Donald Westlake is one of my favorite writers of crime and caper novels. I especially enjoy his series of comic crime novels featuring Dortmunder, a tDonald Westlake is one of my favorite writers of crime and caper novels. I especially enjoy his series of comic crime novels featuring Dortmunder, a thief whose capers always manage to go awry. He is also the author of the much more gritty series featuring Parker which he wrote under the pen-name Richard Stark. Westlake died in 2008 but he left behind some manuscripts and unfinished novels that have since been published in the Hard Case Crime series. CALL ME A CAB is the last of these posthumous novels according to the publisher.
This one was actually written in the 1970s but sat on Westlake's shelves in various versions for over forty years. An abridgment of the novel did appear in Redbook Magazine but it was drastically cut down. So CALL BE A CAB is a suspense novel without any crime in it. The story is about a New York cab driver, Tom Fletcher, who picks up a beautiful woman, Katharine Scott, as a fare to Kennedy Airport. Katharine is on her way to Los Angeles to meet up with her boyfriend, a plastic surgeon named Barry. Barry has proposed to Katharine but she is not sure if she should accept. So she decides to hire the cab for $4,000 plus expenses to take her all the way to LA, a trip of five days or so. This will give her time to think about whether or not to accept Barry's proposal. Along the way, Tom and Katharine trade stories of their romances; they detour to drive a stranded woman in labor to a nearby hospital; they stop at three Kansas City airports before finding the one where a messenger with documents for Katharine to sign will be waiting; they share a pub crawl along the Kansas-Colorado border with an overgalvanized husband and wife who seem to have come straight out of a Prohibition musical; the cab breaks down at one point; and they spend one night at an outdated tourist camp with a very amenable older couple (the other nights they spend at very similar Holiday Inns). Of course Tom has pretty much fallen for Katharine along the way but eventually they do meet up with Barry. So what will Katharine's decision be??
Even though this was not a crime novel in the usual vein of Westlake, I did enjoy it a lot. It kind of reminded me of TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY, Steinbeck's superb travelogue with his dog. This novel did show its age: pay phones and Checker cabs are things of the past. But Katharine is portrayed as a very independent woman back when women's lib was just coming about. I'm glad Westlake was such a prolific writer (he wrote more than 100 books, many under various pseudonyms) � I have hardly scratched the surface of his output so I'll definitely be reading more!...more
This is another Lawrence Block crime novel that he wrote early in his career. In fact, this is considered his first crime novel but not his first publThis is another Lawrence Block crime novel that he wrote early in his career. In fact, this is considered his first crime novel but not his first published novel. In the afterword to this edition, Block tells how this novel was written in about 1960. Then he was paid and it was sent to a publisher. However, Block never received a printed copy of the book and he wasn't sure if it had actually been published. At that time he was using various publishing houses and his books were published with different titles and by using various pen-names. He remembered the basic plot of the story and used a blog to try to find the book. Then a Facebook friend tagged him with a photo of several books by Sheldon Lord, one of Block's pseudonyms. And finally the book was identified as SAVAGE LOVER published in 1968 by Softcover Library. Block made some edits to the book and it was republished by Hard Case Crime under its original title, SINNER MAN. [image] The novel is about an insurance salesman named Don Barshter who accidentally kills his wife who falls and hits her head after a slap from Don. Don decides he doesn't want to do time for manslaughter so decides to run and take on a new identity. He travels to Buffalo, New York and changes his name to Nat Crowley. He decides he can't get a job without references so he seeks out the criminal element in the city. He is soon in with the mob there and to move up, he agrees to kill several others in the opposing faction. So will he avoid prosecution for killing his wife? And will he stay away from the police in Buffalo after gaining access to the underworld there?
This was another very compelling crime novel from Block. Some of the sex and violence in the book was quite shocking although Block wrote a lot of erotic fiction before he made it big with his novels in the 1990s. This was written in the late 50s and things have really changed since then. Crowley was able to get a new Social Security card without providing any other form of ID like a birth certificate. He was also able to carry a loaded gun onto an airline in his pocket! I think that Block is one of the best crime writers out there and even his early work is worth reading. Several of his early novels have been republished and I know I'll be reading more of them....more
Before The Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park, etc., Michael Crichton wrote several novels using various pseudonyms. Most of these were thriller novelBefore The Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park, etc., Michael Crichton wrote several novels using various pseudonyms. Most of these were thriller novels for the paperback market. GRAVE DESCEND is his tenth published novel, and the seventh using the pseudonym, John Lange. It was originally published in 1970, and later released in 2006 as part of the Hard Case Crime series. Crichton did an overall revision of the text for this release. [image] The protagonist of the novel is James McGregor, a diver working out of Jamaica who is used to exploring sunken ships. One night, he is called by an insurance adjuster named Arthur Wayne to dive to a sunken yacht named the Grave Descend to see if it can be raised and salvaged. The yacht mysteriously sunk after an explosion off the Jamaican coast. But is this what really happened? After talking to Wayne, the ship's captain, and a beautiful survivor, McGregor feels that there is more to the story based on some conflicting statements by the witnesses. He gets drawn into the mystery which is really not what was originally reported.
This novel reminded me somewhat of Peter Benchley's novels such as JAWS and THE DEEP. With McGregor diving to the wreck amidst hammerhead sharks and moray eels, he faces many hazards but why? I thought the story kind of devolved in the second half of the novel into a convoluted thriller involving the mafia and missing treasure. This was definitely not up to Crichton's best work but it was sorta fun for what it is....more
This is the first crime novel ever written by Ed McBain (aka Evan Hunter, aka Richard Marsten). From Wikipedia: Evan Hunter (October 15, 1926 � July 6This is the first crime novel ever written by Ed McBain (aka Evan Hunter, aka Richard Marsten). From Wikipedia: Evan Hunter (October 15, 1926 � July 6, 2005) was an American author and screenwriter who also wrote under a number of pen names, most notably Ed McBain, used for most of his crime fiction. Born Salvatore Albert Lombino, he legally adopted the name Evan Hunter in 1952; he also used the pen names John Abbott, Curt Cannon, Hunt Collins, Ezra Hannon, and Richard Marsten, amongst others. His 87th Precinct novels have become staples of the police procedural genre. SO NUDE, SO DEAD was originally published in 1952 as THE EVIL SLEEP! by Evan Hunter. It was reprinted in 1956 as "So Nude, So Dead" under the name Richard Marsten.
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The novel delves into the sordid world of a heroin addict. The protagonist, Ray Stone, wakes up craving his next fix but finds that the beautiful woman next to him had been killed by gunshots to her stomach. The woman had provided the H to him from a large supply of 16 ounces she had in a candy tin. But the H is missing, Ray is hurting and needing a shot, and the girl is dead. So who killed her and why? The cops think Ray did it and his picture is plastered on the front of the newspapers with the caption "Killer Addict". So Ray must try to find out who really did it. But can he survive without a fix and will he be able to find the killer?
This was a good early effort by McBain. I'm a fan of his 87th Precinct novels and consider him one of the best in the crime genre. The book was however quite dated and included some terms that are somewhat politically incorrect today like "junkie" and "hophead". But McBain is a master storyteller and his descriptions of the drug scene during the fifties appears pretty accurate.
This reprint also contains a short story called "Die Hard" featuring PI Matt Cordell which also dealt with heroin addiction and its prices. Cordell was also featured in another Hard Case Crime novel called THE GUTTER AND THE GRAVE. I think I have a copy of it that I'll have to read soon....more
Double Feature was originally published in 1977 under the title Enough. It contains two short novels which both somewhat relate to the movie industry Double Feature was originally published in 1977 under the title Enough. It contains two short novels which both somewhat relate to the movie industry so when this book was republished in 2020 by Hard Case Crime, the name was changed to Double Feature.
The first story in the volume is called "A Travesty" and is very typical of Westlake's crime novels and includes a lot of sardonic humor similar to his Dortmunder stories. The protagonist in the story is a movie critic named Calvin Thorp who accidentally murders his girlfriend with a slap that causes her to fall and hit her head on a coffee table. So he tries to cover this up but is seen leaving the girl's apartment by a private detective who tries to blackmail him. But Thorp is able to turn the tables on the PI which gives him a solid alibi with the police and he is eliminated as a suspect. He then becomes friends with one of the investigating cops when he is able to solve a crime that has them stumped. More murders ensue and Thorp is able to cover his tracks and help the police with more of their cases. But will his luck hold out? This was really a very clever story filled with humor and concludes with a quite perfect ending.
The second story, "Ordo", is quite different and is really not a crime story at all. It is about a Navy sailor name Ordo who finds out through a magazine that his first marriage (annulled by his bride's mother) was to a woman who turned out to be a major Hollywood movie star named Dawn Devayne. His marriage to her was annulled because at the time she was only 16 years old and her name was Estelle Anlic. Ordo can't believe that Estelle was transformed into Dawn -- she looks and acts nothing like he remembers. So he takes leave and goes to Hollywood where he is able to meet her again but her past is something she ends up wanting buried. I really enjoyed this story probably even more than "A Travesty." I think Westlake may have based it on Marilyn Monroe and her first marriage before she became a star. His insight into Hollywood and show business felt right on target and made for some very compelling reading.
Overall, another high recommendation for this one by Westlake. I have read several of his novels and always enjoy them. Glad Hard Case Crime has been republishing some of his forgotten early works. Looking forward to reading more! I was also surprised to find out that both of these stories have been made into movies titled and . I'll be on the lookout for them.
I'm a fan of Joyce Carol Oates and have read and enjoyed several of her novels and short story collections. However this one left me a little perplexeI'm a fan of Joyce Carol Oates and have read and enjoyed several of her novels and short story collections. However this one left me a little perplexed. It was originally published in 1974 and tells the story of a psychopathic killer from his point of view in a stream-of-consciousness style. The killer seems to be modeled somewhat after Charles Manson with no empathy for his victims. The narrative goes back and forth in time and covers his life story from when he was discovered as a baby stuffed inside a duffel bag in a bus terminal locker to his harsh treatment growing up in foster homes and on to time in prison and eventually to his life in L.A. where he strives to be a singer and actor. And then he hacks nine women to death with a machete, becomes somewhat of a cult leader and is then on trial for his crimes. Oates prose is sometimes dense and hard to follow while the plot tends to get lost in the telling. The writing is filled with rambling fantasies and rambling poetry and at the end it kind of leaves you wondering... what was that all about??
Also included in this volume was an equally disjointed novella called Love, Careless Love. This was written in the same style and is also a hard one to follow. Overall, I would only recommend this volume to die hard JCO fans. I'll be looking forward to reading something more conventional from her....more
Stephen King just keeps cranking out very engrossing and compelling stories. This entry in the HARD CASE CRIME series is classic King with many of theStephen King just keeps cranking out very engrossing and compelling stories. This entry in the HARD CASE CRIME series is classic King with many of the elements that make King's novels worth reading. This is a coming-of-age story with a twist, the protagonist of the story, Jamie Conklin, can also see dead people! Jamie is the son of a single mother who is also a literary editor. Jamie learned at an early age that he could see and communicate with recently deceased persons. When Jamie was about six, he and his mother arrived home one day to find that an elderly neighbor had passed away. But lo and behold, Jamie could see and talk to the woman while his mother was comforting the grieving husband. This gift comes in handy later for Jamie and his mother when she needs to find out the plot of an unfinished novel from a renowned author who dies of an unexpected heart attack. But then Jamie's gift is used to the advantage of a disgraced cop who used to be the lover of Jamie's mother and things only get worse from there. Jamie does keep telling the reader that it is a horror story...and it certainly is.
This was a very engaging tale from King. Although it was shorter than his usual lengthy tomes and could be read in an afternoon, it does not lack for character development or good story telling. As usual, King makes the reader want to turn the pages to find out what happens next. Overall I would recommend this one to any King fan....more
Before The Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park, etc., Michael Crichton wrote several novels using various pseudonyms. ZERO COOL is Michael Crichton's fBefore The Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park, etc., Michael Crichton wrote several novels using various pseudonyms. ZERO COOL is Michael Crichton's fifth published novel. It was released in 1969 under the pseudonym of John Lange, and later re-released in 2008 as part of the Hard Case Crime series. For this release, Crichton wrote short new framing chapters, in addition to doing an overall revision of the text.
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The protagonist in the novel is Peter Ross, an American radiologist who goes to Spain for a vacation and to do a presentation. He meets a beautiful young woman on a Spanish beach and then finds himself in the midst of a struggle by several gangs who are seeking a precious Mexican artifact. Ross is forced to do an autopsy where the artifact is sewn into the corpse's chest cavity. Then he is enmeshed in trying to find the body when it is snatched.
Overall, this one was pretty ridiculous and could have been the plot from a pulp novel from the 30's what with ancient artifacts, rival gangs, including a mad dwarf, falconry, and hard-to-kill villains! It was somewhat fun to read but don't expect anything like the novels Crichton was famous for....more
I really enjoyed this "Hard Case" crime story that was originally published back in 1969. Very reminiscent of Mickey Spillane and other hard-core deteI really enjoyed this "Hard Case" crime story that was originally published back in 1969. Very reminiscent of Mickey Spillane and other hard-core detective novels of the 50s and 60s. Basically it was the story of a gambler - Chet Conway - who got caught in the middle of two opposing gangs when he tried to collect a payoff from his bookie who was shot and killed right before he arrived to get the money. Both gangs thought he had killed the bookie and eventually tried to kill him to keep him quiet. The story was very fast-paced and involved the usual thugs, thieves, and of course the beautiful blonde who tried to help Chet along the way. Very enjoyable!
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I also noticed the cover art of this edition was very similar to the cover of an old LP for the soundtrack to "Hell's Belle's". You think the artist may have used this as inspiration??...more
I have been a fan of Collins for awhile and have read several of his books in the Nate Heller and his Disaster series. This is the first Quarry book II have been a fan of Collins for awhile and have read several of his books in the Nate Heller and his Disaster series. This is the first Quarry book I have read and I was not disappointed! I recently saw the based on the Quarry books so I was looking forward to reading this.
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This first novel in the Quarry series was first published in 1976 and has now been reissued as part of the Hard Case Crime novels. The book is told from the first person perspective of a hired killer. Quarry is a returned Vietnam vet who learned his trade in the jungles of Nam. In this book, he is hired to kill a rather innocent type who seems to cause no one any problems and who keeps to himself. So why would anyone pay $4000 to kill him? Seems like an easy hit to Quarry but then things turn south. His partner in the hit is killed and the money for the hit is stolen. Quarry turns detective to try to find out who was responsible and why the hit was contracted in the first place. Along the way he meets some interesting characters including the owner of the "Bunny" club who was an ex-Playboy model. Well, of course, some gratuitous sex ensues. But along the way we are treated to a well-written gritty crime novel from a different perspective in the vein of Mickey Spillane or Donald Westlake. In the afterword, Collins credits Westlake (who wrote the Parker series under the name Richard Stark) as one of his mentors. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a hard-boiled crime novel and I will be reading more in this series....more
Hardcore-gritty-thriller from Block. I read this one because there is a new movie version of it that was just released starring Liam Neeson. Not sure Hardcore-gritty-thriller from Block. I read this one because there is a new movie version of it that was just released starring Liam Neeson. Not sure the movie will live up to the book (they rarely do) because I thought this was an outstanding outing for Matt Scudder. I have read a few other Scudder books (most recently In The Midst of Death) and I have to say this is probably the best so far. In this one, Scudder is called in to try to locate a pair of sex killers who kidnapped a drug dealer's wife and then after receiving the ransom, sexually mutilated and killed her. Scudder has little to go on but with the help of a street-smart kid, TJ, a couple of young phone hackers, the Kong brothers, and piecing together other similar crimes, he is able to get to the bottom of who the killers are. The novel is very graphic in describing the sex mutilations of the killers and overall an engrossing read. This book was written in 1992 and does show its age in some ways. For example, there was no caller ID which could have aided in identifying the killers and computer hackers were relatively unknown! Even given this, I would highly recommend this one and will be looking forward to the movie. ...more
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