Pulp Fiction - One Monday We Killed Them All by John D. MacDonald

     Dwight McAran is getting out of jail. The town bad boy no one wants him on the street. He's been in jail, but unlike most, is not broken. In fact, he's more than ready to get even. Detective Fenn is challenged with keeping tabs on him. A tricky situation - especially since he's Fenn's brother in law. Faced with trying to keep the sociopath Dwight out of trouble, for the good of the town and in order to save his marriage, the future of the town depends on Fenn's skill. The relationships between Fenn and his wife is beautiful, pure and timeless, a marriage we all should strive for, juxtaposed with Fenn's adversarial and confrontational relationship with Dwight, as well as the motherly relationship Fenn's wife Meg has with Dwight are the real gems of the book.

Pulp Fiction - This is Murder by Erle Stanley Gardner

Every time I read a vintage paperback I find it so much more enjoyable than modern ones. I'm not sure if it's the amazing cover art, the crisp and enhanced vocabulary, the richness of the time, the authors were better, or some other reason. This book was no exception. 

Sam Moraine is in advertising. Through odd circumstances, he becomes the go-between for a kidnapping ransom exchange. Only this kidnapping seems off. Things are definitely not right. After the exchange Sam becomes more immersed in the web of lies when the kidnap victim - whom he had saved and returned home - ends up dead in a prominent political man. The twists and turns and political intrigue kept me on the edge of my seat.

After reading this, I definitely think I will give other Gardner books a try. My only problem with this one - my poor vintage paperback fell apart. I probably should have just saved it and not read it, but what good is a book that isn't read?

Pulp Fiction - Hospital Doctor by Edward Young (1957)

      I'm usually a little reticent to read medical novels or watch medical television shows because of all the medical drama I've had myself.  Bad thoughts abound usually, but I decided to give one of my pulp novels a try,  Hospital Doctor by Edward Young, published in 1952.   Medical novels and romances were all the rage at the time this book was published.  While they may not be bestsellers today, the medically based television shows are still a TV staple.  And surprisingly, I do enjoy The Knick and Ripper Street, which often have medical scenes, but the others are too much for me.  Maybe the historical context helps diminish the trauma.  Or maybe it's because of the lack of all the medical device beeping which seems to amplify anxiety.

Book Review: League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout

Sydney Greenstreet as Nero Wolfe

When I think Nero Wolfe, I envision Sydney Greenstreet, since the only exposure I've had to Nero Wolfe is the radio program he starred in. I wasn't sure I'd enjoy the books, so I've waited to give this one a try. Another case of should not judge a book by its cover. The book follows Paul Chapin and a group of men who had been responsible for his crippling when they went to college. The group has formed a league to try to make amends for their prank gone wrong, but begin to get scared when members of the league starts to turn up missing or dead. 

The League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout

What I found interesting about this book was from the very beginning, you were basically given the killer. The rest of the book involved trying to find ways in which to convict Paul Chapin. The journey was a fascinating exploration into human nature and psychology. I found the thought process of Wolfe, his helper Archie, and the surrounding characters intriguing. The characters were so fully developed that I found their eccentricities completely believable and endearing.  Stout has a real gift for language, and that became one of the great features of the book. I enjoyed Stout's voice immensely, and I can't wait until I have the chance to read another Nero Wolfe book. I found myself only reading a bit every day because it was a treat, a little morsel of mystery goodness I felt privileged to read.

The League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout

The League of Frightened Men
Rex Stout
Pyramid Books R-919
1935

Vintage Book of the Week - Sudden Fear

  

Vintage Book of the Week - Sudden Fear by Edna Sherry


Stunner of a pulp! Myra is a famous, middle-aged, rich, bored playwright. One day she saves a woman from drowning. To gain inspiration for her next play, Myra brings the girl to her home where Myra lives with her young husband. Naturally Myra's 'philanthropy' goes awry when she plays her tape recorder. On it, Myra hears her 'beloved husband' and 'guest' Irma plotting Myra's murder. A race against time of whom will murder whom first. Loved it from start to finish. Definitely kept me guessing as to what the truth was and who would get murdered first.

It's no wonder this book was turned into a film.  The 1952 stars the fabulous Joan Crawford, Jack Palance, and Gloria Grahame.  I can definitely see Joan Crawford in the role of Myra.  I haven't seen the film yet, but hope to if it gets cheaper.  It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actress (Joan Crawford), Best Supporting Actor (Jack Palance), Best Cinematography (Black and White), and Best Costume Design (Black and White).

On a side note, the book mentioned Schiaperelli clothing about 100 times.  I'm not sure if she paid them or if the author is obsessed with them, but here are a couple gorgeous gowns from Schiaperelli.

Book Review: Tomb of the Ten Thousand Dead

I have to say I have never read any of L. Ron Hubbard's books. Not a huge fan of sci-fi and there is that whole Scientology issue, but I have to say this was a ripping good read. I'm glad I received an Early Review copy because I had no idea what an exciting author Hubbard was. "Tomb of the Ten Thousand Dead" is an action-packed adventure ride centered on a treasure map from Alexander the Great. He left jewels in the Indian desert in a tomb which has yet to be found. Captain Charles Gordon's quest is incredibly exciting and fast paced. Loved it.

The book also includes two other short stories, "Price of a Hat" and "Starch and Stripes". In "Price of a Hat", a Russian hat brings death wherever it goes, but what is the mysterious secret it hides? The fall of the Russian Monarchy takes center stage in a classic question of "What if?". I found this story utterly fascinating and a wonderful read. I'm not much of a fan of military stories so I wasn't a huge fan of "Starch and Stripes", but it was well written.

On the whole, this was a great adventure read and a must for anyone who is a fan of pulps, life myself. The cover looks exciting and definitely captures the feel of the book. A wonderful glossary and section of L. Ron Hubbard's contribution to pulp literature accompanies the book. A definite keeper. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

Pulp of the Week: River Barge Virgin by Wright Williams

I've been in the mood for Pulp novels lately and so I was able to breeze through this 127 page quickie, River Barge Virgin by Wright Williams. It was published in 1949 by Phoenix Press. The cover was naturally intriguing, but does not quite portray what the book is about.

There is a girl on a barge - that much is true. This tale is a complicated story about why people marry. Do you marry for love, or for money? A complicated love triangle forms between poor Carl Vanners who is staying in his uncle's New York penthouse; a stunning model who is looking for money, Joan Ransome; a lovely, simple girl, Diana Monroe, whose only possession is a river barge which she inherited - so naturally she lives on it and girlies it up. Diana docks in front of poor Carl's apartment, so he starts seeing Diana after he is ditched by Joan for lack of money.

Enter a reporter who is convinced Diana is a murderess as well as Joan's mercenary mates and you get a ripping tale about morals and what lengths women will go to to find security. This fast, easy read made me feel quite sad for the main male character, Carl Vanners, who seemed like a regular guy just trying to find love without the interference of unsavory characters. Had a noir-ish tinge to it, and the ending was a total surprise.