Vincent Van Lowe

From the pages of FNP for Dummies (full title - Film Noir Parodies for Dummies, $34.99 from all disreputable booksellers):

(page 62 - Constituents of noir parody: Character) "2. The morally ambiguous protagonist - In FNP, subtlety is purged. The protagonist may be presented as morally bankrupt, comically incompetent, or sometimes both (see Van Lowe, Vinnie). Such a character will do anything for the one offering the most money and have no qualms. They wouldn't know a qualm if they fell over it, and they sure as hell can't spell it...Their personal life will follow a similar pattern, marked by their inability to retain the love and trust of others. They will either have had numerous, brief relationships (see Van Lowe, Brenda; Van Lowe, Masako; Villareal, Debra) or have only ever known their right hand..."

(page 65 - Constituents of noir parody: Character, cont.) "[...] often containing items such as bananas, clubs, or garden gnomes. To achieve his goal of getting access to the most high profile and lucrative cases, the protagonist may go to great lengths, oft times using less than savory methods, such as burglary, theft, etc. Consequently, the protagonist is well-acquainted with the law and local facilities of imprisonment. Humorous situations arise when..."

(page 75 - Constituents of noir parody: Setting) "23. Style and taste - Although both rely heavily on images of violence and sex, the black, white, and grey of noir gives way to garish tastelessness in FNP...wearing the sort of attire that attracts cheap women as a badge of honor..."

(page 93 - Constituents of noir parody: Plot) "8. The double cross - In noir, though inevitable, the betrayal comes as a surprise when played out. In FNP, it's writ large from the start. A popular variety is known as the Vinnie Van Lowe Classic, in which the intrepid investigator catches out a spouse at the behest of the spouse's nosy partner, then offers to tell the trapped partner that for double the money, he'll tell the nosy one that the partner is clean. It is something that can in itself be relied upon by others to further their own interests (see Mars, Veronica for her account of the Faith Manning kidnapping case)..."