So here are a few "forgotten" books that I got at the sale.
The Sound of Murder is a Rex Stout mystery that does not feature Nero Wolfe. I reviewed it earlier under the original title: Alphabet Hicks. This copy is a new addition to my collection of Pyramid Green Door mysteries.
The Unfinished Clue is one of Georgette Heyer's mystery novels.
I have heard good things about the short stories of Dorothy Salisbury Davis but haven't tried any. And this is is very interesting cover.
Ross Macdonald (pseud. of Kenneth Millar) was married to Margaret Millar. They lived in Santa Barbara, California for many years and both wrote mystery novels. Macdonald's books were primarily hardboiled detective novels; Millar's books were mostly psychological suspense.
The Case of the Lucky Legs was the third Perry Mason mystery (out of over 80 books in the series). The book was published in 1934 but this Cardinal edition, with cover illustration by John Fernie, was published in 1959.
31 comments:
Tracy, this is such a wonderful haul of books. You ought to buy a stake in the Annual Planned Parenthood Book Sale! I liked all the books, especially the splendid Agatha Christie covers that I have never seen before and "Tales for a Stormy Night" by Dorothy Salisbury Davis. When the time comes, which of these paperbacks would you be tempted to read first?
What a fantastic event to get to go to. I can't see how anyone could possibly go and *not* come away with shedloads of books. LOL! I haven't heard of Dorothy Salisbury Davis but I love that cover... very Halloweenish.
I never see vintage crime at our book sales. It is always recent books. Darn.
All great finds, particularly the Millar. I'm slowly making my way through all her work, but haven't yet read The Listening Walls. I know it's supposed to be one of her best. The Collected Millar has it bound with Vanish in an Instant, Wives and Lovers, Beast in View, and An Air That Kills under the title The Master at Her Zenith. If it's anything like the others - which I have read - you're in for a treat.
Nice haul, Tracy! Lots of good books with cool covers there. Put up the sign: good reading ahead.
What a great haul of books you got, Tracy! I can see how any of them would tempt you. I think you'll enjoy The Mirror Crack'd, and the MacDonald and Millar, too. That collection of short stories really looks interesting, and, of course, you can't go wrong with Rex Stout! I hope you'll enjoy all of them.
That is a good question, Prashant. Actually it is easier to say which one will take the longest to get to. The The Underground Man by Ross Macdonald is #16 in the Lew Archer series and I plan to read them in order, so it will take a while. I did just finish reading the Agatha Christie book, and probably The Case of the Luck Legs is calling to me most right now.
Cath, It is a wonderful event and I plan all year for it. Usually I find more books I am not looking for than the ones on my list. I did a bit better this time in finding books that had been on my list for years.
You and my husband both use the word shedloads. I had not heard that anywhere else.
I don't know much about Dorothy Salisbury Davis but I know I read a short story by her in the last couple of years, and I can't track it down now. So now I have more to try.
Patti, we have been going to these sales for decades and I only began to see more of the vintage paperbacks in the last 3 years. Before that a few would show up here and there. But still, most people pass by the (few) boxes of vintage paperbacks because those are too old. Most of them are not in great shape but some books are not that easy to find in reprint. Plus I love the covers. When I was there, only myself and one other person were interested.
A Perry Mason can be read in a couple of sittings provided one has the luxury of time, as one did in college. "The Underground Man" seems to be popular among readers of Ross Macdonald's novels. I have read several reviews over the years.
I was very happy to find that book by Millar, Brian. I found two other books by her, Rose's Last Summer and The Fiend. I don't know much about either one.
I bought one of the Collected Millar volumes and it has print so small it would be difficult for me to read. But I still would love to have all of that series because of the connected spine illustrations.
The covers are very nice, Rick, and it will be good reading. I was very happy with all the books I found. Soon I will be featuring some books that my son bought that are mostly fantasy or science fiction.
I got a lot of the Lew Archer series, Margot. Some were different editions of ones I already had, but most were ones that I did not have so I am closer to having the full series. And now I just have to get to reading more of them.
You are right, Prashant, the Perry Mason books are all shorter and fast reads. I was lucky to get several of the earlier books in that series this time.
Living outside of USA....I just miss those type of book sales!
But I will snoop around some old book sellers here (NL) and perhaps, you never know, some ol english paperback will pop up.
I just love the covers of these vintage book!
Inspired....just started Ann Millar's "Wives and Lovers" !
Oops...should read 'Margaret Millar'
Here y'go, Tracy: https://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/2016/02/ffb-review-fiend-1964-by-margaret.html
Thanks for the link to your review, Barry. The subject sounds like one I would not usually enjoy, but since it is Margaret Millar, it will probably be very good.
I know, Nancy, the covers are so attractive I buy multiple editions of the same book and end up with way too many books that I may never read. But I love them.
Well, there is another title I had not heard of. And it sounds very interesting. I hope you are enjoying.
I love the covers on vintage mysteries! The Rex Stout is a great image.
Good catches, Tracy! I'm so into the ebook format now I've stopped buying paper books altogether--unless for gifts. The only one I've read of those you list here is Gardner's Lucky Legs, and that was my father's paperback I read so long ago I remember only the title.
They are lovely, Mary. Only negative with vintage mysteries is that sometimes the print is faded or tiny. I especially like the covers on the Green Door mysteries.
Matt, I was really glad to find a copy of Lucky Legs because I have wanted to read a read paper copy of it and then watch the movie, with Warren William. (Even though I have already watched it several times.) I only wish I could enjoy reading ebooks as much as you do, since I have so many on my kindle.
That is a great haul. I seem to remember that I enjoyed The Unfinished Clue. I like old paperbacks but when I read them straight after reading modern books it's always a shock to my eyes - such small, mean print.
I have the same problem with old paperbacks, Katrina. I have to have a lot of light on any books I read anyway, so I can usually adjust fairly well.
Now that I have The Unfinished Clue, I am only missing 2 of the mystery novels by Georgette Heyer. I have yet to try one of her historical romances.
Looks like you did well there Tracy. I've still to try Margaret Millar and Ross Macdonald. Or Gardner and Stout. Somehow it's a struggle to get into my older books.
You should read what you enjoy, Col. Of the four you mentioned, Macdonald is probably the closest to your tastes.
You did well again. Some good books, some good covers. The Dorothy Salisbury Davis book looks very attractive, and Lucky Legs is a great title.
Except for adding a huge number of books to my piles, Moira, I was very happy with the books I got this year. More books that I had been looking for specifically, less books that were a gamble.
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