy Logic
2006
6
You Can Lead a Politician to Water, But You Can't Make Him Think
2007
7
What Would Kinky Do?
2008
8
Heroes of a Texas Childhood
2009
9
Kinky's Celebrity Pet Files
2009
10
Drinker With a Writing Problem
2011
Kinky Friedman Anthologies
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Storyteller: Short Stories by Rock Stars
2001
2
A Word on Words: The Best of John Seigenthaler's Interviews